Evaluation of antimicrobial resistance of different phylogroups of Escherichia coli isolates from feces of breeding and laying hens

Animal and food sources are seen as a potential transmission pathway of multi-drug resistance (MDR) micro-organisms to humans. Escherichia. coli is frequently used as an indicator of fecal contamination in the food industry and known as a reservoir of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs). Microbial contamination as a major outcome for the poultry and egg industry and is a serious public health problem. In the present study we performed the quantification of β-glucoronidase positive E. coli in 60 fecal samples of breeding and laying hens collected in Portugal in 2019. Phylogenetic and pathotypic characterization, antimicrobial susceptibility, and detection of resistant extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) genes were assessed. The phylogenetic and pathogenic characterization and detection of ESBL genes were assessed by real-time PCR and antimicrobial susceptibility was evaluated using the disk diffusion method. Overall, E. coli quantification was 6.03 log CFU/g in breeding hens and 6.02 log CFU/g in laying hens. The most frequent phylogroups were B1. None of the isolates was classified as diarrheagenic E. coli (DEC). In total, 57% of the isolates showed MDR and 3.8% were positive for ESBL. Our study highlights that consumers may be exposed to MDR E. coli, presenting a major hazard to food safety and a risk to public health.This research received no external funding.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Impact of physical activity on redox status and nitric oxide bioavailability in nonoverweight and overweight/obese prepubertal children

Nutritional status might contribute to variations induced by physical activity (PA) in redox status biomarkers. We investigated the influence of PA on redox status and nitric oxide (NO) production/metabolism biomarkers in nonoverweight and overweight/obese prepubertal children. We performed a cross-sectional evaluation of 313 children aged 8-9 years (163 nonoverweight, 150 overweight/obese) followed since birth in a cohort study (Generation XXI, Porto, Portugal). Plasma total antioxidant status (P-TAS), plasma and urinary isoprostanes (P-Isop, U-Isop), urinary hydrogen peroxide (U-H2O2), myeloperoxidase (MPO) and plasma and urinary nitrates and nitrites (P-NOx, U-NOx) were assessed, as well as their association with variables of reported PA quantification (categories of PA frequency (>1x/week and ≤1x/week)and continuous PA index (obtained by the sum of points)) in a questionnaire with increasing ranks from sedentary to vigorous activity levels. U-NOx was significantly higher in children who presented higher PA index scores and higher PA frequency. Separately by BMI classes, U-NOx was significantly higher only in nonoverweight children who practiced PA more frequently (p = 0.037). In overweight/obese children, but not in nonoverweight, P-TAS was higher among children with higher PA frequency (p = 0.007). Homeostasis model assessment index (HOMA-IR) was significantly lower in more active overweight/obese children, but no differences were observed in nonoverweight children. In the fully adjusted multivariate linear regression models for P-TAS, in the overweight/obese group, children with higher PA frequency presented higher P-TAS. In the U-NOx models, U-NOx significantly increased with PA index, only in nonoverweight children. Our results provide additional evidence in support of a protective effect of physical activity, in nonoverweight by increasing NO bioavailability and in overweight/obese children by enhancing systemic antioxidant capacity and insulin sensitivity. These results highlight the importance of engaging in regular physical exercise, particularly among overweight/obese children, in which a positive association between oxidant status and cardiometabolic risk markers has been described.This project was supported by FEDER funds from Programa Operacional Factores de Competitividade – COMPETE [FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-028751], by national funds from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), Lisbon, Portugal [PTDC/DTP-PIC/0239/2012] and by Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation. Liane Correia-Costa was supported by FCT [SFRH/SINTD/95898/2013] and Teresa Sousa was supported by FCT and POPH/FSE (EC) [Ciência 2008 and SFRH/BPD/112005]

The Portuguese Atlas of Winter and Migratory Birds 2011–2013: a synopsis

The first Portuguese Atlas of Winter and Migratory Birds will be published in 2017 and was innovative in including the post-nuptial migratory period and data from ringing stations. The standard methodology was identical in both seasons and based on counting birds during a 30 min walk in each of six non-adjacent tetrads (2×2 km) within a 10×10 km UTM square. Additional records were also included as well as data from 26 ringing stations working only during the migratory season. It was possible to cover around 60% of the territory during the migration period and ca. 80% in winter. Despite some limitations of the project like short time for field work (only 2 consecutive winters and migratory seasons), results are very positive and set up a milestone for future initiatives.O projecto foi patrocinado pela Fundação EDP

eHealthResp, a Digital Intervention to Improve Antibiotic Prescribing in Respiratory Infections: A Pilot Study

