Functional Profile of Older Adults Hospitalized in Convalescence Units of the National Network of Integrated Continuous Care of Portugal: A Longitudinal Study

Aim: To evaluate the evolution of the functional profile of older adults admitted to a health unit in Portugal; to relate the functional profile of these individuals with age, sex, education level and emotional state; and to evaluate the probability of the degree of dependence as a function of age and sex. Methods: longitudinal, retrospective study with a sample of 59,013 older adults admitted to convalescence units of the National Network of Integrated Continuous Care of Portugal. Results: In the first 75 days of hospitalization, activities of daily living, mobility and cognitive state improved, but there was a decline after 75 days of hospitalization. The ability to perform instrumental activities of daily living improved in the first 15 days of hospitalization, stabilized until 45 days and then began to worsen. Women had a higher probability of having a severe/complete dependence three years earlier than men (88 years to 91 years). A higher education level and stable emotional state were protective factors against functional decline. Conclusions: The functional profile of older adults improved during the length of stay recommended for hospitalization in convalescence units (30 days). It is critical for health systems to adopt strategies to prevent declines in the emotional state of frail individuals.

Metagenomics Analysis to Investigate the Microbial Communities and Their Functional Profile During Cyanobacterial Blooms in Lake Varese

Toxic cyanobacterial blooms represent a natural phenomenon caused by a mass proliferation of photosynthetic prokaryotic microorganisms in water environments. Bloom events have been increasingly reported worldwide and their occurrence can pose serious threats to aquatic organisms and human health. In this study, we assessed the microbial composition, with a focus on Cyanobacteria, in Lake Varese, a eutrophic lake located in northern Italy. Water samples were collected and used for obtaining a 16S-based taxonomic profile and performing a shotgun sequencing analysis. The phyla found to exhibit the greatest relative abundance in the lake included Proteobacteria, Cyanobacteria, Actinobacteriota and Bacteroidota. In the epilimnion and at 2.5 × Secchi depth, Cyanobacteria were found to be more abundant compared to the low levels detected at greater depths. The blooms appear to be dominated mainly by the species Lyngbya robusta, and a specific functional profile was identified, suggesting that distinct metabolic processes characterized the bacterial population along the water column. Finally, analysis of the shotgun data also indicated the presence of a large and diverse phage population.

Dermatoglifía y su relación con el perfil morfo-funcional en un club de fútbol sala masculino profesional de Bogotá

Una óptima selección deportiva está formada por la valoración del genotipo (dermatoglifía) y el fenotipo (somatotipo, composición corporal y capacidades físicas). El propósito del estudio fue determinar la relación entre la dermatoglifía y el perfil morfo-funcional en deportistas profesionales de futbol sala en la ciudad de Bogotá. La muestra estuvo conformada por 12 hombres, quienes fueron evaluados antropométricamente, con porcentaje graso de 18,4 ± 5,9; masa músculo-esquelética de 32,4 ± 4,4 kg y un somatotipo endo-mesomórfico. Por medio de la dermatoglifía se determinó predominancia en los diseños dactilares presilla (69,2±23,1), D10 (11,3±3,6), SQTL (140,7±95,1). Por último, se valoró la fuerza explosiva con la prueba de Squat Jump, en la cual la posición de poste logró mayor altura. En conclusión, existe una predisposición hacia las capacidades físicas de velocidad, potencia, coordinación y resistencia, además la fuerza explosiva es mayor en deportistas con menor valor en el componente endomórfico y en el porcentaje de masa grasa. An optimal sports selection is formed by assessment of genotype (dermatoglyph) and phenotype (somatotype, body composition and physical abilities). The purpose of the study was to determine relationship between dermatoglyphics and morpho-functional profile in professional futsal athletes in the city Bogotá. The sample consisted of 12 men, who were anthropometrically evaluated, with a fat % of 18,4 ± 5,9; a musculoskeletal mass of 32,4 ± 4,4 kg and endo-mesomorphic somatotype. Through of dermatoglyphics, predominance was determined in the fingerprint designs L (69,2 ± 23,1), D10 (11,3 ± 3,6), SQTL (140,7 ± 95,1). Finally, explosive force was assessed with the Squat Jump test, in which the post position achieved the greatest height. In conclusion, there is a predisposition towards the physical capacities of speed, power, coordination and resistance, in addition the explosive force is greater in athletes with a lower value in endomorphic component and in percentage of fat mass.

Funny you should say that

This paper investigates the formal and functional properties of so-called semi-insubordination (SIS), i.e. complex sentences with an ‘incomplete’ matrix clause (e.g. Funny that you should say that), on the basis of corpus data. It is shown that SIS differs in its function from the structurally related constructions it-extraposition and exclamatives, exhibiting its own functional profile: viz. expressing a subjectivizing speaker evaluation which is non-exclamative, deictically anchored, and relates to a non-presupposed proposition. Given these functional idiosyncrasies it is argued that SIS is best analysed as a construction in its own right (in terms of Construction Grammar) rather than simply an incomplete elliptical structure.

A new class of 5-HT1A receptor antagonists with procognitive and antidepressant properties

Aims: 5-HT1A receptor antagonists constitute a potential group of drugs in the treatment of CNS diseases. The aim of this study was to search for new procognitive and antidepressant drugs among amide derivatives of aminoalkanoic acids with 5-HT1A receptor antagonistic properties. Materials & methods: Thirty-three amides were designed and evaluated in silico for their drug-likeness. The synthesized compounds were tested in vitro for their 5-HT1A receptor affinity and functional profile. Moreover, their selectivity over 5-HT7, 5-HT2A and D2 receptors and ability to inhibit phosphodiesterases were evaluated. Results: A selected 5-HT1A receptor antagonist 20 ( Ki = 35 nM, Kb = 4.9 nM) showed procognitive and antidepressant activity in vivo. Conclusion: Novel 5-HT1A receptor antagonists were discovered and shown as potential psychotropic drugs.

The Elderly Nursing Core Set and the cognition of Portuguese older adults: a cross-sectional study

Background The aging population and its associated health needs require specific nursing care. The aim of this study was to draw an epidemiological profile of Portuguese elderly adults attending in residential homes and day centers and to evaluate the association between the functioning and cognition of these older adults and their sociodemographic characteristics and presence of multimorbidity. Methods This was a cross-sectional study of 613 older adults. Functioning was assessed using the Elderly Nursing Core Set, and cognition was assessed using the Mini Mental State Examination. Descriptive and inferential analyses were performed. Results The mean age was 85.73 years; the majority of the participants were female (69.3 %), widowed (67.0 %) and over 85 years old (60.4 %). A total of 68.2 % of the sample presented multimorbidity. A total of 54.5 % had cognitive impairment, and the average functional profile was classified as “moderate difficulty”. Institutionalized older adults had more diseases than those who attended the day center. Women, those who were illiterate, those who were institutionalized and older adults who had diseases of the nervous system had a worse functional profile and greater cognitive impairment. Those with multimorbidity had a worse functional profile, and those without a spouse had greater cognitive impairment. Conclusions Given the functional and cognitive profile of older adults, it is necessary to adopt care practices focused on the rehabilitation/maintenance of self-care and affective relationships. This care must be provided by highly qualified professionals. Therefore, it is necessary to increase the ratio of nurses per older adult in these institutions.