Simulation and Teaching-Learning in Paediatrics. Essential Topics

Em 2004 começou a funcionar no Hospital de Dona Estefânia um Centro de Simulação de Técnicas em Pediatria ligado à Faculdade de Ciências Médicas da Universidade Nova de Lisboa. A principal inovação relacionou-se com o facto de os estudantes do 5º ano do curso passarem a dispor da oportunidade de treino de procedimentos em modelos (manequins). O objectivo deste estudo foi descrever o funcionamento do referido centro com base nos testemunhos de estudantes e na experiência dos formadores. De acordo com as opiniões expressas, este tipo de treino foi considerado muito relevante para a sua formação. Na generalidade, os estudantes expressaram a necessidade de ampliar a carga horária para esta valência e de maior diversificação de manequins. De acordo com a experiência dos formadores há necessidade de melhorar alguns aspectos relacionados com a logística, e de rendibilizar a utilização do equipamento, abrindo esta área de formação ao ensino pós-graduado nomeadamente ao treino de internos, o que implica um alargamento do protocolo estabelecido entre a Faculdade e o Hospital. Em síntese, reconhecendo embora, as limitações do estudo, os testemunhos de docentes e discentes podem ser considerados como auditoria interna, sugerindo a necessidade de mudanças curriculares e de melhoria de aspectos logísticos essenciais

Pilot Testing and Psychometric Validation of the Nijmegen Professionalism Scale for Spanish Nursing

Background and purpose: Professional commitment is frequently used as a humanistic care indicator. Thus, it is important to design and validate a tool which is able to measure professional commitment of nurses in Spain. In this study we aimed to analyze the psychometric properties of the Nijmegen Professionalism Scale for Spanish (NPS-S) nursing in order to verify its validity and reliability. Methods: We undertook the pilot testing and psychometric validation of the NPS-S. A total sample of 249 nursing professionals from a variety of areas of expertise took part in this study. The STrengthening the Reporting of OBservational studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) Statement was used for reporting this research. Results: The NPS-S achieved a high degree of content validity, construct validity, internal consistency, temporal stability, and usability; this version is, thus, equivalent to the Nijmegen Professionalism Scale in its original version. Implications for practice: Based on the results obtained from the validation of this tool, it is possible to affirm that the NPS-S is an effective instrument for measuring professional commitment in this population. The NPS-S will evaluate and thus contribute to the promotion of professional commitment in Spanish nursing. Additionally, it will serve to establish correlations between professional commitment and other variables including quality of care and patient satisfaction. Future studies should analyze the evaluation capacity of this tool

Siglec receptors impact mammalian lifespan by modulating oxidative stress.

Aging is a multifactorial process that includes the lifelong accumulation of molecular damage, leading to age-related frailty, disability and disease, and eventually death. In this study, we report evidence of a significant correlation between the number of genes encoding the immunomodulatory CD33-related sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like receptors (CD33rSiglecs) and maximum lifespan in mammals. In keeping with this, we show that mice lacking Siglec-E, the main member of the CD33rSiglec family, exhibit reduced survival. Removal of Siglec-E causes the development of exaggerated signs of aging at the molecular, structural, and cognitive level. We found that accelerated aging was related both to an unbalanced ROS metabolism, and to a secondary impairment in detoxification of reactive molecules, ultimately leading to increased damage to cellular DNA, proteins, and lipids. Taken together, our data suggest that CD33rSiglecs co-evolved in mammals to achieve a better management of oxidative stress during inflammation, which in turn reduces molecular damage and extends lifespan

Telehealth: The future is now in allergy practice

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Development of a dynamic framework to explain population patterns of leisure-time physical activity through agent-based modeling.

