Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2015-11-20"
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- Psychostimulants and brain edemaPublication . Leitão, Ricardo Alexandre; Silva, Ana PaulaPsychostimulants consumption is a serious social and health problem worldwide. The increase in drug abuse has a huge socio-economic impact in society, and more precisely carries great costs in health treatments. In fact, it is well known that cocaine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), amphetamine (AMPH) and methamphetamine (METH) have several neurotoxic effects, such as neurodegeneration, neuroinflammation and blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption. Additionally, the increase of brain water content, a pathological condition also known as brain edema, has been associated with drugs use. Disturbances in the well-regulated water homeostasis may occur under several pathological conditions leading to severe alterations in brain function. Although several studies demonstrated a link between the abuse of psychostimulants and brain edema, very little is known about the underlying mechanisms that explain such brain alterations. The water transport across cell membrane is regulated by bi-directional water channels called aquaporins (AQPs). Noteworthy, the AQP4 channel has an important role in water transport across BBB, being one of the most important at the Central Nervous System (CNS). In fact, alterations in AQP4 can originate cerebral edema due to abnormal increase in water content and consequent brain swelling. Furthermore, inflammatory mediators also seem to have a role in brain edema formation since the modulation of their action has a beneficial impact in brain edema outcome. With the present review, we aim to summarize relevant information regarding the impact of psychostimulants on brain edema. Nevertheless, it is also evident that many questions remain unanswered. Thus, in order to improve the clinical outcome of human abusers, it is of crucial importance to understand what the role of AQP4 is.
- Music in hospitalized patients: changes in heart ratePublication . Rego, Gui; Coelho, Patrícia; Pereira, AlexandreIntroduction: Music can be characterized as a representation of feelings, having also scientifically evidenced benefits in various contexts. The heart rate variability is directly related to the central nervous system and any situations that can influence it. Therefore, depending on the type of music, heart rate may be subject to changes that may be related to the emotional wellbeing that music stimulate. To that purpose, the main objective was to study the heart rate variation in a group of individuals exposed to music that can trigger different emotional states. Methods: In the first phase of the study, 20 classical music songs were tested in 73 healthy subjects, in order to distinguish two songs that stimulate distinct emotions with the purpose of applying them in the second phase of the study, namely to a sample collected in 3 geographical dispersed hospitals, so as to ensure an evaluation in the same clinical contexts but different geographic locations. The two songs were applied to 50 subjects and we registered the heart rate in four different times, before and after each song with an interval of 3 minutes between each time, including a break between songs. Thus, this study is considered prospective cross-sectional with non-probability sampling technique for convenience. Results: We found statistically significant differences in heart rate at the 2-4 moment (p = 0.04) and at the 3-4 moment (p = 0.005), with a significant correlation of the same with Gender and Moment (p = 0.019), Place and Moment / Music (p = 0.039) and Stress and Moment / Music (p = 0.030). Conclusion: We found changes in heart rate according to the emotional nature of music, thus confirming the central research hypothesis of this study.
- Excessive daytime sleepiness in drivers of heavy vehiclesPublication . Nunes, Paulo; Carvalho, Lucinda S.A.; Pereira, Alexandre J.M.Introduction: Excessive daytime sleepiness is an entity that has a negative impact on physical and cognitive performance, since it reduces the individual's ability to respond to stimuli. Professional drivers are undoubtedly a class exposed to this entity, endangering their life and others. Objective: To investigate the prevalence of Excessive Daytime Sleepiness in drivers of heavy trucks and passenger vehicles, comparing it with accidents/near misses accidents and also to relate these variables with the type of vehicle. Methods: This study evaluated 148 drivers, of which 68 were drivers of heavy trucks vehicles, 58 of passenger vehicles and 22 of both types of trucks. Both Epworth Sleepiness Scale and a questionnaire to assess sleeping habits and driving habits were used. Results: The prevalence of sleepiness in drivers is 37,8 % and it was correlated with the total time in bed (r = -0.169, p = 0.040) and with the time of driving of heavy trucks (r = 0.151, p = 0.068). It was found that 14.2 % of accidents and 27.8 % of near misses accidents were due to sleepiness. Highly significant differences in sleepiness and near misses were found (p < 0.001). There was dependence between the type of vehicle and accidents (p = 0.046). Conclusion: In the group of evaluated drivers there is Excessive Daytime Sleepiness, which leads to the significantly increasing risk of accidents/near misses accidents, as well as a higher incidence of accidents in truck drivers compared to drivers of passenger vehicles.
