THE RELEVANCE OF INTIMACY WITH MY INTELLIGENT VIRTUAL ASSISTANT

Patrícia Garrotes,Sandra Maria Correia Loureiro 글로벌지식마케팅경영학회 2021 Global Fashion Management Conference Vol.2021 No.11

A review of hemorheology: Measuring techniques and recent advances

Patrícia C. Sousa,Fernando T. Pinho,Manuel A. Alves,Mónica S.N. Oliveira 한국유변학회 2016 Korea-Australia rheology journal Vol.28 No.1

Significant progress has been made over the years on the topic of hemorheology, not only in terms of the development of more accurate and sophisticated techniques, but also in terms of understanding the phenomena associated with blood components, their interactions and impact upon blood properties. The rheological properties of blood are strongly dependent on the interactions and mechanical properties of red blood cells, and a variation of these properties can bring further insight into the human health state and can be an important parameter in clinical diagnosis. In this article, we provide both a reference for hemorheological research and a resource regarding the fundamental concepts in hemorheology. This review is aimed at those starting in the field of hemodynamics, where blood rheology plays a significant role, but also at those in search of the most up-to-date findings (both qualitative and quantitative) in hemorheological measurements and novel techniques used in this context, including technical advances under more extreme conditions such as in large amplitude oscillatory shear flow or under extensional flow, which impose large deformations comparable to those found in the microcirculatory system and in diseased vessels. Given the impressive rate of increase in the available knowledge on blood flow, this review is also intended to identify areas where current knowledge is still incomplete, and which have the potential for new, exciting and useful research. We also discuss the most important parameters that can lead to an alteration of blood rheology, and which as a consequence can have a significant impact on the normal physiological behavior of blood.

Cytocompatibility and cell proliferation evaluation of calcium phosphate-based root canal sealers

Letícia Boldrin Mestieri,Ivana Maria Zaccara,Lucas Siqueira Pinheiro,Fernando Branco Barletta,Patrícia Maria Polli Kopper,Fabiana Soares Grecca 대한치과보존학회 2020 Restorative Dentistry & Endodontics Vol.45 No.1

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the cell viability and migration of Endosequence Bioceramic Root Canal Sealer (BC Sealer) compared to MTA Fillapex and AH Plus. Materials and Methods: BC Sealer, MTA Fillapex, and AH Plus were placed in contact with culture medium to obtain sealers extracts in dilution 1:1, 1:2 and 1:4. 3T3 cells were plated and exposed to the extracts. Cell viability and migration were assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-thiazoyl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) and Scratch assay, respectively. Data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn's test (p < 0.05). Results: The MTT assay revealed greater cytotoxicity for AH Plus and MTA Fillapex at 1:1 dilution when compared to control (p < 0.05). At 1:2 and 1:4 dilutions, all sealers were similar to control (p > 0.05) and MTA Fillapex was more cytotoxic than BC Sealer (p < 0.05). Scratch assay demonstrated the continuous closure of the wound according to time. At 30 hours, the control group presented closure of the wound (p < 0.05). At 36 hours, only BC Sealer presented the closure when compared to AH Plus and MTA Fillapex (p < 0.05). At 42 hours, AH Plus and MTA Fillapex showed a wound healing (p > 0.05). Conclusions: All tested sealers demonstrated cell viability highlighting BC Sealer, which showed increased cell migration capacity suggesting that this sealer may achieve better tissue repair when compared to other tested sealers.

Occurrence and Antimicrobial Drug Susceptibility Patterns of Commensal and Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli in Fecal Microbiota from Children with and without Acute Diarrhea

Patrícia G. Garcia,Vânia L. Silva,Cláudio G. Diniz 한국미생물학회 2011 The journal of microbiology Vol.49 No.1

