Reaching out: Organizational structures and public communication of nursing professional associations and trade unions in Portugal

Aim: To describe the organizational structure and resources for strategic mediacommunication of nursing professional associations and trade unions in Portugal. Design and Methods: Quantitative study, with a cross‐sectional, exploratory/descriptive design. From October to November 2017, a questionnaire was sent to 21 nursing professional associations and trade unions in Portugal. Eleven (52.4%) organizations replied: nine professional associations and two trade unions. Results: The participating organizations rely on basic structures regarding strategic communication: 54.5% of them have less than 500 members; 63.6% of them have no communication budget; 54.5% of them have no formal communication structure, and only 27.3% of them hold events for the purpose of media coverage. Consequently, most of these organizations have occasional interactions with journalists, create messages about nursing problems, and directed mostly to nurses, perpetuating a circular communication. Conclusion: Nursing professional organizations have limited resources and lack of formal communication structures. The restricted interaction with the media and the "echoing" voice that propagates within the profession may hinder citizens' full understanding of its contribution. Nursing organizations must develop a nation‐wide strategy that promotes transversal collaboration and resources optimization, with the purpose of increasing their media visibility and strengthening their Public Health mission

Construção e validação da escala de comportamentos de abordagem aos média por enfermeiros

Enquadramento: As mensagens mediáticas sobre a saúde em Portugal tendem a desvalorizar o contributo dos enfermeiros e podem originar representações redutoras do setor. Compreender como os enfermeiros abordam os média torna-se fundamental para caracterizar esta problemática. Objetivos: Construir e validar a Escala de Comportamentos de Abordagem aos Média por Enfermeiros. Metodologia: Realizou-se um estudo metodológico numa amostra de enfermeiros pertencentes à mesma rede social (n=528). O processo de validação incluiu a análise fatorial, a análise da consistência interna e da estabilidade temporal. Resultados: Obteve-se uma escala de 23 itens, distribuídos por 5 fatores, que explicam 70,98% da variância. O instrumento apresenta boa consistência interna e valores aceitáveis de estabilidade temporal. Conclusão: O instrumento revelou-se válido e fiável. O desenvolvimento de programas educativos sobre abordagem mediática poderá ajudar os enfermeiros a evidenciar publicamente o valor e contributos da profissão.Theoretical framework Media messages about healthcare in Portugal tend to undervalue the nurses contributions and may lead to reductive representations of the sector. Understanding how nurses deal with the media is essential to characterise this issue. Objectives: To build and validate the Escala de Comportamentos de Abordagem aos Média por Enfermeiros (Scale of Media Use Behaviours by Nurses). Methodology: A methodological study was conducted using a sample of nurses from the same social network (n=528). The validation process included factor analysis, as well as the analysis of internal consistency and temporal stability. Results: We obtained a scale composed of 23 items divided into 5 factors, which explain 70.98% of the variance. The scale shows a good internal consistency and an acceptable temporal stability. Conclusion: The instrument proved to be valid and reliable. The development of educational programs about media approach may help nurses to publicly disseminate the value and the contributions of the profession

Associativismo em enfermagem, comunicação pública e interação com a mídia = Associativism in nursing, public communication, and interaction with the media

Descrever os processos de produção de mensagens e de interação com a mídia por parte de associações profissionais de enfermagem. Métodos: Estudo qualitativo de tipo descritivo com base em entrevistas semiestruturadas com dirigentes de cinco associações profissionais de enfermagem de Portugal. Os dados foram sujeitos à análise de conteúdo temático. Resultados: As associações de regulação e sindicalismo recorrem a serviços de relações públicas e referem mais estratégias de interação com jornalistas. As associações de especialização profissional interagem com menor frequência e preferem as redes sociais para publicarem as suas mensagens. O trabalho voluntário e a reduzida profissionalização da comunicação de associações especializadas tendem a uma postura de retração da enfermagem para com a mídia. Considerações finais: Fatores organizacionais e culturais poderão ajudar a explicar o acesso limitado da enfermagem à mídia. O recurso a estratégias de renovação, cooperação e educação permitirá superar algumas das limitações vividas por essas associações.To describe the processes of producing messages and interacting with the media by professional nursing associations. Methods: Qualitative, descriptive study based on semi-structured interviews with managers of five professional nursing associations in Portugal. The data were subjected to thematic content analysis. Results: Regulatory and union associations use public relations services and refer more strategies for interacting with journalists. Professional specialization associations interact less frequently and prefer social media for publishing their messages. Voluntary work and the reduced professionalization of the communication of specialized associations favors a nursing retraction stance towards the media. Final considerations: Organizational and cultural factors may help to explain nursing's limited access to the media. The use of renewal, cooperation, and education strategies will help overcome some of the limitations experienced by these associations

