Mecanismos de defesa e experiências depressivas: um estudo com uma amostra de adolescentes

O objetivo da presente investigação foi estudar a relação entre experiências depressivas e mecanismos de defesa, numa amostra de adolescentes. Participaram 112 adolescentes do sexo masculino e 148 do sexo feminino. Foi aplicada a versão portuguesa (Morgado & Campos, 2011) do Questionário de Experiências Depressivas para adolescentes (QED-A, Blatt et al., 1992), a versão portuguesa (Justo et al.,2011) do Inventário de Mecanismos de Defesa para adolescentes (DMI-Y, Ihilevich & Gleser, 1986) e a versão portuguesa (Gonçalves & Fagulha, 2003) da Escala de Depressão do Centro de Estudos Epidemiológicos (CES-D, Randloff, 1977). Realizaram-se análises de correlação, de regressão linear múltipla e múltipla hierárquica, para controlar o efeito da depressão estado. A dependência foi prevista por um nível baixo do tipo de defesa turning against object (TAO). A subescala da dependência foi prevista por um baixo nível de TAO e por elevado nível de turning against self. A subescala do relacionamento foi prevista por um nível baixo de TAO; ABSTRACT: The aim of this research was to study the relationship between depressive experiences and defense mechanisms, in an adolescents sample of 112 boys and 148 girls. The Portuguese version (Morgado & Campos, 2011) of Depressive Experiences Questionnaire for adolescents (QED-A, Blatt et al., 1992), the Portuguese version (Justo et al., 1998) of the Defense Mechanisms Inventory for adolescents (DMI-Y, Ihilevich & Gleser, 1986) and the portuguese version (Gonçalves & Fagulha, 2003) of the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D, Radloff, 1977) were administered. Correlational analysis, multiple linear regression analysis and hierarchical multiple regression analysis (to control the effect of the depressive state) were performed. Dependency was predicted by a low level of defense turning against object (TAO). The dependence subscale was predicted by low levels of TAO and high level of turning against self (TAS). The relatedness subscale was predicted by low levels of TAO

Otimização do processo de produção de lipidos e carotenóides a partir da biomassa da levedura Rhodotorula glutinis NRRL Y-1091

Mestrado em Engenharia Alimentar / Instituto Superior de AgronomiaNeste trabalho utilizou-se a levedura Rhodotorula glutinis NRRL Y-1091, com capacidade de produção de lípidos e carotenóides, com interesse comercial, tendo em vista a co-produção de lípidos (para biodiesel) e carotenóides, a partir da sua biomassa. Concluiu-se que, das fontes de carbono simples estudadas (glicerol, frutose, glucose e sacarose), a sacarose proporcionou maior produção de biomassa (4,10 g·L- 1) e menor percentagem de células com membrana permeabilizada (0,7 %), refletindose numa maior produtividade de ácidos gordos (0,03 g·L-1·h-1) e carotenóides (2,27 μg·L-1·h-1). De entre os substratos complexos de baixo custo estudados (xarope de polpa de alfarroba e melaço de cana de açúcar), o que proporcionou melhores resultados foi o xarope de polpa de alfarroba, com maior produtividade em biomassa (0,11 g·L-1·h-1), ácidos gordos (0,02 g·L-1·h-1), carotenóides (9,79 μg·L-1·h-1) e maior percentagem de células viáveis (84,9 %). O planeamento experimental, segundo a distribuição de Doehlert, permitiu concluir que as condições que proporcionam máxima produção de lípidos (0,03 g·L-1·h- 1) e carotenóides (5,00 μg·L-1·h-1), a partir do xarope de polpa de alfarroba, correspondem a um volume de cultura de 120 mL e uma concentração de açúcares totais de 106,3 g·L-1, sendo a maior produtividade em biomassa (0,18 g·L-1·h-1) obtida numa igual concentração de açúcares totais mas num volume de cultura de 380 mL.N/

