Coping styles within the family system in the chronic phase following acquired brain injury: its relation to families’ and patients’ functioning

OBJECTIVE: To investigate how the functioning of family members and the coping styles they use are related to the psychosocial functioning both of the family members and of the person who has sustained a brain injury. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SUBJECTS: Primary caregivers (n = 61) and other family members (n = 15) of 61 patients with brain injury. METHODS: Primary caregivers completed the Utrecht Coping List, the Life Satisfaction Questionnaire 9, and the Caregiver Strain Index. All family members completed the Family Assessment Device. Data for the patients were collected retrospectively. RESULTS: Primary caregivers who had a preference for passive coping styles reported that they experienced a lower level of family functioning, a lower quality of life, and a higher strain. Neither the coping styles nor the psychosocial outcomes of the primary caregivers were significantly associated with patients' self-reported quality of life. Furthermore, there was no correlation between the level of family functioning and a patient's quality of life. CONCLUSION: Coping styles of caregivers are important determinants for their own psychosocial functioning, but not for patients' psychosocial functioning, although causality cannot be inferred. To enhance caregivers' psychosocial functioning, rehabilitation should focus on changing their coping styles into ones that are less passive. Furthermore, distinct or additional interventions may be needed to change the patient's coping style

Effectiveness of a process-oriented patient-tailored outpatient neuropsychological rehabilitation programme for patients in the chronic phase after ABI

The objective of this prospective cohort study was to examine the effectiveness of an outpatient neuropsychological rehabilitation programme for patients with acquired brain injury (ABI) and their relatives. The participants were 26 ABI patients with a mean age of 44.7 (SD 11.7) years and 24 caregivers. Mean time since injury was 3.0 (SD 3.6) years. The intervention consisted of a patient-tailored process-oriented neuropsychological rehabilitation programme focusing on facilitation of the adaptation process. Repeated measurements were taken prior to treatment (T0), directly after treatment (T1) and 6 months later (T2). Primary outcome measures were cognitive failures (CFQ), quality of life (SA-SIP30), and individualised goals (GAS). Patients improved significantly on individualised goals between T0 and T1 (p<.01). This effect retained at T2. There were no significant differences on CFQ and SA-SIP30. The programme had a positive effect on attainment of the patient's individual goals. This was not associated with a higher level of participation or a better quality of life

Photoactivation of the cytotoxic properties of platinum(II) complexes through ligand photoswitching

The development of photoactivatable metal complexes with potential anticancer properties is a topical area of current investigation. Photoactivated chemotherapy using coordination compounds is typically based on photochemical processes occurring at the metal center. In the present study, an innovative approach is applied that takes advantage of the remarkable photochemical properties of diarylethenes. Following a proof-of-concept study with two complexes, namely, C1 and C2, a series of additional platinum(II) complexes from dithienylcyclopentene-based ligands was designed and prepared. Like C1 and C2, these new coordination compounds exhibit two thermally stable, interconvertible photoisomers that display distinct properties. The photochemical behavior of ligands L3-L7 has been analyzed by 1H NMR and UV-vis spectroscopies. Subsequently, the corresponding platinum(II) complexes C3-C7 were synthesized and fully characterized, including by single-crystal X-ray diffraction for some of them. Next, the interaction of each photoisomer (i.e., containing the open or closed ligand) of the metal complexes with DNA was examined thoroughly using various techniques, revealing their distinct DNA-binding modes and affinities, as observed for the earlier compounds C1 and C2. The antiproliferative activity of the two forms of the complexes was then assessed with five cancer cell lines and compared with that of C1 and C2, which supported the use of such diarylethene-based systems for the generation of a new class of potential photochemotherapeutic metallodrugs

Avaliação do sedimento em áreas de produção de peixes em tanques redes no Reservatório de Furnas (MG).