Perfil sorológico dos anticorpos colostrais para Neospora caninum em bezerros livres da infecção

Neospora caninum is considered the main cause of bovine abortion worldwide. The correct laboratorial diagnose is very important to identify the infected animals and to apply control measure. The objetive of this study was to show the persistence period of colostral antibodies in calves. Eight newborn Holstein Friesan calves, males, were selected from N. caninum soronegative dams. Pre-colostral blood samples were collected of these calves and all of them were seronegative to N. caninum. They were fed with two liters of pooled colostrum from seropositive cows within two hours after birth. Blood samples were collected and tested weekly until the animals turned negative. Serum samples were tested for antibodies to N. caninum using indirect fluorescence antibody test at 1:50; 1: 100 and 1:200 dilutions. Antibodies were not detected from three out of eight calves and they were excluded from the study. The remaining 5 calves seroconverted in all dilutions at the fifth day after colostrums ingestion. At 1:50 dilution, one calf remained positive for 21 weeks, two for 20 weeks and one for 13 weeks. At 1:100, one calf was positive for 15 weeks and the remaining 4 calves for 13 weeks. At 1:200, each calf was positive for 1, 7, 12, 12 and 13 weeks, respectively. These results demonstrate that the colostral antibody to N. caninum may persist until 21 weeks after birth in calves and it's very important to exclud the calves at the first month of age in the seroprevalence studies to avoid the false-positive results.Neospora caninum é considerado a principal causa de aborto bovino mundial. O diagnóstico laboratorial correto é muito importante para identificar os animais infectados e para aplicar medidas de controle. O objetivo deste trabalho foi mostrar o declínio de anticorpos colostral em bezerros. Este estudo empregou oito bezerros holandeses, recém-nascidos, machos, descendentes de vacas soronegativas para N caninum. Amostra de sangue pré-colostral foram colhidas destes bezerros e todos estavam soronegativos pra N. caninum. Estes bezerros foram alimentados com dois litros de um pool de colostro de vacas soropositivas dentro de duas horas após o nascimento. Amostras de sangue dos bezerros foram colhidas semanalmente até os animais soroconverterem negativo. As amostras foram testadas para anticorpos de N. caninum usando teste de imunofluorescência indireta nos títulos de 1:50; 1: 100 e 1:200. Os resultados mostraram que 3 dos 8 bezerros não soroconverteram e foram excluídos do estudo. Os restantes cinco bezerros soroconverteram em todos os títulos no quinto dia após a inoculação. No título 1:50, um bezerro permaneceu positivo por 21 semanas, dois por 20 semanas e um por 13 semanas. No título 1:100, um bezerro foi positivo por 15 semanas e o restante quatro bezerros por 13 semanas. No título 1:200, cada bezerro foi positivo por 1; 7; 12; 12 e 13 semanas, respectivamente. Estes resultados demonstram que o anticorpo colostral para N. caninum pode permanecer até 21 semanas após o nascimento nos bezerros e é muito importante excluir os bezerros até quatro meses de idade nos estudos de soroprevalência para impedir os resultados falso-positivos

Inability of 7,8 – Dihydroxy-4- Methylcoumarin antioxidant activity, to prolong longevity and to protect against stress in Caenorhabditis Elegans worms

Despite an increase in life expectancy, it is known that this factor is not necessarily accompanied by a better quality of life, which reflects in longevity. Aspects related to metabolic stress to which cells are subjected can modulate this process, which can lead to various pathologies. Coumarins are secondary metabolites found in several plants, such as guaco, and are part of the polyphenol family capable of producing up to 1300 derivatives, with potential effects against metabolic stress, in addition to being used in the cosmetics industry with the objective of improving fragrance of products. Therefore, it seems necessary to seek to elucidate molecular mechanisms that can regulate this aging process, which can be associated with the gradual loss of physiological functions of cells and tissues, increasing the number of cells in senescence that may be related to increased oxidative stress. PURPOSE: the aim of this study was to identify the influence of the use of the coumarin synthetic compound 7,8-Dihydroxy-4-methylcoumarin (DHMC) on longevity and resistance to different types of stress in vivo. METHODS: free radical scavenging (DPPH) analyzes were performed for the compound, longevity, and stress tests (H2O2, NaCl, Heat) for C. elegans worms. RESULTS: in the first analysis, the compound showed 92% of antioxidant activity already in small concentrations (25ug/ml) through DPPH analysis. In the following tests DHMC did not show antibacterial responses against Escherichia coli, and Caenorhabditis elegans worms did not show stress reduction or significant improvement in longevity with the use of the compound. CONCLUSION: therefore, the DHMC compound expresses a high antioxidant activity and presents several study potentials. However, it has no biological effects in protecting against stress or contributing to longevity in C. elegans worm

Detection of Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamases from a Pet Blue-Fronted-Amazon Parrot (Amazona aestiva)

Background: The indiscriminate use of antibiotics both in humans and in animals, has contributed to the development of bacterial resistance. One of the key mechanisms in the resistance of enterobacteria to antibiotics is the production of extendedspectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs), which reduce the therapeutic options available. Several studies have been performed in different animal species in order to isolate and identify multidrug-resistant strains and determine their antibiotic sensitivity profile. The purpose of this study was to detect ESBL-producing enterobacteria in isolates from a pet blue-fronted amazon parrot.Case: A 16-year-old pet blue-fronted-amazon parrot (Amazona aestiva) weighing 0.445 kg, from the city of Presidente Castelo Branco, Paraná, Brazil, was admitted into a specialized veterinary clinic in the city of Maringá. This parrot was presented with agitation and aggressive behavior. It was fed with sunflower seeds, and its cage was small and unsanitary especially in the feeding and drinking areas, which were heavily contaminated with feces. The parrot had been diagnosed with acute sinusitis approximately one year prior, with a history of treatment with tylosin, thuya (a herbal remedy popularly used for fowl pox), and a mineral-vitamin complex. The clinical symptoms included dyspnea and bilateral increase of facial swelling, with a mass in the peri-nasal region. A membranous red tissue not related to the nictitating membrane was observed in the lower left eyelid. To obtain a better clinical evaluation, the bird was anesthetized with an intramuscular injection of dextroketamine 50 mg/kg (KetaminS+™). Subsequently, physical examination, head radiographic examinations, and an attempt at sinus draining were performed. The radiographic examinations showed a decreased amount of air in the nasal sinuses. For treatment, oral itraconazole and vitamin A were prescribed, and a dietary improvement, prioritizing the offering of fruits and industrialized food for parrots was proposed. Samples were collected from the cloaca and choanae by making rotating movements with compressed sterile swabs in the corresponding locations. All samples were kept in Amies transport media with activated coal and forwarded under refrigeration to the Laboratory of Preventive Veterinary Medicine and Public Health in the Post-Graduation Program in Animal Sciences with Emphasis in Bioactive Products at Universidade Paranaense (UNIPAR).Discussion: The samples were subjected to phenotypic antimicrobial sensitivity tests and phenotypic testing for detecting ESBL-producing strains. Escherichia coli was identified and isolated from the cloacal sample. Phenotypic tests for antimicrobial sensitivity, detected resistance to the following antimicrobials: ceftriaxone, ceftiofur, cefotaxime, cefepime, ampicillin, amoxicillin, amoxicillin + clavulanate, and tetracycline. The phenotypic test for detecting ESBL-producing strains was positive. The findings in this study had no relation with the clinical symptoms presented by the parrot. However, in the samples collected, it was possible to detect the presence of ESBL-producing Escherichia coli, indicating that this parrot had strains in its cloacal microbiota that were either multidrug-resistant or at a subclinical stage of an infection. This knowledge is important, since the presence of this bacteria in a pet represents an important factor in the dissemination of multidrug-resistant strains into the environment, as well as being a source of contamination for both humans and other animals

The role of veracity on the load monitoring of professional soccer players: a systematic review in the face of the big data era

Big Data has real value when the veracity of the collected data has been previously identified. However, data veracity for load monitoring in professional soccer players has not been analyzed yet. This systematic review aims to evaluate the current evidence from the scientific literature related to data veracity for load monitoring in professional soccer. Systematic searches through the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were conducted for reports onthe data veracity of diverse load monitoring tools and the associated parameters used in professional soccer. Ninety-four studies were finally included in the review, with 39 different tools used and 578 associated parameters identified. The pooled sample consisted of 2066 footballers (95% male: 24 ± 3 years and 5% female: 24 ± 1 years). Seventy-three percent of these studies did not report veracity metrics for anyof the parameters from these tools. Thus, data veracity was found for 54% of tools and 23% of parameters. The current information will assist in the selection of the most appropriate tools and parameters to be used for load monitoring with traditional and Big Data approaches while identifying those still requiring the analysis of their veracity metrics or their improvement to acceptable veracity levels

Enhancing Network Slicing Architectures with Machine Learning, Security, Sustainability and Experimental Networks Integration

Network Slicing (NS) is an essential technique extensively used in 5G networks computing strategies, mobile edge computing, mobile cloud computing, and verticals like the Internet of Vehicles and industrial IoT, among others. NS is foreseen as one of the leading enablers for 6G futuristic and highly demanding applications since it allows the optimization and customization of scarce and disputed resources among dynamic, demanding clients with highly distinct application requirements. Various standardization organizations, like 3GPP's proposal for new generation networks and state-of-the-art 5G/6G research projects, are proposing new NS architectures. However, new NS architectures have to deal with an extensive range of requirements that inherently result in having NS architecture proposals typically fulfilling the needs of specific sets of domains with commonalities. The Slicing Future Internet Infrastructures (SFI2) architecture proposal explores the gap resulting from the diversity of NS architectures target domains by proposing a new NS reference architecture with a defined focus on integrating experimental networks and enhancing the NS architecture with Machine Learning (ML) native optimizations, energy-efficient slicing, and slicing-tailored security functionalities. The SFI2 architectural main contribution includes the utilization of the slice-as-a-service paradigm for end-to-end orchestration of resources across multi-domains and multi-technology experimental networks. In addition, the SFI2 reference architecture instantiations will enhance the multi-domain and multi-technology integrated experimental network deployment with native ML optimization, energy-efficient aware slicing, and slicing-tailored security functionalities for the practical domain.Comment: 10 pages, 11 figure

Aspectos gerais da doença ulcerosa péptica - uma revisão sistemática da literatura: General aspects of peptic ulcerous disease - a systematic review of the literature

A doença ulcerosa péptica atinge cerca de 10% da população global e possui uma incidência anual de 0,1%-0,3%, com prevalência ao longo da vida chegando a 5%-10%. Os principais fatores de risco, apontados como etiologia da doença, são o uso abusivo e contínuo de anti-inflamatórios não esteroides (AINEs) e a infecção do trato gastrointestinal (TGI) pelo Helicobacter Pylori (HP). Em relação à fisiopatologia, o uso de AINEs está associado ao desenvolvimento de úlcera péptica devido à inibição da enzima COX-1 por estes fármacos, a qual é responsável pela produção basal de prostaglandinas, que são responsáveis pelo estímulo à produção de muco sobre a mucosa do TGI. Nesse sentido, a redução da produção de prostaglandinas resulta em queda da formação da barreira fisiológica do organismo frente ao ácido clorídrico, o que propicia a atuação do mesmo sobre o epitélio intestinal, predispondo-o à erosão e formação de úlceras. Por outro lado, a fisiopatologia envolvida na infecção por HP ainda não foi em elucidada; entretanto, acredita-se que a formação de úlceras estejam correlacionadas, principalmente devido ao quadro inflamatório causado pela infecção bacteriana. Dessa forma, o presente artigo objetiva reunir informações na literatura a respeito dos principais conceitos relacionados à doença ulcerosa péptica, abordando aspectos como epidemiologia, etiofisiopatologia, diagnóstico e tratamento

Patient-physician discordance in assessment of adherence to inhaled controller medication: a cross-sectional analysis of two cohorts

We aimed to compare patient's and physician's ratings of inhaled medication adherence and to identify predictors of patient-physician discordance.(SFRH/BPD/115169/2016) funded by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT); ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) through the operations: POCI-01-0145-FEDER-029130 ('mINSPIRERS—mHealth to measure and improve adherence to medication in chronic obstructive respiratory diseases—generalisation and evaluation of gamification, peer support and advanced image processing technologies') cofunded by the COMPETE2020 (Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização), Portugal 2020 and by Portuguese Funds through FCT (Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio