Plasticidade Cognitiva: Um estudo de caso de estimulação cognitiva em idosos

Os estudos sobre a plasticidade cognitiva demonstram que o cérebro tem a capacidade de modificação e de adaptação e que através dos programas de treino cognitivo se pode preservar um bom nível de eficiência nas pessoas idosas, bem como possibilitar a recuperação dos processos cognitivos. Assim, na velhice, as pessoas podem e efetivamente continuam a adquirir novas informações e habilidades, bem como ainda são capazes de lembrar e usar as habilidades que já conhecem. Assim, é importante criar programas que permitam aos idosos institucionalizados a manutenção das capacidades cognitivas e funcionais, bem como uma boa auto-estima e qualidade de vida, pelo que a estimulação cognitiva pode proporcionar o aumento da capacidade funcional e consequentemente da autonomia e independência do idoso. Nesta perspetiva, foi realizado um estudo com recurso a atividades lúdicas da plataforma de jogos Nintendo Wii®, o que permitiu uma melhoria nas funções cognitivas e psicomotoras dos participantes, bem como uma maior socialização entre os mesmos. O estudo é de natureza qualitativa — estudo de caso — com dois participantes do sexo masculino (idades: 71 e 79 anoa) residentes numa instituição particular de solidariedade social, tendo sido a observação o principal método de avaliação após a aplicação do Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). Os resultados observados ao longo do programa verificaram-se satisfatórios na medida em que foi observada interação entre os participantes e foi visível uma melhoria nas capacidades cognitivas e motoras.The studies about the cognitive plasticity shows that the human brain have the capacity of modification and adaptation, and through the cognitive training programs we could preserve a good level of efficiency on the senior people, as good as enabling the recovery of the cognitive processes. Like this, in the old age, the human people could and continue to acquire new information's and abilities, as good as they are capable to remember and use the abilities that they already now. So, it's important to create programs that allowed to the institutionalized senior's the maintenance of the cognitive and functional capacities, as good as a good self esteem and life quality, by that the cognitive stimulation could provide the increase of the functional capacity and consequently the autonomy and independence of the senior. On this perspective, was realized a study with recourse to some activities of the games platform Nintendo Wii®, what allowed a improvement of the cognitive functions and psychomotor of the attendees, as good as a bigger socialization there between. The study is from qualitative nature - study of the case - with two participants of the male gender (ages: 71 and 79 years) residents on a particular institution of social solidarity, have been observing the main method of evaluation after the application of the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). The results observed throughout the program found to be satisfactory and so was observed interaction between the participants, and we could see an improvement on the cognitive and motor skills

Níveis de ideação suicida em jovens adultos

O suicídio constitui um grave problema para a saúde pública. Está entre as dez principais causas de morte na população mundial em todas as faixas etárias e ocupa o terceiro lugar em jovens entre 15 e 35 anos. O presente estudo é quasi-experimental, quantitativo e transversal, e tem como principal objetivo comparar os níveis de ideação suicida entre estudantes universitários (n = 50) versus não universitários (n = 51). Os sujeitos foram comparados em função do sexo, idade, local de residência, se vivem acompanhados ou sozinhos, nível de escolaridade e estado ocupacional. O instrumento utilizado foi o Questionário de Ideação Suicida. A amostra foi constituída por 101 indivíduos com idades compreendidas entre 18 e 25 anos, com média de 21,44 anos e desvio-padrão de 2,43. Os resultados evidenciaram que os maiores níveis de ideação suicida encontram-se na população não universitária. Os efeitos estatísticos com significado foram encontrados nas comparações por escolaridade, estatuto ocupacional, viver sozinho e presença de perturbação de ansiedade e/ou depressão. Os resultados do estudo sugerem que sejam adotadas medidas de prevenção do suicídio de forma a reduzir não só a taxa letal, mas também o número de tentativas

Characterisation of microbial attack on archaeological bone

As part of an EU funded project to investigate the factors influencing bone preservation in the archaeological record, more than 250 bones from 41 archaeological sites in five countries spanning four climatic regions were studied for diagenetic alteration. Sites were selected to cover a range of environmental conditions and archaeological contexts. Microscopic and physical (mercury intrusion porosimetry) analyses of these bones revealed that the majority (68%) had suffered microbial attack. Furthermore, significant differences were found between animal and human bone in both the state of preservation and the type of microbial attack present. These differences in preservation might result from differences in early taphonomy of the bones. © 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved

Evaluation of a quality improvement intervention to reduce anastomotic leak following right colectomy (EAGLE): pragmatic, batched stepped-wedge, cluster-randomized trial in 64 countries

Background Anastomotic leak affects 8 per cent of patients after right colectomy with a 10-fold increased risk of postoperative death. The EAGLE study aimed to develop and test whether an international, standardized quality improvement intervention could reduce anastomotic leaks. Methods The internationally intended protocol, iteratively co-developed by a multistage Delphi process, comprised an online educational module introducing risk stratification, an intraoperative checklist, and harmonized surgical techniques. Clusters (hospital teams) were randomized to one of three arms with varied sequences of intervention/data collection by a derived stepped-wedge batch design (at least 18 hospital teams per batch). Patients were blinded to the study allocation. Low- and middle-income country enrolment was encouraged. The primary outcome (assessed by intention to treat) was anastomotic leak rate, and subgroup analyses by module completion (at least 80 per cent of surgeons, high engagement; less than 50 per cent, low engagement) were preplanned. Results A total 355 hospital teams registered, with 332 from 64 countries (39.2 per cent low and middle income) included in the final analysis. The online modules were completed by half of the surgeons (2143 of 4411). The primary analysis included 3039 of the 3268 patients recruited (206 patients had no anastomosis and 23 were lost to follow-up), with anastomotic leaks arising before and after the intervention in 10.1 and 9.6 per cent respectively (adjusted OR 0.87, 95 per cent c.i. 0.59 to 1.30; P = 0.498). The proportion of surgeons completing the educational modules was an influence: the leak rate decreased from 12.2 per cent (61 of 500) before intervention to 5.1 per cent (24 of 473) after intervention in high-engagement centres (adjusted OR 0.36, 0.20 to 0.64; P < 0.001), but this was not observed in low-engagement hospitals (8.3 per cent (59 of 714) and 13.8 per cent (61 of 443) respectively; adjusted OR 2.09, 1.31 to 3.31). Conclusion Completion of globally available digital training by engaged teams can alter anastomotic leak rates. Registration number: NCT04270721 (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov)