Evaluating drained water quality in a pilot worm-sludge treatment reed bed planted with Arundo donnas in the Mediterranean climate.

This study evaluated the impact of incorporating earthworms (Eisenia fetida) on the drained water quality from a sludge treatment reed bed. The experiment encompassed four setups of treatment beds in two replicates: planted with Arundo donax and addition of earthworms, planted without earthworms, unplanted with earthworms, and treatment bed without plants nor earthworms as control. The units were fed every two weeks with mixed sewage sludge, a blend of primary and secondary sludge over 24 cycles. The mixed sewage sludge had mean dry and volatile solid contents of 24.71 g.DS.L-1 (± 13.67) and 19.14 g.VS.L-1 (± 10.29) resulting a sludge loading rate of 43.59 kg.DS.m-2.year-1 (± 14.49). The inclusion of earthworms in the planted unit reduced release masses of total suspended solids, chemical oxygen demand, nitrate and phosphorous by 43, 45, 75 and 45 % compared to the planted unit. Plant biomass production increased by 43 % with the earthworm presence. The removal efficiency of the units improved after a ramp-up phase (after six months feeding) of which the concentration of TSS, COD and Escherichia coli met limits for water reuse while nitrogen components and phosphorous surpassed the limits. The planted unit with earthworms removed 99 and 99 % of TSS and COD, respectively. Overall, water loss namely through evapotranspiration and earthworm hydration need, positively correlated with pollutant concentration, and earthworm-planted unit had 46 % higher water loss compared to control unit.

Stroke related sarcopenia in individuals with different physical activity levels: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Individuals after stroke are likely to deal with the possible development of sarcopenia and reduced physical activity levels. The purpose of this study was to compare sarcopenia of individuals with chronic stroke who were stratified according to their physical activity levels, and to evaluate the relationship between sarcopenia and physical activity levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted with individuals after chronic stroke recruited from the general community. Individuals were submitted to sarcopenia screening (SARC-F questionnaire) and assessment of physical activity levels (Human Activity Profile questionnaire) to classify the individuals as impaired, moderately active, and active according to their Adjusted Activity Status (AAS). ANOVA was used to investigate the sarcopenia between groups and Pearson's coefficient to investigate the association among variables. RESULTS: Fifty-four individuals with a mean age of 56 ± 17.4 years were included. Twenty-one percent of the individuals were screened for sarcopenia. Inactive individuals had higher mean scores in the SARC-F (3.6 ± 2.1 points), whereas moderately active and active individuals presented lower mean scores in the same questionnaire, being 1.2 ± 1.1 points and 0.5 ± 0.7 points, respectively. A statistically significant inverse and high association was found between sarcopenia and physical activity levels (r = -0.716; p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Sarcopenia was found to be higher in individuals after chronic stroke with lower physical activity levels considered inactive when compared to individuals with higher physical activity levels. Furthermore, there was an inverse relationship between sarcopenia and physical activity level in stroke survivors.

Water balance analysis in a novel pilot-scale of the Worm-sludge treatment reed bed (W-STRB) planted with Arundo donax.

A one-year study of sludge treatment reed bed assisted with earthworms (W-STRB) was conducted in a temperate climate. The effects of using Eisenia fetid and Arundo donax on W-STRB water balance (WB) and dewatering efficiency (DE) were investigated. Four different bed configurations were tested: worm-planted (WP), planted (P), worm-control (W), and control (C), duplicated resulting in a total of eight units. The beds received a total of 24 cycles of mixed sewage sludge twice per month (average loading rate: 43.59 kg.DS. m-2.year-1). It was found seasonal variation played a significant role in WB and DE. During the dry season, the thickness of the residual sludge (RS) layer was less than 1 cm, with a dry solid (DS) content of over 80%, in contrast, the wet season indicated an increase in RS thickness to nearly 30 cm (DS < 15 % for all units). The WP unit exhibited the lowest RS accumulation, 22% less than the P, W, and C units. The subsurface layer had a 5% lower volatile solids (VS) content compared to the surface layers. After 132 days of a final resting, WP unit had the highest RS volume reduction of 65 % (DS = 71 % and VS = 53 %) and a RS thickness of 6 cm indicating a 10 % higher stabilization compared to P unit. The population of earthworms was 30% higher in the WP unit compared to the W unit. As the subsurface DS exceeded 20 % during the dry season, the population increased. The WP unit showed a 43% higher above-ground plant biomass compared to the P unit. In WB analysis, evapotranspiration (ET) was 46% higher in the WP unit (average daily ET = 5.44 mm in the dry season). The main process of water loss was through drainage and Awhile water content in RS layer was 57 % during feeding period. The water percolation rate of all units decreased by 99%, particularly during the wet season, reaching less than 0.1 m.day-1.

