Satisfacción de los usuarios con el programa de control de la tuberculosis de un municipio de Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

One way to evaluate health services is through the satisfaction of users. This study evaluates the satisfaction of users cared for by the Tuberculosis Control Program (TBCP) in a primary health care unit in Itaboraí, RJ, Brazil. Users satisfied with the services tend to adhere to their treatment, which is of course essential for successful TB treatment. This descriptive and quantitative study was carried out from December 2008 to February 2009; 88 individuals composed a non-probabilistic sample. A questionnaire validated and adapted to measure the satisfaction of individuals with tuberculosis was used. The study obtained high rates of user satisfaction. These positive evaluations can be explained by the fact these patients were included in the TBCP and were cared for by a health team with whom they established bonds and received support for treatment adherence. Studies with a qualitative approach could broaden the understanding of satisfaction and complement this study’s findings.Uma das formas de se avaliar serviços de saúde é através da satisfação dos usuários. O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar a satisfação dos usuários do Programa de Controle da Tuberculose de uma unidade básica de saúde, em Itaboraí, RJ, já que usuários satisfeitos com os serviços tendem a aderir à terapêutica, e, relacionado à tuberculose, a adesão é fundamental para o sucesso do tratamento. Realizou-se estudo descritivo, quantitativo, de dezembro/2008 a fevereiro/2009, com 88 indivíduos, selecionados de forma não probabilística, usando-se questionário validado e adaptado para satisfação do indivíduo com tuberculose. O estudo teve como resultados altas taxas de satisfação. Essas avaliações positivas podem ser explicadas pelo doente estar inserido no programa de tuberculose e ser acompanhado por equipe de saúde com a qual ele estabelece vínculo e apoio à adesão, durante o tratamento. Estudos com abordagem qualitativa poderiam ampliar a compreensão sobre a satisfação, complementando a pesquisa realizada.Una de las formas de evaluar los servicios de salud es a través de la satisfacción de los usuarios. El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar la satisfacción de los usuarios del Programa de Control de la Tuberculosis de una Unidad Básica de Salud en Itaboraí- RJ, ya que usuarios satisfechos con los servicios tienden a adherir a la terapéutica; relacionado a la tuberculosis, la adherencia es fundamental para el suceso del tratamiento. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, cuantitativo, de diciembre/2008 a febrero/2009, con 88 individuos, seleccionados de forma no probabilística, con un cuestionario validado y adaptado para evaluar la satisfacción del individuo con tuberculosis. El estudio tuvo como resultados altas tasas de satisfacción. Esas evaluaciones positivas pueden ser explicadas porque el enfermo se encuentra dentro del programa de tuberculosis, siendo acompañado por un equipo de salud que establece un vínculo con él y lo apoya a que adhiera al tratamiento. Otros estudios con abordaje cualitativo podrían ampliar la comprensión sobre la satisfacción complementando la investigación realizada

Satisfação dos usuários no programa de controle da tuberculose de um município do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

One way to evaluate health services is through the satisfaction of users. This study evaluates the satisfaction of users cared for by the Tuberculosis Control Program (TBCP) in a primary health care unit in Itaboraí, RJ, Brazil. Users satisfied with the services tend to adhere to their treatment, which is of course essential for successful TB treatment. This descriptive and quantitative study was carried out from December 2008 to February 2009; 88 individuals composed a non-probabilistic sample. A questionnaire validated and adapted to measure the satisfaction of individuals with tuberculosis was used. The study obtained high rates of user satisfaction. These positive evaluations can be explained by the fact these patients were included in the TBCP and were cared for by a health team with whom they established bonds and received support for treatment adherence. Studies with a qualitative approach could broaden the understanding of satisfaction and complement this studys findings.Una de las formas de evaluar los servicios de salud es a través de la satisfacción de los usuarios. El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar la satisfacción de los usuarios del Programa de Control de la Tuberculosis de una Unidad Básica de Salud en Itaboraí- RJ, ya que usuarios satisfechos con los servicios tienden a adherir a la terapéutica; relacionado a la tuberculosis, la adherencia es fundamental para el suceso del tratamiento. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, cuantitativo, de diciembre/2008 a febrero/2009, con 88 individuos, seleccionados de forma no probabilística, con un cuestionario validado y adaptado para evaluar la satisfacción del individuo con tuberculosis. El estudio tuvo como resultados altas tasas de satisfacción. Esas evaluaciones positivas pueden ser explicadas porque el enfermo se encuentra dentro del programa de tuberculosis, siendo acompañado por un equipo de salud que establece un vínculo con él y lo apoya a que adhiera al tratamiento. Otros estudios con abordaje cualitativo podrían ampliar la comprensión sobre la satisfacción complementando la investigación realizada.Uma das formas de se avaliar serviços de saúde é através da satisfação dos usuários. O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar a satisfação dos usuários do Programa de Controle da Tuberculose de uma unidade básica de saúde, em Itaboraí, RJ, já que usuários satisfeitos com os serviços tendem a aderir à terapêutica, e, relacionado à tuberculose, a adesão é fundamental para o sucesso do tratamento. Realizou-se estudo descritivo, quantitativo, de dezembro/2008 a fevereiro/2009, com 88 indivíduos, selecionados de forma não probabilística, usando-se questionário validado e adaptado para satisfação do indivíduo com tuberculose. O estudo teve como resultados altas taxas de satisfação. Essas avaliações positivas podem ser explicadas pelo doente estar inserido no programa de tuberculose e ser acompanhado por equipe de saúde com a qual ele estabelece vínculo e apoio à adesão, durante o tratamento. Estudos com abordagem qualitativa poderiam ampliar a compreensão sobre a satisfação, complementando a pesquisa realizada