Acute diarrhea is a public health problem and an important cause of morbidity and mortality, especially in developing countries. The etiology is varied, and the diarrheagenic Escherichia coli pathotypes are among the most important. Our objectives were to determine the occurrence of commensal and diarrheagenic E. coli strains in fecal samples from children under five years old and their drug susceptibility patterns. E. coli were isolated from 141 fresh fecal samples; 84 were obtained from clinically injured donors with acute diarrhea (AD) and 57 from clinically healthy donors without diarrhea (WD). Presumptive phenotypic species identification was carried out and confirmed by amplification of specific 16S ribosomal RNA encoding DNA. Multiplex PCR was performed to characterize the diarrheagenic E. coli strains. Drug susceptibility patterns were determined by the disc-diffusion method. In total, 220 strains were recovered from the fecal specimens (61.8% from AD and 38.2% from WD). Diarrheagenic E. coli was identified at a rate of 36.8% (n=50)in diarrheic feces and 29.8% (n=25) in non-diarrheic feces. Enteroaggregative E. coli was the most frequently identified pathotype in the AD group (16.2%) and the only pathotype identified in the WD group (30.9%). Enteropathogenic E. coli was the second most isolated pathotype (10.3%), followed by Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (7.4%) and enterotoxigenic E. coli (2.9%). No enteroinvasive E. coli strains were recovered. The isolates showed high resistance rates against ampicillin, tetracycline, and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim. The most effective drugs were ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, imipenem and piperacillin-tazobactam, for which no resistance was observed. Differentiation between the diarrheagenic E. coli pathotypes is of great importance since they are involved in acute diarrheal diseases and may require specific antimicrobial chemotherapy. The high antimicrobial resistance observed in our study raises a broad discussion on the indiscriminate or improper use of antimicrobials, besides the risks of self-medication.

Evaluation In Vitro of Toxicity of Hydroalcoholic Extract of Leaves and Roots from Yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius)

Patrícia Martinez-Oliveira,Luísa Zuravski,Micaela Federizzi de Oliveira,Deise Jaqueline Ströher,Ritiéle Pinto Coelho,Bruna Cocco Pilar,Luís Flávio Souza de Oliveira,Jacqueline da Costa Escobar Piccoli 한국식품영양과학회 2021 Journal of medicinal food Vol.24 No.6

Yacon is an Andean plant that has been used in folk medicine for its medicinal properties. The beneficial effects of this plant are possibly due to the high content of phenolic compounds present in its leaves and roots. This study evaluated the in vitro toxicity of the hydroalcoholic extract of leaves and roots from yacon (1, 10, 50, and 100 μg/mL) through cell viability tests, genotoxic and mutagenic activity in leukocytes culture cells; and cytotoxicity and apoptosis cell death (1, 10, 50, 100, and 500 μg/mL) in cell line originally established from the primary mouse embryonic fibroblast cells that were cultured by the designated protocol, so-called 3T3 protocol “3-day transfer, inoculum 3 × 105 cells” (3T3 cell line). No mutagenic and cytotoxic activities were observed in leukocyte cultures. Cytotoxic activity was evidenced in the highest concentrations of yacon leaf extract (50 and 100 μg/mL), whereas all concentrations tested with yacon leaf extract there was induction for apoptosis in the 3T3 cells. Genotoxic potential was observed only at higher doses of leaf (50 and 100 μg/mL) and root (100 μg/mL) extract. These results suggest that yacon leaf at high concentrations may present toxic potential showing concentration-dependent behavior; however, in vivo studies should be performed to validate these results.

Amorphous nasal powder advanced performance: in vitro/ex vivo studies and correlation with in vivo pharmacokinetics

Henriques Patrícia,Bicker Joana,Carona Andreia,Miranda Margarida,Vitorino Carla,Doktorovová Slavomíra,Fortuna Ana 한국약제학회 2023 Journal of Pharmaceutical Investigation Vol.53 No.5

Purpose Amorphous solid dispersions (ASD) for nasal delivery offer the opportunity to increase drug release performance, while using polymers with mucoadhesive properties. The aim of the present study was to apply this solubility enhancement technique to a poorly soluble drug for nasal delivery, while comparing two particle engineering strategies, namely spray dried microparticles and chimeral agglomerates, with the corresponding physical blends with crystalline drug. Methods Formulations of piroxicam were manufactured using varied polymer and particle engineering strategies and evaluated through in vitro drug release and ex vivo permeation studies, as well as nasal deposition and in vivo pharmacokinetic studies. Results ASD with hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) showed enhanced drug release and permeation, compared to polyvinylpyrrolidone/vinyl acetate formulations and blends. Nasal deposition of HPMC chimeral agglomerates suggested off-target deposition. In vivo pharmacokinetic studies revealed that spray-dried HPMC-containing microparticles exhibited the highest maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) and the lowest time to attain it (tmax). In vitro release rate and in vivo absorption rate were correlated as well as tmax and in vitro performance. When excluding the formulation with least nasal targeted deposition, in vitro release and ex vivo permeation performance were also correlated with Cmax and area under the drug concentration-time curve (AUC) from 0 to 1 h, with R2 > 0.89. Conclusion ASD for nasal delivery provide fast drug absorption, which depends on the supersaturation ability of the polymer employed. In vitro-in vivo correlations suggested that in vitro release and ex vivo permeation studies are predictive tools regarding nasal absorption.