Cognitive profile of patients with and without speech impairment in Parkinson's disease.

Cognitive functions have been the subject of studies evaluating the pathophysiological mechanism of speech control. Objective: To compare the groups of patients with and without speech disorders with cognitive assessment, demographic, and clinical data (disease duration, functionality, and motor symptoms). Methods: Retrospective, cross-sectional study. Patients were evaluated using the Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination III and neuropsychological tests. The following speech subsystems were analyzed: articulation, phonation, resonance, and prosody, through auditory-perceptual evaluation (based on the Protocol for the Evaluation of Acquired Speech Disorders in Individuals with Parkinson's Disease - PADAF Protocol tests), observing aspects of speech programming and execution. The patients were distributed into three subgroups (normal cognition, mild cognitive impairment, and dementia). After speech evaluation, they were divided into two subgroups (with and without speech disorders). Results: A total of 150 patients participated in this study, 104 men and 46 women, 63.58 (8.81) years of age, 11.03 (4.00) years of schooling, 6.61 (4.69) years of disease progression, and with the highest proportion of individuals in stage I-II of the Hoehn & Yarh (H&Y) scale (86, or 57.33%). Statistically significant differences were observed between subgroups with and without speech alteration. Worse performance was verified in the Trail Making Test (TMT) TMT-Δ and a tendency of difference in the TMT-B of the subgroup with speech disorders, in addition to worse severity of motor symptoms (H&Y) and cognitive complaints. Conclusion: Individuals with speech disorders brought more frequent cognitive complaints and impairment below expected in tests assessing executive functions. Future studies, with stratification by type of speech disorder, are necessary to contribute to and validate these results.

As funções cognitivas têm sido alvo de estudos que avaliam o mecanismo patofisiológico do controle da fala. Objetivo: Comparar subgrupos de pacientes com e sem alterações de fala quanto à avaliação cognitiva, dados demográficos e clínicos (tempo de evolução da doença, funcionalidade e gravidade dos sintomas motores). Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo, de corte transversal. Os pacientes foram avaliados pelo Exame Cognitivo de Addenbrooke III e testes neuropsicológicos. Foram analisados os seguintes subsistemas da fala: articulação, fonação, ressonância e prosódia, por meio de avaliação perceptivo-auditiva (baseada em testes do Protocolo de Avaliação dos Distúrbios Adquiridos de Fala em Indivíduos com Doença de Parkinson ­ PADAF), sendo observados aspectos da programação e execução da fala. Os pacientes foram distribuídos em três subgrupos (cognição normal, comprometimento cognitivo leve e demência). Após a avaliação da fala, foram divididos em dois subgrupos (com desordens da fala e sem desordens da fala). Resultados: Participaram deste estudo 150 pacientes, 104 homens e 46 mulheres, com 63,58 (8,81) anos de idade, 11,03 (4,00) anos de escolaridade e 6,61 (4,69) anos de evolução da doença, e maior proporção de indivíduos no estágio I­II da Escala de Hoehn & Yarh ­ H&Y (86, ou 57,33%). Foram observadas diferenças estatisticamente significantes entre os subgrupos com e sem alteração da fala. Houve pior desempenho no Trail Making Test (TMT) TMT-Δ e tendência de diferença no TMT-B no subgrupo com desordens da fala, além de pior gravidade dos sintomas motores (H&Y) e queixa cognitiva. Conclusão: Os indivíduos com desordens da fala trouxeram queixas cognitivas com maior frequência e prejuízo abaixo do esperado nos testes que avaliam as funções executivas. Estudos futuros, com estratificação por tipo de distúrbio da fala, são necessários para a contribuição e validação destes resultados.

Validation of the Duke Activity Status Index questionnaire by telephone In individuals after stroke.

Background: Due to social restrictions caused by the pandemic, there was a need to validate outcome measures that could be administered by telephone call. Administration by telephone allows to remotely follow up stroke survivors since most of them have mobility restrictions. This study aims to investigate the validity of the Duke Activity Status Index (DASI) questionnaire administration to chronic stroke survivors through telephone call. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study, developed according to COSMIN and GRRAS recommendations. It was recruited chronic stroke survivors, who answered the DASI questionnaire in two different time-points, in person and after a period of 5-7 days through a telephone call. Results: Out of 260 subjects, 50 individuals (52% women) with a mean age of 56 ± 17 years were included. No statistically significant differences were observed (MD = -0.88; SD:4.14; 95% CI, -2.06 to 0.28; p = 0.13) on the total score of DASI administered in person and by telephone call. There was a very high agreement between the administration modes (ICC - 0.99; 95% CI, 0.94-0.98; p < 0.05). The Kappa coefficient ranged from 0.390 to 1.000, with the first item showing the best agreement (k = 1.000) and the fourth showing the worst agreement (k = 0.390). Conclusions: The DASI questionnaire is valid to assess functional capacity and can be administered through telephone in chronic stroke survivors. Thus, clinicians and researchers may decide to avoid patient transportations administering DASI through telephone call, as a reliable measure for stroke survivors.