A reliable M-mode ultrasound protocol for the assessment of diaphragm motion

Diaphragm is the principal inspiratory muscle. Different techniques have been used to assess diaphragm motion. Among them, M-mode ultrasound has gain particular interest since it is non-invasive and accessible. However it is operator-dependent and no objective acquisition protocol has been established. Purpose: to establish a reliable method for the assessment of the diaphragmatic motion via the M-mode ultrasound

Carbon concentration and oxygen availability affect lipid and carotenoid production by carob pulp syrup-grown Rhodosporidium toruloides NCYC 921

The simultaneous effect of oxygen availability and carbon source concentration on yeast lipid and carotenoid production has never been studied before. In this work, a Doehlert distribution design was used to study the simultaneous effect of carbon concentration and oxygen availability on Rhodosporidium toruloides NCYC 921 carotenoid and lipid production. A cheap industrial byproduct was used as carbon source (carob pulp syrup). A total sugar concentration of 106.3 g/L and a medium volume of 0.120 L induced the highest total carotenoid and total fatty acid productivities (4.60 ìg/Lh and 0.029 g/Lh, respectively). Flow cytometry was used to assess yeast stress response under different cultivation conditions. The highest proportion of cells with permeabilised membrane (>20%) was induced when the cultivations were carried out at the highest sugar concentration studied (130.0 g/L) or when the culture reached the minimum final medium pH (4.60). The results showed that the total sugar concentration had a positive influence on the yeast biomass and carotenoid content, while the oxygen availability had little influence on the biomass concentration, but had a slight positive influence on the carotenoid content. Regarding the fatty acids, the two factors had a negative impact on the synthesis of these compounds

Selecting low-cost carbon sources for carotenoid and lipid production by the pink yeast Rhodosporidium toruloides NCYC 921 using flow cytometry

The present work studied low-cost carbon sources for carotenoid and lipid production using the yeast Rhodosporidum toruloides NCYC 921. Carob pulp syrup and sugarcane molasses at different concentrations were used as low-cost carbon sources in R. toruloides batch cultivations. Carob pulp syrup containing a total sugar concentration of 75 g L1 induced the highest total fatty acid productivity (1.90 g L1 h1) and the highest carotenoid productivity (9.79 lg L1 h1). Flow cytometric analysis revealed that most of the yeast cells (>60%) grown on carob pulp syrup displayed intact polarised membranes, conversely to the cells grown on sugarcane molasses, wherein a large proportion (>45%) displayed permeabilised cytoplasmic membranes

Scale of adverse events associated to nursing practices: a psychometric study in Portuguese hospital context

