A mediatização da atribuição de Autorização de Residência para Investimento pelo SEF

A economia portuguesa tem contado com o investimento estrangeiro como um factor relevante de crescimento, mas nos anos recentes este conheceu valores anormalmente baixos. As novas normas legais sobre o denominado Golden Visa, ao permitir a atribuição de vistos a investidores estrangeiros, com condições especiais e a possível atribuição de nacionalidade portuguesa, decorridos cinco anos, vem captar investimento estrangeiro de países não europeus, chamados de países terceiros. O Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras (SEF) é um dos serviços públicos de grande importância no desenvolvimento e aplicação de mecanismos, no que respeita à imigração em Portugal. No decorrer do tempo, cada vez mais esta instituição tem uma voz ativa nas questões relacionadas com a entrada e saída de cidadãos estrangeiros, em território nacional. Em Portugal existem várias políticas de integração dos imigrantes, bem como noutros países. Portanto, neste estudo pretendemos expor algumas políticas adotadas pelo Estado português, com base em três níveis evidentes: o social, o laboral e o educativo. A nível humanitário, o nosso estudo também demonstra extrema preocupação com as pessoas estrangeiras, uma vez que cada vez mais são aprovadas leis para a proteção dos cidadãos imigrantes no país, como: a discriminação, a inclusão social, as organizações não-governamentais, o asilo e a proteção internacional. Na Constituição da República Portuguesa, a discriminação é condenável e não é aceite, pois todos têm igual acesso aos direitos sociais, económicos e culturais por parte dos cidadãos de grupos desfavorecidos, como por exemplo os imigrantes e as minorias étnicas. Para a economia da nossa reflexão a inclusão social, importa realçar exemplos mais marcantes de programas e iniciativas públicos para a integração social, a nível das políticas sociais e de emprego, que em Portugal são tuteladas pelos Ministérios da Solidariedade, Emprego e Segurança Social, e da Educação. No caso português é grande o número de organizações nãogovernamentais a trabalhar com a imigração. A maior parte destas organizações situam-se nas zonas e bairros mais problemáticos, onde o número de cidadãos imigrantes é mais elevado, e trabalham os problemas concretos existentes nestas populações. Existem outras ONG que trabalham a nível nacional e que funcionam como grupos de pressão, promovendo os direitos dos imigrantes e lutando contra o racismo e a discriminação. No decorrer dos tempos, o avanço tecnológico veio também contribuir para um melhor controlo e funcionamento do hoje designado Serviço de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras (SEF) e, consequentemente, para um tratamento mais célere e eficiente dos serviços que tratam o fenómeno da imigração. A eficácia dos S.E.F. muito deve a uma progressiva dotação de equipamentos eletrónicos, para poder desempenhar melhor as suas funções em território nacional; mas sem nunca esquecer o potencial humano existente

Impact of blinded retrospective continuous glucose monitoring on clinical decision making and glycemic control in persons with type 2 diabetes on insulin therapy

Funding: The ADJUST study was supported by an investigatorinitiated grant from Medtronic. The company had no interference on study design or data analysis. All procedures were monitored by an external independent CRO. RR is supported by a grant from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (SFRH-BPD-110426-2015). The authors wish to thank the commitment of participants and care team at APDP e Diabetes Portugal.Background and aims: Blinded retrospective continuous glucose monitoring (rCGM) provides detailed information about real-life glycaemic profile. In persons with type 2 diabetes without adequate glycaemic control, the structured introduction of rCGM may be beneficial to sustain improvements in diabetes management. Methods and results: 102 individuals with insulin-treated type 2 diabetes, age less than 66 years old and HbA1c >7.5%, were recruited. Participants performed a 7-day blinded rCGM (iPro2) every four months for one year. Biochemical, anthropometric, and rCGM data was collected. Participants' and healthcare professionals’ perceptions were assessed. 90 participants completed the protocol. HbA1c was 9.1 ± 0.1% one year prior to enrolment and 9.4 ± 0.1% at enrolment (p < 0.01). With the rCGM-based intervention, a decrease in HbA1c was achieved at 4 months (8.4 ± 0.1%, p < 0.0001), and 12 months (8.1 ± 0.1%, p < 0.0001). A significant increase in time-in-range was observed (50.8 ± 2.4 at baseline vs 61.5 ± 2.2% at 12 months, for 70–180 mg/dL, p < 0.001), with no difference in exposure time to hypoglycaemia. After 12 months, there was an increase in self-reported diabetes treatment satisfaction (p < 0.05). Conclusion: In persons with type 2 diabetes and poor metabolic control, specific data from blinded rCGM informed therapeutic changes and referral to targeted education consultations on nutrition and insulin administration technique. Therapeutic changes were made more frequently and targeted to changes in medication dose, timing, and/or type, as well as to lifestyle. Together, these brought significant improvements in clinical outcomes, effective shared decision-making, and satisfaction with treatment. Registration number: NCT04141111.publishersversionpublishe

Viabilização da disseminação das memórias institucionais do Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia de Sergipe (IFS)

O artigo apresenta meios para a viabilização da disseminação das memórias institucionais do Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia de Sergipe (IFS), enfatizando a importância social da prestação desse serviço. A metodologia se dividiu em duas etapas: autores da área de Arquivologia, Museologia, História da Educação e normas que regulamentam a criação do IFS. Já na segunda etapa, as ações desenvolveram-se de forma observatória exploratória sistemática, durante a implantação e construção do Memorial Institucional, com abordagem qualitativa, utilizando a interligação entre memória e Internet, a partir de vivências e experiências ocorridas no passado. Na análise dos dados foram observados os recortes temporais de funcionamento, os recursos, a didática e as nuances de cada instituição-alicerce na fundação do IFS

Characteristics of Streptococcus agalactiae colonizing nonpregnant adults support the opportunistic nature of invasive infections

Copyright © 2022 Martins et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license.The prevalence and lineages of Streptococcus agalactiae (group B streptococci [GBS]) colonizing pregnant women are well studied, but less is known about colonization of nonpregnant adults. We characterized GBS colonization in adults as a potential reservoir for infections and tested for the presence of clones with a potentially higher invasive disease potential. We evaluated GBS gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and oral colonization among 336 nonpregnant adults in the community. We characterized the isolates by serotyping, multilocus sequence typing, profiling of surface protein genes and pili, and antimicrobial susceptibility and compared them with contemporary invasive isolates. The colonization rate (n = 107, 32%) among nonpregnant adults was like that of pregnant women. Colonization increased with age (~25% in the 18 to 29 and 30 to 44 years old groups and >42% in the ≥60 years old group), potentially explaining the higher incidence of disease with older age. Participants who were colonized at multiple sites (73%) were frequently carrying indistinguishable strains (93%), consistent with the existence of a single reservoir of colonization and transfer of GBS between sites within the same individual. The most frequent lineages found were serotype Ib/CC1 (n = 27), serotype V/CC1 (n = 19), serotype Ia/CC23 (n = 13), serotype III/ST17 (n = 13), and serotype Ib/CC10 (n = 11). Comparison with contemporary isolates causing invasive infections in Portugal did not reveal any lineage associated with either asymptomatic carriage or invasive disease. Asymptomatic colonization of nonpregnant adults is significant and could act as a reservoir for invasive disease, but in contrast to infant disease, we found no GBS lineages with an enhanced potential for causing invasive disease in adults. IMPORTANCE The increasing incidence of Streptococcus agalactiae (group B streptococci [GBS]) infections in adults and the inability of antimicrobial prophylaxis peripartum to control late-onset infections in infants motivate the study of the asymptomatic carrier state in nonpregnant adults. We found an overall carriage rate like that of pregnant women, increasing with age, potentially contributing to the higher incidence of GBS infections with age. Colonization of diabetic participants was not higher despite the higher number of infections in this group. Comparison between contemporary genetic lineages causing infections and found in asymptomatic carriers did not identify particularly virulent lineages. This means that any prophylactic approaches targeting colonization by particular lineages are expected to have a limited impact on GBS disease in adults.ERM was supported by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (SFRH/BPD/80038/2011 and DL57/2016/CP1451/CT0009).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Identificação e promoção de fatores protetores na gestão da diabetes mellitus tipo 1 em adolescentes