Espiritualidade/religiosidade e assistência espiritual em serviços de cuidados paliativos: dificuldades e potencialidades de integração

A assistência às necessidades espirituais é parte essencial dos Cuidados Paliativos (CP). Contudo, estudos mostram que esta dimensão não tem sido integrada no cuidado de pessoas que enfrentam uma doença grave e progressiva. O objetivo do estudo foi identificar a partir das vivências de membros da equipe multiprofissional de CP, as dificuldades e potencialidades da integração da espiritualidade em sua prática profissional. Utilizou-se a Análise de Conteúdo como método, e os dados foram levantados por meio de entrevista semiestruturada. Seis profissionais de Saúde atuantes em equipes de CP participaram do estudo. Foram apontadas dificuldades em identificar necessidades espirituais e a relação dicotômica entre equipe multiprofissional e voluntárias/os. Destacaram-se como potencialidades: o reconhecimento do lugar da espiritualidade/religiosidade; a necessidade de especialista e da escuta qualificada; a perspectiva da pessoa enferma acerca da morte e do morrer. Há contribuições que o atendimento espiritual qualificado pode oferecer na integração da espiritualidade nos CP

Platinum nanoparticles stabilized by N-heterocyclic thiones. Synthesis and catalytic activity in mono- and di-hydroboration of alkynes

N-Heterocyclic Thiones (NHT) proved to be efficient ligands for the stabilization of small platinum nanoparticles (1.3-1.7 nm), synthesized by decomposition of [Pt(dba)2], under a H2 atmosphere, in the presence of variable sub-stoichiometric amounts of the NHT. Full characterization by means of TEM, HR-TEM, NMR, ICP, TGA and XPS have been carried out, providing information about the nature of the metal nanoparticles and the interaction of the NHT ligands to the metal surface. Importantly, DFT calculations indicate that some NHT ligands interact with the metal through the C[double bond, length as m-dash]C double bond of the imidazole fragment in addition to the sulfur atom, thus providing additional stabilization to the nanoparticles. According to XPS, TGA and ICP techniques, the surface coverage by the ligand increases by decreasing the size of the substituents on the nitrogen atom. The platinum nanoparticles have been used as catalyst in the hydroboration of alkynes. The most active system is that with a less covered surface area lacking an interaction of the ligand by means of the C[double bond, length as m-dash]C double bond. This catalyst hydroborates alkynes with excellent selectivities towards the monoborylated anti-Markovnikov product (vinyl-boronate) when one equiv. of borane is used. Very interestingly, aliphatic alkynes undergo a second hydroborylation process leading to the corresponding 1,1- and 1,2-diboroylated species with good selectivities towards the former.España MINECO (Projects CTQ2016-76267-P, CTQ2016-80814-R and CTQ2016- 81797-REDC)España Junta de Andalucía Project FQM-212

Circulating low density neutrophils of breast cancer patients are associated with their worse prognosis due to the impairment of T cell responses

Funding: This work was supported by Liga Portuguesa Contra o Cancro; Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (PD/BD/114023/2015, SFRH/BD/148422/2019 and 2021.08031.BD); and iNOVA4Health (UIDB/04462/2020 and DAI/2019/46).Neutrophils are prominent immune components of tumors, having either anti-tumor (N1) or pro-tumor activity (N2). Circulating neutrophils, divided into high density neutrophils (HDN) and low density neutrophils (LDN), functionally mirror those N1 and N2 cells, respectively. LDN are rare in non-pathological conditions, but frequent in cancer, exhibiting a pro-tumor phenotype. These findings have been mainly demonstrated in animal models, thus proper validation in humans is still imperative. Here, we observed that LDN were increased in the blood of breast cancer (BC) patients, particularly with metastatic disease. Within the population of non-metastatic patients, LDN were more prevalent in patients with poor response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy than patients with a good response. The higher incidence of LDN in BC patients with severe disease or resistance to treatment can be explained by their pro-tumor/immunosuppressive characteristics. Moreover, the percentage of LDN in BC patients' blood was negatively correlated with activated cytotoxic T lymphocytes and positively correlated with immunosuppressive regulatory T cells. The ability of LDN to spoil anti-tumor immune responses was further demonstrated ex vivo. Hence, this study reveals the potential of LDN as a biomarker of BC response to treatment and opens new avenues for developing new immunotherapies.publishersversionpublishe

O movimento da desescolarização: reflexões da psicologia no cenário da pandemia / The deschooling movement: reflections of psychology in the pandemic scenario

