Portuguese validation of the Alcohol Craving Questionnaire-Short Form-Revised

Alcohol craving has been described as a strong subjective desire to drink, being considered highly valuable in the clinical practice, as it is recognized as a strong predictor of alcohol relapse in alcohol-dependent individuals. However, to date, there is not a multifactorial questionnaire available for assessing short-term acute craving experience in Portugal. The aim of the present study was to validate a swift and efficient tool for the assessment of acute alcohol craving in a sample of Portuguese citizens. For that purpose, the Alcohol Craving Questionnaire-Short Form-Revised (ACQ-SF-R) was translated into European Portuguese and administered to a sample of 591 college participants with ages between 18 and 30 years. Results suggested that a three-factor model (i.e., Emotionality, Purposefulness, and Compulsivity) proved to be most suitable for the Portuguese sample. Overall, the ACQ-SF-R exhibited good psychometric properties, having a good internal consistency both for the general craving index (Cronbach's alpha = 0.85) and each subscale (Cronbach's alpha = 0.66-0.83), as well as an appropriate convergent validity with the Penn Alcohol Craving Scale (r = 0.65, p<0.001), suggesting a good construct validity. In addition, the ACQ-SF-R also showed a good concurrent validity with the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (r = 0.57, p<0.001), indicating that risky alcohol use patterns are associated with increased craving scores in the ACQ-SF-R. Collectively, these findings suggest that the Portuguese version of the ACQ-SF-R can accurately measure alcohol craving at a multifactorial level, being a valid and reliable tool to use in Portuguese samples in research settings.This study was conducted at the Psychology Research Centre (CIPsi/UM) School of Psychology, University of Minho, supported by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) through the Portuguese State Budget (UIDB/01662/2020). The study was also supported by the project POCI-01-0145-FEDER-028672, funded by FCT and the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER). Eduardo Lopez-Caneda and Alberto Crego were supported by the FCT and the Portuguese Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education, within the scope of the Individual Call to Scientific Employment Stimulus (CEECIND/02979/2018), and within the scope of the Transitory Disposition of the Decrete No. 57/2016, of 29th of August, amended by Law No. 57/2017 of 19 July, respectively. Natalia Almeida-Antunes was supported by a fellowship from the FCT (SFRH/BD/146194/2019). https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/pt/funding/erdf/https://www.fct.pt/ The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript

Chromobacterium violaceum as a potential biosurfactant‐producing microorganism

Chromobacterium violaceum is a Gram‐negative bacterium found in the soil and water in tropical and sub‐tropical environments. Its complete genome sequence revealed wide varying alternative pathways for energy generation, complex and extensive systems for stress adaptation, motility and widespread utilization of quorum sensing for control of its inducible systems. Biosurfactants are amphiphilic compounds produced by microorganisms, both intra and extracellularly, that reduce surface and interfacial tensions. In this work, C. violaceum UCP 1552 isolated from the contaminated area of Pernambuco, was used. Biosurfactant production was carried out in 500mL Erlenmeyer flasks containing 250mL of LB medium [tryptone – 10g/L, yeast extract – 5g/L, sodium chloride – 5g/L] plus 5g/L glucose and 1.6g/L soy oil, at 150 rpm and 30°C. Samples were collected at different fermentation times (from 0 to 188h) to evaluate cellular growth, glucose consumption and biosurfactant production (by reduction of surface tension and emulsification index determination). Biomass growth was observed during the first 96h and afterwards the cells entered the stationary phase. Moreover, glucose was consumed in the first 30h. Surface tension of the fermentation broth free of C. violaceum cells recovered after 188h was found to be 32 mN/m. The highest emulsification index was observed for 12h experiment, being 56 and 59% for sunflower oil and nhexadecane, respectively. Results gathered in this study reveal the C. violaceum potential as a biosurfactant‐producer opening novel perspectives for its application in the environmental area.Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES

Forgetting alcohol: a double-blind, randomized controlled trial investigating memory inhibition training in young binge drinkers

