Urinary incontinence: the impact on the quality of life

Quality of life (QoL) assessment represents an emerging focus in the health area since it use can complement clinical practice and optimize resources. Urinary incontinence is a common consequence in the oncologic pathology of the prostate that severely affects QoL.A descriptive, analytical and longitudinal study was conducted with the participation of oncological patients from the ambulatory urology department of an oncology hospital unit of the North of Portugal. The sample, obtained through convenience non-probabilistic sampling between October 2015 and July 2016, included 60 patients. The ICIQ-SF was used. The impact on QOL was classified as: zero (0), no impact; from 1 to 3, slight impact; 4 to 6, moderate; from 7 to 9, severe; and, of 10 or more, very serious. Urinary incontinence had a moderate impact on the perception of QoL of patients in M0 and M1. It was observed that as the symptoms decreased, the patients’ perception of QoL increased and M3 and M6 had a slight impact.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Effects of the diversification strategies on the performance of the Brazilian industrial companies: a study about companies listed in the São Paulo stock exchange in the period 1997-2001

Diversos estudos, em diferentes países, têm buscado verificar a associação existente entre a diversificação de negócios e o desempenho corporativo. Essencialmente, três modelos têm sido testados para descrever essa associação: o modelo linear, o modelo curvilíneo ('U invertido') e o modelo intermediário. Esse trabalho tem por objetivo estudar esta possível relação a partir de evidências empíricas que dizem respeito às empresas industriais brasileiras. Usando dados de companhias de capital aberto no período 1997-2001, procedeu-se a uma análise de painel por meio dos métodos de Efeitos Fixos e Efeitos Aleatórios. Os dados não apresentaram aderência suficiente para aceitar a existência de um efeito positivo entre estratégias de diversificação e desempenho, seja linearmente seja exponencialmente. Assim, o modelo que apresentou melhor grau de ajuste aos dados foi o modelo curvilíneo por meio das formas funcionais quadrática e cúbica, o que sugere a existência de pontos em que os custos marginais da diversificação superam os benefícios marginais e vice-versa. Porém a relação mostrou-se indefinida, não sendo possível concluir se ocorre sob a forma de 'U' ou de 'U invertido'. Os principais resultados obtidos na pesquisa apóiam algumas evidências empíricas encontradas em outros países emergentes.Several studies, in different countries, have been investigating the relationship between diversification of businesses and corporate performance. Basically, three models have been tested to describe that relationship: the linear model, the curvilinear model ('inverted U'), and the intermediate model. This paper focuses on theme, using the Brazilian industrial companies as the empirical evidence. The study scrutinizes the performance of enterprises that were listed in the São Paulo Stock Exchange in the period 1997-2001, via a panel analysis through the methods of Fixed Effects and Random Effects. The data didn't show enough adherence to accept that a positive relationship exists between diversification strategies and performance, neither lineally nor exponentially. The model that showed a better adjustment degree was the curvilinear model (through the quadratic and cubic functional forms) that can be interpreted as an evidence about the existence of points in which the marginal costs of diversification overcomes the marginal benefits and vice-versa. However, the relationship was shown indefinite; it was unable to conclude if the real shape is similar to an 'U' of an 'inverted U'. The main results obtained in the research support some empirical evidences found in other emerging countries

Gobernanza corporativa, políticas públicas, mercado de capitales e inversiones extranjeras

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Siderurgia do leste europeu: hiato tecnológico, evolução recente e perspectivas

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Sexual dysfunction and quality of life in prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer causes changes, such as erectile dysfunction, with a significant impact on the perception of quality of life (QoL). The aim of this study is to identify changes in perception of QoL related to erectile dysfunction over time. A descriptive, analytical and longitudinal study was conducted with the participation of oncological patients from the ambulatory urology department of an oncology hospital unit of the North of Portugal. The sample, obtained through convenience non-probabilistic sampling between October 2015 and July 2016, included 60 patients. The instrument used for data collection was IIEF-5 (International Index of Erectile Function-5) that evaluates the severity degree of erectile dysfunction (ED). Sexual function did not present clinical or statistical differences along the studied period. Cultural issues related to privacy preservation may justify our sexual function scores. Early identification of QoL changes may guide nurses to patient-centered care.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Genetic Modulators of Hemolytic Anemia in Angolan Children with Sickle Cell Anemia