Intervenção Social. - ISSN 0874-1611. - N. 59-60 (2022). - p. 121

Views and Experience of People with Diabetes, Informal Carers, and Healthcare Professionals in Portugal

INTRODUCTION: The increasing burden of diabetes poses a great challenge to healthcare systems and economy worldwide. Although modern therapeutic strategies for diabetes are widely available, most patients still fail to achieve optimal clinical targets and well-being. The primary objective of this study was to assess and explore potential drivers and successful management of diabetes among people with diabetes, family members and healthcare professionals in Portugal, by applying the protocol of the multinational study "Diabetes, Attitudes, Wishes and Needs (DAWN2)". MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 767 adults, including 417 people with diabetes, 123 family members and 227 healthcare professionals, participated in the study. Surveys assessed health-related quality of life, self-management, attitudes/beliefs, social support and priorities for improvement areas in diabetes care. RESULTS: Diabetes has a negative impact on the physical health and emotional well-being of patients in Portugal and is also a psychological burden for family members. Earlier diagnosis and treatment of diabetes were mentioned as a major area of improvement. Healthcare professionals indicated the need for diabetes self-management education. CONCLUSION: We have used for the first time in Portugal the DAWN2 protocol to address the wishes, needs, and attitudes of Portuguese diabetes patients, their relatives, and healthcare professionals regarding the disease.publishersversionepub_ahead_of_prin

Youth empowerment through health education scale: validity study

Objective: To validate the Youth Empowerment Through Health Education Scale (EJEduS) content and appearance after an educational intervention. Methods: This is a methodological study carried out through EJEduS assessment by relevance, clarity and pertinence criteria by experts in the subject as well as by school adolescents and from a quilombola community. The analysis was performed using the Content Validity Coefficient and Content Validity Index, in addition to calculating the Gwet AC2 to verify inter- and intra-expert agreement. Results: Of the initial 50 items on the scale, 18 needed to be reformulated and 11 were excluded after consensus discussion with adolescents. The intra-expert agreement was almost perfect for the three criteria: relevance (Gwet: 0.894; 95%CI 0.825-0.919), clarity (Gwet: 0.848; 95%CI 0.816-0.879) and pertinence (Gwet: 0.896; 95%CI 0.870-0.923). In the intra-adolescent agreement analysis, an almost perfect agreement was observed (Gwet: 0.96; 95%CI 0.917-1), with acceptable agreement rates of Content Validity Coefficient and Content Validity Index, both with 0.91. Conclusion: The scale presented satisfactory Content Validity Indexes and appearance to measure youth empowerment through health education.Objetivo: Validar o conteúdo e a aparência da Escala de Empoderamento Juvenil pela Educação em Saúde (EJEduS) após uma intervenção educativa. Métodos: Estudo metodológico realizado mediante a avaliação da Escala de Empoderamento Juvenil pela Educação em Saúde (EJEduS) pelos critérios de relevância, clareza e pertinência, por especialistas na temática como também por adolescentes escolares e de uma comunidade quilombola. A análise deu-se pelo Índice e pelo Coeficiente de Validade de Conteúdo, além do cálculo de Gwet AC2, para verificar a concordância inter e intraespecialistas. Resultados: Dos 50 itens iniciais da escala, observou-se a necessidade de reformulação de 18 deles e a exclusão de 11 após discussão de consenso com os adolescentes. A concordância intraespecialistas se mostrou quase perfeita para os três critérios: relevância (Gwet: 0,894; IC95% 0,825-0,919), clareza (Gwet: 0,848; IC95% 0,816-0,879) e pertinência (Gwet: 0,896; IC95% 0,870-0,923). Na análise de concordância intra-adolescentes, observou concordância quase perfeita (Gwet: 0,96; IC95% 0,917-1), e com taxas de Índice e Coeficiente de Validade de Conteúdo aceitáveis de concordância, ambos com 0,91. Conclusão: A escala apresentou Índices de Validade de Conteúdo e aparência satisfatórios para aferir o empoderamento juvenil pela educação em saúde.Objetivo: Validar el contenido y la apariencia de la Escala de Empoderamiento Juvenil por la Educación para la Salud (EJEduS) después de una intervención educativa. Métodos: Estudio metodológico realizado mediante la evaluación de la Escala de Empoderamiento Juvenil por la Educación para la Salud (EJEduS), según criterios de relevancia, claridad y pertinencia, tanto por especialistas del tema, como también por adolescentes escolares y de una comunidad quilombola. El análisis se realizó a través del Índice y del Coeficiente de Validez de Contenido, además del cálculo de Gwet AC2, para verificar la concordancia inter e intraespecialistas. Resultados: De los 50 ítems iniciales de la escala, se observó la necesidad de reformular 18 de ellos y de excluir 11 luego de una discusión de consenso entre los adolescentes. La concordancia intraespecialistas demostró ser casi perfecta en los tres criterios: relevancia (Gwet: 0,894; IC95 % 0,825-0,919), claridad (Gwet: 0,848; IC95 % 0,816-0,879) y pertinencia (Gwet: 0,896; IC95 % 0,870-0,923). En el análisis de concordancia intraadolescentes, se observó concordancia casi perfecta (Gwet: 0,96; IC95 % 0,917-1) y con valores aceptables de concordancia del Índice y Coeficiente de Validez de Contenido, ambos 0,91. Conclusión: La escala presentó Índices de Validez de Contenido y apariencia satisfactorios para determinar el empoderamiento juvenil por la educación para la salud.To the Universidade do Minho and Universidade de Coimbra for the support and guidance for carrying out the study. To UFPE for the help to carry out the internationalization. To the Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq - Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico)

embracing diversity in a strengths-based approach to promote health and equity, and avoid epistemic injustice

APP1155125. Publisher Copyright: © 2022 Author(s) (or their employer(s)).Definitions of health literacy have evolved from notions of health-related literacy to a multidimensional concept that incorporates the importance of social and cultural knowledge, practices and contexts. This evolution is evident in the development of instruments that seek to measure health literacy in different ways. Health literacy measurement is important for global health because diverse stakeholders, including the WHO, use these data to inform health practice and policy, and to understand sources of inequity. In this Practice paper, we explore the potential for negative consequences, bias and epistemic injustice to occur when health literacy instruments are used across settings without due regard for the lived experiences of people in various contexts from whom data are collected. A health literacy measurement approach that is emic-sensitive, strengths based and solution oriented is needed to minimise biased data interpretation and use and to avoid epistemic injustice.publishersversionpublishe

Intra-Renal Angiotensin Levels Are Increased in High-Fructose Fed Rats in the Extracorporeal Renal Perfusion Model

Overconsumption of fructose leads to metabolic syndrome as a result of hypertension, insulin resistance, and hyperlipidemia. In this study, the renal function of animals submitted to high fructose intake was analyzed from weaning to adulthood using in vivo and ex vivo methods, being compared with a normal control group. We investigated in ex vivo model of the role of the renin Angiotensin system (RAS) in the kidney. The use of perfused kidney from animals submitted to 8-week fructose treatment showed that high fructose intake caused metabolic and cardiovascular alterations that were consistent with other studies. Moreover, the isolated perfused kidneys obtained from rats under high fructose diet showed a 33% increase in renal perfusion pressure throughout the experimental period due to increased renal vascular resistance and a progressive fall in the glomerular filtration rate, which reached a maximum of 64% decrease. Analysis of RAS peptides in the high fructose group showed a threefold increase in the renal concentrations of angiotensin I (Ang I) and a twofold increase in angiotensin II (Ang II) levels, whereas no change in angiotensin 1-7 (Ang 1-7) was observed when compared with the control animals. We did not detect changes in angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activity in renal tissues, but there is a tendency to decrease. These observations suggest that there are alternative ways of producing Ang II in this model. Chymase the enzyme responsible for Ang II formation direct from Ang I was increased in renal tissues in the fructose group, confirming the alternative pathway for the formation of this peptide. Neprilysin (NEP) the Ang 1-7 forming showed a significant decrease in activity in the fructose vs. control group, and a tendency of reduction in ACE2 activity. Thus, these results suggest that the Ang 1-7 vasodilator peptide formation is impaired in this model contributing with the increase of blood pressure. In summary, rats fed high fructose affect renal RAS, which may contribute to several deleterious effects of fructose on the kidneys and consequently an increase in blood pressure