Objetivo: contribuir para el estudio de validez de la Escala de Eventos Adversos asociados a las Prácticas de Enfermería, en contexto hospitalario. Método: estudio transversal, en unidades hospitalares públicas, de las regiones centro y norte de Portugal. El análisis factorial exploratorio de la Escala de Eventos Adversos asociados a las Prácticas de Enfermería fue desarrollada en una muestra de 165 enfermeros y el análisis factorial confirmatorio en una muestra de 685 enfermeros. Se estimó la confiabilidad, consistencia interna y validez de constructo. La invariancia del modelo fue evaluada en dos sub-muestras, para confirmar la estabilidad de la solución factorial. Resultados: muestra global de 850 enfermeros, con edades entre 22 y 59 años, mayoritariamente licenciados. Modelo con buen ajuste global en las sub-escalas (Prácticas de Enfermería: χ2/df=2,88; CFI=0,90; GFI=0,86; RMSEA=0,05; MECVI=3,30; Eventos Adversos: χ2/df=4,62; CFI=0,93; GFI=0,95; RMSEA=0,07; MECVI=0,39). Estructura factorial estable, identificándose invariancia de medida fuerte en la sub-escala Prácticas de Enfermería y en la sub-escala Eventos Adversos, invariancia estructural. Conclusión: o modelo refinado da Escala de Eventos Adversos asociados a las Prácticas de Enfermería reveló buena calidad de ajuste y estabilidad de la solución factorial. El instrumento se reveló ajustado para evaluar la percepción de los enfermeros acerca de los eventos adversos asociados a los cuidados de salud, nombradamente a los cuidados de enfermería en el contexto hospitalario.Objetivo: contribuir para o estudo de validação da Escala de Eventos Adversos associados às Práticas de Enfermagem, em contexto hospitalar. Método: estudo transversal, em unidades hospitalares públicas, das regiões centro e norte de Portugal. A análise fatorial exploratória da Escala de Eventos Adversos associados às Práticas de Enfermagem foi desenvolvida em uma amostra de 165 enfermeiros e a análise fatorial confirmatória em uma amostra de 685 enfermeiros. Estimou-se a confiabilidade, consistência interna e validade de construto. A invariância do modelo foi avaliada em duas subamostras para confirmar a estabilidade da solução fatorial. Resultados: amostra global de 850 enfermeiros, com idades entre 22 e 59 anos, maioritariamente licenciados. Modelo com bom ajustamento global nas subescalas (Práticas de Enfermagem: χ2/df=2,88; CFI=0,90; GFI=0,86; RMSEA=0,05; MECVI=3,30; Eventos Adversos: χ2/df=4,62; CFI=0,93; GFI=0,95; RMSEA=0,07; MECVI=0,39). Estrutura fatorial estável, identificandose invariância de medida forte na subescala Práticas de Enfermagem e, na subescala Eventos Adversos, invariância estrutural. Conclusão: o modelo refinado da Escala de Eventos Adversos associados às Práticas de Enfermagem revelou boa qualidade de ajustamento e estabilidade da solução fatorial. O instrumento revelou-se ajustado para avaliar a percepção dos enfermeiros acerca dos eventos adversos associados aos cuidados de saúde, nomeadamente aos cuidados de enfermagem, em contexto hospitalar.Objective: to contribute to the validation study of the Scale of Adverse Events associated with Nursing Practices in the hospital context. Method: cross-sectional study, in public hospital units, in the central and northern regions of Portugal. The exploratory factor analysis of the Scale of Adverse Events associated to Nursing Practices was conducted with a sample of 165 nurses and the confirmatory factorial analysis was made with a sample of 685 nurses. Reliability, internal consistency and construct validity were estimated. The invariance of the model was evaluated in two subsamples to confirm the stability of the factorial solution. Results: the global sample consisted of 850 nurses aged between 22 and 59, mostly licensed professionals. The model had a good overall fit in the subscales (Nursing Practices: χ2/df = 2.88, CFI = 0.90, GFI = 0.86, RMSEA = 0.05, MECVI = 3.30; Adverse Events: χ2/df = 4.62, CFI = 0.93, GFI = 0.95, RMSEA = 0.07, MECVI = 0.39). There was a stable factor structure, indicating strong invariance in the subscale Nursing Practices and structural invariance in the subscale Adverse Events. Conclusion: the refined model of the Scale of Adverse Events associated with Nursing Practices revealed good fit and stability of the factorial solution. The instrument was adjusted to evaluate the perception of nurses about adverse events associated with health care, precisely nursing care, in the hospital setting

Organizational commitment, psychometric qualities and invariance of the Meyer and Allen Questionnaire for Portuguese Nurses

