Como potenciar engagement dos colaboradores num regime de trabalho híbrido? – O caso PwC Portugal

Sendo o capital humano o ativo mais valioso das organizações, o engagement dos colaboradores é um desafio crescente para as mesmas, que começam a compreender, cada vez mais, a importância da Comunicação Interna nestas questões. Com a implementação de um regime de teletrabalho ou trabalho híbrido em muitas organizações, resultado das alterações advindas da pandemia de COVID-19, tornou-se fundamental compreender o papel das iniciativas de Comunicação Interna, na manutenção ou crescimento do nível de engagement, nestes regimes de trabalho. A presente investigaçã o pretende compreender de que forma a Comunicaçã o Interna pode contribuir para o engagement dos colaboradores, num regime de trabalho híbrido, na perspetiva das Relaçõ es Pú blicas. Recorreu-se a um Estudo de Caso da PwC em Portugal, para explorar e descrever este contributo. Para tal, enveredou-se por uma metodologia de tipologia quantitativa com recurso a um inquérito por questionário, aplicado dentro da empresa em estudo. Neste sentido, procedeu-se à aná lise das 288 respostas obtidas, tendo-se concluído que a Comunicação Interna tem um papel fundamental – e reconhecido pelos colaboradores – no desenvolvimento do compromisso, sentimento de pertença, bem como da compreensão e conhecimento dos colaboradores relativamente ao seu local de trabalho e, portanto, pode contribuir para o engagement dos mesmos através das ações e iniciativas que leva a cabo com estes objetivos.ABSTRACT: As human capital is the most valuable asset of organizations, employee engagement is a growing challenge for them, which are beginning to understand the importance of Internal Communication in these issues. With the implementation of a teleworking or hybrid work regime in many organizations, because of the changes brought by the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become essential to understand the role of Internal Communication initiatives in maintaining or growing the level of engagement in these work regimes. This research aims to understand how Internal Communication can contribute to the engagement of employees, in a hybrid work regime, from the perspective of Public Relations. A PwC Portugal case study was used to explore and describe this contribution. To this end, a quantitative typology methodology was implemented using a questionnaire survey, applied within the company under study. The 288 responses obtained were analyzed and it was concluded that Internal Communication has a fundamental role – recognized by employees – in the development of commitment, sense of belonging, as well as the understanding and awareness of employees regarding their workplace and, therefore, can contribute to their engagement through the actions and initiatives it carries out with these objectives.N/

The Impact of Nailfold Capillaroscopy in the Approach of Microcirculation

Nailfold capillaroscopy (NFC) is a simple, validated, and noninvasive method to assess the microcirculation, through direct visualization of the capillaries. Main patterns are classified, according to Cutolo et al., as scleroderma, further divided into early, active, or late patterns, or nonscleroderma. NFC findings include dilated loops, tortuosities, meandering or bushy capillaries, hemorrhage, or architectural distortion. NFC use has been indicated for the evaluation of Raynaud’s phenomenon (RP), once it permits the distinction between primary and secondary RP. NFC results accounts for diagnostic criteria of systemic sclerosis, but they can also be useful in staging other connective tissue autoimmune diseases, like systemic lupus erythematosus, inflammatory myositis, or vasculitis. The CSURI index uses NFC for prediction of digital ulcer relapse. Recent evidence revealed NFC can also be applied in systemic disorders with vascular involvement

A relação entre o perfil motivacional e os comportamentos de cidadania organizacional:um estudo empírico

O principal objectivo deste trabalho é estudar se o perfil motivacional dos trabalhadores influencia os comportamentos de cidadania (CCO) que manifestam. O perfil motivacional foi avaliado recorrendo-se à tipologia de McClelland (1961), com escalas desenvolvidas por Rego (1993, 1995, 1998, 2000c; Rego e Carvalho, 2002; Rego e Leite, 2003) – orientação para o sucesso, afiliação e poder. Os comportamentos de cidadania organizacional foram operacionalizados com o instrumento de Rego (2002). Participaram no estudo 122 alunos inscritos no mestrado em gestão e 512 trabalhadores de organizações diversas. Os resultados sugerem que o perfil motivacional explica 25% e 36% da variância única dos CCO dos alunos e trabalhadores, respectivamente. Dos três motivos, o sucesso é que mais influencia os CCO

