Eradicating microplastics in wastewater: microalgae as a sustainable strategy.

Microplastics (MPs) are pervasive environmental pollutants that have infiltrated ecosystems worldwide due to their small size and persistence. Although wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) can achieve up to 90 % removal of MPs, this is insufficient to halt their continuous accumulation in the environment. Microalgae offer a promising and sustainable alternative for mitigating MPs pollution, as they can remove MPs from wastewater (WW) through various mechanisms.

Innovative and high efficiency harvesting process of Chlorella vulgaris by magnetic harvesting.

This study explored the use of magnetic flocculation to harvest Chlorella vulgaris from synthetic wastewater by combining polyaluminium chloride (PAC), polyacrylamide (PAM), and FeO magnetic particles. The approach focused on finding the right conditions - e.g.

Protective fibrous structures based on cellulose fibers functionalized with metal oxide nanoparticles by electrospinning and electrospray deposition.

This work aims to develop a bio-based fibrous material that is able to adsorb and degrade chemical and biological hazardous agents. Thus, cellulosic fabrics (flax) were functionalized with chitosan (CS) and poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) electrospun nanofibers doped with titanium dioxide (TiO) and cerium dioxide (CeO) nanoparticles (NPs). The electrospray deposition of these NPs was also tested.

Resveratrol-loaded octenyl succinic anhydride modified starch emulsions and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) microparticles: Cytotoxicity and antioxidant bioactivity assessment after in vitro digestion.

Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC)-based microparticles and modified starch emulsions (OSA-MS) were loaded with resveratrol and characterized regarding their physicochemical and thermal properties. Both delivery systems were subject to an in vitro gastrointestinal digestion to assess the bioaccessibility of resveratrol. In addition, cell-based studies were conducted after in vitro digestion and cytotoxicity and oxidative stress were assessed.

Recent advances in oral delivery systems of resveratrol: foreseeing their use in functional foods.

Herein, we review the current state-of-the-art on the use of micro- and nano-delivery systems, a possible solution to some of the drawbacks associated with the incorporation of resveratrol in foods. Specifically, we present an overview of a wide range of micro-nanostructures, namely, lipidic and polymeric, used for the delivery of resveratrol. Also, the gastrointestinal fate of resveratrol-loaded micro-nanostructures, as a critical parameter for their use as functional food, is explored in terms of stability, bioaccessibility, and bioavailability.

Corrigendum to "Extraction of notable points from ECG data: A description of a dataset related to 30-s seated and 30-s stand up" [Data in Brief, volume 46 (2023) 108874].

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.dib.

Algorithms for automated diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases based on ECG data: A comprehensive systematic review.

The prevalence of cardiovascular diseases is increasing around the world. However, the technology is evolving and can be monitored with low-cost sensors anywhere at any time. This subject is being researched, and different methods can automatically identify these diseases, helping patients and healthcare professionals with the treatments.

Extraction of notable points from ECG data: A description of a dataset related to 30-s seated and 30-s stand up.

It is increasingly possible to acquire Electrocardiographic data with featured low-cost devices. The proposed dataset will help map different signals for various diseases related to Electrocardiography data. The dataset presented in this paper is related to the acquisition of electrocardiography data during the standing up and seated positions.

Validity and reliability of a new incremental step test for people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Background: Incremental step tests (IST) can be used to assess exercise capacity in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The development of a new step test based on the characteristics of the incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT) is an important study to explore. We aimed to develop a new IST based on the ISWT in people with COPD, and assess its validity (construct validity) and reliability, according to Consensus-based Standards for the selection of health status Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) recommendations.

Are structural and functional endpoints of soil communities similarly affected by metal mixtures? - A terrestrial model ecosystem approach.

Soils are habitat to a variety of flora and fauna in a linked ecosystem which provides essential ecosystem services. In soil, metals can accumulate at high concentrations, because of anthropogenic activities, leading to toxic effects, threatening the ecosystem and the services it provides. In most real-world contamination scenarios, metals occur as complex mixtures which can interact and produce different toxicity than predicted from individual metal data.

Modulation and Characterization of Wax-Based Olive Oil Organogels in View of Their Application in the Food Industry.

Olive oil has recognized health benefits but lacks structural resilience to act in a similar fashion as do the typically used triglycerides (TAGs) when applied in food manufacturing. Therefore, olive oil structuring is critical to widening its use as a healthier alternative in spreadable products. Foreseeing the development of an application for the food industry, three types of natural waxes were used as organogelators, generating olive oil organogels with distinct properties.

Profiling Persistent Asthma Phenotypes in Adolescents: A Longitudinal Diagnostic Evaluation from the INSPIRERS Studies.

We aimed to identify persistent asthma phenotypes among adolescents and to evaluate longitudinally asthma-related outcomes across phenotypes. Adolescents (13-17 years) from the prospective, observational, and multicenter INSPIRERS studies, conducted in Portugal and Spain, were included ( = 162). Latent class analysis was applied to demographic, environmental, and clinical variables, collected at a baseline medical visit.