Durante a pandemia de COVID-19, vozes críticas à educação escolar se fortaleceram e vem alimentando o movimento da desescolarização. Este artigo pretende refletir sobre esse movimento em duas direções de análise: 1) pelas práticas alternativas de ensino conhecidas como homeschooling na Educação Básica, somadas com a precarização das relações e dos processos de ensino e aprendizagem no Ensino Superior; e 2) pela incorporação das TIC fundamentada no discurso da modernização das práticas escolares. Como resultado, apontamos que, embora a desescolarização implica em argumentos que conquistam por suas características reconhecedoras de uma nova ecologia de aprendizagem, o movimento apresenta interesses extraeducacionais, levando a construção de uma sociedade alheia ao coletivo, que reduz as oportunidades de interações e encontros intersubjetivos importantes ao desenvolvimento humano, no qual pesa o exercício da empatia, da solidariedade, da crítica e do respeito às diversidades

A validated predictive biomarker and a potential therapeutic strategy in breast cancer

Funding Information: Funding: This work was supported by Terry Fox Research Grant 2019 from Liga Portuguesa Contra o Cancro; Clinical Research Prize 2018 from Consortium Tagus Tank; Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (PD/BD/114023/2015 for DPS and SFRH/BD/148422/2019 for RS) and iNOVA4Health (UIDB/04462/2020, DAI/2019/46). Publisher Copyright: © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) is common in breast cancer (BC) treatment, though more than half of the patients lack an effective response. Therefore, new predictive biomarkers and alternative therapies are crucial. Previously, we proposed HLA-DR-expressing cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) as a potential biomarker of the response to NACT. To validate this observation and further investigate these cells, 202 BC patients were enrolled. Flow cytometry analyses were performed in 61 biopsies and 41 blood samples pre-NACT and 100 non-NACT tumor samples. All the patients were followed up for 34 months. Blood-isolated immune cells were cultured with BC cell lines in a 3D system. We confirmed that HLA-DR level in CTLs is a highly sensitive, specific, and independent biomarker to predict response to NACT and developed a predictive probability model. This biomarker was also associated with progression-free survival, regardless of the treatment. The clinical observations are substantiated by the anti-tumor properties of HLA-DR-expressing CTLs. Intriguingly, HLA-DR level in CTLs can be modulated ex vivo, boosting their capacity to kill tumor cells synergistically with doxorubicin. Thus, HLA-DR expression in CTLs is a validated tool to select patients that will actually benefit from NACT, and its stimulation might be a novel therapeutic approach for BC.publishersversionpublishe

Validation of the Telephone-Administered Version of the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS) Questionnaire

A 14-Item Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS) questionnaire was developed and validated in face-to-face interviews, but not via telephone. The aims of this study were to evaluate the validity and reliability of a telephone-administered version of the MEDAS as well as to validate the Portuguese version of the MEDAS questionnaire. A convenience community-based sample of adults (n = 224) participated in a three-stage survey. First, trained researchers administered MEDAS via a telephone. Second, the Portuguese version of Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ), and MEDAS were administered in a semi-structured face-to-face interview. Finally, MEDAS was again administered via telephone. The telephone-administered MEDAS questionnaire was compared with the face-to-face-version using several metrics. The telephone-administered MEDAS was significantly correlated with the face-to-face-administered MEDAS [r = 0.805, p < 0.001; interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.803, p < 0.001] and showed strong agreement (k = 0.60). The MEDAS scores that were obtained in the first and second telephone interviews were significantly correlated (r = 0.661, p < 0.001; ICC = 0.639, p < 0.001). The overall agreement between the Portuguese version of MEDAS and the FFQ-derived Mediterranean diet adherence score had a Cohen's k = 0.39. The telephone-administered version of MEDAS is a valid tool for assessing the adherence to the Mediterranean diet and acquiring data for large population-based studies.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Search for dark matter produced in association with bottom or top quarks in √s = 13 TeV pp collisions with the ATLAS detector

A search for weakly interacting massive particle dark matter produced in association with bottom or top quarks is presented. Final states containing third-generation quarks and miss- ing transverse momentum are considered. The analysis uses 36.1 fb−1 of proton–proton collision data recorded by the ATLAS experiment at √s = 13 TeV in 2015 and 2016. No significant excess of events above the estimated backgrounds is observed. The results are in- terpreted in the framework of simplified models of spin-0 dark-matter mediators. For colour- neutral spin-0 mediators produced in association with top quarks and decaying into a pair of dark-matter particles, mediator masses below 50 GeV are excluded assuming a dark-matter candidate mass of 1 GeV and unitary couplings. For scalar and pseudoscalar mediators produced in association with bottom quarks, the search sets limits on the production cross- section of 300 times the predicted rate for mediators with masses between 10 and 50 GeV and assuming a dark-matter mass of 1 GeV and unitary coupling. Constraints on colour- charged scalar simplified models are also presented. Assuming a dark-matter particle mass of 35 GeV, mediator particles with mass below 1.1 TeV are excluded for couplings yielding a dark-matter relic density consistent with measurements