Objetivo: evaluar las propiedades psicométricas de la versión portuguesa del Cuestionario de Compromiso Organizacional para el contexto de enfermería a través del análisis de confirmación e invarianza, para evaluar la fiabilidad, la consistencia interna, la validez de constructo y la validez externa del instrumento. Método: se procedió a un análisis factorial confirmatorio de la versión en portugués del cuestionario, con una muestra de 850 enfermeros en el ámbito hospitalario y se complementó el análisis con un recurso a la investigación de especificación. La calidad del ajuste se evaluó a través de diferentes índices. Se estimó la confiabilidad, la consistencia interna y la validez de constructo. La invarianza del modelo fue evaluada en dos sub-muestras de la muestra global, para confirmar la validez externa de la solución factorial. Resultados: el modelo obtenido tras el refinamiento demostró un buen ajuste global (χ2/df=6,37; CFI=0,91; GFI=0,92; RMSEA=0,08; MECVI=0,62). La estructura factorial reveló estable (λ:Δχ2(14)=18,31; p=0,193; Interceptos: Δχ2(14)=22,29; p=0,073; Covariancia: Δχ2(3)=6,01; p=0,111, Residuos: Δχ2(15)=22,44; p=0,097). Conclusión: el modelo simplificado del cuestionario demostró una buena calidad de ajuste, presentando una solución factorial estable. El instrumento resultó estar ajustado para monitorear y evaluar el compromiso de la organización de los enfermeros portugueses.Objective: to evaluate the psychometric qualities of the Portuguese version of the Organizational Commitment Questionnaire for the nursing context, through confirmatory analysis and invariance, aiming to evaluate the reliability, internal consistency, construct validity and external validity of the instrument. Method: confirmatory factor analysis of the Portuguese version of the questionnaire was carried out with a sample of 850 nurses, in hospital context. The analysis was complemented using specification search. Goodness of fit was evaluated through different indices. Reliability, internal consistency and construct validity were estimated. The invariance of the model was evaluated in two subsamples of the same sample, in order to confirm the external validity of the factorial solution. Results: the refined model demonstrated good overall fit (χ2/df=6.37; CFI=0.91; GFI=0.92; RMSEA=0.08; MECVI=0.62). The factorial structure was stable (λ:Δχ2(14)=18.31; p=0;193; Intercepts: Δχ2(14)=22.29; p=0.073; Covariance: Δχ2(3)=6.01; p=0.111; Residuals: Δχ2(15)=22.44; p=0.097). Conclusion: the simplified model of the questionnaire demonstrated adequate goodness of fit, representing a stable factorial solution. The instrument was fit to monitor and evaluate the organizational commitment of Portuguese nurses.Objetivo: avaliar as qualidades psicométricas da versão portuguesa do Questionário de Comprometimento Organizacional, para o contexto da enfermagem, através de análise confirmatória e de invariância, visando a confiabilidade, consistência interna, validade de construto e a validade externa do instrumento. Método: procedeu-se à análise fatorial confirmatória da versão portuguesa do questionário, numa amostra de 850 enfermeiros, em contexto hospitalar. Complementou-se a análise com recurso à pesquisa de especificação. A qualidade de ajustamento foi avaliada através de diferentes índices. Estimou-se a confiabilidade, consistência interna e validade de construto. A invariância do modelo foi avaliada em duas subamostras, da amostra global, por forma a confirmar a validade externa da solução fatorial. Resultados: O modelo obtido após refinamento demonstrou bom ajustamento global (χ2/df=6,37; CFI=0,91; GFI=0,92; RMSEA=0,08; MECVI=0,62). A estrutura fatorial revelouse estável (λ:Δχ2(14)=18,31; p=0,193; Interceptos: Δχ2(14)=22,29; p=0,073; Covariância: Δχ2(3)=6,01; p=0,111; Resíduos: Δχ2(15)=22,44; p=0,097). Conclusão: o modelo simplificado do questionário revelou boa qualidade de ajustamento, apresentando uma solução fatorial estável. O instrumento revelou-se ajustado para monitorizar e avaliar o comprometimento organizacional dos enfermeiros portugueses

Development of a tetraplex qpcr for the molecular identification and quantification of human enteric viruses, nov and hav, in fish samples