The Supplementary Material for this article can be found online at: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnins.2022.914213/full#supplementary-materialBackground: Binge Drinking (BD) has been associated with altered inhibitory control and augmented alcohol-cue reactivity. Memory inhibition (MI), the ability to voluntarily suppress unwanted thoughts/memories, may lead to forgetting of memories in several psychiatric conditions. However, despite its potential clinical implications, no study to date has explored the MI abilities in populations with substance misuse, such as binge drinkers (BDs). Method: This study—registered in the NIH Clinical Trials Database (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT05237414)—aims firstly to examine the behavioral and electroencephalographic (EEG) correlates of MI among college BDs. For this purpose, 45 BDs and 45 age-matched non/low-drinkers (50% female) will be assessed by EEG while performing the Think/No-Think Alcohol task, a paradigm that evaluates alcohol-related MI. Additionally, this work aims to evaluate an alcohol-specific MI intervention protocol using cognitive training (CT) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) while its effects on behavioral and EEG outcomes are assessed. BDs will be randomly assigned to one MI training group: combined [CT and verum tDCS applied over the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC)], cognitive (CT and sham tDCS), or control (sham CT and sham tDCS). Training will occur in three consecutive days, in three sessions. MI will be re-assessed in BDs through a post-training EEG assessment. Alcohol use and craving will be measured at the first EEG assessment, and both 10-days and 3-months post-training. In addition, behavioral and EEG data will be collected during the performance of an alcohol cue reactivity (ACR) task, which evaluates attentional bias toward alcoholic stimuli, before, and after the MI training sessions. Discussion: This study protocol will provide the first behavioral and neurofunctional MI assessment in BDs. Along with poor MI abilities, BDs are expected to show alterations in event-related potentials and functional connectivity patterns associated with MI. Results should also demonstrate the effectiveness of the protocol, with BDs exhibiting an improved capacity to suppress alcohol-related memories after both combined and cognitive training, along with a reduction in alcohol use and craving in the short/medium-term. Collectively, these findings might have major implications for the understanding and treatment of alcohol misuse. Clinical Trial Registration: [www.ClinicalTrials.gov], identifier [NCT05237414].This study was conducted at the Psychology Research Center (PSI/01662), School of Psychology, University of Minho, supported by the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) through the Portuguese State Budget (Ref.: UIDB/PSI/01662/2020). This study was also supported by the project PTDC/PSI-ESP/28672/2017, funded by FCT and the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER). EL-C and AC were supported by the FCT and the Portuguese Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education, within the scope of the Individual Call to Scientific Employment Stimulus (CEECIND/02979/2018), and the Transitory Disposition of the Decree No. 57/2016, of 29 August, amended by Law No. 57/2017 of 19 July, respectively. NA-A was supported by the FCT, MCTES, and European Union through the European Social Fund (FSE) (SFRH/BD/146194/2019) and RR by a fellowship from the Psychology Research Centre, School of Psychology, University of Minho (UMINHO/BID/2021/19)

Factors associated with involuntary psychiatric hospitalization in Portugal

Funding This study integrated the research project “Mental Health, Impact Assessment of Local and Economic Constraints—SMAILE”, funded by the Foundation for Science and Technology (PTDC/ATP-GEO/4101/2012). The present publication was funded by Fundação Ciência e Tecnologia, IP national support through CHRC (UIDP/04923/2020).Background: Identifying which factors contribute to involuntary psychiatric hospitalization may support initiatives to reduce its frequency. This study examines the sociodemographic, clinical, and contextual factors associated with involuntary hospitalization of patients from five Portuguese psychiatric departments in 2002, 2007 and 2012. Methods: Data from all admissions were extracted from clinical files. A Poisson generalized linear model estimated the association between the number of involuntary hospitalizations per patient in one year and sociodemographic, clinical, and contextual factors. Results: An increment of involuntary hospitalizations was associated with male gender [exp(β ^) = 1.31; 95%CI 1.06–1.62, p < 0.05], having secondary and higher education [exp(β ^) = 1.45; 95%CI 1.05–2.01, p < 0.05, and exp(β ^) = 1.89; 95%CI 1.38–2.60, p < 0.001, respectively], a psychiatric diagnosis of psychosis [exp(β ^) = 2.02; 95%CI 1.59–2.59, p < 0.001], and being admitted in 2007 and in 2012 [exp(β ^) = 1.61; 95%CI 1.21–2.16, p < 0.01, and exp(β ^) = 1.73; 95%CI 1.31–2.32, p < 0.001, respectively]. A decrease in involuntary hospitalizations was associated with being married/cohabitating [exp(β ^) = 0.74; 95%CI 0.56–0.99, p < 0.05], having experienced a suicide attempt [exp(β ^) = 0.26; 95%CI 0.15–0.42, p < 0.001], and belonging to the catchment area of three of the psychiatric services evaluated [exp(β ^) = 0.65; 95%CI 0.49–0.86, p < 0.01, exp(β ^) = 0.67; 95%CI 0.49–0.90, p < 0.01, and exp(β ^) = 0.67; 95%CI 0.46–0.96, p < 0.05 for Hospital de Magalhães Lemos, Centro Hospitalar Psiquiátrico de Lisboa and Unidade Local de Saúde do Baixo Alentejo, respectively]. Conclusions: The findings suggest that involuntary psychiatric hospitalizations in Portugal are associated with several sociodemographic, clinical, and contextual factors. This information may help identify high-risk patients and inform the development of better-targeted preventive interventions to reduce these hospitalizations.publishersversionpublishe

Comparative study of chemical and mechanical retentive systems for bonding of indirect composite resin to commercially pure titanium

This study evaluated the effect of chemical and mechanical surface treatments for cast metal alloys on the bond strength of an indirect composite resin (Artglass) to commercially pure titanium (cpTi). Thirty cylindrical metal rods (3 mm diameter x 60 mm long) were cast in grade-1 cpTi and randomly assigned to 6 groups (n=5) according to the received surface treatment: sandblasting; chemical treatment; mechanical treatment - 0.4 mm beads; mechanical treatment - 0.6 mm beads; chemical/mechanical treatment - 0.4 mm; and chemical/mechanical treatment - 0.6 mm beads. Artglass rings (6.0 mm diameter x 2.0 mm thick) were light cured around the cpTi rods, according manufacturer's specifications. The specimens were invested in hard gypsum and their bond strength (in MPa) to the rods was measured at fracture with a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 2.0 mm/min and 500 kgf load cell. Data were analyzed statistically by one-way ANOVA and Tukey test (a=5%). The surface treatments differed significantly from each other (p<0.05) regarding the recorded bond strengths. Chemical retention and sandblasting showed statistically similar results to each other (p=0.139) and both had significantly lower bond strengths (p<0.05) than the other treatments. In conclusion, mechanical retention, either associated or not to chemical treatment, provided higher bond strength of the indirect composite resin to cpTi.Este estudo avaliou o efeito de tratamentos de superfície químico e mecânico para ligas metálicas fundidas sobre a resistência de união de uma resina composta indireta (Artglass) ao titânio comercialmente puro (Ti cp). Trinta varetas cilíndricas metálicas (3 mm diâmetro x 60 mm comprimento) foram fundidas em Ti cp grau 1 e igualmente divididas em grupos de acordo com os seguintes tratamentos de superfície: jateamento, químico, mecânico com esferas de 0,4 mm, mecânico com esferas de 0,6 mm, químico/mecânico com esferas de 0,4 mm e químico/mecânico com esferas de 0,6 mm. Anéis de Artglass (6 mm diâmetro X 2 mm espessura) foram fotopolimerizados ao redor das varetas, de acordo com as recomendações do fabricante. Os corpos-de-prova foram embutidos em gesso-pedra e a resistência de união (MPa) foi medida em uma máquina universal de ensaios com velocidade de 2,0 mm/min e célula de carga de 500 kgf. Os dados foram analisados estatisticamente por ANOVA a um critério e teste de Tukey (a=5%). Houve diferença estatisticamente significante (p<0,05) entre os tratamentos de superfície quanto à resistência adesiva. Retenção química e jateamento apresentaram resultados estatisticamente semelhantes (p=0,139), e ambos apresentaram menores valores de retenção que os demais tratamentos (p<0,05). Em conclusão, a retenção mecânica, associada ou não a tratamento químico, apresentou melhores resultados de resistência adesiva do compósito indireto ao Ti cp.(FAPESP) São Paulo Research Foundatio

Staphylococcus aureus resistente a la meticilina: conocimiento y factores asociados a la adhesión del equipo de enfermería a las medidas preventivas

