Stent for life initiative in Portugal: progress through years and Covid-19 impact

Background: During Stent for Life Initiative in Portugal lifetime, positive changes in ST elevation myocardial infarction treatment were observed, by the increase of Primary Angioplasty numbers and improvements in patients' behaviour towards myocardial infarction, with an increase in those who called 112 and the lower proportion attending non primary percutaneous coronary intervention centres. Despite public awareness campaigns and system educational programmes, patient and system delay did not change significantly over this period. The aim of this study was to address the public awareness campaign effectiveness on peoples' behaviour facing STEMI, and how Covid-19 has affected STEMI treatment.Methods: Data from 1381 STEMI patients were collected during a one-month period each year, from 2011 to 2016, and during one and a half month, matching first lockdown in Portugal 2020. Four groups were constituted: Group A (2011); Group B (2012&2013); Group C (2015&2016) and group D (2020).Results: The proportion of patients who called 112, increased significantly (35.2% Group A; 38.7% Group B; 44.0% Group C and 49.6% Group D, p = 0.005); significant reduction was observed in the proportion of patients who attended healthcare centres without PPCI (54.5% group A; 47.6% Group B; 43.2% Group C and 40.9% Group D, p = 0.016), but there were no differences on groups comparison. Total ischemic time, measured from symptoms onset to reperfusion increased progressively from group A [250.0 (178.0-430.0)] to D [296.0 (201.0-457.5.8)] p = 0.012, with statistically significant difference between group C and D (p = 0.034).Conclusions: During the term of SFL initiative in Portugal, patients resorted less to primary health centres and called more to 112. These results can be attributed the public awareness campaign. Nevertheless, patient and system delays did not significantly change over this period, mainly in late years of SFL, probably for low efficacy of campaigns and in 2020 due to Covid-19 pandemic.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Implementação e validação de um método cromatográfico para a determinação de octilfenóis e octilfenóis etoxilados (OF/OFEs) em águas residuais

Tese de mestrado, Qualidade Alimentar e Saúde, 2019, Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Farmácia.Este trabalho teve como principal objetivo a implementação e validação de um método cromatográfico, a cromatografia gasosa (GC) acoplada à espectrometria de massa tandem (MS/MS), para análise de octilfenóis e octilfenóis etoxilados (OF/OFEs) em águas residuais, após a extração por extração em fase sólida (SPE) e extração líquido-líquido (LLE). O trabalho iniciou-se pela otimização das condições de MRM. Na realização da etapa de otimização das condições de MRM, utilizaram-se 7 compostos de OF e OFEs, de forma a identificar o ião percursor de cada um deles. Foram também estabelecidas duas transições, uma transição para quantificação (MRM1) e outra para qualificação (MRM2), após otimização das condições do triplo quadrupolo. A seleção de duas transições garante um alto grau de seletividade, bem como sensibilidade adicional para quantificar os níveis de traços desses compostos alvo em amostras de água. Na fase final deu-se início ao estudo da linearidade e gama de trabalho, não tendo sido possível conclui-la. No entanto, para os padrões estudados obtiveram-se coeficientes de determinação (r2 ) superiores a 0,996, coeficientes de variação do método inferiores a 5% e VT < F (0,05; 1; N-3) na gama de concentração de 60 – 180 µg/L e 40 – 180 µg/L para o 4-tert-OF e 4-tert-OF-mono-etoxi, respetivamente. O limite de quantificação do método cromatográfico foi de 30 µg/L para o 4-tert OF e de 27 µg/L para o 4-tert-OF-mono-etoxi. Ocorreu uma interrupção no trabalho experimental devido ao incêndio no laboratório, pelo que esta dissertação apresenta um maior desenvolvimento teórico nos capítulos dedicados aos métodos de preparação de amostras.The main aim of this work was the optimization and validation of a chromatographic method, namely this gas chromatography (GC) coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). This procedure was used for the analysis of octylphenols and ethoxylated octylphenols (OF/OFEs) in residual waters after water pre-treatment by solid phase extraction (SPE) and liquid-liquid extraction (LLE). Several detection parameters were optimised in the mass spectrometer for each target compound, such as the best conditions for the precursor ion formation. At this stage, collision energy was also optimized. Two transitions were also established, one for quantification (MRM1) and one for qualification (MRM2), after optimisation of the triple quadrupole conditions. The selection of two transitions ensure a high degree of selectivity as well as additional sensitivity to quantify trace levels of these target compounds in water samples. In the final phase, the study of the linear an working range was performed, but it was not possible to conclude it. Coefficients of determination (r2 ) higher than 0.996, coefficients of variation of the method lower than 5% and VT < F (0.05; 1; N-3) were obtained for the concentration range of 60-180 μg / L and 40-180 μg / L for 4-tert-OF and 4-tert-OF-mono-ethoxy, respectively. The limit of quantification of the chromatographic method was 30 μg/L for 4-tert OF and 27 μg/L for 4-tert-OF-mono-ethoxy. Due to the interruption of the experimental work because of the fire in the laboratory, the work presents a greater theoretical development in the chapters dedicated to the sample preparation methods

The 2013 June and July heat wave: a mortality analysis by district of mainland Portugal

[PT] Em 2013, entre o final de junho e início de julho, Portugal foi afetado por um período de calor extremo detetado pelo sistema de vigilância ÍCARO (Importância do CAlor: Repercussão sobre os Óbitos), em funcionamento no Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA). O presente trabalho teve como objetivo apresentar uma análise dos excessos de mortalidade, associados às temperaturas extremas observadas nesse período, por distritos de Portugal Continental. O período de calor extremo com possível impacte na saúde humana foi definido pela análise conjunta do Índice-Alerta-ÍCARO, e das temperaturas máximas registadas em cada capital de distrito (facultadas pelo Instituto Português do Mar e da Atmosfera, IPMA). Os dados da mortalidade foram obtidos pelo Sistema de Vigilância Diária da Mortalidade (VDM), gerido pelo Departamento de Epidemiologia do INSA. Ao nível distrital os excessos de óbitos variaram entre os 11 e os 40 óbitos por 100.000 habitantes no período identificado. Beja e Faro não apresentaram excessos significativos. Em conclusão, verificou-se que durante o período em análise, observaram-se excessos de mortalidade na maioria dos distritos de Portugal Continental.[EN] In 2013, between late June and early July, Portugal was affected by an extreme heat period detected by ICARO surveillance system (Importância do CAlor: Repercussão sobre os Óbitos), in operation at National Health Institute Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA). This study aimed to present an analysis of excess mortality associated with extreme temperatures observed in this period by districts of mainland Portugal, The extreme heat period with possible impacts on human health has been defined by the joint analysis of the Index-Alert-ICARO, and the maximum temperatures recorded in each district capital (provided by the Portuguese Sea and Atmosphere Institute, IPMA). The mortality data was obtained by the Daily Mortality Surveillance System (VDM), managed by the Department of Epidemiology at INSA. At district level the excess deaths, ranged from 11 to 40 deaths per 100.000 inhabitants in the identified period. No significant excess mortality was observed in Beja and Faro. In conclusion, it was found that during the period under analysis, it was observed an excess mortality in most districts of mainland Portugal

Narrativas implicadas sobre memória, cultura e negritude no Recôncavo da Bahia

O presente texto aborda as experiências de formação cultural vividas no Recôncavo a partir da atuação no Centro de Cultura, Linguagens e Tecnologias Aplicadas (Cecult) da Universidade Federal do Recôncavo da Bahia (UFRB). Apresenta uma revisão teórica sobre narrativas implicadas, identidade negra e memória, bem como a descrição de manifestações culturais negras, suas expressões de saber-fazer religioso e artístico-cultural – nas cidades de Santo Amaro e Saubara – enfocadas através das experiências no Programa de Extensão Cultura e Negritude, das celebrações do Bembé do Mercado e das Cheganças de Saubara, patrimônios culturais negros alicerçados nas memórias, narrativas e histórias de vida de seus/suas participantes