The emergence of antibiotic resistance (ABR) is one of the most serious public health threats worldwide. The inappropriate use of antibiotics is considered the main determinant for the increase and development of ABR, contributing to a greater risk of therapeutic ineffectiveness, particularly within primary care context. Therefore, this pilot study aims to raise awareness and promote an adequate antibiotic use among physicians, through the evaluation of the eHealthResp platform, a digital intervention composed by an online course and a mobile application, to aid in the management of respiratory tract infections. The global validation of the eHealthResp platform was carried out by 12 physicians who explored and performed a quantitative and qualitative evaluation of the contents of the online course and mobile app. The global evaluation of the analyzed parameters was very positive, with the highest median scores being attributed to adequacy, correction, format, and trust of the eHealthResp platform. The qualitative feedback enhanced the contents' relevance, clarity, and consolidation, as well as the effectiveness of the educational intervention against ABR. Overall, this study revealed that the eHealthResp may be regarded as an important e-health tool for the management of respiratory tract infections and improvement of antibiotic prescription practices among physicians

Acceptance and Use of a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE): Structural Equations Modeling of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology

UTAUT 2 is a model designed to be a starting point for investigating IT adoption and can be used to identify the factors that influence the intention to use it, as well as to be adopted by an organization. The main objective of this research is to validate the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT2) model by applying the questionnaire to students of a university that has gone through the process of implementing a virtual learning environment. The method is the quantitative one, through the survey strategy. As for the time horizon of the survey, a transversal cut was chosen. The techniques and procedures adopted were the modeling of structural equations with partial least squares in the Smart-PLS 3 software. The instrument used in this article is an adaptation of the questionnaire of Venkatesh et al (2012). The results point to evidence of converging and descriminating validity. This research contributes to the Unified Theory of Technology Acceptance and Use (UTAUT) as it is applied in different environments, evidencing characteristics that may allow its generalization. Finally, in the practical scope, it is possible to use this tool to evaluate and plan the acceptance of a new technology in the organizational scope

Fibrodisplasia Óssea Craniofacial: Apresentação de 2 Casos e Revisão da Literatura

A fibrodisplasia óssea é uma patologia congénita rara com predileção pelos ossos craniofaciais, envolvendo frequentemente os seios perinasais, órbita e base do crânio. Os autores apresentam 2 casos de fibrodisplasia óssea monostótica craniofacial e realizam uma breve revisão da literatura sobre o tema. O primeiro trata-se de um caso de fibrodisplasia óssea do frontal, num homem de 20 anos, e o segundo de um caso de fibrodisplasia óssea do esfenoide, num homem de 65 anos. O primeiro caso, dada a idade jovem, crescimento e repercussão estética da lesão, foi submetido a cirurgia, não evidenciando sinais de recidiva após um ano de seguimento. O segundo caso, tratou-se de um achado imagiológico sem sinais de crescimento, num homem mais velho e assintomático, pelo que se optou pelo tratamento conservador e vigilância. Ambos foram orientados de forma multidisciplinar e ilustram a diversidade de apresentação, orientação e evolução que a mesma patologia pode assumir

Idosos em contexto comunitário: gestão ineficaz do regime terapêutico e risco de queda

Introduction: Drugs intake is common in the elderly, but pharmacodynamics/pharmacokinetic changes associated with multiple pathologiy amplifys the drug interactions and adverted effects

Modelos de stress ocupacional: sistematização, análise e descrição

Excessive occupational stress experienced by workers has been strongly associated with the onset of diseases and mental health damage, interfering with their ability to work, productivity, ultimately interfering with their well-being and quality of life. In the present study, we followed the guidelines of systematisation and interpretation of specific models of occupational stress, dissecting them and exposing their constructive genesis and counterpart among them, contributing to the possible construction of stress induction predicting baselines. Despite some common points, the factors that lead to stress response show how some differences between them, mostly at the level of the object, are considered as a source of stress. The description of specific central aspects: physical stressors, organisational climate and working conditions, vulnerability to stress, personality factors, negative affectivity and psychological resilience, are described as operating measures that directly influence human homeostatic processes in occupational context. The understanding of these underlying mechanisms further contributes to the development of primary prevention programs at the level of occupational health and organizational intervention methodologies, in order to promote an adequate quality of working life, enhancing performance, success and increased capacity for work.O excessivo stress ocupacional experienciado pelos trabalhadores tem sido fortemente associado ao aparecimento de doenças e prejuízo da saúde mental, interferindo na sua capacidade para o trabalho, produtividade, bem-estar e qualidade de vida. A análise exaustiva do presente trabalho seguiu a orientação da sistematização e interpretação de modelos específicos de stress ocupacional, dissecando-os e expondo a sua génese construtiva e congénere entre eles, contribuindo para a possível construção de baselines preditoras de indução de stress. Apesar de alguns pontos de coincidência, os fatores que originam a resposta de stress apresentam algumas discrepâncias entre si, sendo, na sua maioria, ao nível do objeto que consideram como fonte de stress. A adequada compreensão destes processos tem, também, como objetivo contribuir para o desenvolvimento de programas de prevenção primária ao nível da saúde ocupacional e de metodologias de intervenção organizacional, com a finalidade de promover uma adequada qualidade de vida laboral, potenciando o desempenho e o sucesso no trabalho e o incremento da capacidade para o trabalho