The ERA Registry Annual Report 2020: a summary.

Background: The European Renal Association (ERA) Registry collects data on kidney replacement therapy (KRT) in patients with ESKD. This paper is a summary of the ERA Registry Annual Report 2020, also including comparisons among primary renal disease (PRD) groups. Methods: Data were collected from 52 national and regional registries from 34 European countries and countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea: 35 registries from 18 countries providing individual level data and 17 registries from 17 countries providing aggregated data. Using this data, KRT incidence and prevalence, kidney transplantation rates, expected remaining lifetimes and survival probabilities were calculated. Results: A general population of 654.9 million people was covered by the ERA Registry in 2020. The overall incidence of KRT was 128 per million population (p.m.p.). In incident KRT patients, 54% were older than 65 years, 63% were men and the most common PRD was diabetes mellitus (21%). Regarding initial treatment modality in incident patients, 85% received haemodialysis (HD), 11% received peritoneal dialysis (PD) and 4% received a pre-emptive kidney transplant. On 31 December 2020, the prevalence of KRT was 931 p.m.p. In prevalent patients, 45% were older than 65 years, 60% were men and glomerulonephritis was the most common PRD (18%). Of these patients, 58% were on HD, 5% on PD and 37% were living with a kidney transplant. The overall kidney transplantation rate in 2020 was 28 p.m.p., with a majority of kidney grafts from deceased donors (71%). The unadjusted 5-year survival, based on incident dialysis patient from 2011-15, was 41.8%. For patients having received a deceased donor transplant, the unadjusted 5-year survival probability was 86.2% and for patients having received a living donor transplant it was 94.4%. When comparing data by PRD group, differences were found regarding the distribution of age groups, sex and treatment modality received.

Effects of inspiratory muscle training on the severity of obstructive sleep apnea in individuals after stroke: a protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the most common form of sleep-disordered breathing in cerebrovascular diseases, requiring a multidisciplinary approach. There are few studies evaluating the effects of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) in individuals with OSA and the findings regarding the possible effect on apnea hypopnea index (AHI) reduction are controversial. OBJECTIVE: This protocol for a randomized clinical trial will assess the effects of IMT on the severity of obstructive sleep apnea, sleep quality, and daytime sleepiness in individuals after stroke participating in a rehabilitation program. METHODS: This study will be a randomized controlled trial with blinded assessors. Forty individuals after stroke will randomized to two groups. For 5 weeks, both groups will participate in the rehabilitation program activities, including aerobic exercise, resistance training, and educational class when they will receive guidance on the behavioral management of OSA. The experimental group will also perform high-intensity IMT 5 times a week, for 5 weeks, consisting initially of five sets of five repetitions achieving 75% of the maximal inspiratory pressure, increasing one set each week, totaling nine sets at the end of training. The primary outcome will be the severity of OSA measured as AHI at 5 weeks. Secondary outcomes will include sleep quality measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and daytime sleepiness measured by Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS). Outcomes will be collected by a researcher blinded to group allocation at baseline (week 0), after intervention (week 5), and 1 month beyond intervention (week 9). TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trials Register: NCT05135494.

Trends in kidney transplantation rate across Europe: study from the ERA Registry.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to identify trends in total, deceased donor (DD) and living donor (LD) kidney transplantation (KT) rates in European countries. METHODS: The European Renal Association (ERA) Registry and the Global Observatory on Donation and Transplantation (GODT) databases were used to obtain the number of KTs in individual European countries between 2010 and 2018. General population counts were obtained from Eurostat or the national bureaus of statistics. The KT rate per million population (p.m.p.) and the average annual percentage change (APC) were calculated. RESULTS: The total KT rate in the 40 participating countries increased with 1.9% annually  [95%  confidence  interval  (CI) 1.5, 2.2] from 29.6 p.m.p. in 2010 to 34.7 p.m.p. in 2018, reflecting an increase of 3.4 p.m.p. in the DD-KT rate (from 21.6 p.m.p. to 25.0 p.m.p.; APC 1.9%; 95% CI 1.3, 2.4) and of 1.5 p.m.p. in the LD-KT rate (from 8.1 p.m.p. to 9.6 p.m.p.; APC 1.6%; 95% CI 1.0, 2.3). The trends in KT rate varied widely across European countries. An East-West gradient was observed for DD-KT rate, with Western European countries performing more KTs. In addition, most countries performed fewer LD-KTs. In 2018, Spain had the highest DD-KT rate (64.6 p.m.p.) and Turkey the highest LD-KT rate (37.0 p.m.p.). CONCLUSIONS: The total KT rate increased due to a rise in the KT rate from DDs and to a lesser extent from LDs, with large differences between individual European countries.

Foot adaptation to climbing in ovenbirds and woodcreepers (Furnariida).

Furnariida (i.e. ovenbirds, woodcreepers and antbirds) cover diverse ecologies and locomotor habits, ranging from strictly terrestrial to climbing birds, with different degrees of acrobatic performances. We know that this variety of locomotor modes is linked to different limb morpho-functional adaptations in other climbing clades of birds, such as woodpeckers and nuthatches. Here, we link the morphological variations to ecological categories, such as different locomotor habits and a gradient of acrobatic performances, in a phylogenetically informed analysis. We used a high-density three-dimensional (3D) geometric morphometric approach on foot bones (tarsometatarsus and all toes) of 55 specimens from 39 species of Furnariida. We found a significant correlation between acrobatic performances and foot bone shapes, partly explained by the phylogenetic relationship between species. Dendrocolaptidae show specific anatomical features, linked to their acrobatic locomotor habits. More specifically, we found that: (1) foot bones are more robust amongst climbing Furnariida, (2) the spread between toes is wider amongst highly acrobatic Furnariida, (3) dermal syndactyly between digits II and III is linked to special osteological features interpreted as functional osteological syndactyly in woodcreepers (tail-assisted climbers) and (4) the hallux claw is straighter than other claws in climbing Furnariida. Our study demonstrates that climbing Furnariida evolved common foot adaptations with subtle phenotypic variations depending on their climbing performances, refining our understanding of how evolution shapes interactions amongst structure, function and ecological traits.

Impact of water reuse on agricultural practices and human health.

Climate change is altering the habits of the population. Extensive drought periods and overuse of potable water led to significant water shortages in many different places. Therefore, new water sources are necessary for usage in applications where the microbiological and chemical water quality demands are less stringent, as for agriculture. In this study, we planted, germinated, and grew vegetables/fruits (cherry tomato, lettuce, and carrot) using three types of potential waters for irrigation: secondary-treated wastewater, chlorine-treated wastewater, and green wall-treated greywater, to observe potential health risks of foodstuff consumption. In this study the waters and crops were analyzed for three taxonomic groups: bacteria, enteric viruses, and protozoa. Enteric viruses, human Norovirus I (hNoVGI) and Enterovirus (EntV), were detected in tomato and carrots irrigated with secondary-treated and chlorine-treated wastewater, in concentrations as high as 2.63 log genome units (GU)/g. On the other hand, Aichi viruses were detected in lettuce. Bacteria and protozoa remained undetected in all fresh produce although being detected in both types of wastewaters. Fresh produce irrigated with green wall-treated greywater were free from the chosen pathogens. This suggests that green wall-treated greywater may be a valuable option for crop irrigation, directly impacting the cities of the future vision, and the circular and green economy concepts. On the other hand, this work demonstrates that further advancement is still necessary to improve reclaimed water to the point where it no longer constitutes risk of foodborne diseases and to human health.

Cognitive profile of patients with and without speech impairment in Parkinson's disease / Perfil cognitivo de pacientes com e sem alteração de fala na doença de Parkinson

ABSTRACT. Cognitive functions have been the subject of studies evaluating the pathophysiological mechanism of speech control. Objective: To compare the groups of patients with and without speech disorders with cognitive assessment, demographic, and clinical data (disease duration, functionality, and motor symptoms). Methods: Retrospective, cross-sectional study. Patients were evaluated using the Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination III and neuropsychological tests. The following speech subsystems were analyzed: articulation, phonation, resonance, and prosody, through auditory-perceptual evaluation (based on the Protocol for the Evaluation of Acquired Speech Disorders in Individuals with Parkinson's Disease — PADAF Protocol tests), observing aspects of speech programming and execution. The patients were distributed into three subgroups (normal cognition, mild cognitive impairment, and dementia). After speech evaluation, they were divided into two subgroups (with and without speech disorders). Results: A total of 150 patients participated in this study, 104 men and 46 women, 63.58 (8.81) years of age, 11.03 (4.00) years of schooling, 6.61 (4.69) years of disease progression, and with the highest proportion of individuals in stage I-II of the Hoehn & Yarh (H&Y) scale (86, or 57.33%). Statistically significant differences were observed between subgroups with and without speech alteration. Worse performance was verified in the Trail Making Test (TMT) TMT-Δ and a tendency of difference in the TMT-B of the subgroup with speech disorders, in addition to worse severity of motor symptoms (H&Y) and cognitive complaints. Conclusion: Individuals with speech disorders brought more frequent cognitive complaints and impairment below expected in tests assessing executive functions. Future studies, with stratification by type of speech disorder, are necessary to contribute to and validate these results.

RESUMO. As funções cognitivas têm sido alvo de estudos que avaliam o mecanismo patofisiológico do controle da fala. Objetivo: Comparar subgrupos de pacientes com e sem alterações de fala quanto à avaliação cognitiva, dados demográficos e clínicos (tempo de evolução da doença, funcionalidade e gravidade dos sintomas motores). Métodos: Estudo retrospectivo, de corte transversal. Os pacientes foram avaliados pelo Exame Cognitivo de Addenbrooke III e testes neuropsicológicos. Foram analisados os seguintes subsistemas da fala: articulação, fonação, ressonância e prosódia, por meio de avaliação perceptivo-auditiva (baseada em testes do Protocolo de Avaliação dos Distúrbios Adquiridos de Fala em Indivíduos com Doença de Parkinson — PADAF), sendo observados aspectos da programação e execução da fala. Os pacientes foram distribuídos em três subgrupos (cognição normal, comprometimento cognitivo leve e demência). Após a avaliação da fala, foram divididos em dois subgrupos (com desordens da fala e sem desordens da fala). Resultados: Participaram deste estudo 150 pacientes, 104 homens e 46 mulheres, com 63,58 (8,81) anos de idade, 11,03 (4,00) anos de escolaridade e 6,61 (4,69) anos de evolução da doença, e maior proporção de indivíduos no estágio I-II da Escala de Hoehn & Yarh — H&Y (86, ou 57,33%). Foram observadas diferenças estatisticamente significantes entre os subgrupos com e sem alteração da fala. Houve pior desempenho no Trail Making Test (TMT) TMT-Δ e tendência de diferença no TMT-B no subgrupo com desordens da fala, além de pior gravidade dos sintomas motores (H&Y) e queixa cognitiva. Conclusão: Os indivíduos com desordens da fala trouxeram queixas cognitivas com maior frequência e prejuízo abaixo do esperado nos testes que avaliam as funções executivas. Estudos futuros, com estratificação por tipo de distúrbio da fala, são necessários para a contribuição e validação destes resultados.

Moderators of ayahuasca's biological antidepressant action.

Introduction: The understanding of biological responses to psychedelics with antidepressant potential is imperative. Here we report how a set of acute parameters, namely emotional (depressive symptoms), cognitive (psychedelic experience), and physiological (salivary cortisol), recorded during an ayahuasca dosing session, modulated serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), serum cortisol (SC), serum interleukin 6 (IL-6), plasma C-reactive protein (CRP), and salivary cortisol awakening response (CAR). Methods: Results were analyzed 2 days after the psychedelic intervention (ayahuasca) versus placebo in both patients with treatment-resistant depression and healthy volunteers. These measures were assessed as part of a randomized double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial (n = 72). Results: Results revealed that larger reductions of depressive symptoms during the dosing session significantly moderated higher levels of SC in patients. Whereas lesser changes in salivary cortisol levels during the ayahuasca intervention were related to higher BDNF levels in patients with a larger clinical response in the reduction in depressive symptoms. No moderator was found for patient's CAR, IL-6, and CRP responses to ayahuasca and for all biomarker responses to ayahuasca in healthy controls and in the placebo group. Discussion: In summary, some specific emotional and physiological parameters during experimental ayahuasca session were revealed as critical moderators of the improvement of major depression biomarkers, mainly BDNF and SC two days after ayahuasca intake. These findings contribute to paving the way for future studies investigating the biological antidepressant response to psychedelic therapy.

Satisfação laboral, bem estar e a prática de Mindfulness em profissionais de saúde / Job satisfaction, wellbeing and the practice of Mindfulness in health professionals

Resumo A importância atribuída à prática de mindfulness no contexto do trabalho tem vindo a destacar-se, existindo evidências que revelam os benefícios do mindfulness, relacionados com o bem-estar psicológico, repercutindo-se no aumento dos níveis de satisfação e de performance das organizações. Suportamos este estudo no modelo de dois componentes para o mindfulness: a auto regulação da atenção ao momento presente; e, a adoção de uma postura de curiosidade, abertura e aceitação para com esses eventos mentais. Avaliar a satisfação laboral, as atitudes de mindfulness e o bem-estar dos trabalhadores e a eventual relação entre estas dimensões. Estudo transversal, descritivo e correlacional, numa amostra de 272 adultos em idade ativa, dos quais 71 (26.1%) praticam atividades de meditação ou mindfulness na sua vida diária. Como instrumento de recolha de dados utilizou-se um questionário online, constituído por: i. questões socioprofissionais; ii. Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale; iii. Satisfaction With Life Scale; e, iv. The Generic Job Satisfaction Scale. Encontraram-se níveis de satisfação laboral, bem-estar e atitudes de mindfulness ligeiramente acima das suas médias teóricas, com diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre o bem-estar e o estado civil, e para o bem-estar e a satisfação no trabalho e a prática de mindfulness, com os praticantes a evidenciarem bem-estar e satisfação com o trabalho superiores. Níveis mais elevados de mindfulness promovem maior satisfação no trabalho e por sua vez saúde mental positiva e bem-estar geral. Apontamos como intervenção o programa mindfulness-based stress reduction e mindfulness-based cognitive therapy na redução do stress e aumento do bem-estar emocional.

Abstract The importance attached to the practice of mindfulness in the context of work has been highlighted, with evidence that reveals the benefits of mindfulness, related to psychological well-being, with repercussions on the increase in the levels of satisfaction and performance of organizations. We support this study in the two-component model for mindfulness: self-regulation of attention to the present moment; and, the adoption of a posture of curiosity, openness and acceptance of these mental events. Evaluate job satisfaction, attitudes of mindfulness and well-being of workers and the possible relationship between these dimensions. Cross-sectional, descriptive and correlational study, in a sample of 272 adults of working age, of whom 71 respondents (26.1%) practice meditation or mindfulness activities in their daily life. As an instrument of data collection, an online questionnaire was used, consisting of: i. socio-professional issues; ii. Mindfulness Attention Awareness Scale; iii. Satisfaction With Life Scale; and, iv. The Generic Job Satisfaction Scale. Levels of job satisfaction, well-being and mindfulness attitudes were found slightly above their theoretical averages, with statistically significant differences between well-being and marital status, and for well-being and job satisfaction and the practice of mindfulness, with practitioners showing superior well-being and job satisfaction. Higher levels of mindfulness promote greater job satisfaction and in turn positive mental health and general well-being. We point out as an intervention the mindfulness-based stress reduction program and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy in reducing stress and increasing emotional well-being.

Body sway and movement strategies for control of postural stability in people with spinocerebellar ataxia type 3: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Postural instability with an excessive body sway is a disabling manifestation in spinocerebellar ataxia type 3. Whether the larger body sway reflects distinct movement strategies for postural control remains uncertain. This study compared the control of postural stability of people with spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 with healthy subjects using body sway and movement strategy analyses derived from bi- and three-dimensional posturography. METHODS: Twenty-three patients (7 men, 16 women, 47 ± 11 years) and 102 healthy participants (34 men, 68 women; 44 ± 22 years) underwent posturography while standing with eyes open/closed tasks. Postural stability was assessed using elliptical area and average velocity of body sway. Spatial patterns (single-, double-, or multi-centered) were derived from the number of high-density regions in the three-dimensional statokinesigram. FINDINGS: Repeated measures two-way analysis-of-variance showed a vision-by-group interaction effect for area (F1,122 = 28.831, P < 0.001, η2 = 0.037) and velocity (F1,123 = 59.367, P < 0.001, η2 = 0.073); sway area and velocity were higher in spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 and increased under eyes-closed condition, with a higher increase in the spinocerebellar ataxia type 3. A main effect for group (F1,123 = 11.702, P < 0.001, η2 = 0.061) but not vision (F1,123 = 2.257, P = 0.136, η2 = 0.005) was found for the number of high-density regions. Spatial patterns were different between groups under trials with eyes closed (χ22,125 = 7.46, P = 0.023) but not open (χ22,125 = 2.026, P = 0.363), with a shift from single- to double- or multi-centered spatial patterns. INTERPRETATION: Compared to healthy subjects, a larger body displacement and velocity in spinocerebellar ataxia type 3, mainly under visual constraints, are not related to the predominance of either ankle or hip movement strategies.

Green walls with recycled filling media to treat greywater.

The continuous growth of urban areas in the last decades has resulted in an increase in water consumption, contributing to larger volumes of urban and domestic wastewater. Thus, stakeholders have been seeking for efficient alternatives for wastewater management, namely looking for new forms of treatment and reuse. The present work provides new insights on the application of a green wall for greywater treatment, aiming at water reuse and also at contributing to Circular Economy. Two types of recycled materials, crushed tiles and textile fibers, were tested as filling media combined with two plant species. Crushed tiles were mixed with coconut fibers in a 70 %-30 % ratio and textile fibers were used as single media. The tiles+coconut mix with plants performed the best, exhibiting on average removal efficiencies >70 % for Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and between 59 %-70 % for Total Suspended Solids (TSS). Fibers systems had on average removal efficiencies around 60 % for COD and 50 % for TSS and clogged at the end of the study. Overall the study demonstrated that green walls for greywater treatment can contribute to circular economy through the use of recycled material as filling media.