Community effect concentrations as a new concept to easily incorporate community data in environmental effect assessment of complex metal mixtures.

The goal of this study was to incorporate community data into the effect assessment of environmental and regulatory relevant metal mixtures. In this experiment three fixed mixture ratios (Canadian soil quality guideline ratio - CSQG; Agricultural, residential and Loamy ratio - ARL; and Sudbury ratio - SUD) were tested in a natural community microcosm with 11 doses for each mixture ratio. The effect of metal mixtures on the community was measured using the community effect concentration (EC) concept which assumes that as contamination increases, the community similarity between test and control treatments decreases producing a dose response curve allowing the calculation of community effect concentrations.

Suboptimal lipid levels in clinical practice among Portuguese adults with dyslipidemia under lipid-lowering therapy: Data from the DISGEN-LIPID study.

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Portugal. Hypercholesterolemia has a causal role in atherosclerotic CVD. Guidelines recommend that cardiovascular (CV) risk reduction should be individualized and treatment goals identified.

Statin-related Lichenoid Dermatosis: An Uncommon Adverse Reaction to a Common Treatment.

Unlabelled: 3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins) are generally safe and well-tolerated drugs that are extensively used for the primary and secondary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular events. Muscle and liver adverse reactions are the best recognized, while cutaneous side effects are exceedingly rare. We present the case of a 65-year-old woman with severe hypercholesterolemia, who developed generalized erythematous cutaneous lesions with pruritus, resembling lichen planus, months after starting treatment with simvastatin.

Emerging opportunities in exploring the nutritional/functional value of amaranth.

Amaranthus spp. is a highly nutritive pseudocereal, rich in macronutrients and micronutrients, including vitamins and minerals. Amaranth grain is rich in essential amino acids, particularly lysine, with high nutritional quality.

Standardization of laboratory and lipid profile evaluation: A call for action with a special focus in 2016 ESC/EAS dyslipidaemia guidelines - Full report.

Even with the improvement in lifestyle interventions, a better control of cardiovascular (CV) risk factors, and improvements in CV outcomes, cardiovascular disease (CVD) still persists as the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Portugal and Europe. Atherogenic dyslipidaemias, namely hypercholesterolaemia, have a crucial and causal role in the development of atherosclerotic CVD. The clinical approach of a patient with dyslipidaemia involves a watchful diagnosis, sustained in lipid and lipoprotein laboratory procedures, which must be harmonized and standardized.

Correction to: Design and rationale of the non-interventional, edoxaban treatment in routiNe clinical prActice in patients with venous ThromboEmbolism in Europe (ETNA-VTE-Europe) study.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s12959-018-0163-7.].

Design and rationale of the non-interventional, edoxaban treatment in routiNe clinical prActice in patients with venous ThromboEmbolism in Europe (ETNA-VTE-Europe) study.

Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE, including deep vein thrombosis [DVT] and pulmonary embolism [PE]) has an annual incidence rate of 104-183 per 100,000 person-years. After a VTE episode, the two-year recurrence rate is about 17%. Consequently, effective and safe anticoagulation is paramount.

Standardization of laboratory lipid profile assessment: A call for action with a special focus on the 2016 ESC/EAS dyslipidemia guidelines - Executive summary: A consensus endorsed by the Cardiovascular Risk and Prevention Group of the Portuguese Internal Medicine Society, the Portuguese Atherosclerosis Society, the Portuguese Society of Cardiology, the Portuguese Society of Laboratory Medicine, and the Portuguese Association of Clinical Chemistry.

Even with improvements in lifestyle interventions, better control of cardiovascular (CV) risk factors, and improvements in CV outcomes, cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Portugal and Europe. Atherogenic dyslipidemias, particularly hypercholesterolemia, have a crucial causal role in the development of atherosclerotic CVD. The clinical approach to a patient with dyslipidemia requires an accurate diagnosis, based on harmonized and standardized lipid and lipoprotein laboratory assessments.

The role of sleepiness on arterial stiffness improvement after CPAP therapy in males with obstructive sleep apnea: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with increased cardiovascular risk. This study aim to assess differences in changes in arterial stiffness of two groups of patients, defined as having daytime sleepiness or not, after continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) treatment.

Methods: A selected cohort of consecutive male patients, under 65 years old, with moderate to severe OSA and without great number of comorbidities was studied.

Statin-associated muscle symptoms: position paper from the Luso-Latin American Consortium.

In the last two decades, statin therapy has proved to be the most potent isolated therapy for attenuation of cardiovascular risk. Its frequent use has been seen as one of the most important elements for the reduction of cardiovascular mortality in developed countries. However, the recurrent incidence of muscle symptoms in statin users raised the possibility of causal association, leading to a disease entity known as statin associated muscle symptoms (SAMS).