Proposta de modelo de avaliação da política de incentivo à leitura (anteriormente designada ‘porte pago’)

(Excerto) Ao longo dos anos, o porte pago – assunção total ou parcial pelo Estado do custo da expedição postal das publicações periódicas – tem sido um dos mais emblemáticos apoios do Estado à Comunicação Social, absorvendo uma fatia significativa das verbas atribuídas à imprensa. Apesar de ser um apoio indirecto, cujo objectivo expresso é fazer com que as publicações cheguem aos leitores, suprindo lacunas nas redes de distribuição, este incentivo tem sido considerado por vários agentes ligados ao sector como um dos principais sustentáculos da imprensa local e regional, principal beneficiária deste incentivo. Esta política está, no entanto, longe de ser pacífica. Ao longo de mais de três décadas de democracia em Portugal, tem originado fortes controvérsias. Independentemente da conhecida intensidade dos debates sobre esta matéria, e que frequentemente saltam para a esfera pública, o nosso trabalho exploratório no terreno permitiu-nos confirmar que estes subsídios (ou a sua ausência ou diminuição) continuam a ser defendidos e atacados com veemência por diferentes actores sociais

Characterization of anti-listeria bacteriocins isolated from shellfish: Potential antimicrobials to control non-fermented seafood

This work had as main objectives to characterize two bacteriocins produced by lactic acid bacteria (LAB) previously isolated from non-fermented seafood, in order to evaluate their potential as new food protective agents. The two bacteriocinogenic isolates were identified by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) using genusand species-specific primers, and confirmed by 16S rDNA sequencing, as Enterococcus faecium and Pediococcus pentosaceus. The antimicrobial spectrum of each strain included several indicator microorganisms, some of them also isolated from seafood. Growth of Listeria innocua, L. monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus and other LAB species were inhibited, although no inhibition of Gram-negative microorganisms was observed. Proteolytic, but not lipolytic or glycolytic enzymes, completely inactivated the antimicrobial effect of both cell-free supernatants confirming the proteinaceous nature of the inhibitors. The antimicrobial activity was maintained after treatment with NaCl, SDS, Triton X-100, Tween 20, Tween 80 and EDTA after 2 h or 5 h of exposure and both bacteriocins were stable over a wide range of pH and temperatures. Production of bacteriocin by E. faecium (bacALP7)was detected initially at exponential phase and reached a maximum activity of 25,600 AU/ml in the early stationary phase, whereas bacteriocin production by P. pentosaceus ALP57 (bacALP57) reached the maximum at exponential phase with 12,800 AU/ml. The bacteriocins did not kill L. monocytogenes ESB54 nor L. innocua 2030c however, cellular growth was reduced. The partially purified bacteriocins, bacALP7 and bacALP57, were below 6.5 kDa in size as determined by Tricine-SDS gel electrophoresis. E. faecium and P. pentosaceus contained DNA fragments corresponding in size to those recorded for enterocin B and pediocin PA-1, respectively. Sequencing of the fragments from both bacteriocins confirmed the homology. To our knowledge, for the first time two LAB producing bacteriocins similar to pediocin PA-1 and enterocin B, were isolated from non-fermented shellfish. The adaptation of the cultures to seafood matrices may be advantageous in terms of application as a biopreservation strategy for reduction of L. monocytogenes levels in seafood products

Terapia de grupo cognitivo-conductual para niñas víctimas de violencia sexual en Brasil: ¿Hay diferencia de efectividad al ser aplicada por distintos grupos de psicólogos?