This study evaluated the knowledge of a nursing team from a public hospital in the state of São Paulo, Brazil concerning preventive measures recommended in the care delivered to patients colonized with Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) and, through the Health Beliefs Model, identified the factors influencing adherence or non-adherence to preventive measures. A total of 318 professionals from different units participated in the study. According to the analysis, the nursing team’s knowledge and perception of MRSA susceptibility was limited, which indicates the need for actions to improve the understanding of preventive measures employed in the care delivered to patients colonized or infected by this microorganism.Este estudo teve como objetivos avaliar o conhecimento da equipe de enfermagem de um hospital público do Estado de São Paulo sobre as medidas preventivas, recomendadas na assistência a indivíduos colonizados com Staphylococcus aureus resistente à meticilina (MRSA) e identificar os fatores que influenciam na adesão ou não adesão às medidas preventivas, segundo o modelo de crenças em saúde. Trata-se de estudo descritivo, com abordagem quali-quantitativa, no qual participaram 318 profissionais de diferentes setores da instituição. De acordo com a análise realizada, o conhecimento da equipe de enfermagem, assim como a percepção de suscetibilidade ao MRSA, foi limitado, demandando ações para melhor compreensão das medidas preventivas empregadas na assistência a pacientes colonizados ou infectados por esse microrganismo.Este estudio tuvo como objetivos evaluar el conocimiento del equipo de enfermería, en un hospital público del Estado de Sao Paulo, sobre las medidas preventivas recomendadas en la asistencia a individuos colonizados con Staphylococcus aureus resistente a la meticilina (MRSA) e identificar los factores que influyen en la adhesión o no adhesión a las medidas preventivas, según el modelo de creencias en salud. Se trata de un estudio descriptivo, con abordaje cualitativo-cuantitativo, en el cual participaron 318 profesionales de diferentes sectores de la institución. De acuerdo con el análisis realizado, el conocimiento del equipo de enfermería, así como la percepción de susceptibilidad al MRSA, fue limitado, demandando acciones para mejorar la comprensión de las medidas preventivas empleadas en la asistencia a pacientes colonizados o infectados por ese microorganismo

Staphylococcus aureus resistente à meticilina: conhecimento e fatores associados à adesão da equipe de enfermagem às medidas preventivas

Este estudo teve como objetivos avaliar o conhecimento da equipe de enfermagem de um hospital público do Estado de São Paulo sobre as medidas preventivas, recomendadas na assistência a indivíduos colonizados com Staphylococcus aureus resistente à meticilina (MRSA) e identificar os fatores que influenciam na adesão ou não adesão às medidas preventivas, segundo o modelo de crenças em saúde. Trata-se de estudo descritivo, com abordagem quali-quantitativa, no qual participaram 318 profissionais de diferentes setores da instituição. De acordo com a análise realizada, o conhecimento da equipe de enfermagem, assim como a percepção de suscetibilidade ao MRSA, foi limitado, demandando ações para melhor compreensão das medidas preventivas empregadas na assistência a pacientes colonizados ou infectados por esse microrganismo.This study evaluated the knowledge of a nursing team from a public hospital in the state of São Paulo, Brazil concerning preventive measures recommended in the care delivered to patients colonized with Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) and, through the Health Beliefs Model, identified the factors influencing adherence or non-adherence to preventive measures. A total of 318 professionals from different units participated in the study. According to the analysis, the nursing teams knowledge and perception of MRSA susceptibility was limited, which indicates the need for actions to improve the understanding of preventive measures employed in the care delivered to patients colonized or infected by this microorganism.Este estudio tuvo como objetivos evaluar el conocimiento del equipo de enfermería, en un hospital público del Estado de Sao Paulo, sobre las medidas preventivas recomendadas en la asistencia a individuos colonizados con Staphylococcus aureus resistente a la meticilina (MRSA) e identificar los factores que influyen en la adhesión o no adhesión a las medidas preventivas, según el modelo de creencias en salud. Se trata de un estudio descriptivo, con abordaje cualitativo-cuantitativo, en el cual participaron 318 profesionales de diferentes sectores de la institución. De acuerdo con el análisis realizado, el conocimiento del equipo de enfermería, así como la percepción de susceptibilidad al MRSA, fue limitado, demandando acciones para mejorar la comprensión de las medidas preventivas empleadas en la asistencia a pacientes colonizados o infectados por ese microorganismo

A judicialização de cirurgia bucomaxilofacial e o sistema de assistência à saúde dos servidores públicos de Pernambuco

