Prosthetic cardiac valves implantation is a common procedure used to treat heart valve diseases. Although there are different prostheses already available in the market (either mechanical or bioprosthetic), their use presents several problems, specifically concerning thrombogenicity and structural failure. Recently, some progresses have been achieved in developing heart valves based on synthetic materials with special emphasis in polymers. Among them, polyurethanes are one of the most commonly used for the production of these devices. Herein, Elastollan®1180A50, a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), was used to formulate films whose surfaces were modified by grafting 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA) either by ultra-violet (UV) or by plasma treatment. All films were analyzed before and after grafting. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements were used to evaluate TPU surfaces functionalization. HEMA grafting was confirmed by the increase of the hydroxyl (OH) groups’ concentration at the surface of the films. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis was done to evaluate the surface topography of the biomaterials. Results showed that the roughness of the surface decreased when HEMA was grafted, especially for plasma treated samples. After grafting the films’ hydrophilicity was improved, as well as the polar component of the surface energy, by 15–30%. Hydrophobic recovery studies using milli Q water or PBS were also performed to characterize the stability of the modified surface, showing that the films maintained their surface properties along time. Furthermore, blood-contact tests were performed to evaluate haemolytic and thrombogenic potential. The results obtained for HEMA grafted surfaces, using plasma treatment, confirmed biomaterials biocompatibility and low thrombogenicity. Finally, the cytotoxicity and antibacterial activity of the materials was assessed through in vitro assays for both modified films. The obtained results showed enhanced bactericidal activity, especially for the films modified with plasma.

Currently, there are several types of materials for the treatment of wounds, burns, and other topical injuries available on the market. The most used are gauzes and compresses due to their fluid absorption capacity; however, these materials adhere to the surface of the lesions, which can lead to further bleeding and tissue damage upon removal. In the present study, the development of a polymer-based gel that can be applied as a spray provides a new vision in injury protection, respecting the requirements of safety, ease, and quickness of both applicability and removal. The following polymeric sprays were developed to further obtain gels based on different polymers: hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) using polyethylene glycol (PEG) as a plasticizer. The developed sprays revealed suitable properties for use in topical injuries. A protective film was obtained when sprayed on a surface through a casting mechanism. The obtained films adhered to the surface of biological tissue (pig muscle), turning into a gel when the exudate was absorbed, and proved to be washable with saline solution and contribute to the clotting process. Moreover, biocompatibility results showed that all materials were biocompatible, as cell viability was over 90% for all the materials.

Currently, bone infections caused by diseases or injuries are a major health issue. In addition, the conventional therapeutic approaches used to treat bone diseases or injuries present several drawbacks. In the area of tissue engineering, researchers have been developing new alternative therapeutic approaches, such as scaffolds, to promote the regeneration of injured tissues. Despite the advantages of these materials, most of them require an invasive surgical procedure. To overcome these problems, the main focus of this work was to develop scaffolds for bone regeneration, which can be applied using injectable hydrogels that circumvent the use of invasive procedures, while allowing for bone regeneration. Throughout this work, injectable hydrogels were developed based on a natural polymer, dextran, along with the use of two inorganic compounds, calcium β-triphosphate and nanohydroxyapatite, that aimed to reinforce the mechanical properties of the 3D mesh. The materials were chemically characterized considering the requirements for the intended application: the swelling capacity was evaluated, the degradation rate in a simulated physiological environment was assessed, and compression tests were performed. Furthermore, vancomycin was incorporated into the polymeric matrices to obtain scaffolds with antibacterial performance, and their drug release profile was assessed. The cytotoxic profile of the hydrogels was assessed by an MTS assay, using osteoblasts as model cells. The data obtained demonstrated that dextran-based hydrogels were successfully synthesized, with a drug release profile with an initial burst between 50 and 80% of the drug. The hydrogels possess fair biocompatibility. The swelling capacity showed that the stability of the samples and their degradation profile is compatible with the average time period required for bone regeneration (usually about one month) and have a favorable Young’s modulus (200–300 kPa). The obtained hydrogels are well-suited for bone regeneration applications such as infections that occur during implantation or bone graft substitutes with antibiotics.

Anti-glomerular basement membrane (anti-GBM) disease is an aggressive small vessel vasculitis usually mediated by IgG autoantibodies. We describe the case of a 73-year-old male with rapidly progressive renal failure that was diagnosed with IgA mediated anti-GBM disease associated with circulating anti-neutrophil cytoplasm antibodies (ANCA), where the diagnosis was established on kidney biopsy by detecting linear deposition of IgA along the GBM on immunofluorescence microscopy. Despite an intensive immunosuppressive regimen with plasmapheresis, steroids and oral cyclophosphamide, the disease progressed to end-stage renal failure and the patient was started on hemodialysis.

Dystonia is a comprised of complex abnormal movements, with most cases being idiopathic. Pharmacological therapy has unfavorable results, and therefore, local botulinum toxin injections are the treatment of choice. In this paper, we report a case of cervical dystonia with a favorable response to levodopa. It is a case of idiopathic cervical dystonia, without a favorable response to local injections of botulinum toxin and a lot of drugs, which was sent to a deep brain stimulation center and, simultaneously, to a Chronic Pain Medical Consultation at the family health unit. At this consultation, treatment with levodopa was tried with a favorable response, avoiding the invasive procedure. The positive results achieved using levodopa agree with other authors who assume that levodopa could be attempted in atypical dystonia. This case highlights the importance of primary healthcare, which can prevent the need for an invasive procedure.