Sludge Treatment Reed Bed under different climates: A review using meta-analysis.

Sludge Treatment Reed Beds (STRBs) have been used worldwide over the past few decades. This review aims to overarchingly identify and appraise the currently available knowledge of STRB technology and discern climatic patterns through Meta-Analysis (MA). We systematically searched Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science databases (up to Dec 2021) via a combination of keywords to identify English-language studies published in peer-reviewed journals. Of 142 potential articles, 73 studies met the present review objectives and inclusion criteria. Four STRB classifications including typical STRB, earthworm STRB, Sludge Treatment Electro Wetland (STEW), and earthworm STEW were found since 1990. The data and information on STRBs' configuration, operational parameters in terms of location, type of sewage sludge, study scale, Sludge Loading Rate (SLR), Dry Solid (DS), the proportion of Volatile Solid to DS (VS/DS), and their association with the feeding and resting modes were extracted from the selected articles. The analysis was focused on the interconnections between operational parameters and system efficiency for Temperate type 1 (low intensity of solar radiation), Temperate type 2 (high intensity of solar radiation), and Tropical climates. Based on MA, we found the average SLRs of 50, 70, and 101 Kg.DM.m-2.year-1 for Temperate type 1, Temperate type 2, and Tropical climates respectively, and DS during the feeding of 33 %, 35 %, and 40 %. A qualitative comparison of Arid and Polar climates was also performed given the reduced number of studies available in these climates. The volume of the sludge reduced was 60 % higher and the height of accumulated sludge was annually 2 cm in the earthworm STRBs, and STEWs compared to typical STRBs, which was 6 cm annually in Tropical climates. Correlation analysis, media characterization, list of plant species, and the removal efficiency of STRBs in the residual sludge and leachate are mentioned as well.

Prevalência de pacientes notificados com hanseníase no município de São Luís, Maranhão, durante 2010-2020 / Prevalencia de pacientes notificados con lepra en el municipio de São Luís, Maranhão, durante 2010-2020 / Prevalence of leprosy patients notified in the municipality of São Luís, Maranhão, from 2010 to 2020

Objetivo: identificar a prevalência de pacientes notificados com hanseníase em São Luís, Maranhão, durante 2010-2020. Método: estudo descritivo, exploratório, retrospectivo, transversal, quantitativo, realizado no Banco de Dados público do DATASUS cuja coleta ocorreu em agosto de 2021. A amostra foi composta por 9.387 pacientes notificados com Hanseníase. Resultados: observa-se prevalência amostral em maio de 2012, sexo masculino, faixa etária entre 30-39 anos, Ensino Médio completo, pardos, casos multibacilares, avaliação de incapacidade física e de cura no estágio Grau 0, apresentaram mais que cinco lesões, baciloscopia negativa, episódios sem reação,sendo abordados como casos novos cuja forma prevalente foi a dimorfa, tendo como esquema terapêutico mais prescrito a poliquimioterapia durante 12 meses e prevalência de cura. Conclusão: houve uma prevalência dos casos de hanseníase em homens jovens com bom grau de instrução escolar. Apesar da alta prevalência de casos novos, o tratamento foi efetivo de modo a levá-los à cura.(AU)

Objective: to identify the prevalence of patients notified with leprosy in São Luís, Maranhão, during 2010-2020. Method: descriptive, exploratory, retrospective, cross-sectional, quantitative study, conducted in the public database of the DATASUS whose collection occurred in August 2021. The sample was composed of 9,387 patients notified with Leprosy. Results: sample prevalence was observed in May 2012, male gender, age range 30-39 years, complete High School, brown, multibacillary cases, evaluation of physical disability and cure in Grade 0 stage, presented more than five lesions, negative bacilloscopy, episodes without reaction, being addressed as new cases whose prevalent form was the dimorphic, having as the most prescribed therapeutic scheme the polychemotherapy for 12 months and prevalence of cure. Conclusion: there was a prevalence of leprosy cases in young men with good schooling. Despite the high prevalence of new cases, the treatment was effective in order to lead them to cure(AU)

Objetivo: identificar la prevalencia de pacientes con lepra notificados en São Luís, Maranhão, durante 2010-2020. Método: estudio descriptivo, exploratorio, retrospectivo, transversal, cuantitativo, realizado en la base de datos pública DATASUS, la cual fue recolectada en agosto de 2021. La muestra estuvo conformada por 9.387 pacientes reportados con lepra. Resultados: se tiene una muestra de prevalencia en mayo de 2012, sexo masculino, grupo etario entre 30-39 años, bachillerato completo, pardos, casos multibacilares, valoración de incapacidad física y curación en la etapa Grado 0, presentaba más de cinco lesiones, baciloscopía negativa , episodios sin reacción, siendo abordados como casos nuevos cuya forma prevalente fue borderline, siendo el régimen terapéutico más prescrito la polimedicación durante 12 meses y prevalencia de cura.Conclusión: había una prevalencia de casos de lepra en hombres jóvenes con buena escolaridad. A pesar de la alta prevalencia de casos nuevos, el trataminto fue eficaz de manera que los curará(AU)

The ERA Registry Annual Report 2019: summary and age comparisons.

BACKGROUND: Data on renal replacement therapy (RRT) for end-stage renal disease were collected by the European Renal Association (ERA) Registry via national and regional renal registries in Europe and countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. This article provides a summary of the 2019 ERA Registry Annual Report, including data from 34 countries and additional age comparisons. METHODS: Individual patient data for 2019 were provided by 35 registries and aggregated data by 17 registries. Using these data, the incidence and prevalence of RRT, the kidney transplantation activity and the survival probabilities were calculated. RESULTS: In 2019, a general population of 680.8 million people was covered by the ERA Registry. Overall, the incidence of RRT was 132 per million population (p.m.p.). Of these patients, 62% were men, 54% were ≥65 years of age and 21% had diabetes mellitus as primary renal disease (PRD), and 84% had haemodialysis (HD), 11% had peritoneal dialysis (PD) and 5% had pre-emptive kidney transplantation as an initial treatment modality. The overall prevalence of RRT on 31 December 2019 was 893 p.m.p., with 58% of patients on HD, 5% on PD and 37% living with a kidney transplant. The overall kidney transplant rate was 35 p.m.p. and 29% of the kidney grafts were from a living donor. The unadjusted 5-year survival probability was 42.3% for patients commencing dialysis, 86.6% for recipients of deceased donor grafts and 94.4% for recipients of living donor grafts in the period 2010-14. When comparing age categories, there were substantial differences in the distribution of PRD, treatment modality and kidney donor type, and in the survival probabilities.

Welfare Improvement by Enrichment Programs in Common Marmoset Females Under Social Isolation.

Animal welfare is critical to buffer stress in captive animals and to ensure the reliability of data from studies. The most usual environmental enrichment technique (EE) for social non-human primates is the social enrichment. However, some experimental protocols require keeping individuals isolated, thus demanding other types of EE. We tested in six adult Callithrix jacchus females, single housed for experimental purpose, the stress buffering efficacy of a structural enrichment protocol (SEP) and SEP in combination with a foraging enrichment (FSEP) using  fecal cortisol and behaviors to infer stress levels. Both types of EE improved welfare in different ways, while cortisol levels decreased with both EE as compared to the baseline, autogrooming, and piloerection increased after FSEP probably due to the new foods. Therefore, these findings support alternative practices of EE when social animals are living in isolation and reinforce the positive role of structural and food enrichment for decreasing stress markers. It also encourages studies on welfare with females, since its use as an animal model has increased.

Kidney graft function before pregnancy as a predictor of graft, maternal and fetal outcomes in pregnant renal transplant recipients.

OBJECTIVES: Maternal and fetal complications can occur in pregnant kidney transplant recipients. Since these are high-risk pregnancies, they require a multidisciplinary follow-up to prematurely detect adverse events. Identifying factors that would affect fetal, maternal and graft outcomes is essential to further stratify the risk of pregnant kidney transplant recipients. METHODS: All pregnancies in kidney transplant recipients followed in a single center for 30 years were included. Data included previous transplant information and blood and urine tests performed before pregnancy. Impact of graft function on fetal, maternal and graft outcomes was evaluated. RESULTS: There were 41 pregnancies among 34 patients. Mean gestational age of 35 ± 3 weeks. Caesarean section was performed in 69.4% of patients. Five pregnancies were unsuccessful (12.2%). Four patients suffered an acute graft dysfunction (9.8%) and 12 (29.3%) had a serious maternal hypertensive disorder (preeclampsia, eclampsia or HELLP syndrome). Graft function before pregnancy showed significant correlation with adverse outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: A proteinuria >669 mg/g, serum creatinine >1.75 mg/dL and glomerular filtration rate <36.2 mL/min/1.73 m2 before pregnancy were correlated to graft dysfunction during pregnancy. Similar values of proteinuria were also associated with a risk of maternal hypertensive disorders and pregnancy failure. Therefore, in patients with proteinuria and graft dysfunction, follow-up should be stricter to quickly detect complications.