Funding Information: from Multi Biorefinery project (POCI-01?0145-FEDER-016403, INTERFACE Program, through the Innovation, Technology and Circular Economy Fund (FITEC) (CIT/2018/15) and FCT for Andreia Silva fellowship (PD/BD/128363/2017) are gratefully acknowledged. Publisher Copyright: © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ 4.0/). Copyright: Copyright 2021 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.Human enteric viruses such as norovirus (NoV) and hepatitis A virus (HAV) are some of the most important causes of foodborne infections worldwide. Usually, infection via fish consumption is not a concern regarding these viruses, since fish are mainly consumed cooked. However, in the last years, raw fish consumption has become increasingly common, especially involving the use of seabass and gilthead seabream in dishes like sushi, sashimi, poke, and carpaccio. Therefore, the risk for viral infection via the consumption of raw fish has also increased. In this study, a virologic screening was performed in 323 fish specimens captured along the Portuguese coast using a tetraplex qPCR optimised for two templates (plasmid and in vitro transcribed RNA) to detect and quantify NoV GI, NoV GII and HAV genomes. A difference of approximately 1-log was found between the use of plasmid or in vitro transcribed RNA for molecular-based quantifications, showing an underestimation of genome copy-number equivalents using plasmid standard-based curves. Additionally, the presence of NoV genomic RNA in a pool of seabass brains was identified, which was shown to cluster with a major group of human norovirus sequences from genogroup I (GI.1) by phylogenetic analysis. None of the analysed fish revealed the presence of NoV GII or HAV. This result corroborates the hypothesis that enteric viruses circulate in seawater or that fish were contaminated during their transportation/handling, representing a potential risk to humans through raw or undercooked fish consumption.publishersversionpublishe

Personality vulnerabilities in adolescent suicidality: The mediating role of psychological distress

The research literature consistently indicates that self-criticism is related to suicidality. Evidence for the role of dependency, however, is more controversial. This study examines the extent to which these personality vulnerabilities are mediated by psychological distress in the prediction of suicidality. As part of a study of adolescent psychopathology, a sample of 260 Portuguese adolescents (148 [56.9 %] female and 112 [43.1%] male), ranging in age from 15 to 18 years (M = 16.32, SD = 1.19) completed measures of personality, suicidal behavior, and current distress, in counterbalanced order. The measures were: self-criticism and dependency from the Depressive Experiences Questionnaire for Adolescents; two psychological distress scales, social withdrawal from the Youth Self Report and depression from the Center for Epidemiologic Studies of Depression Scale; and a measure of suicidality from the Suicide Behaviors Questionnaire Revised. Structural equation modeling indicated that self-criticism and dependency were both significantly associated with suicidality. Psychological distress, however, as measured by withdrawal and depression, fully mediated these relationships, but did not moderate them. The authors conclude that adolescents with higher levels of self-criticism and dependency are at greater risk for experiencing intense psychological distress—high levels of social withdrawal and depression—that account for their vulnerability to suicide ris

Development and evaluation of a two-step multiplex TaqMan real-time PCR assay for detection/quantification of different genospecies of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato

Nowadays, at least four clinically important B. burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) genospecies (B. afzelii, B. garinii, B. burgdorferi sensu stricto (s.s.) and B. lusitaniae) circulate in Portugal. Each genospecies has a different tropism that resuls in a diverse array of clinical manifestations. The standard diagnostic procedure used is normally simple, nevertheless, during the “window-period” phase, in which specific antibodies cannot yet be detected, diagnosis becomes difficult, and calls for reliable, sensitive and specific laboratory methods, such as molecular tests. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a multiplex TaqMan real-time PCR assay to infer the presence of B. burgdorferi s.l. genospecies in clinical and vector-derived samples. The assay consists of two steps: (i) a first duplex real-time PCR targeting both flaB of B. burgdorferi s.l., and an internal control (18S rDNA for tick samples or the mammal β-actin gene for clinical samples); and (ii) a second tetraplex real-time PCR targeting the flaB gene of B. afzelii, B. garinii, B. burgdorferi s.s. and B. lusitaniae. The first step revealed a high specificity and sensitivity, allowing the detection of as low as 20 genome equivalents (GE) of B. burgdorferi s.l. from isolated cultures, clinical samples and ticks. The second step revealed high specificity, but a slightly lower sensitivity (2×102 GE) for detection of B. afzelii, B. garinii, B. burgdorferi s.s. and B. lusitaniae in purified DNA extracts, and particularly when testing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples. Nonetheless, both real-time PCR protocols were developed to be applied at the beginning of the infection, to improve early diagnosis of Lyme borreliosis (LB), where detection of Borrelia should not rely on the use of CSF samples. The assay here described is of special interest for the analysis of both environmental and clinical samples, being advantageous in the former phase screening of Lyme borreliosis, when the efficiency of serologically based diagnoses may be seriously compromised