Nationwide study of drug resistance mutations in HIV-1 infected individuals under antiretroviral therapy in Brazil

The success of antiretroviral treatment (ART) is threatened by the emergence of drug resistance mutations (DRM). Since Brazil presents the largest number of people living with HIV (PLWH) in South America we aimed at understanding the dynamics of DRM in this country. We analyzed a total of 20,226 HIV-1 sequences collected from PLWH undergoing ART between 2008–2017. Results show a mild decline of DRM over the years but an increase of the K65R reverse transcriptase mutation from 2.23% to 12.11%. This increase gradually occurred following alterations in the ART regimens replacing zidovudine (AZT) with tenofovir (TDF). PLWH harboring the K65R had significantly higher viral loads than those without this mutation (p p < 0.001) association of K65R with subtype C (11.26%) when compared with subtype B (9.27%). Nonetheless, evidence for K65R transmission in Brazil was found both for C and B subtypes. Additionally, artificial neural network-based immunoinformatic predictions suggest that K65R could enhance viral recognition by HLA-B27 that has relatively low prevalence in the Brazilian population. Overall, the results suggest that tenofovir-based regimens need to be carefully monitored particularly in settings with subtype C and specific HLA profiles.This work has been funded by Portuguese National funds, through the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) (project UIDB/50026/2020 and UIDP/50026/2020; by the projects NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000013 and NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000023, supported by Norte Portugal Regional Operational Programme (NORTE 2020), under the PORTUGAL 2020 Partnership Agreement, through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and by Gilead Génese PGG/009/2017. ASP and PMMA were funded by FCT PhD scholarships PD/BD/127827/2016, and PDE/BDE/113599/2015, respectively

COVID-19 salivary protein profile: unravelling molecular aspects of SARS-CoV-2 infection

COVID-19 is the most impacting global pandemic of all time, with over 600 million infected and 6.5 million deaths worldwide, in addition to an unprecedented economic impact. Despite the many advances in scientific knowledge about the disease, much remains to be clarified about the molecular alterations induced by SARS-CoV-2 infection. In this work, we present a hybrid proteomics and in silico interactomics strategy to establish a COVID-19 salivary protein profile. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD036571. The differential proteome was narrowed down by the Partial Least-Squares Discriminant Analysis and enrichment analysis was performed with FunRich. In parallel, OralInt was used to determine interspecies Protein-Protein Interactions between humans and SARS-CoV-2. Five dysregulated biological processes were identified in the COVID-19 proteome profile: Apoptosis, Energy Pathways, Immune Response, Protein Metabolism and Transport. We identified 10 proteins (KLK 11, IMPA2, ANXA7, PLP2, IGLV2-11, IGHV3-43D, IGKV2-24, TMEM165, VSIG10 and PHB2) that had never been associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection, representing new evidence of the impact of COVID-19. Interactomics analysis showed viral influence on the host immune response, mainly through interaction with the degranulation of neutrophils. The virus alters the host’s energy metabolism and interferes with apoptosis mechanisms.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Pregnancy

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease of unknown etiology that often affects women during childbearing age. Pregnant women with SLE are considered high-risk patients, with pregnancy outcomes being complicated by high maternal and fetal mortality and morbidity. Obstetric morbidity includes preterm birth, fetal growth restriction (FGR), and neonatal lupus syndromes. Active SLE during conception is a strong predictor of adverse pregnancy outcomes and exacerbations of disease can occur more frequently during gestation. Therefore, management of maternal SLE should include preventive strategies to minimize disease activity and to reduce adverse pregnancy outcomes. Patients with active disease at time of conception have increased risk of flares, like lupus nephritis, imposing a careful differential diagnosis of pre-eclampsia, keeping in mind that physiological changes of pregnancy may mimic a lupus flare. Major complications arise when anti-phospholipid antibodies are present, like recurrent pregnancy loss, stillbirth, FGR, and thrombosis in the mother. A multidisciplinary approach is hence crucial and should be initiated to all women with SLE at childbearing age with an adequate preconception counseling with assessment of risk factors for adverse maternal and fetal outcomes with a tight pregnancy monitoring plan. Although treatment choices are limited during pregnancy, prophylactic anti-aggregation and anticoagulation agents have proven beneficial in reducing thrombotic events and pre-eclampsia related morbidity. Pharmacological therapy should be tailored, allowing better outcomes for both the mother and the baby. Immunosuppressive and immunomodulators, must be effective in controlling disease activity and safe during pregnancy. Hydroxychloroquine is the main therapy for SLE due to its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects recommended before and during pregnancy and other immunosuppressive drugs (e.g. azathioprine and calcineurin inhibitors) are used to control disease activity in order to improve obstetrical outcomes. Managing a maternal SLE is a challenging task, but an early approach with multidisciplinary team with close monitoring is essential and can improve maternal and fetal outcomes

Case Report: Artifactual Hypoglycemia: A Condition That Should Not Be Forgotten

BackgroundHypoglycemia is uncommon in people who are not being treated for diabetes mellitus and, when present, the differential diagnosis is broad. Artifactual hypoglycemia describes discrepancy between low capillary and normal plasma glucose levels regardless of symptoms and should be considered in patients with Raynaud’s phenomenon.Case PresentationA 46-year-old female patient with a history of a sleeve gastrectomy started complaining about episodes of lipothymias preceded by sweating, nausea, and dizziness. During one of these episodes, a capillary blood glucose was obtained with a value of 24 mg/dl. She had multiple emergency admissions with low-capillary glycemia. An exhaustive investigation for possible causes of hypoglycemia was made for 18 months. The 72h fasting test was negative for hypoglycemia. A Raynaud’s phenomenon was identified during one appointment.ConclusionArtifactual hypoglycemia has been described in various conditions including Raynaud’s phenomenon, peripheral arterial disease, Eisenmenger syndrome, acrocyanosis, or hypothermia. With this case report, we want to reinforce the importance of being aware of this diagnosis to prevent anxiety, unnecessary treatment, and diagnostic tests

The Prevalence of COVID-19 Fog and the Impact on Quality of Life After SARS-CoV-2 Infection (QoL-COVID): A Cross Sectional Study

Introduction: Coronavirus has an impact on both the physical and mental health of individuals. The literature regarding the patient’s health status post-SARS-CoV-2 is still scarce with limited data on the prevalence of residual symptoms and quality of life (QoL) after the infection. The aim of this study was to understand the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on patient QoL, and remaining symptoms. Methods: Single center cross-sectional study of patients who had been admitted to our COVID-19 ward between March 2020 and March 2021. By applying a QoL questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L) we assessed the overall sample, at three time points and in different groups of patients: those admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) and the elderly. Results: A total of 125 participants were included in our study. Most patients who were admitted had a severe course of disease (51%), with 22% of admissions to the ICU, with 8% requiring prone ventilation, 10% experiencing thrombotic complications and 18% of nosocomial infections throughout the admission. As for persistent symptoms related with COVID-19 fog, the most frequent were fatigue (57%), memory loss (52%) and insomnia (50%). Regarding QoL, the average decrease was 0.08 ± 0.2 in the index and 8.7 ± 19 in the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The QoL index decrease correlated with age, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma and heart failure, and all persistent symptoms, significantly. QoL VAS correlated significantly with fatigue, mood changes, difficulty concentrating and memory loss. The decrease in QoL and the persistent symptoms remained overall stable over the three time points. The ICU group showed no statistically significant difference in QoL, but the most frequently persistent symptoms were mood changes and attention disturbances. However, the elderly experienced a worsening in QoL expressed by index (0.69 ± 0.3 vs 0.8 ± 0.2, p-value = 0.01). Conclusion: A decrease in QoL was observed following SARS-CoV-2 infection, correlating with both chronic conditions and persistent symptoms. The lack of difference through time points of both QoL and persistent symptoms suggests a long-standing effect

Clinical Presentation and Long-Term Outcomes of Systemic Sclerosis Portuguese Patients from a Single Centre Cohort: A EUSTAR Registration Initiative

Introduction: Systemic sclerosis is a complex disorder that requires systematic screening. Our objective is to report the European Scleroderma Trials and Research group centre affiliation and its impact in our clinical practice. Material and Methods: The European Scleroderma Trials and Research group affiliation process, database update and current patient evaluation, with respect to demographic and clinical features. Cumulative mortality was analysed. Results: We identified 19 female patients (which met all the American College of Rheumatology/ European League Against Rheumatism 2013 criteria for systemic sclerosis) under current follow-up, divided according to the LeRoy classification into diffuse cutaneous (n = 5), limited cutaneous (n = 11) and limited (n = 3) types, followed for a median period of 5, 12 and 6 years, respectively. Raynaud´s phenomenon and abnormal nailfold capillaries were universally present. Interstitial lung disease was absent in the limited cutaneous form but present in 100% of the diffuse subtype. Pitting scars were more common in the diffuse form. Active disease was also more frequent in the diffuse form, and most patients with active disease were treated with anti-endothelin receptor antagonists. Over 21 years (from 1994 to 2015) the mortality rate was 55% (n = 23/42). Age at time of death was significantly lower in the diffuse subtype. Discussion: Our single centre cohort shares many features with larger and international reports and more specifically is in accordance with patient characteristics described in the European Scleroderma Trials and Research group registries. Conclusion: The European Scleroderma Trials and Research group registration motivated our systematic patient characterization and may be used as a tool for homogenous disease registries

Erratum to “Clinical Presentation and Long-Term Outcomes of Systemic Sclerosis Portuguese Patients from a Single Centre Cohort: A EUSTAR Registration Initiative”

Article published with errors: https://www.actamedicaportuguesa.com/revista/index.php/amp/article/view/10658 On page 312, where the authors’ line reads as: Carolina VIDAL1, Carina RUANO2, Vera BERNARDINO3, Pedro LAVADO CARREIRA3, Ana LLADÓ3, Maria Céu SANTOS4, Heidi GRUNER3, António PANARRA3, Nuno RISO3, Maria Francisca MORAES-FONTESAC,1 It should read: Carolina VIDAL1,2, Carina RUANO3, Vera BERNARDINO1, Pedro LAVADO CARREIRA1, Ana LLADÓ1, Maria Céu SANTOS4, Heidi GRUNER1, António PANARRA1, Nuno RISO1, Maria Francisca MORAES-FONTESAC,1   On the same page, where the authors’ affiliation on the footer reads as: • Serviço de Medicina Interna. Hospital do Divino Espírito Santo de Ponta Delgada. São Miguel. Portugal. • Serviço de Radiologia. Hospital de Santa Marta. Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central. Lisboa. Portugal. • Unidade de Doenças Auto-Imunes/Serviço Medicina 7.2. Hospital de Curry Cabral. Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central. Lisboa. Portugal. • Laboratório de Imunologia. Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central. Lisboa. Portugal.  It should read: • Unidade de Doenças Auto-Imunes/Serviço Medicina 7.2. Hospital de Curry Cabral. Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central. Lisboa. Portugal. • Serviço de Medicina Interna. Hospital do Divino Espírito Santo de Ponta Delgada. São Miguel. Portugal. • Serviço de Radiologia. Hospital de Santa Marta. Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central. Lisboa. Portugal. • Laboratório de Imunologia. Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central. Lisboa. Portugal