- Does the 6-minute walk test predicts functional capacity in a sample of elderly women?: A pilot-studyPublication . Garcia, Andreia; Santos, Ana Marta; Carolino, Elisabete; Tomás, Maria TeresaIntroduction: Functional capacity is the capacity to conduct daily activities in an independent way. It can be estimated with the 6-minutes’ walk test (6MWT) and other validated functional tests. Objectives: Verify associations between functional capacity measured with two different instruments (6MWT and Composite Physical Function (CPF) scale) and levels of physical activity and between those and characterization variables. Methods: This sample consisted of 30 apparently healthy elderly women from Loures municipality. Essentially they should be independent and community-dwelling. Characterization data were collected, containing characterization of physical activity levels and anthropometric data. Functional capacity was assessed with CPF scale and distance walked by the 6MWT. Results were analysed using a SPSS v21.0 through correlation tests. Results: The walked distance in 6MWT was positively associated with height (r = 0.406; p = 0.026), physical activity level (r = 0.594; p = 0.001) and functional capacity (r = 0.682; p = 0.000). For each point more obtained in CPF, the distance walked increases on average by 7.5 meters. Relatively to sedentary participants, being insufficiently active increases, on average, the distance walked in 85.8 meters; and being active increases, on average, the distance walked in 108.8 meters. No other associations were observed in our sample. Conclusion: Based on the collected sample, walked distance in 6MWT has a high correlation with results in CPF scale, so this test can be used to predict functional capacity. More attention should be taken to promote strategies to increase walking in older adults.
- The history of health policies in Portugal: a look at recent trendsPublication . Lima, Teresa ManecaThe perspectives about the Portuguese health system evolution recognize that the creation and expansion of the National Health Service (NHS) are placed in the political and social democratization of the country. In addition to allow for the health care coverage of the Portuguese population in a relatively short period, the NHS presents itself as the right to health main guarantee. However, the current economic and financial crisis affecting Portugal and, in a widespread context, the entire European continent, has stimulated the debate and space for a public health policies reform. Pinpointed on the argumentation around unsustainability and efficiency, the evaluation of the Portuguese health system is characterized by an incremental approach to privatization, mainly on health care management and delivery. The individual responsibility and the principle of user pay support the presence of private actors on the Portuguese health system. Through a critical review of the health policies development in Portugal, this article presents a historical outlook of the right to health and its future challenges.
- Quality of life in ovarian cancer survivorsPublication . Gonçalves, VâniaOvarian cancer survivors may experience Quality of Life (QOL) disruptions due to the aggressiveness of the illness and its treatment. The present manuscript intends to review the most recent knowledge regarding QOL in ovarian cancer survivors. Firstly, a brief overview about QOL, their importance and instruments used to assess it particularly in ovarian cancer survivors are presented. Then, main findings and developments achieved to date are discussed. Main conclusions from studies reviewed and future research needs are outlined. Available literature suggests that in general ovarian cancer survivors experience a good QOL; however, some deficits are more prevalent than in women without cancer. Although, these studies brought to light important QOL issues, more rigorous and larger studies are necessary to fully understand ovarian cancer survivors' QOL. Measuring QOL in ovarian cancer survivors in clinical settings is of utmost importance to identify those survivors at risk and provide adequate support that meets their needs.
- Implementação de um sistema de sustentabilidade no VILA VITA Parc Resort & SPAPublication . Perdigão, Diana Gentil Tomás; Carvalho, Mário João Paulo de JesusAtualmente os clientes estão mais evoluídos, informados e exigentes. Os processos de seleção dos fornecedores alteraram-se profundamente, o consumo dos produtos/serviços acontece de forma antecipada e obedece a múltiplas variáveis com particular destaque para as imagens reproduzidas na mente dos consumidores. A seleção dos produtos passa por isso, a ser feita sem o recurso a intermediários alterando o paradigma da promoção e distribuição. No seguimento do primeiro ano de estudos teóricos em Gestão e Direção Hoteleira, o segundo ano baseou-se numa experiência de estágio com duração de nove meses, realizado no VILA VITA Parc Resort & SPA no Algarve, cujo principal objetivo foi desenvolver o conhecimento teórico adquirido ao longo do percurso académico e ainda as reforçar competências adquiridas previamente. Neste sentido, o estágio decorreu por diversos departamentos, tais como: Sales & Marketing, Financeiro, Alojamentos, Recursos Humanos, Food & Beverage, Qualidade e Ambiente e Assistente de Direção Geral. Na sequência do referido anteriormente, é também objetivo o desenvolvimento de um desafio, que se baseou na identificação de uma janela de oportunidade para uma intervenção na área da operação, e desenvolvimento da mesma. A diferenciação ambiental é um dos fatores cada vez mais procurados por quem procura um hotel. Caso o mesmo consiga a junção entre o luxo e conforto e a redução de desperdício de energia e recursos é um fator de diferenciação exponencial. No decorrer do estágio, o tema para o desafio desenvolveu-se e deu origem à ideia de implementar um sistema de sustentabilidade no resort. Os objetivos inerentes à aplicação do referido anteriormente estão relacionados com o posicionamento do resort no mercado, a formação ambiental dos colaboradores e com sistemas de reciclagem de resíduos: Velas, cartão e papel, plástico e metal, vidro, rolhas, óleos alimentares usados e tinteiros e toneres. Este método de sustentabilidade teve a duração prática de seis meses (Janeiro a Junho 2015) e através do mesmo foram obtidos resultados bastantes satisfatórios no que diz respeito às vantagens económicas associadas (€5959.57) e à preservação do meio-ambiente.
- Avaliação de custos de processos de fabricação aditiva na produção de moldes híbridos versus convencionaisPublication . Gomes, Cátia de Sousa; Correia, Mário António Simões; Martinho, Pedro Miguel GonçalvesCom o aumento da exigência do mercado, consequente da evolução da indústria, existe a necessidade de dar resposta a essas mesmas exigências criando um constante desenvolvimento e procura de processos/produtos novos. A indústria de injeção de plásticos é uma destas indústrias. Nestas indústrias as ferramentas utilizadas eram exclusivamente fabricadas por processos convencionais, no entanto devido ao custo, tempo de produção/fabricação e alteração sistemática das necessidades dos clientes/produtos foi necessário encontrar novas alternativas como a utilização de técnicas de fabricação aditiva. Com o avanço das tecnologias de fabricação aditiva é possível o uso de materiais metálicos e de resinas sintéticas em alguns componentes do molde. A inclusão destas técnicas em estruturas convencionais originou o conceito de molde híbrido. A introdução deste conceito teve o objetivo de satisfazer a necessidade de colocar pequenas séries de novos produtos no mercado em menor tempo e com preços mais competitivos. Este estudo explora, essencialmente, a avaliação de custos de processos de fabricação aditiva na produção de moldes híbridos versus moldes convencionais. Também se comparou o salário base em Portugal com os países para os quais as empresas portuguesas exportam moldes. Essa comparação foi realizada com o objetivo de verificar a ameaça que pode representar para as empresas portuguesas de moldes o crescente interesse de países onde o custo de mão-de-obra é bastante diferenciado comparativamente com o caso português. Definiu-se o design do bloco moldante de uma peça simples e este foi utilizado para a obtenção de cotação dos mesmos fabricados através de diferentes processos. Foram cotados blocos moldantes em processos convencionais e em processos de fabricação aditiva. Os processos convencionais utilizaram alumínio 7022 e aço P20. Já os processos de fabricação aditiva foram cotados para os processos de vazamento de resinas com 40% e 60% de cargas de alumínio, FDM, SLS e Polyjet.
- A look into the intervention of clowns in pediatric context: a hospital professionals perspectivePublication . Moreira, Carmen; Esteves, Hiolanda; Caires, SusanaThis article aims to describe and understand the perceptions of 19 health professionals about the work of the "Clown Doctors" (CD) of Operação Nariz Vermelho (ONV) in the pediatric services (PS) of a Portuguese hospital. A study was developed after two and half years of collaboration between the hospital’s PS and this association of professional clowns. The staff’s perceptions were collected through semi-structured interviews. Their responses were submitted to a content analysis, followed by the description of the frequency of categories that emerged in their discourse. The study’s results relate a positive perception amongst most participants about the presence of CDs in the pediatric wards, highlighting several advantages for their interventions. Amongst these advantages, the participants emphasized the CD’s contributions for the relief of the hospital’s environment, the increase of good mood and well-being amongst the health professionals, and the aid that the clowns may represent for their practice. With regard to the disadvantages, obstruction to professional practice - either by interfering with the routines, either by intrusive and disruptive intervention in some more "critical" moments - as well as the specific difficulties in the cooperation, acceptance of the role and the CD’s interventions stood out. By means of the testimonies of pediatric professionals’ regarding this two-year and half experience, this exploratory study seeks to bring subsidies for the social recognition of the work of this association of professional clowns, as well as to its internal reflection, towards the growth and maturation of their training and practice.