Intra-articular calcifications of the temporomandibular joint and associations with degenerative bone alterations

Daniela de Almeida,Patrícia Schmidt Araujo Passos de Souza,Luana Pereira de Mendonça,Francielle Silvestre Verner,Karina Lopes Devito 대한영상치의학회 2020 Imaging Science in Dentistry Vol.50 No.2

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to use cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images to determine the prevalence of calcifications in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and to evaluate any associations between the presence of such calcifications and degenerative bone alterations of the TMJ, sex, or age. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, 1,058 CBCT exams were analyzed, and data regarding the presence and quantity of calcifications, the affected side, any degenerative alterations of the condyle, sex, and age were collected. To evaluate associations between the presence of calcifications and sex or age, the Fisher exact test or the Spearman correlation coefficient, respectively, was used. To assess the association between the presence of calcifications and joint bone alterations, the chi-square and Fisher exact tests were used. The significance level adopted was 5% (P<0.05). Results: Twenty-eight patients (2.7%) presented with TMJ calcifications, including 23 women (82.1%) and 5 men (17.9%). Significant correlations were found between the presence of calcifications and age (P<0.05) and between the presence of calcifications and the presence of condylar alterations (P<0.05), with 73.2% of patients with bone alterations having TMJ calcifications. Conclusion: It may be concluded that, although rare (with a prevalence of only 2.7%), intra-articular calcifications are associated with both degenerative bone alterations and age

Cardiac Mass: Left Atrial Myxoma

Marta Fontes Oliveira,Patrícia Rodrigues,Inês Silveira,Sofia Cabral,Severo Torres 한국심초음파학회 2020 Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging (J Cardiovasc Im Vol.28 No.1

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Autologous processed plasma: cytokine profile and effects upon injection into healthy equine joints

Juliana J. Moreira,Ana Paula L. Moraes,Patrícia M. Brossi,Thaís S.L. Machado,Yara M. Michelacci,Cristina O. Massoco,Raquel Y.A. Baccarin 대한수의학회 2015 Journal of Veterinary Science Vol.16 No.1

This experimental controlled study was performed to evaluate the composition of autologous processed plasma (APP), and the effects of APPintra-articular injection into healthy equine metacarpophalangeal joints. The effects on joints were analysed with a short-phase protocol anda prolonged-phase protocol using saline-injected joints as controls. For the short protocol, horses received one intra-articular APP injection. Synovial fluid samples were collected prior to the injection and 3, 6, 24, 48, and 16 h after treatment. For the prolonged protocol, the jointsreceived three weekly injections of APP, and samples were collected at 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days before APP administration. IL1-ra level wasfound to be increased in APP compared to plasma. Upon intra-articular administration of APP, transient (up to 24 h) increases in white bloodcell (WBC) counts along with elevated protein and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) concentrations were observed in the treated joints. Over the 28-dayobservation period, APP did not elicit changes relative to baseline levels, but WBC counts, PGE2 and chondroitin sulphate concentrationswere lower than those found in the control. In conclusion, APP intra-articular injection induced a mild and transitory inflammatory responsebut no inflammation reaction was observed over a longer period of treatment and observation.

Social vulnerability and COVID-19 in Maringá, Brazil

Matheus Pereira Libório,Oseias da Silva Martinuci,Patrícia Bernardes,Natália Cristina Alves Caetano Chaves Krohling,Guilherme Castro,Henrique Leonardo Guerra,Eduardo Alcantara Ribeiro,Udelysses Janete 대한공간정보학회 2023 Spatial Information Research Vol.31 No.1

This research explores the relationship between COVID-19 and social vulnerability on an intra-urban scale. For this, two composite indicators of social vulnerability have been constructed. The composite indicator constructed by the Benefit-of-the-Doubt considers spatial heterogeneity. It weakly captures the conceptually most significant individual indicator of social vulnerability (R=-0.39), as it overestimates the above-average performance sub-indicators. The composite indicator constructed by the Principal Component Analysis considers that the sub-indicators have the same weights in different census tracts, resulting in a highly consistent composite indicator as a multidimensional phenomenon concept (R=-0.93). These findings allow reaching four conclusions. First, the direction and strength of correlations associated with COVID-19 are sensitive to the method employed to construct the composite indicator and not just the geographic scale and space. Second, Medium and High social vulnerability census tracts concentrate 97% of the population but only 93% of COVID-19 cases and deaths. Third, people living in census tracts of None and Low social vulnerability are 3.87 and 2.13 times more likely to be infected or die from COVID-19. Fourth, policies to combat COVID-19 in the study area should prioritize older populations regardless of their social conditions.