Towards the identification of pathways for lipids biosynthesis in HCB

Storage compounds, such as lipids, can be used as sources of carbon and energy in animals, plants and microorganisms. Regarding prokaryotes, this approach allows stocking energy for periods in which there is a limited availability of nutrients, thus such mechanism can provide evolutionary advantages for thriving in extreme conditions. Hence, when subjected to stress conditions, like growth-restrictions, excess carbon source or high carbon-nitrogen ratios, almost all prokaryotes are prone to accumulate these compounds. Hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria (HCB) are a collection of microorganisms that can process hydrocarbons. HCB have the ability to accumulate storage compounds as triacylglycerols (TAGs), wax esters (WEs) and poly-ß-hydroxybutyrates (PHBs), among others. These compounds are essential lipophilic substances, which can be biosynthesized and accumulated in intracellular inclusion bodies or also exported into the extracellular space. The purpose of this study was to identify the genes involved in the metabolic pathways for the production of TAGs, Wes and PHBs and determining the paths taken by the metabolism of different organisms (Rhodococcus opacus PD630, Rhodococcus opacus B4, Acinetobacter baylyi ADP1, Alcanivorax borkumensis SK2 and Pseudomonas putida KT2440) when accumulating these compounds. An existing genome-scale model of A. baylyi was updated and used to simulate in silico the production of these lipids using several carbon sources (including glucose, acetate, octane, pimelate and succinate) and throughout a span of nitrogen source concentrations. The results of this work will allow determining strategies to improve the biotechnological potential of the five bacteria using metabolic engineering and bioinformatics approaches.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Application of natural pigments in ordinary cooked ham

The possibility of obtaining a carmine or pink color on ordinary cooked ham by applying natural dyes from three plant species, namely red radish (Raphanus sativus L.), hibiscus (Roselle sabdariffa L.) and red beetroot (Beta vulgaris L.), was investigated. The extracts were evaluated for the stability at physical-chemical parameters and subjected to cytotoxicity assays in the gastric cell line AGS Encapsulation of the extracts in soybean lecithin liposomes and maltodextrin microcapsules was performed. Lyophilized extracts before and after encapsulation in maltodextrin were applied in the formulation of ordinary cooked ham and used in a pilot scale of production. The color of cooked ham samples from different assays was evaluated visually and by colorimetry. The results suggest that the coloration of ordinary cooked ham obtained with extracts of red beetroot is very promising for future applications in this type of meat product.This research was funded by COMPETE 2020 program, co-financed by the FEDER and the European Union, PTDC/ASP-AGR/30154/2017 (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-030154). Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal), and FEDER-COMPETE-QREN-EU funded research centres CQ-UM (UID/QUI/00686/2019), CF-UM-UP (UID/FIS/04650/2019) and REQUIMTE (UIDB/50006/2020). The APC was also funded by FCT

Coping as a moderator of the influence of economic stressors on psychological health

Since 2008, there has been a decline in the economy of several European countries, including Portugal. In the literature, it is emphasized that periods of economic uncertainty propitiate the appearance of mental health problems and diminish populations? well-being. The aim of the present study, with 729 Portuguese participants, 33.9% (n=247) males and 66.1% (n=482) females with an average age of 37 years old (M=36.99; SD=12.81), was to examine the relationship between economic hardship, financial threat, and financial well-being (i.e., economic stressors) and stress, anxiety, and depression (i.e., psychological health indicators), as well as to test the moderation effect of coping in the aforementioned relationship. To achieve these goals, a cross-sectional design was implemented and structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to analyze the obtained data. Our results underline that coping affects the relationship between economic stressors and psychological health since subjects with lower coping levels are more vulnerable to economic stress factors than those with higher coping levels. The moderation effect was more evident in the relationships between economic hardship and stress, anxiety, and depression. The main implications of this study are presented, as well as its? limitations and suggestions for future research