Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2016-09"
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- Hepatitis E virus genotype 3 in mussels (Mytilus galloprovinciallis), SpainPublication . Mesquita, João R.; Oliveira, Danielle; Rivadulla, Enrique; Silva, Joana Abreu; Varela, Miguel F.; Romalde, Jesús L.; Nascimento, Maria S. J.Coastal waters can become contaminated with both human waste from sewage treatment plants and runoff following manure application. Thus, shellfish produced close to land can bioaccumulate enteric viruses of human and animal origin, including zoonotic hepatitis E virus that infect both human and swine. The goal of this study was to evaluate the presence of HEV in shellfish from Galicia (NW Spain), a densely populated region with a strong tradition of swine farming, and one of the most important regions in the world for mussel production. We tested 81 mussel batches by RT-qPCR followed by conventional broad-spectrum nested RT-PCR and phylogenetic analysis. We have obtained 12 positive samples by RT-qPCR (14.81%) with HEV contamination levels ranging from 6.7 × 10(1) to 8.6 × 10(4) RNA copies/g digestive tissue. Phylogenetic analysis based on a 330 nt region of the ORF 1 showed that all sequenced isolates belonged to the zoonotic genotype 3 subgenotype e, being closely related to strains of human and swine origin. Results show that shellfish may be a potential route for HEV transmission to humans.
- El uso de la acupuntura en la hiperplasia prostática benignaPublication . Vieira, Marco; Paulo, Filomena; Martins, ConceiçãoAsbtract: This article presents a case study of an old man of 66 years old with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia who was treated with acupuncture. It is intended to assess how acupuncture can be an effective combination of adjuvant treatment for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). Acupuncture treatments were continuously conducted over more than 3 months. A progressive and significant improvement in their symptoms was observed, suggesting that acupuncture can be an effective combination of adjuvant treatment for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.
- A national referral of an integrated network of continuing care a study casePublication . Carvalho, Ana Branca; Rainho, Maria José; Sobral, Maria JoséThis study aims to characterize the National Long-Term Care Network (NL-TCN) users. The Portuguese National Health Service, was restructured in 2006 with the creation of the National Long-Term Care Network to respond to new health and social needs concerning the continuity of care. Objectives- Analyse the sociodemographic profile of the network users and the review of hospital, local and regional management procedures. Methods-we used various methods of observational or experimental nature (data processing and presentation of results with the program Statistical Package for Social Sciences, version 20, descriptive statistics (frequencies, crosstabs and test chi-square)). The Pearson correlation test showed a positive correlation between time procedures at the local and regional management and hospital’s length of stay. Results- from a sample of 805 cases, 595 (74%) were admitted in the NL-TCN, a rate lower than the national average (86%). Almost half of the sample was admitted in Rehabilitation Units (46%), while nationally the highest number of admissions was in Home Care Teams (30%). The average time from hospital referral to network admission was 9.73 days with a positive correlation between referred network management procedures and hospital length of stay. Conclusions- For specialized units, the maximum waiting times were for the Long-Term and Support Units (mean 30.27 days) and the minimum waiting times were for Home Care Teams (mean 5.57 days). The average time between the local and regional management was 3.59 days. Almost 90% of referrals were orthopaedics, internal medicine and neurology and Network users were mostly elderly (average 75 years old), female and married. Most users were admitted to inpatient units (78%) and only 15% remained in their home town.
- Satisfação das mulheres mastectomizadas com os cuidados de saúdePublication . André, Suzana; Cunha, Madalena; Duarte, João; Estudantes do 25º CLE
- Occupational health of healthcare providers: An organizational climate study in residential structures for the elderlyPublication . Araújo, Patrícia; Ferreira, Mariana; Fernandes, RosinaLife expectancy increase is one of the greatest human achievements, however, proves to be simultaneously a huge challenge, leading to the growth of oficial regulated social responses such as Residential Structures for the Elderly (RSE’s). Regarding RSE’s, there is scarce research on healthcare providers organizational climate (OC) perception.
