BBR - Biomedical and Biopharmaceutical Research

Book of Abstracts - Lusófona Nutrition Conference IV

Cíntia Ferreira-Pêgo — 2024-09-15

The IV Jornadas Lusófonas de Nutrição is an academic event that aims to analyze several emerging themes in the area of nutrition sciences, highlighting the importance of nutritionists in their most distinct areas of activity, with special attention on the role of nutritionists’ clinical practice, sports and child nutrition, and politics.

This event has the participation of several specialists in clinical nutrition, public health, and other specialties, so the presence of nutritionists, researchers, doctors, nurses, pharmacists, food engineers, and other health professionals and the agri-food industry is of particular interest.

Improvement of patients’ antibiotic adherence: a descriptive analysis of pharmacists’ interventions

Carla Pires — 2024-08-27

Community and hospital pharmacists are responsible for the correct dispensation of antibiotics and patient counselling. This descriptive study aimed to identify the potentially effective pharmacists’ interventions which improved patients’ antibiotic adherence, based on the findings of a set of studies identified in a previous developed systematic review. Only controlled trials evaluating the impact of pharmaceutical interventions on patient adherence to antibiotics, i.e., intervention group vs. usual care/control group were conveniently selected. These studies were grouped and analyzed based on the distinction between trials with significant vs. non-significant improvements on patients’ adherence to antibiotics. Twenty-one trials were identified, but only 2/3 presented statistically significant results. Diverse pharmaceutical interventions significantly improved patients’ antibiotic adherence, such as structured interventions, the use of visual aids, detailed counseling, written information, call-back phone calls, or the dispensation of personalized doses of antibiotics. Reinforced pharmacist education is likely to be especially relevant in the case of complex therapies (e.g., H. pylori treatment) and/or low literacy patients. In conclusion, structured and/or reinforced pharmaceutical interventions can significantly improve patients’ antibiotic adherence in community or hospital pharmacies, according to some of the analyzed studies.

Asymmetric Adler-Becker reaction – an open issue

Andreia Rosatella — 2024-05-31

The Adler-Becker reaction, described in the 1970s, plays a crucial role in the total synthesis of numerous natural products This reaction describes the transformation of salicylic alcohols into spiroepoxydienones through oxidative dearomatization. Despite its widespread use, the literature lacks a description of the chiral version of this reaction. In this study, we detail several attempts to achieve asymmetry, utilizing a biphasic solvent system with various potential chiral phase transfer catalysts (including chinchonine and sparteine). Additionally, we explored periodate salts with chiral cations and sodium periodate immobilized in a chiral cationic resin. Although the desired enantioselectivity remained elusive, we believe that this work can contribute to the scientific community, as it can serve as a guiding reference for exploring novel chiral approaches in this reaction.

Protective and anti-inflammatory effects of a dermocosmetic formulation containing a combination of vitamins

Laura Noronha Favaro — 2024-07-28

The exposome accelerates the skin aging process, highlighting the need to use cosmetics capable of repairing the damage and maintaining the skin's physiological conditions. Thus, the present study aims to evaluate the potential anti-inflammatory and protective action of a dermocosmetic formulation combination of vitamins. For this, a gel-cream formulation added or not with 3% of ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate and 1% of D-panthenol was developed. The stability and sensory properties of these formulations were evaluated. In addition, a short-term clinical efficacy study of the formulations was carried out for 7 days. After this period, measurements were taken in terms of transepidermal water loss and blood microcirculation by Laser Doppler at the initial time and after the application of methyl nicotinate. The results showed that the formulations remained stable during the study period and showed pseudoplastic non-Newtonian behavior. In addition, the association of vitamins was effective in the protection of the skin against the effects of methyl nicotinate by reducing blood microcirculation, which suggests that the active substances in combination can have an anti-inflammatory and protective action on the skin barrier function.