The effectiveness of a cognitive-behavioral group therapy model for the treatment of girl victims of sexual violence (SV) was investigated when applied by different groups of professionals: researchers/psychologists who developed it (G1) and psychologists from the public social care network trained by the first group (G2). A quasi-experimental study was carried out, in which the group therapy model was applied by the two groups. A total of 103 girl victims of sexual violence (SV), aged between seven and 16 years (M=11.76 years, SD=2.02 years) were included, with 49 attended by G1, and 54 by G2. The results indicated a significant reduction in the symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, and PTSD. The comparison between the results obtained by the two groups of professionals in the application of the model indicated no significant differences in the rates of improvement of the participants. These results indicate the effectiveness of the cognitive-behavioral group therapy model evaluated and the possibility of it being used as a care strategy by psychology professionals working in public services.Se investigó la efectividad de un modelo de terapia de grupo cognitivo-conductual para el tratamiento de niñas víctimas de violencia sexual (VS) al ser aplicado por grupos distintos de profesionales: Investigadores/psicólogos que desarrollaron el modelo (G1) y psicólogos de la red pública de asistencia social entrenados por el primer grupo (G2). Se realizó un estudio cuasi-experimental, en el cual el modelo de terapia de grupo fue aplicado por los dos grupos. Fueron atendidas 103 niñas víctimas de violencia sexual (VS) con edades entre siete y 16 años (M=11,76 años, DP=2,02 años), siendo 49 atendidas por G1 y 54 por G2. Los resultados indican reducción significativa en los síntomas de depresión, ansiedad, estrés y TEPT. La comparación entre los resultados obtenidos por los dos grupos de profesionales en la aplicación del modelo indica que no hay diferencias significativas en los índices de mejora de las participantes. Estos resultados indican la efectividad del modelo de terapia de grupo cognitivo-conductual evaluado y la posibilidad de ser utilizado como una estrategia de atención por los profesionales de psicología que trabajan en servicios públicos

Pode um programa de treinamento em grupoterapia cognitivo-comportamental para o tratamento de abuso sexual infantil reduzir os níveis de burnout e estresse no trabalho dos treinandos? evidências iniciais de um modelo brasileiro

This study evaluated the extent to which a professional training program of an evidence-based intervention for the treatment of child and adolescent victims of sexual abuse could reduce strain and burnout levels in trainees. Participants were 30 psychologists, 19 of whom composed the experimental group (G1) and 11 the comparison group (G2). Data collection occurred before and after the training. The results showed that the ‘work demand’ increased for G1 and remained stable for G2, whereas the ‘control at work’ remained stable for G1 while decreasing for G2. Regarding burnout levels, there was a decrease in depersonalization and stabilization in the levels of emotional exhaustion and reduced professional efficacy for G1, whereas for G2, all the burnout indicators significantly increased. These results partially support the perspective that the training program would have an indirect protective effect on the occupational psychopathology levels of the trainees.Este estudio evaluó hasta qué punto un entrenamiento profesional para uso de una intervención empíricamente basada para el tratamiento de niños y adolescentes víctimas de abuso sexual podría reducir los niveles de tensión laboral y burnout de los profesionales capacitados. Participaron 30 psicólogos, 19 en el grupo experimental (G1) y 11 en el grupo de comparación (G2). Los datos fueran recolectados antes y después del entrenamiento. Los resultados mostraron que los niveles de demanda ocupacional aumentaron en G1 y siguieron estables en G2. Respecto a los niveles de burnout, se observó reducción en la despersonalización y estabilización en los niveles de agotamiento emocional y de baja eficacia profesional en G1 mientras que, en G2, todos los indicadores aumentaron. Los resultados apoyan parcialmente la perspectiva que el programa de entrenamiento puede presentar un efecto protector indirecto en los niveles de psicopatología ocupacional de los profesionales capacitados.Este estudo avaliou em que medida um treinamento profissional em uma intervenção empiricamente-baseada voltada para o tratamento de crianças e adolescentes vítimas de violência sexual poderia reduzir os níveis de tensão ocupacional e burnout dos profissionais capacitados. Os participantes foram 30 psicólogos, sendo que 19 compuseram o grupo experimental (G1) e 11 o grupo de comparação (G2). A coleta de dados ocorreu antes e depois da capacitação. Os resultados mostraram que os níveis de demanda ocupacional aumentaram para G1 e se mantiveram estáveis para G2. Em relação aos níveis de burnout, houve redução da despersonalização e estabilização nos níveis de exaustão emocional e de baixa eficácia profissional para G1, enquanto que para G2 todos os indicadores aumentaram. Os resultados suportam parcialmente a hipótese que o treinamento profissional pode apresentar um efeito protetor indireto nos níveis de psicopatologia ocupacional dos profissionais capacitados

Advanced Maternal Age: Adverse Outcomes of Pregnancy, A Meta-Analysis

Introduction: The risks of pregnancy in women of advanced maternal age are not consensual amongst studies. The aim of this metaanalysis  was to determine whether women of advanced maternal age (≥ 35 years old) had worse obstetrical and perinatal outcomes than non- advanced maternal age women (20 - 34 years old) in singleton, naturally-conceived pregnancies. Material and Methods: We searched PubMed/ MEDLINE, IndexRMP and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Ten studies were included according to the following criteria: population of > 1000 nulliparous and/or multiparous women with singleton gestations who did not undergo any type of infertility treatment. Using Review Manager v. 5.3, two meta-analysis were performed: one comparing the outcomes of 20 - 34-year-old vs 35 - 40-year-old women, and another comparing the outcomes of 35 - 40-year-old women vs > 40-year-old women. Results: Women aged 35 - 40 years old were more likely to have > 12 years of education than 20 - 34 years old and > 40 years old women. Advanced maternal age women (35 - 40 and > 40 years old) were more likely to be overweight and having gestational diabetes and gestational hypertension. They were also more likely to undergo induced labour and elective caesarean deliveries. Furthermore, they had worse perinatal outcomes such as preterm delivery, low birthweight babies, higher rates of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit admission and worse Apgar scores. Advanced maternal age women had higher rates of perinatal mortality and stillbirth. Discussion: Most authors present similar results to our study. Although the majority of adverse outcomes can be explained through the physio-pathological changes regarding the female reproductive apparatus that come with aging and its inherent comorbidities, according to the existing literature advanced maternal age can be an independent risk factor per se. In older pregnant women without comorbidities such as gestational hypertension or diabetes there are still worse obstetric and perinatal outcomes, which indicate that advanced maternal age is an independent strong risk factor alone. Conclusion: Advanced maternal age women are at a higher risk of adverse obstetrical and perinatal outcomes. In both comparisons, worse outcomes were more prevalent in the older group, suggesting that poorer outcomes are more prevalent with increasing age

Process evaluation of a social technology of professional training for psychologists handling cases of sexual violence

Neste estudo, foi avaliado o processo de uma tecnologia social de capacitação profissional (TSCP) em grupoterapia cognitivo-comportamental voltada a profissionais da Psicologia que atendem crianças e adolescentes vítimas de violência sexual. A amostra foi composta por 28 profissionais de psicologia, oriundos de 19 municípios do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Os participantes responderam a um questionário de dados sociodemográficos e a fichas de avaliação da capacitação. Os resultados demonstraram um nível elevado de satisfação com o programa. Sugestões e comentários adicionais bem como opiniões sobre os aspectos mais positivos e mais negativos da capacitação forneceram subsídios para qualificação de edições futuras. Espera-se que os resultados apresentados favoreçam o desenvolvimento de novas capacitações profissionais voltada à demanda da violência sexual.Palavras-chave: capacitação profissional, violência sexual, grupoterapia cognitivo-comportamental.In this study the process of a social technology of professional training in cognitive-behavioral group therapy offered to psychologists who handle cases of sexual abuse was evaluated. The sample was composed of 28 psychologists from 19 municipalities in Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. The participants responded a bio-social-demographic questionnaire and evaluative protocols about the training program. The results demonstrated a high level of satisfaction with the program. Suggestions and additional comments as well as opinions about the most positive and negative aspects of the training program off ered subsidies to the qualifi cation of future editions of the same training program. We expect that the results presented in this paper encourage the development of new professional training programs dedicated to the sexual abuse issue.Keywords: professional training, sexual violence, cognitive-behavioral group therapy

Influence of PDLA nanoparticles size on drug release and interaction with cells

Polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) are strong candidates for the development of systemic and targeted drug delivery applications. Their size is a determinant property since it defines the NP–cell interactions, drug loading capacity, and release kinetics. Herein, poly(D,L-lactic acid) (PDLA) NPs were produced by the nanoprecipitationmethod, in which the influence of type and concentration of surfactant as well as PDLA concentration were assessed. The adjustment of these parameters allowed the successful production of NPs with defined medium sizes, ranging from 80 to 460 nm. The surface charge of the different NPs populations was consistently negative. Prednisolone was effectively entrapped and released from NPs with statistically different medium sizes (i.e., 80 or 120 nm). Release profiles indicate that these systems were able to deliver appropriate amounts of drug with potential applicability in the treatment of inflammatory conditions. Both NPs populations were cytocompatible with human endothelial and fibroblastic cells, in the range of concentrations tested (0.187–0.784 mg/mL). However, confocal microscopy revealed that within the range of sizes tested in our experiments, NPs presenting amedium size of 120 nmwere able to be internalized in endothelial cells. In summary, this study demonstrates the optimization of the processing conditions to obtain PDLA NPs with narrow size ranges, and with promising performance for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Vitamin D-related polymorphisms and vitamin D levels as risk biomarkers of COVID-19 disease severity