- Impressões em jeito de comemoração: os 90 anos da publicação de As Ilhas Desconhecidas- Notas e paisagens de Raul BrandãoPublication . Sardo, Anabela; Costa Lopes, Ana MariaImpressões em jeito de comemoração: os 90 anos da publicação de As Ilhas Desconhecidas- Notas e paisagens de Raúl Brandão Com o intuito de recordar os noventa anos da publicação do livro de Raúl Brandão As Ilhas Desconhecidas - Notas e paisagens (1926), evocamos este admirável livro de viagens que transforma a impressionante geografia das ilhas portuguesas numa admirável e assombrosa geografia metafísica. Escrevendo ao jeito impressionista de quem pinta, Raúl Brandão esquissa de forma deslumbrante as paisagens e a natureza dos arquipélagos da Madeira e dos Açores, compelindo-nos a pensar sobre as condições de vida de Portugal e das ilhas do início das primeiras décadas do século XX. Entre o “esplendor da luz” e o “abismo negro da dor”, o autor reflete sobre a luta pela sobrevivência e a fragilidade e efemeridade da Vida: “palpo a fragilidade dos nossos atos, sinto a tristeza da vida efémera” (Brandão, 2011: 83).
- Self-perception of parental competence in parents of pre-school childrenPublication . Aparício, Graça; Cunha, Madalena; Duarte, JoãoAbstract Background: The concept of self-perception of parental competence refers to how parents perceive their performance, beliefs and attitudes in their role as parents, the ability to address specific problems and find effective solutions. Objectives: To evaluate the self-perception of competence in parents of preschool children and the relationship with sociodemographic variables. Methods: Cross-sectional and observational study with 792 parents, women average age 34,15 (Dp=5,01), men 36,1 years old (Dp=5,34), living in Portugal. The analyse includes sociodemographic characterization and the Questionnaire d’Auto-Évaluation de la Compétence Éducative Parentale (QAECEP) (Terrisse & Trudelle, 1988) validated to the portuguese population by Aparício (2012). Results: The validation study of QAECEP indicated good internal consistency (Cronbach's Alpha= 0.773). Self-perception of competence, and satisfaction is high in 51,1% of parents. The older parents see themselves as most competent and effective, with significant results for mothers (Chi-square=21,755; p= 0,010). Parents with higher level of education perceive themselves as more satisfied, motivated and competent, but only significant for the mothers (p=0,000). The high/medium familiar incomes influences significantly the perception of satisfaction, motivation and global parenting competence ( p=0,000). Feelings of low efficacy (p= 0,05) higher satisfaction (AR= 2,6) and global competence (p= 0,036) are significant in parents of younger children. Conclusions: Age, income and education level influences the self-perception of parental performance, so in health promotion activities is important to identify the parental feelings and increase their self-confidence in the defence of an positive parenting.
- Prevalence and determinants of oral microflora among Portuguese adolescentsPublication . Pereira, Carlos; Veiga, Nélio; Resende, Carlos; Amaral, Maria Odete; Pereira, JoanaAbstract Introduction: The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence and determinants of salivary Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and the associated risk of development of dental pathologies on a sample of Portuguese adolescents. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was designed including a inal sample of 447 adolescents aged between 12 and 18 years old, attending a public school in Sátão, Portugal. A self-administered questionnaire was illed out by the adolescents. Clinical examination of oral health status was carried out and saliva collection was accomplished by the passive drool method. The identiication of the different types of bacterial strains was accomplished using the Polymerase Chain Reaction technique. Results: The prevalence of S. mutans in the studied sample was 99.5% Lactobacillus, 80.8% S. mutans and 15.2% A. actinomycetemcomitans. The presence of S. mutans was associated with gender (male = 76.1% vs female = 83.6%; P = .04) and dental pain in the presence of severe dental caries (77.3% vs 87.8%; P = .006). The infection with A. actinomycetemcomitans was associated with age (< 15 years = 12.3% vs ≥ 15 years = 20.3%; P = .03) and residence area (rural = 18.2% vs urban = 11.0%; P = .04), and may be related with a higher risk of periodontal disease development in adulthood. Conclusions: A. actinomycetemcomitans infection was found to be associated with socio-demographic variables, suggesting that, if not clinically well identiied and treated, may cause serious oral diseases during adulthood. It has been described that the oral microlora is one of the main etiological factors for dental caries and periodontal diseases development, but cannot be considered in an isolated manner.