Looking for early indicators of vascular modification in young healthy tobacco smokers

Sergio Fallone Andrade — 2024-05-28

Cigarette smoking is a main risk factor for cardiovascular disease but early indicators of damage specially in young smokers with no clinical evidence of impairment are lacking. Our study identifies adaptive responses in young smokers following a Reactive Hyperemia (RH) maneuver and compares those responses with an equivalent non smoker group. The study respected all principles of good clinical practice, involved 42 healthy volunteers (21 smokers, 21 non-smokers), with similar anthropometric data, except for smoking habits. Smokers were mostly (17/21) mild, according with the calculated smoker index, started this regular consumption for 11.1±4.5 years ago. RH was obtained by applying a suprasystolic pressure to one of the participants' arms for 2 minutes. Perfusion was measured in the third finger on the ipsilateral side. Perfusion early recovery after occlusion was significantly faster in non-smokers (***p<0.0001 compared with non-smokers. These differences were attributed to smoking, suggesting that even in the absence of any clinical expression, the reflex adaptive responses evoked by RH in both groups are already different. These results justify further studies to better understand the early subclinical impacts of smoking on healthy individuals.

Neocarya macrophylla (Chrysobalanaceae): Review on taxonomy, ethnobotany, phytochemistry and biological activities

Amina Jega Yusuf — 2024-05-15

The Neocarya macrophylla plant is used traditionally for food, medicinal, spiritual and industrial purposes. It is also used as a soap, dye, glue, fodder, termite repellent, firewood and for structural materials. Few studies on the physicochemical, nutritional content, phytochemical and pharmacological activities have validated the benefits of N. macrophylla to humanity as a food, in cosmetics or pharmaceutical products. The major bioactive constituents identified in the plant so far are steroids and flavonoids,such as, stigmasterol, quercetin, catechin and its related glycosides, as well as glucosamines. Extracts of the plant have shown good antivenom, antimicrobial, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antimycobacterial, anthelmintic and antioxidant activities. Acute toxicity studies conducted have confirmed the plant to be toxic. More studies on the plant are required in order to exploit other biological activities as claimed by traditional healers and also to isolate more bioactive compounds. In addition, the safety and tolerability assessment of N. macrophylla should be undertaken due to its widespread usage.

Review on Eyelash Extensions: Methods, Safety, and Aesthetic Considerations

Maísa Oliveira de Melo — 2024-05-12

Eyelash extensions have gained popularity as a non-invasive cosmetic procedure, aiming to enhance the length and thickness of natural eyelashes. Despite their widespread use, scientific exploration into the methods, safety considerations, and aesthetic implications of eyelash extensions remains limited. This study conducts a comprehensive literature review to analyze the current state of scientific literature on the eyelash extension industry, identifying gaps for future research.

In this study, there is an emphasis on the importance of adhesive properties, drying time, and safety considerations in the evolution of eyelash extension materials. Safety concerns associated with eyelash extensions side effects exist and a legislation for adequate professional training, and hygiene standards is needed. Aesthetic considerations delve into cultural and personal preferences, exploring the relationship between lash aesthetics, self-esteem, body image, and social perceptions. In conclusion, as eyelash extensions continue to be a prevalent trend worldwide, there is a necessity for extensive research to inform professionals and clients about potential risks and benefits. Further investigations in safety standards, application techniques, and aesthetic implications will contribute to the advancement of beauty science and the informed decision-making of individuals seeking eyelash enhancements, making the procedure safer and even more popular.

Exploring Telerehabilitation with Clynx® Platform: Usability and Impact Assessment

Irina Esteves Lopes — 2024-05-08

Telerehabilitation offers a transformative approach to physiotherapy, offering convenience, practicality, and sustainability. This paper presents a clinical study conducted at Unidade Local de Saúde do Oeste, in Portugal, involving 37 physiotherapy patients with chronic shoulder pain who utilized the Clynx® Platform for an average of 15.22 home-based sessions. Analysis of physiotherapist login data and patient travel data allowed for evaluation of platform usability, physiotherapist time management, and environmental impact. Patients highlighted schedule flexibility and time optimization as primary advantages, with 36.85% of sessions occurring on weekends and after hours, catering especially to busy professionals. In this study, telerehabilitation saved over 12,000 kilometres of travel and related expenses, while reducing carbon emissions by over 1.30 tons. The Clynx® Platform optimized physiotherapist-patient time management, saving approximately 45.30% of time in mild patient care, which could be redirected to more acute cases, potentially alleviating waiting lists in public hospitals. Telerehabilitation demonstrated positive impacts on usability, socioeconomic factors, and environmental indicators for both patients and healthcare professionals, driving the digitization of physiotherapy towards efficient, sustainable, and patientcentric care. This study underscores telerehabilitation as a promising avenue for the future of physiotherapy.