Pessoas com dor e necessidades de intervenção: revisão sistemática da literatura

Objectivou-se determinar qual o impacto económico e social e as necessidades de intervenção por parte dos serviços de saúde, relativamente às pessoas com dor. Foi efectuada uma pesquisa na EBSCO (CINAHL, MEDLINE, British Nursing Index), utilizando-se o método de PI[C]O e seleccionados 19 artigos do total de 325 encontrados. A dor de tipo neuropática e a com localização músculo-esquelética foram identificadas como as maiores responsáveis pelos gastos em saúde. Como factores positivamente associados à relação custo-eficácia, encontrou-se: associação do regime terapêutico com estratégias não farmacológicas, intervenção de equipas multidisciplinares especializadas no controlo da dor, continuidade de cuidados na comunidade e uma linha telefónica de apoio permanente. Conclui-se que a dor causa significativa deterioração na qualidade de vida, com incalculável impacto no desempenho das actividades de vida diária

Lithium carbonate and coenzyme Q10 reduce cell death in a cell model of Machado-Joseph disease

Machado-Joseph disease (MJD) or spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder caused by expansion of the polyglutamine domain of the ataxin-3 (ATX3) protein. MJD/SCA3 is the most frequent autosomal dominant ataxi4912FAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICO2007/57559-9; 2013/07559-3sem informaçã

Application of a Latent Transition Model to Estimate the Usual Prevalence of Dietary Patterns

Background: This study aims to derive habitual dietary patterns of the Portuguese adult population by applying two methodological approaches: a latent class model and a latent transition model. The novel application of the latent transition model allows us to determine the day-to-day variability of diet and to calculate the usual prevalence of dietary patterns. Methods: Participants are from the National Food, Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey of the Portuguese population, 2015-2016 (2029 women; 1820 men, aged >= 18 years). Diet was collected by two 24 h dietary recalls (8-15 days apart). Dietary patterns were derived by: (1) a latent class model using the arithmetic mean of food weigh intake, with concomitant variables (age and sex); (2) a latent transition model allowing the transition from one pattern to another, with the same concomitant variables. Results: Six dietary patterns were identified by a latent class model. By using a latent transition model, three dietary patterns were identified: "In-transition to Western" (higher red meat and alcohol intake; followed by middle-aged men), "Western" (higher meats/eggs and energy-dense foods intake; followed by younger men), and "Traditional-Healthier" (higher intake of fruit, vegetables and fish, characteristic of older women). Most individuals followed the same pattern on both days, but around 26% transited between "In-transition to Western" and "Western". The prevalence of the dietary patterns using a single recall day (40%, 27%, 33%, respectively) is different from the usual prevalence obtained by the latent transition probabilities (48%, 36%, 16%). Conclusion: Three dietary patterns, largely dependent on age and sex, were identified for the Portuguese adult population: "In-transition to Western" (48%), "Western" (36%), and "Traditional-Healthier" (16%), but 26% were transient between patterns. Dietary patterns are, in general, deviating from traditional habits

New type II Cepheids from VVV data towards the Galactic center

The Galactic center (GC) is the densest region of the Milky Way. Variability surveys towards the GC potentially provide the largest number of variable stars per square degree within the Galaxy. However, high stellar density is also a drawback due to blending. Moreover, the GC is affected by extreme reddening, therefore near infrared observations are needed. We plan to detect new variable stars towards the GC, focusing on type II Cepheids (T2Cs) which have the advantage of being brighter than RR Lyrae stars. We perform parallel Lomb-Scargle and Generalized Lomb-Scargle periodogram analysis of the $K_s$-band time series of the VISTA variables in the Via Lactea survey, to detect periodicities. We employ statistical parameters to clean our sample. We take account of periods, light amplitudes, distances, and proper motions to provide a classification of the candidate variables. We detected 1,019 periodic variable stars, of which 164 are T2Cs, 210 are Miras and 3 are classical Cepheids. We also found the first anomalous Cepheid in this region. We compare their photometric properties with overlapping catalogs and discuss their properties on the color-magnitude and Bailey diagrams. We present the most extensive catalog of T2Cs in the GC region to date. Offsets in E($J-K_s$) and in the reddening law cause very large ($\sim$1-2 kpc) uncertainties on distances in this region. We provide a catalog which will be the starting point for future spectroscopic surveys in the innermost regions of the Galaxy.Comment: A&A, accepte

Quironomídeos (diptera: insecta) da ilha das Flores

XIII Expedição Científica do Departamento de Biologia - Flores e Corvo 2007.O presente trabalho surge no âmbito da XIII Expedição Científica às Ilhas das Flores e Corvo, organizada pelo Departamento de Biologia da Universidade dos Açores, onde durante este evento foram amostrados diferentes habitats dulciaquícolas que possibilitou a actualização da lista de espécies de Quironomídeos para a ilha das Flores. Foram adicionados 7 novos registos para as Flores e um novo género para o Arquipélago

Identifying adolescents with high fasting glucose: the importance of adding grandparents' data when assessing family history of diabetes

Objective: To evaluate the role of adding grandparents' data to parental information to the assessment of a family history of diabetes, in order to identify adolescents with high fasting glucose. Method: In 2003 we evaluated 1276 population-based 13-year-olds, from Porto, Portugal. The history of diabetes in parents and grandparents was collected using self-reported questionnaires and a clinical evaluation was performed, including a fasting blood sample. The 75th percentile of fasting plasma glucose (FPG = 91 mg/dl) was used to create two groups of participants (high vs. low fasting glucose). Results: No association was found between family history of diabetes (with or without grandparental data) and a high FPG. The sensitivity to identify individuals with high FPG increased from 7.8% to 47.9% when grandparental history was combined with parental data. The positive predictive value was slightly increased (25.2% vs. 27.8%) but the specificity dropped (91.8% vs. 56.4%). Conclusion: Combining parental with grandparental history increased the number of adolescents with a positive family history of diabetes and also increased the sensitivity to identify adolescents with high FPG. So, even if it determines a decrease in specificity, grandparental data is relevant when screening for high fasting glucose in adolescents

Relationship between dietary vitamin D and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in Portuguese adolescents

Objective: To understand the relationship between vitamin D intake and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels in a sample of Portuguese adolescents. Design: Cross-sectional evaluation carried out in the 2003/2004 school year. Vitamin D intake was assessed by an FFQ and 25(OH)D was measured in a fasting blood sample. Setting: Public and private schools in Porto, Portugal. Subjects: Adolescents aged 13 years (n 521) enrolled at school (EPITeen cohort). Results: Both mean (sd) intake and serum 25(OH)D level were far below the recommended, 4·47 (2·49) µg/d and 16·5 (5·7) ng/ml, respectively. A significant difference in serum level was found according to season, with lower values in winter than summer (14·8 (4·6) v. 17·3 (5·9) ng/ml, P<0·001). Vitamin D intake was weakly correlated with serum 25(OH)D (r=0·056, P=0·203). Conclusions: Dietary vitamin D and serum 25(OH)D levels were positively but weakly correlated and the error was higher among those with higher serum 25(OH)D concentration. Our results support the need for strategies that promote increase of the most important food sources of vitamin D to reduce the high prevalence of low vitamin D status

Control of Pain and Dyspnea in Patients with Oncologic Disease in Acute Care: Non-Pharmacological Intervention

Objective: To identify non-pharmacological strategies in the control of pain and dyspnea, in patient with oncological disease, in acute care. Methodology: Question in PI[C]O format was used and search at EBSCO (MEDLINE with Full TEXT; CINAHL, Plus with Full Text; British Nursing Index) retrospectively from 2009 to 2015. We included also guidelines by reference entities: Oncology Nursing Society (2011) National Comprehensive Cancer Network and Cancer Care Ontario, resulting in a total of 15 articles. Results: The gold standard for an adequate symptom control is a systematized assessment. Non-pharmacological measures: psycho-emotional support, hypnosis, counseling/training/ instruction, therapeutic adherence, music therapy, massage, relaxation techniques, telephone support, functional and respiratory reeducation increase health gains. Conclusion: The control of oncologic pain and dyspnea require a comprehensive and multimodal approach

Sociodemographic Profile of People Aged 65 or Over in Long-Term Care in Portugal: Analysis of a Big Data

Aim: To know the sociodemographic profile of people aged 65 or over who use the Continuing Care Network in Portugal, between 2010 and 2017, of the Convalescence Units, Medium Duration and Rehabilitation Unit and Long Term and Convalescence Unit. Methods: Retrospective and cross-sectional study, based the analysis on the big data, produced by the National Network of Integrated Continuing Care in Portugal. Were analyze electronic health records of the status of older people. Results: Most people dominant characteristics are: age group of 75 and 84 years old, female, married, with low level of education and professional level. Social isolation is greater in women, they are the ones who most live alone and spend the most time without company. In both sexes, it is people aged 85 and over who live most alone. Conclusions: Knowing the sociodemographic characteristics of the elderly, with dependence on self-care, will allow in the next stages of the study to outline bundles of health interventions more adjusted to their need