- Emotional intelligence and life satisfaction in Portuguese older adultsPublication . Andrade, Ana; Martins, Rosa; Duarte, João; Moreira, Helena; Madureira, António; Albuquerque, CarlosAbstract Aims: To assess the level of emotional intelligence of older adults; to verify if sociodemographic variables and life satisfaction are related to emotional intelligence and its dimensions (empathy, self-motivation, self-awareness, self-control and sociability). Methods: Cross-sectional study, correlational-descriptive of quantitative characteristics. Location: Portuguese older adults resident in the district of Viseu. Participants: 1040 older adults, aged between 65 and 96 years, with an average of 74.14 years. All of them are resident in the Viseu district, retired and participated voluntarily in the study. Main scales: Emotional Intelligence Measuring Scale (EIMS), Life Satisfaction Rating Scale and a sociodemographic characterization record. Results: Of the surveyed older adults population, 39.7% have high emotional intelligence and 37.4% low emotional intelligence. Life satisfaction is related to the level of emotional intelligence. More than half (55.9%) of the population have high emotional intelligence and high life satisfaction. For the dimensions of Emotional Intelligence (Empathy, Self Motivation, Self-Awareness and Sociability) and Life satisfaction (Health and physical ability, Mental and social engagement capacity) it was shown a statistical significance in the results. Conclusions: The high emotional intelligence of older adults is related to a better life satisfaction. These two aspects should be considered when healthcare professionals are handling with older adults and this study contributes to procedures that should be regarded during the aging process in order to provide a better quality of life and well-being to the older adults.
- Motivation for breastfeeding : a matter of educational level?Publication . Nelas, Paula; Santos, Carla; Duarte, João; Coutinho, Emília; Chaves, Cláudia; Amaral, Odete; Ferreira, Manuela; Cruz, CarlaAbstract: Background: The incidence of breastfeeding at hospital discharge is high; however, its prevalence is low up to the age of 2 years. Objectives: The aim of this study is to verify the relationship between motivation towards breastfeeding and sociodemographic and obstetric variables, and to analyse the inluence of those variables on motivation for breastfeeding when compared to educational level. Materials and methods: This is a quantitative, correlational, descriptive and analytic study. The sample is non-probabilistic with 479 puerperal women (on the day of hospital discharge). The data collection instrument is a questionnaire for sociodemographic and obstetric characterisation and includes the Breastfeeding Motivation Scale. Results: In the sample, 59.5% have higher education, 73.9% are employed and 55.3% live in urban areas. 48.0% are irst-time mothers, 92.4% have a planned pregnancy. Most deliveries were at term (68.4%). Almost all (9 in 10) are found to be highly motivated to breastfeed. Age, marital status, residence and educational attainment did not inluence the overall motivation for breastfeeding. The unemployed are the most motivated. Multiparous mothers are more motivated. The relationship between the other obstetric variables and motivation for breastfeeding has not been proven. The mediator variable (educational level) only had an impact on residence, where those residing in urban areas and with higher education are more motivated in the physiological dimension, followed by residents in urban with qualiications up to secondary education. Conclusion: We suggest that a working group is created with activities in the school community to elucidate young people about the importance of breastfeeding based on the guidelines laid out in the breastfeeding policy.