Despite the increasing body of evidences on the factors influencing leisure-time physical activity, our understanding of the mechanisms and interactions that lead to the formation and evolution of population patterns is still limited. Moreover, most frameworks in this field fail to capture dynamic processes. Our aim was to create a dynamic conceptual model depicting the interaction between key psychological attributes of individuals and main aspects of the built and social environments in which they live. This conceptual model will inform and support the development of an agent-based model aimed to explore how population patterns of LTPA in adults may emerge from the dynamic interplay between psychological traits and built and social environments. We integrated existing theories and models as well as available empirical data (both from literature reviews), and expert opinions (based on a systematic expert assessment of an intermediary version of the model). The model explicitly presents intention as the proximal determinant of leisure-time physical activity, a relationship dynamically moderated by the built environment (access, quality, and available activities) - with the strength of the moderation varying as a function of the person's intention- and influenced both by the social environment (proximal network's and community's behavior) and the person's behavior. Our conceptual model is well supported by evidence and experts' opinions and will inform the design of our agent-based model, as well as data collection and analysis of future investigations on population patterns of leisure-time physical activity among adults

Sleep patterns over 15-day period in rats with spinal cord injury

Study design: Experimental, controlled trial.Objectives: the purpose of this study was to evaluate over a 15-day period alterations in sleep pattern of rats after spinal cord injury (SCI).Setting: Federal University of São Paulo, Department of Psychobiology.Methods: in total, 20 male Wistar rats were used. the rats were divided in two groups: SHAM and SCI. the rats were submitted to the following procedures: electrode insertion surgery, 24 h duration baseline sleep recording, SCI (level T9) and subsequent sleep recording for 15 consecutive days.Results: the results showed a reduction in sleep efficiency in the light period for Days 1-3, 5, 10 and 12 after SCI in relation to the SHAM group, with alterations in total waking time and sleep stages. Limb movements were observed 4 days after SCI.Conclusion: the present findings suggest that SCI may be heavily involved in altering sleep pattern in SCI subjects and that the inactivity caused by SCI may be exacerbating this altered sleep pattern.Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Psychobiol, BR-04020060 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Ctr Psychobiol & Exercise Res, BR-04020060 São Paulo, BrazilSanta Casa, Dept Pathol, São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Psychobiol, BR-04020060 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Ctr Psychobiol & Exercise Res, BR-04020060 São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Optimization of an Alkylpolyglucoside-Based Dishwashing Detergent Formulation.

The aim of this work was to formulate and optimize the washing performance of an alkylpolyglucoside-based dishwashing detergent. The liquid detergent was formulated with five ingredients of commercial origin: anionic (linear sodium alkylbenzenesulfonate and sodium laurylethersulfate), nonionic (C12–C14 alkylpolyglucoside) and zwitterionic (a fatty acid amide derivative with a betaine structure) surfactants, and NaCl for viscosity control. In addition to the plate test, other properties were investigated including ‘‘cloud point’’, viscosity, and emulsion stability. Statistical analysis software was used to generate a central composite experimental design. Then, a second order design and analysis of experiments approach, known as the Response Surface Methodology, was set up to investigate the effects of the five components of the formulation on the studied properties in the region covering plausible component ranges. The method proved to be efficient for locating the domains of concentrations where the desired properties were met

Patient complexity and genotype-phenotype correlations in biliary atresia: a cross-sectional analysis

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Use of aequorin-based indicators for monitoring Ca2+ in acidic organelles

Over the last years, there is accumulating evidence that acidic organelles can accumulate and release Ca2+ upon cell activation. Hence, reliable recording of Ca2+ dynamics in these compartments is essential for understanding the physiopathological aspects of acidic organelles. Genetically encoded Ca2+ indicators (GECIs) are valuable tools to monitor Ca2+ in specific locations, although their use in acidic compartments is challenging due to the pH sensitivity of most available fluorescent GECIs. By contrast, bioluminescent GECIs have a combination of features (marginal pH sensitivity, low background, no phototoxicity, no photobleaching, high dynamic range and tunable affinity) that render them advantageous to achieve an enhanced signal-to-noise ratio in acidic compartments. This article reviews the use of bioluminescent aequorin-based GECIs targeted to acidic compartments. A need for more measurements in highly acidic compartments is identified