Efficacy of dignity therapy for depression and anxiety in terminally-ill patients: early results of a randomized controlled trial

Objective: Dignity therapy (DT) is a short-term psychotherapy developed for patients living with a life-limiting illness. Our aim was to determine the influence of DT on symptoms of depression and anxiety in people with a life-threatening disease with high level of distress, referred to an inpatient palliative care unit. Method: This was an open-label randomized controlled trial. Sixty terminally ill patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups: intervention group (DT+ standard palliative care [SPC]) or control group (SPC alone). The main outcomes were symptoms of depression and anxiety, measured with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, assessed at baseline, day 4, day 15, and day 30 of follow-up. Results: Of the 60 participants, 29 were randomized to DT and 31 to SPC. Baseline characteristics were similar between the two groups. DT was associated with a significant decrease in depressive symptoms at day 4 and day 15 (mean = −4.46, 95% CI, −6.91–2.02, p = 0.001; mean= −3.96, 95% CI, −7.33 to −0.61; p = 0.022, respectively), but not at day 30 (mean = −3.33, 95% CI, −7.32–0.65, p = 0.097). DT was also associated with a significant decrease in anxiety symptoms at each follow-up (mean= −3.96, 95% CI, −6.66 to −1.25, p = 0.005; mean= −6.19, 95% CI, −10.49 to −1.88, p = 0.006; mean = −5.07, 95% CI, −10.22 to −0.09, p = 0.054, respectively). Significance of results: DT appears to have a short-term beneficial effect on the depression and anxiety symptoms that often accompany patients at the end of their lives. Future research with larger samples compared with other treatments is needed to better understand the potential benefits of this psychotherapy

Effects of polypropylene fibers and measurement methods on the yield stress of grouts for the consolidation of heritage masonry walls

FeDeR funds through the COMPeTe 2020 Programme under the project number POCI-01-0145-FeDeR-007688.The injection of grouts is a consolidation technique suitable for overcoming the structural deterioration of old stone masonry walls. Grouting operations involve introducing a suspension (grout) into a masonry core with the aim of improving the load capacity of the wall, as well as reducing its brittle mechanisms. The yield stress of injection grouts will affect the injection pressure and their flow inside the masonry. However, the determination of some rheological properties such as yield stress in hydraulic grout is challenging, due to the combined effects of hydration reactions and interactions between the particles present in the suspension. In this study, the determination of the yield stress of natural hydraulic lime-based grouts with polypropylene fibers was carried out. The changes in yield stress with time, fibers content and hydration were evaluated by two measurement methods using a rotational rheometer. Additionally, the static and dynamic yield stress as well as the critical shear-strain rate were determined, which provided useful information on the grout design in order to achieve successful grouting operations.publishersversionpublishe

Experimental study and modeling of rheological and mechanical properties of NHL grouts

The support from the strategic project Pest-C/CTM/LA0025/2011This paper aims to model the effect of grout composition on properties of two natural hydraulic lime (NHL) grouts based on the correlation between grout rheometer results and simple flow tests. First, the effects of water:binder ratio and superplasticizer dosage on its rheological properties and flowability were analyzed. Dosage of superplasticizer and water:binder ratio were varied from 0.6 to 1.2% (by mass of binder) and 0.45-0.55, respectively. A good correlation between classical flow tests and the rheological properties was obtained. Then, statistical models were formulated in order to estimating the grout parameters, such as plastic viscosity and yield stress just by performing simple flow tests. The models coefficients were calculated using multiple regression analysis. The statistical modeling results indicated that the properties of the grouts studied are linearly related to water:binder ratio, superplasticizer dosage, and specific surface area of natural hydraulic limes. Finally, the accuracy of the models was experimentally confirmed using random grout compositions. The predicted-to-measured ratio ranged from 0.97 to 1.08, indicating a good agreement between the confirmation results and the expected results from the statistical models.authorsversionpublishe

Effects of the use of active video games in balance and quality of life: systematic review

Introduction: In the past few years the interest about information and communication technologies has grown. Considering that the use of exergames is increasing, arousing the interest of the scientific community because of their innovative intervention’s strategies, it was considered important to study the effectiveness of it´s use in some aspects like balance and quality of live. Objective: To study (what is) the effectiveness of exergames intervention programs on outcomes like balance and quality of life along the life cycle. Methodology: The research was performed in the following databases: PUBMED, IEEE Xplore Database, CochraneLibrary, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (Clinical Trials) and Health Technology Assessment Database (Technology Assessments)), EBSCO, PEDro, ACM the guide, Elsevier, Springer and Taylor & Francis. The selected search terms were video games, gaming, active video games, wii, Xbox, exergame, postural balance, quality of life. Different research’s equations were used with the following inclusion criteria: RCT studies in English, Spanish or Portuguese language, it couldn’t be studies accomplished before 2001 including that year. According to the criteria and the application of PEDro scale, 5 articles comprised the analyzed final sample after selection. Results: There is no consensus among the studies which were analyzed as to the true relation between balance gains and the utilization of the different exergames. However that relation has been verified in the outcome quality of life. In this second outcome it was considered the increasing on the motivation levels and interest in therapy. Those contribute to a better adhesion in the therapeutic treatment and consequently to functional gains. Conclusion: According to the reviewed studies in this systematic review, it was possible to verify that the utilization of game consoles may be recommended as an instrument to the rehabilitation of patients who have disturbance in balance and decreased levels of quality of life, since the feedback’s system promotes motor control and motor learning. This systematic review has a strong impact in Physiotherapy practice because it allows the comprehension of what studies were performed in the area so far, whereas the utilization of those instruments implies, as all the Physiotherapy interventions, better scientific evidence.N/