In a globalization context, underlined by the speed of technological transformation and increasingly competitive markets, the perspective of human capital, as an asset of strategic importance, stands out in di erentiating human resource practices. Under this reality, the employer branding (EB) concept gains more and more importance as a strategic tool to attract, retain, and involve human capital, given that this has become a source of competitive advantage to companies. Within this context, this study aimed to evaluate the relationship between employer branding strategies implemented by organizations, as well as their impact on the employee’s a ective commitment, evident in certain organizational cultures, which are sustained over time. The methodological framework applied to this study is quantitative, and the data collection was carried out with the application of an employer branding and an a ective commitment questionnaire. To achieve a good representation of the active population, the sample of the quantitative study was composed of 172 individuals, working in the public and private sectors in Portugal, exercising di erent positions in the di erent sectors of activity. Results obtained with these techniques indicate a high level of a ective organizational commitment (AOC) of employees in the organizations surveyed, suggesting that a ective commitment develops when the individual becomes involved and identifies with the organization.

In a globalization context, underlined by the speed of technological transformation and increasingly competitive markets, the perspective of human capital, as an asset of strategic importance, stands out in differentiating human resource practices. Under this reality, the employer branding (EB) concept gains more and more importance as a strategic tool to attract, retain, and involve human capital, given that this has become a source of competitive advantage to companies. Within this context, this study aimed to evaluate the relationship between employer branding strategies implemented by organizations, as well as their impact on the employee’s affective commitment, evident in certain organizational cultures, which are sustained over time. The methodological framework applied to this study is quantitative, and the data collection was carried out with the application of an employer branding and an affective commitment questionnaire. To achieve a good representation of the active population, the sample of the quantitative study was composed of 172 individuals, working in the public and private sectors in Portugal, exercising different positions in the different sectors of activity. Results obtained with these techniques indicate a high level of affective organizational commitment (AOC) of employees in the organizations surveyed, suggesting that affective commitment develops when the individual becomes involved and identifies with the organization.

A comunicação interna organizacional é um fator preponderante no aumento da integração da informaçõe e dos colaboradores. Descreve-se uma pesquisa sobre dificuldades e desafios da comunicação interna de um pólo do Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Triângulo Mineiro (IFTM). A metodologia utilizada foi o estudo de caso, com análise de dados qualitativa. Recorreu-se a entrevistas semi-estruturadas aos responsáveis da área de comunicação dos nove Campus da Instituição e Reitoria, sujeitas a análise de conteúdo. Os resultados identificaram dificuldades relacionadas aos fluxos, barreiras físicas e hierárquicas, rumores, e principalmente a falta de uma cultura de comunicação, que impedem uma comunicação interna eficiente. Foram propostas ações estratégicas visando melhorar os processos comunicativos e o fortalecimento da comunicação interna.

Recently, the biomedical scientists who are working in the skin regeneration area have proposed asymmetric membranes as ideal wound dressings, since they are able to reproduce both layers of skin and improve the healing process as well as make it less painful. Herein, an electrospinning technique was used to produce new asymmetric membranes. The protective layer was composed of a blending solution between polycaprolactone and polylactic acid, whereas the underlying layer was comprised of methacrylated gelatin and chitosan. The chemical/physical properties, the in vitro hemo- and biocompatibility of the nanofibrous membranes were evaluated. The results obtained reveal that the produced membranes exhibited a wettability able to provide a moist environment at wound site. Moreover, the membranes' hemocompatibility and fibroblast cell adhesion, spreading and proliferation at the surface of the membranes were also noticed in the in vitro assays. Such results highlight the suitability of these asymmetric membranes for wound dressing applications.

As alterações do envelhecimento podem ter implicações ao nível sexual, social e psicológico do idoso. Pretendeu-se identificar a perceção dos idosos acerca da sua sexualidade. Foi desenvolvido um estudo quantitativo, observacional, descritiva transversal, com uma amostra não probabilística acidental, constituída por 35 idosos residentes no nordeste transmontano, com idade igual ou superior a 65 anos. Para a colheita dados, foi utilizada uma escala de atitudes face à sexualidade no idoso, associada a questões de caracterização. Foram observados todos os preceitos éticos de acordo com a Declaração de Helsínquia. A amostra em estudo é maioritariamente feminina (66%) e as idades situam-se entre 65 e 95 anos. São maioritariamente casados ou em união de facto (62,9%) e têm abaixo de 4 anos de escolaridade (80%). Os resultados evidenciaram que embora os homens e as mulheres não se distingam significativamente no que respeita às atitudes face à sexualidade, eles apresentam uma atitude global mais positiva. Na variável idade, observamos que os indivíduos do grupo entre os 75 e os 84 anos de idade são aqueles que apresentam atitudes mais positivas face à sexualidade. Relativamente ao estado civil, os indivíduos com companheiro(a) revelaram uma atitude global mais positiva perante a sua sexualidade. Verificaram-se também diferenças estatisticamente significativas relativamente à variável escolaridade, revelando que quanto maior a escolaridade, mais elevada é a perceção acerca da sexualidade. Foram identificados como determinantes na perceção da sexualidade do idoso a idade, o estado civil e a escolaridade. O controlo positivo das transformações e emoções do envelhecimento é fundamental para um envelhecimento saudável.