Resumo: A aquicultura tem apresentado um crescimento nos últimos anos consolidando-se como um setor de grande importância econômica. Diante deste crescimento, surge à necessidade de desenvolvimento de processos de monitoramento ambiental que assegurem uma correta interpretação dos possíveis impactos e a melhor forma de diminuí-los. O presente trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar a concentração de metais potencialmente tóxicos e de carbono e nitrogênio, em sedimentos coletados na área de influência direta de piscicultura em tanques rede no reservatório de Furnas. A área de coleta é composta por 4 braços do rio Grande todos no município de Guapé (MG). Em 3 dos 4 braços existem piscicultura em tanques rede e um foi utilizado como controle. Foram realizadas 3 coletas de sedimento em maio, agosto e outubro de 2013, utilizando-se draga de Ekman-Birge. No laboratório, as amostras foram secas, moídas e digeridas para a determinação elementar de Cu (cobre), Pb (chumbo) e Zn (zinco) por Espectrometria de Absorção Atômica com Chama (F-AAS). Os resultados encontrados nas três coletadas variaram de 11,6 a 36,9 mg.L-1 para o Cu, de 95,2 a 184,8 mg.L-1 para o Pb e de 12,7 a 86,3 mg.L-1 para o Zn. O carbono (C) e o nitrogênio (N) total foram determinados por combustão a seco, com resultados que variam de 0,71 a 2,34 % para o C e de 0,097 a 0,224 % para o N. Abstract: Aquaculture has growing in the last decades establishing as sector of great economic importance. The growing of the sector, inputs a necessity to develop environmental monitoring processes to ensuring a correct interpretation of the possible impacts and how the best way to reduce them. This study aimed to evaluate the concentration of potentially toxic metals and carbon and nitrogen in sediments, collected in the area of direct influence of fish farming in tanks, located in Furnas reservoir. The sampling area consists of 4 arms of the rio Grande in the city of Guape (MG). In arms 2 to 4 there are fish farming in net tanks and arm 1 was used as control. Three samples were taken in all sampling sites, during May, August and October 2013, using Ekman-Birge dredge. At the laboratory, samples were dried, ground and digested for elemental determination of Cu (copper), Pb (lead) and Zn (zinc) Spectrometry Flame Atomic Absorption (F-AAS). The results in the three collected ranged from 11.6 to 36.9 mg.L -1 of Cu, 95.2 to 184.8 mg.L -1 for Pb and 12.7 to 86.3 mg.L -1 for Zn. The carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) were determined by the total dry combustion with results ranging from 0.71 to 2.34% for C and 0.097 to 0.224% for

Results From the Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases Cohort Study 3

Introduction: The public health problem of food insecurity also affects the elderly population. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of household food insecurity and its associations with chronic disease and health-related quality of life characteristics in individuals ≥65 years of age living in the community in Portugal. Methods: The data were collected from the Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases Cohort Study 3 (EpiDoC3)-Promoting Food Security Study (2015-2016), which was the third evaluation wave of the EpiDoC and represented the Portuguese adult population. Food insecurity was assessed using a psychometric scale adapted from the Brazilian Food Insecurity Scale. The data on sociodemographic variables, chronic disease, and management of chronic disease were self-reported. Health-related quality of life were assessed using the European Quality of Life Survey (version validated for the Portuguese population). Logistic regression models were used to determine crude and adjusted odds ratios (for age group, gender, region, and education). The dependent variable was the perceived level of food security. Results: Among older adults, 23% were living in a food-insecure household. The odds of living in a food-insecure household were higher for individuals in the 70-74 years age group (odds ratio (OR) = 1.405, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.392-1.417), females (OR = 1.545, 95% CI 1.534-1.556), those with less education (OR = 3.355, 95% CI 3.306-3.404), low income (OR = 4,150, 95% CI 4.091-4.210), and those reporting it was very difficult to live with the current income (OR = 16.665, 95% CI 16.482-16.851). The odds of having a chronic disease were also greater among individuals living in food-insecure households: diabetes mellitus (OR = 1.832, 95% CI 1.818-1.846), pulmonary diseases (OR = 1.628, 95% CI 1.606-1.651), cardiac disease (OR = 1.329, 95% CI 1.319-1.340), obesity (OR = 1.493, 95% CI 1.477-1.508), those who reduced their frequency of medical visits (OR = 4.381, 95% CI 4.334-4.428), and who stopped taking medication due to economic difficulties (OR = 5.477, 95% CI 5.422-5.532). Older adults in food-insecure households had lower health-related quality of life (OR = 0.212, 95% CI 0.210-0.214). Conclusions: Our findings indicated that food insecurity was significantly associated with economic factors, higher values for prevalence of chronic diseases, poor management of chronic diseases, and decreased health-related quality of life in older adults living in the community.publishersversionpublishe

Towards an in-depth understanding of physical activity and eating behaviours during COVID-19 social confinement: A combined approach from a Portuguese National Survey

