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Oral cancer represents a major cause of death mainly due to the existence of important gaps in the knowledge of and subsequent interventions in these neoplasms, including many factors, such as the late diagnosis of neoplastic lesions and a lack of treatment options, that contribute to the poor survival of these patients [...]

Marine-origin polysaccharides, in particular cationic and anionic ones, have been widely explored as building blocks in fully natural or hybrid electrostatic-driven Layer-by-Layer (LbL) assemblies for bioapplications. However, the low chemical versatility imparted by neutral polysaccharides has been limiting their assembly into LbL biodevices, despite their wide availability in sources such as the marine environment, easy functionality, and very appealing features for addressing multiple biomedical and biotechnological applications. In this work, we report the chemical functionalization of laminarin (LAM) and pullulan (PUL) marine polysaccharides with peptides bearing either six lysine (K6) or aspartic acid (D6) amino acids via Cu(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition to synthesize positively and negatively charged polysaccharide-peptide conjugates. The successful conjugation of the peptides into the polysaccharide’s backbone was confirmed by proton nuclear magnetic resonance and attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and the positive and negative charges of the LAM-K6/PUL-K6 and LAM-D6/PUL-D6 conjugates, respectively, were assessed by zeta-potential measurements. The electrostatic-driven LbL build-up of either the LAM-D6/LAM-K6 or PUL-D6/PUL-K6 multilayered thin film was monitored in situ by quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring, revealing the successful multilayered film growth and the enhanced stability of the PUL-based film. The construction of the PUL-peptide multilayered thin film was also assessed by scanning electron microscopy and its biocompatibility was demonstrated in vitro towards L929 mouse fibroblasts. The herein proposed approach could enable the inclusion of virtually any kind of small molecules in the multilayered assemblies, including bioactive moieties, and be translated into more convoluted structures of any size and geometry, thus extending the usefulness of neutral polysaccharides and opening new avenues in the biomedical field, including in controlled drug/therapeutics delivery, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine strategies.

The modular multilevel converter (MMC) is a keystone of modern energy transmission systems. Consequently, there is an ongoing pursue for mathematical models to represent it under different configurations and control approaches. In short, this paper introduces an analytical Thévenin-equivalent model for representing the MMC when it is controlled with inner current- and an outer voltage-loop altogether. The model is based on a linearized representation of the converter and conveys the dynamics of passive components, such as submodule capacitors and arm reactors, as well as both control loops. Besides that, the proposed model is divided into a close-loop transfer matrix and the equivalent impedance matrix, both of which represent the relationships between the ac-side dq voltages and currents. We also propose a framework for implementing electromagnetic–transient simulations using the impedance model of this power electronic converter. The framework reduces a multi-bus power grid to a multi-input multi-output (MIMO) feedback system where impedance/admittance matrices of the MMC and other grid elements compose its loops. For validation purposes, it is considered a three-bus power grid comprising one MMC and another two grid-connected VSC. The proposed model was validated by comparing its results with a switching-level PSCAD model of the system.

ObjectivesInhalation of secondhand smoke (SHS) causes several diseases, including lung cancer. Tobacco smoking is a known cause of oral cancer; however, it has not been established whether SHS also causes oral cancer . The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential association between SHS exposure and the risk of oral cancer.MethodsA systematic review and meta-analysis study (following the PRISMA guidelines) was developed to examine the studies reporting on the associations of SHS and the risk of oral cancer, employing a search strategy on electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Open Grey, and ProQuest databases for dissertations) until 10 May 2020. Meta-analyses and sensitivity analyses were performed using random-effect models. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42020189970).ResultsFollowing the application of eligibility criteria, five studies were included, comprising a total of 1179 cases and 5798 controls, with 3452 individuals exposed and 3525 individuals not exposed to SHS. An overall OR of 1.51 (95% CI 1.2o to 1.91, p=0.0004) for oral cancer was observed, without significant heterogeneity (I2=0%, p=0.41). The duration of exposure of more than 10 or 15 years increased the risk of oral cancer (OR 2.07, 95% CI 1.54 to 2.79, p<0.00001), compared with non-exposed individuals, without significant heterogeneity (I2=0%, p=0.76).ConclusionsThis systematic review and meta-analysis supports a causal association between SHS exposure and oral cancer. Our results could provide guidance to public health professionals, researchers, and policymakers to further support effective SHS exposure prevention programs worldwide.

After the serendipitous discovery of cisplatin, a platinum-based drug with chemotherapeutic effects, an incredible amount of research in the area of coordination chemistry has been produced. Other transition metal compounds were studied, and several new relevant metallodrugs have been synthetized in the past few years. This review is focused on coordination compounds with first-row transition metals, namely, copper, cobalt, nickel or manganese, or with zinc, which have potential or effective pharmacological properties. It is known that metal complexes, once bound to organic drugs, can enhance the drugs’ biological activities, such as anticancer, antimicrobial or anti-inflammatory ones. NSAIDs are a class of compounds with anti-inflammatory properties used to treat pain or fever. NSAIDs’ properties can be strongly improved when included in complexes using their compositional N and O donor atoms, which facilitate their coordination to metal ions. This review focuses on the research on this topic and on the promising or effective results that complexes of first-row transition metals and NSAIDs can exhibit.

Understanding how anthropometric characteristics influence internal load during boxing remains limited, despite heart rate (HR) being a key indicator of exercise intensity. This study examined the relationship between anthropometry and HR responses during three boxing-specific exercises—shadowboxing, pad work, and heavy bag work—in 39 male practitioners (29.0 ± 2.3 years). Body height (BH), body mass (BM), and body mass index (BMI) were assessed. HR_peak and HR_mean were recorded using a validated chest-strap monitor (Polar H10). Significant positive correlations were observed between BH, BM, BMI, and HR responses across all modalities, with the strongest associations during heavy bag work (e.g., HR_peak: BH r = 0.658, BM r = 0.681, BMI r = 0.677; all p < 0.001). Regression analyses indicated that BH explained 23–36% of HR variance during shadowboxing and pad work, whereas BM and BMI showed greater predictive capacity during heavy bag work, explaining up to 46% of HR_peak variance. Repeated-measures ANOVA revealed significant differences between modalities, with heavy bag work eliciting the highest intensities (p < 0.001). These findings demonstrate that greater anthropometric dimensions are associated with higher cardiovascular responses, supporting individualized training prescriptions based on morphological characteristics.

The Bologna Process and the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) are celebrating 25 years of free mobility and career opportunities. Despite its progress, disparities exist in the effectiveness of this initiative across EHEA countries. Physiology is a mandatory component of health science curricula but lacks standardized educational benchmarks, leading to limited societal awareness and professional opportunities. In contrast, there is a different dynamic in the USA, where physiology is a profession with growing opportunities. Within Europe, national scientific societies are actively promoting physiology education and research but societal awareness and physiology related knowledge and opportunities are still limited. A recent study on the Portuguese reality revealed that while physiology is taught at many institutions, there is significant variability in hands‐on training between universities and technical colleges. Notably, only a small percentage of faculty have published in physiology journals, suggesting a diluted identity for the discipline. Challenges in harmonization and training reflect a need for stronger collaboration among scientific organizations to improve physiology teaching and research across Europe. By addressing these issues, the future of physiology can be strengthened, ensuring better recognition and professional development for physiologists in the EHEA.

Bariatric surgery is currently regarded as a safe and effective long-term procedure for the treatment of obesity and related comorbidities. We analyzed the association between physical activity (PA), weight regain, metabolic risk factors and quality of life in patients submitted to bariatric surgery. This study also aimed to preliminarily assess how physical activity and weight regain may be associated with sleep quality and sedentary behavior. This was an observational study, with retrospective data collection and a cross-sectional survey. Retrospective clinical data were collected from a sample of 84 individuals who had undergone bariatric gastric bypass surgery at least five years prior to the study period in an Integrated Responsibility Center for Obesity and Metabolic Diseases Surgery. The survey, developed from validated questionnaires and applied in telephone interviews, focused on health data, associated comorbidities, quality of life, physical activity, sedentary behavior and sleep. Descriptive and comparative statistics were performed with a 95% confidence level. Bariatric surgery induced a significant weight loss in the first year after surgery. Our analysis also revealed that lower levels of PA were associated with weight regain. Quality of life as well as sleep quality were inversely related to weight regain, as well as sedentary behavior in general. Primary and secondary outcomes of bariatric surgery can be better achieved if the practice of PA could be maintained for consecutive years.

Older adults are more vulnerable to polypharmacy and prescriptions of potentially inappropriate medications. There are several ways to address polypharmacy to prevent its occurrence. We focused on computerized decision support tools. The available literature was reviewed to understand whether computerized decision support tools reduce potentially inappropriate prescriptions or potentially inappropriate medications in older adult patients and affect health outcomes. Our systematic review was conducted by searching the literature in the MEDLINE, CENTRAL, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases for interventional studies published through February 2018 to assess the impact of computerized decision support tools on potentially inappropriate medications and potentially inappropriate prescriptions in people aged 65 years and older. A total of 3756 articles were identified, and 16 were included. More than half (n=10) of the studies were randomized controlled trials, one was a crossover study, and five were pre-post intervention studies. A total of 266,562 participants were included; of those, 233,144 participants were included and assessed in randomized controlled trials. Intervention designs had several different features. Computerized decision support tools consistently reduced the number of potentially inappropriate prescriptions started and mean number of potentially inappropriate prescriptions per patient. Computerized decision support tools also increased potentially inappropriate prescriptions discontinuation and drug appropriateness. However, in several studies, statistical significance was not achieved. A meta-analysis was not possible due to the significant heterogeneity among the systems used and the definitions of outcomes. Computerized decision support tools may reduce potentially inappropriate prescriptions and potentially inappropriate medications. More randomized controlled trials assessing the impact of computerized decision support tools that could be used both in primary and secondary health care are needed to evaluate the use of medication targets defined by the Beers or STOPP (Screening Tool of Older People's Prescriptions) criteria, adverse drug reactions, quality of life measurements, patient satisfaction, and professional satisfaction with a reasonable follow-up, which could clarify the clinical usefulness of these tools. International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) CRD42017067021; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42017067021.

This review aims (i) to identify and analyze the most used physical fitness tests for police officers (from international and Portuguese studies) and (ii) to understand the health-related physical fitness requirements according to the job descriptions of police officers. A total of 29 studies were included. Eighteen were from around the world and eleven were related to Portuguese police officers. All studies showed acceptable methodological quality in the assessment of physical fitness, and the most used fitness components were muscular strength, endurance, power, aerobic and anaerobic capacity, flexibility, and agility. For the analysis of health parameters, they are insufficient at the international level, while at the Portuguese level we have an acceptable sample. We try to analyze the relationship between physical fitness and health, but the studies conducted so far are insufficient. This review provides summary information (i) to help select the most used fitness measures and health-related parameters for police officers, and (ii) that will serve as a starting point for evaluating the relationship between the health and physical fitness of police officers.