The Brazilian Federal Constitution of 1988 was a pioneer in providing the right to health as a fundamental right and regulating the supplementary  health system. Several states have  created plans aimed exclusively at their servants, and  Pernambuco was the pioneer to conceive them, through the Health Assistance System of the Servants of the State of Pernambuco. The  technological advances, the increase of life  expectancy (and the consequent early tooth loss) and the traumas have caused an increase in the use of  orthoses, prostheses and special materials in invasive  procedures - providing, among other  benefits, esthetic repair. However, there are obstacles to the use of these materials, including  their high cost and the lack of private health insurance coverage for esthetic procedures. The  judicial proceedings involving orthoses, prostheses and special materials in oral and maxillofacial  surgery against the Health Assistance System of the  Servants of the State of Pernambuco were analyzed,  from January 2009 to December 2017. The purpose was to defend that the indication of the material to  be used by the dental surgeon cannot be considered as an absolute criterion and that the Judiciary should not accept such an opinion without questioning it. It was verified the need to open a larger structure to the magistrates, with the creation of centers for  technical assistance in health and/or investments in the existing one, in order to subsidize the judges and  ensure a greater efficiency in the solution of the  demands.  A CF/88 foi pioneira ao dispor sobre o direito à saúde como direito fundamental e regular o sistema suplementar de saúde. Vários estados brasileiros criaram planos voltados exclusivamente para seus servidores; Pernambuco foi o pioneiro a concebê-los, através do Sistema de Assistência à Saúde dos Servidores do Estado de Pernambuco. Os avanços tecnológicos, o aumento da expectativa de vida (e a consequente perda dentária precoce) e os traumas provocaram aumento do uso de órteses, próteses e materiais especiais em procedimentos invasivos – proporcionando, dentre outros benefícios, a reparação estética. Porém, há entraves ao uso desses materiais, entre eles seu alto custo e a ausência de cobertura dos planos de saúde para procedimentos estéticos. Foram analisados os  processos judiciais envolvendo órteses, próteses e materiais especiais em cirurgia bucomaxilofacial contra o Sistema de Assistência dos  Servidores de Pernambuco, entre janeiro de 2009 e dezembro de 2017. O propósito foi defender que a indicação do material a ser utilizado  pelo cirurgião-dentista não pode ser considerada critério absoluto e que o Poder Judiciário não deve  acatar tal opinião sem questioná-la. Verificou-se a necessidade de franquear maior estrutura aos magistrados, com a criação de núcleos de assistência técnica em saúde e/ou investimentos nos já existentes, a fim de subsidiar os julgadores e assegurar uma maior eficiência na solução das demandas. A metodologia aplicada foi a do estudo transversal, baseado na análise de dados  quantitativos e qualitativos extraídos dos processos. Como variáveis, traçaram-se o perfil dos autores das  ações e os parâmetros adotados nas decisões judiciais.

SUBSTRATO À BASE DE ESTERCO DE COELHO NA PRODUÇÃO DE MUDAS DE ALFACE

O uso de esterco de coelho pode contribuir para suprir a crescente demanda por substratos destinados à produção de mudas de hortaliças. Objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar a utilização de esterco de coelho como substrato para produção de mudas de alface, após ser submetido a três diferentes processos de estabilização: vermicompostagem, processamento por meio de larvas de Cetoniinae e compostagem natural. Inicialmente foi realizada uma minuciosa caracterização dos substratos avaliados, determinando-se os teores totais, os teores disponíveis e a proporção da fração disponível de N, Ca, Mg, P e K, a densidade e a porosidade. Também foram avaliadas as variações do pH e da condutividade elétrica dos substratos ao longo de 28 dias do desenvolvimento das mudas. O desempenho dos diferentes substratos na produção de mudas de alface foi avaliado por meio da emergência das sementes e de características das mudas relacionadas com o desenvolvimento da parte aérea e da raiz. Pode-se concluir que o uso de esterco de coelho como substrato para a produção de mudas de alface é uma prática recomendada, desde que o seu processamento seja realizado por meio de vermicompostagem com Eisenia fetida ou por meio de larvas de Cetoniinae.Palavras-chave: Cetoniinae; Eisenia fétida; Lactuca sativa; composto orgânico. RABBIT MANURE BASED SUBSTRATE FOR THE PRODUCTION OF LETTUCE SEEDLINGS ABSTRACT: The use of rabbit manure can contribute to supply the growing the demand by substrates intended for the production of vegetable seedlings, This job was realized with the objective of check the use of rabbit manure as substrate to the production of lettuce seedlings, after being submitted to three different stabilization processes: vermicomposting, processing by means of Cetoniinae larvae and natural composting. Were determined the total levels, available and the proportion of the available fraction of N, Ca, Mg, P and K, the density and a porosity of the substrates. It was also checked the pH variations and of the electric conductivity of the substrates over 28 days of the seedlings development. The performance of the different substrates in the production of lettuce seedlings was evaluated through seed emergence and seedling characteristics related to shoot and root development. It can be concluded that the use of rabbit manure as substrate to lettuce seedlings production is a recommended practice, provide that it is processed by means of vermicomposting with Eisenia fetida or by means of larvae of Cetoniinae.Keywords: Cetoniinae; Eisenia fétida; Lactuca sativa; organic compost