Study of interfacial stiffness ratio of a rough surface in contact using a spring model

This study proposes the use of a simple spring model that relates the interfacial stiffness with the complex reflection coefficient of ultrasound in a rough contact. The spring model cannot be directly related to the real area of contact as this depends on the amount, shape and distribution of contacting asperities. However, it is clear that the model provides a non-destructive tool to easily evaluate both longitudinal and shear interfacial stiffnesses and their ratio. Experimental findings indicate that the interfacial stiffness ratio K-tau/K-sigma determined during loading/unloading cycles is sensitive to the roughness level and load hysteresis. The results deviate from the theoretical available micromechanical models, indicating that actual contacting phenomenon is more complex and other variables needed are not accounted for by the models. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Palladium-Catalyzed Carbonyl Allylation Reactions Using Tin Chloride: A Mini-Review

The treatment of allylic alcohols as synthons of carbanions for carbonyl allylation reactions in the presence of a Pd-SnCl2 system has been one of the most interesting and most useful developments demonstrated by Yoshiro Masuyama and co-workers in the field of organic synthesis. The reaction makes use of palladium as an effective catalyst and tin (II) chloride as a low-valent reducing agent which also effectively transforms the allylic group to a nucleophilic group. The organic, as well as organometallic, chemistry of how the transformations occur and how the metals take part in the reaction is of great interest. These could help allow for better optimization of reagents and solvents, for better control of the extent of reaction or yield of desired product, and for possible applications in other reaction systems. This review will focus primarily on the work of Yoshiro Masuyama and various co-workers on carbonyl allylation reactions making use of a Pd-SnCl2 system or substitutes thereof

The new automated daily mortality surveillance system in Portugal

The experience reported in an earlier Eurosurveillance issue on a fast method to evaluate the impact of the 2003 heatwave on mortality in Portugal, generated a daily mortality surveillance system (VDM) that has been operating ever since jointly with the Portuguese Heat Health Watch Warning System. This work describes the VDM system and how it evolved to become an automated system operating year-round, and shows briefly its potential using mortality data from January 2006 to June 2009 collected by the system itself. The new system has important advantages such as: rapid information acquisition, completeness (the entire population is included), lightness (very little information is exchanged, date of death, age, sex, place of death registration). It allows rapid detection of impacts (within five days) and allows a quick preliminary quantification of impacts that usually took several years to be done. These characteristics make this system a powerful tool for public health action. The VDM system also represents an example of inter-institutional cooperation, bringing together organisations from two different ministries, Health and Justice, aiming at improving knowledge about the mortality in the population

Intra-hospital mortality for community-acquired pneumonia in mainland Portugal between 2000 and 2009

Introduction: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) remains a common and serious infection with wide variability in intra-hospital mortality. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of adult patients admitted with CAP in mainland Portugal between the years 2000 and 2009. Results: The intra-hospital mortality rate was 20.4% with deaths in all age groups. The average age of deceased patients was 79.8 years, significantly higher than surviving patients with 71.3 years. Patients aged 50 or more presented a relative risk of death 4.4 times the risk of patients under this age group. Likewise, in patients aged 65 or more the risk of death was 3.2 times the risk of patients <65 years. Men died more at a younger age than women, the men who died were, on average, 4 years younger than women, 78.1 vs 82.1 years old. Relative risk of death in men was 17% higher than women after adjustment for year of admission and age. Conclusion: CAP remains an important cause of hospital mortality in all age groups.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Bioactivities of portuguese propolis

Natural products have been traditionally used in the treatment of several diseases because they are the source of many biologically active compounds, which can bear several therapeutic actions and/or constitute models for the synthesis of new drugs. Propolis or bee glue, one of the few natural remedies that has maintained its popularity over a long period of time, has been the focus of intense research during the last decades. Propolis is a sticky resin containing a complex mixture of substances that honeybees (Apis melifera L.) collect from plants, further digest with salivary enzymes and mix with beeswax. The final product is used by bees to seal hive walls, fill eventual cracks, strength the combs borders, embalm dead invaders and protect the hive against microbial infections. In spite of the differences found in the chemical profiles of propolis from different world origins, which are due to botanical and climate diversity, several propolis samples have shown to possess important biological and pharmacological properties such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-hepatotoxic, antitumoral, anti-inflammatory, anti-HIV-1, anti-neurodegenerative, and anti-tuberculosis, among others. Due to this vast range of properties, propolis can be an alternative, economic and safe source of natural bioactive compounds and, not surprisingly, it started to be marketed in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries as well as in healthy-food stores