Sickle Cell Anemia (SCA) is a recessive genetic disease caused by the c.20A>T variant in HBB gene. It is characterised by sickled erythrocytes, chronic hemolytic anemia and vaso-occlusive events. However, these manifestations are heterogeneous due to environmental and genetic modifying factors. The aim of this study was to investigate genetic modifiers of hemolytic anemia in pediatric SCA patients living in Africa, where the disease is a severe public health problem. The study was conducted on 200 Angolan SCA 3-12 year-old children. Thirteen polymorphic regions in genes previously associated with vascular cell adhesion (VCAM1 and CD36), vascular tonus (NOS3) or erythrocyte hemoglobinisation (HBA), were genotyped using PCR, RFLP, Gap-PCR and Sanger sequencing. Hematological and biochemical phenotypes were obtained at steady state and clinical adverse events were collected from patients’ medical records. Results revealed a high level (67.5%) of α-thalassemia co-inheritance (del. 3.7kb in HBA), which improve patients’ health by delaying the onset of the disease, decreasing anemia and the number of blood transfusions. Two SNPs in CD36 (rs1984112 and rs1413661) showed impact on anemia severity. Particularly, genotypes containing the rs1413661_allele C revealed to be risk factors for severe anemia, as they were associated with lower hemoglobin levels, increased number of hospitalizations and transfusions. This is the first report associating this SNP with SCA pathology. Moreover, the rs1041163_allele C in VCAM1 was associated with lower LDH levels, inversely the rs2070744_allele C in NOS3 was associated with higher LDH levels and a higher number of hospitalizations, being a possible risk factor for increased hemolytic rate. This study contributed to the understanding of SCA complex pathophysiology. It confirmed the positive role of α-thal., both in SCA related anemia and in its clinical manifestations. In addition, it reinforced the importance of vascular cell adhesion in hemolytic anemia variability. In this context, we propose the SNP rs1413661 in CD36 as an important novel genetic modulator of SCA in Africa.Partially funding by FCT/Aga Khan Dev. Network, #330842553N/

Genetic modulation of anemia severity, hemolysis level, and hospitalization rate in Angolan children with Sickle Cell Anemia

Background Sickle Cell Anemia (SCA) is a genetic disease caused by the c.20 A > T mutation in HBB gene, generally characterized by sickle erythrocytes, chronic hemolytic anemia, and vaso-occlusive events. This study aimed to investigate genetic modulators of anemia severity, chronic hemolytic rate, and clinical manifestations in pediatric SCA patients from Angola, where the disease is a severe public health problem. Methods and Results The study was conducted on 200 SCA children living in Luanda or Caxito province. Their clinical phenotype was collected from patients’ hospital records. Hematological and biochemical phenotypes were characterized in steady state condition. Twelve polymorphic regions in VCAM1, CD36 and NOS3 genes were genotyped using PCR, RFLP, and Sanger sequencing. CD36 gene promoter variants showed a significant impact on anemia severity. Particularly, the rs1413661_C allele was associated with lower hemoglobin levels, and increased number of hospitalizations and transfusions. This is the first report associating this SNP with SCA phenotypic heterogeneity. Moreover, the rs1041163_C allele in VCAM1 was associated with lower LDH levels; inversely the rs2070744_C allele in NOS3 was related with higher LDH levels and number of hospitalizations, being a risk factor for increased hemolytic rate. Conclusion This study highlights, for the first time in the Angolan population, the importance of the genetic modifiers of vascular cell adhesion and nitric oxide metabolism in SCA pediatric phenotypic variability.publishersversionpublishe

Especulación inmobiliaria en Porto das Dunas (Aquiraz – CE): Precio de la propiedad en relación con la distancia a la playa

The study focused on the analysis of properties for sale in Porto das Dunas neighborhood and on performing a statistical analysis on the characteristics that directly or indirectly influence the prices given, with emphasis on the influence of the distance between the properties and the beach. For an analysis of real estate prices, researches were carried out on real estate sales websites and from the data collected, important statistical quantities were calculated and a linear regression was built to analyze how the physical characteristics of properties influence their prices. Coming to the conclusion that the neighborhood has higher average property values ​​than many Brazilian capitals and that the distance from the beach is an important factor in this value.El estudio se centró en analizar las propiedades en venta en el barrio de Porto das Dunas y realizar un análisis estadístico de las características que influyen directa o indirectamente en sus precios, con énfasis en la influencia de la distancia entre las propiedades y la playa. Para el análisis de precios inmobiliarios se realizó una investigación en sitios web de venta de inmuebles y a partir de los datos obtenidos se calcularon cantidades estadísticas importantes y se construyó una regresión lineal para analizar cómo las características físicas de las propiedades influyen en los precios. Llegando a la conclusión de que el barrio tiene valores de propiedad promedio más altos que muchas capitales brasileñas y que la distancia a la playa es un factor importante en este valor.O estudo teve como foco analisar os imóveis à venda no bairro de Porto das Dunas e realizar uma análise estatística sobre as características que influenciam direta ou indiretamente os preços desses imóveis, tendo como ênfase a influência da distância entre o imóvel e a praia. Para a análise dos preços dos imóveis, fez-se pesquisas em sites de vendas de imóveis e, a partir dos dados obtidos, calculou-se grandezas estatísticas importantes. Construiu-se uma regressão linear para analisar como as características físicas dos imóveis influenciam nos preços, chegando-se à conclusão de que o bairro possui uma média dos valores dos imóveis mais elevada do que muitas capitais brasileiras, sendo a distância da praia um fator importante nesse valor