Rapid worldwide decreases in physical activity (PA), an increase in sedentary behaviour (SB) and poorer dietary patterns have been reported during COVID-19 confinement periods. However, as national variability has been observed, this study sought to describe PA, SB and eating patterns, and to explore their gender as well as other socio-demographic correlates and how they interrelate in a representative sample of Portuguese adults during the COVID-19 first mandatory social confinement. The survey was applied online and by telephone to 5856 adults (mean age = 45.8 years; 42.6% women). The majority reported high (46.0%) or moderate (20.5%) PA levels. Men, younger participants, those with higher education levels and a favourable perception of their financial situation reported higher PA levels, with the opposite pattern for SB. Physical fitness activities and household chores were more reported by women, with more strength training and running activities reported by men. Regarding eating behaviours, 45.1% reported changes, positive (58%) and negative (42%), with 18.2% reporting increases in consumption of fruit, vegetables, and fish and other seafood consumption, while 10.8% (most with lower educational level and less comfortable with their income) reported an increase in consumption of ready-to-eat meals, soft drinks, savoury snacks, and take-away and delivered meals. Two clustersa health-enhancing vs. risky patternemerged through multiple correspondence analysis characterized by co-occurrence of high vs. low PA levels, positive vs. negative eating changes, awareness or not of the COVID-19 PA and dietary recommendations, perceived financial situation, higher vs. lower educational level and time in social confinement. In conclusion, while in social confinement, both positive and negative PA and eating behaviours and trends were displayed, highlighting the role of key sociodemographic correlates contributing to healthy vs. risky patterns. Results may inform future health interventions and policies to be more targeted to those at risk, and also advocate the promotion of PA and healthy eating in an integrated fashion.</jats:p

Essential oil from Ageratum fastigiatum reduces expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha in peripheral blood leukocytes subjected to in vitro stimulation with phorbol myristate acetate

AbstractAgeratum fastigiatum (Gardner) R.M. King & H. Rob., a member of the Asteraceae family popularly known in Brazil as “matapasto”, is indicated in folk medicine as anti-inflammatory and analgesic. Despite its popular use, little is known about its potential effect on the parameters involved in an inflammatory response. The objective of this study was to characterize the chemical composition of the essential oil from A. fastigiatum and to evaluate the frequency of tumor necrosis factor alpha and interferon gamma producing cells in peripheral blood lymphocytes stimulated with phorbol myristate acetate in the presence of essential oil from A. fastigiatum. Non-toxic concentrations of essential oil from A. fastigiatum were evaluated in cultures of peripheral blood leucocytes using the trypan blue exclusion assay by flow cytometry. GC–MS analysis revealed that the prevalent compounds identified in the essential oil from A. fastigiatum sample were α-pinene, limonene, trans-caryophyllene, α-humulene, caryophyllene oxide, 1,2-humulene-epoxide, 1,6-humulanodien-3-ol, and α-cadinol. Results showed that exposure to essential oil from A. fastigiatum at concentrations of 0.5×10−2 and 1×10−2μl/ml caused no alterations in leukocyte viability as compared to the control group. Both concentrations lowered the percentage of tumor necrosis factor alpha (+)-lymphocytes and neutrophils. There were no changes in the percentage of lymphocytes positive for the interferon gamma cytokine. Our results suggest that part of the anti-inflammatory activity attributed to A. fastigiatum may be due to the effect of some of its components in decreasing the number of cells that produce the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor alpha

BEfree: A new psychological program for binge eating that integrates psychoeducation, mindfulness, and compassion

Background Binge eating disorder (BED) is associated with several psychological and medical problems, such as obesity. Approximately 30% of individuals seeking weight loss treatments present binge eating symptomatology. Moreover, current treatments for BED lack efficacy at follow‐up assessments. Developing mindfulness and self‐compassion seem to be beneficial in treating BED, although there is still room for improvement, which may include integrating these different but complimentary approaches. BEfree is the first program integrating psychoeducation‐, mindfulness‐, and compassion‐based components for treating women with binge eating and obesity. Objective To test the acceptability and efficacy up to 6‐month postintervention of a psychological program based on psychoeducation, mindfulness, and self‐compassion for obese or overweight women with BED. Design A controlled longitudinal design was followed in order to compare results between BEfree (n = 19) and waiting list group (WL; n = 17) from preintervention to postintervention. Results from BEfree were compared from preintervention to 3‐ and 6‐month follow‐up. Results BEfree was effective in eliminating BED; in diminishing eating psychopathology, depression, shame and self‐criticism, body‐image psychological inflexibility, and body‐image cognitive fusion; and in improving obesity‐related quality of life and self‐compassion when compared to a WL control group. Results were maintained at 3‐ and 6‐month follow‐up. Finally, participants rated BEfree helpful for dealing with impulses and negative internal experiences. Conclusions These results seem to suggest the efficacy of BEfree and the benefit of integrating different components such as psychoeducation, mindfulness, and self‐compassion when treating BED in obese or overweight women. Key Practitioner Message The current study provides evidence of the acceptability of a psychoeducation, mindfulness, and compassion program for binge eating in obesity (BEfree); Developing mindfulness and self‐compassionate skills is an effective way of diminishing binge eating, eating psychopathology and depression, and increasing quality of life in women with obesity; Integrating psychoeducation, mindfulness, and compassion seem to be effective in diminishing binge eating, with results maintained up to 6‐month postintervention

Health inequalities in energy balance-related behaviours among schoolchildren across Europe: baseline results of the EU "EPODE for the promotion of health equity" (EPHE) Project

[resumo][abstract