© The Author(s) 2021. Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article's Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article's Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.Vitamin D is a fundamental regulator of host defences by activating genes related to innate and adaptive immunity. Previous research shows a correlation between the levels of vitamin D in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 and the degree of disease severity. This work investigates the impact of the genetic background related to vitamin D pathways on COVID-19 severity. For the first time, the Portuguese population was characterized regarding the prevalence of high impact variants in genes associated with the vitamin D pathways. This study enrolled 517 patients admitted to two tertiary Portuguese hospitals. The serum concentration of 25 (OH)D, was measured in the hospital at the time of patient admission. Genetic variants, 18 variants, in the genes AMDHD1, CYP2R1, CYP24A1, DHCR7, GC, SEC23A, and VDR were analysed. The results show that polymorphisms in the vitamin D binding protein encoded by the GC gene are related to the infection severity (p = 0.005). There is an association between vitamin D polygenic risk score and the serum concentration of 25 (OH)D (p = 0.04). There is an association between 25 (OH)D levels and the survival and fatal outcomes (p = 1.5e-4). The Portuguese population has a higher prevalence of the DHCR7 RS12785878 variant when compared with its prevalence in the European population (19% versus 10%). This study shows a genetic susceptibility for vitamin D deficiency that might explain higher severity degrees in COVID-19 patients. These results reinforce the relevance of personalized strategies in the context of viral diseases.This project was supported by the “Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia”, program “Research 4 Covid-19 Apoio especial a projetos de implementação rápida para soluções inovadoras de resposta à pandemia de COVID-19”. It was also partially supported by each institution.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Predictors of cardiac involvement in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies

Copyright © 2023 Bandeira, Dourado, Melo, Martins, Fraga, Ferraro, Saraiva, Sousa, Parente, Soares, Correia, Almeida, Dinis, Pinto, Oliveira Pinheiro, Rato, Beirão, Samões, Santos, Mazeda, Chícharo, Faria, Neto, Lourenço, Brites, Rodrigues, Silva-Dinis, Dias, Araújo, Martins, Couto, Valido, Santos, Barreira, Fonseca and Campanilho-Marques. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.Objectives: Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) are a group of rare disorders that can affect the heart. This work aimed to find predictors of cardiac involvement in IIM. Methods: Multicenter, open cohort study, including patients registered in the IIM module of the Rheumatic Diseases Portuguese Register (Reuma.pt/Myositis) until January 2022. Patients without cardiac involvement information were excluded. Myo(peri)carditis, dilated cardiomyopathy, conduction abnormalities, and/or premature coronary artery disease were considered. Results: 230 patients were included, 163 (70.9%) of whom were females. Thirteen patients (5.7%) had cardiac involvement. Compared with IIM patients without cardiac involvement, these patients had a lower bilateral manual muscle testing score (MMT) at the peak of muscle weakness [108.0 ± 55.0 vs 147.5 ± 22.0, p=0.008] and more frequently had oesophageal [6/12 (50.0%) vs 33/207 (15.9%), p=0.009] and lung [10/13 (76.9%) vs 68/216 (31.5%), p=0.001] involvements. Anti-SRP antibodies were more commonly identified in patients with cardiac involvement [3/11 (27.3%) vs 9/174 (5.2%), p=0.026]. In the multivariate analysis, positivity for anti-SRP antibodies (OR 104.3, 95% CI: 2.5-4277.8, p=0.014) was a predictor of cardiac involvement, regardless of sex, ethnicity, age at diagnosis, and lung involvement. Sensitivity analysis confirmed these results. Conclusion: Anti-SRP antibodies were predictors of cardiac involvement in our cohort of IIM patients, irrespective of demographical characteristics and lung involvement. We suggest considering frequent screening for heart involvement in anti-SRP-positive IIM patients.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio