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1.
Clin Nurs Res ; : 10547738241273104, 2024 Sep 09.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39246038

RESUMEN

Hepatitis C virus (HCV), the most common blood-borne infection, disproportionately affects people experiencing homelessness (PEH); however, HCV interventions tailored for PEH are scarce. This study utilized a community-based participatory approach to assess perceptions of HCV treatment experiences among HCV-positive PEH, and homeless service providers (HSP) to develop and tailor the "I am HCV Free" intervention which integrates primary, secondary, and tertiary care to attain and maintain HCV cure. Four focus groups were conducted with PEH (N = 30, Mage = 51.76, standard deviation 11.49, range 22-69) and HSPs (n = 10) in Central City East (Skid Row) in Los Angeles, California. An iterative, thematic approach was used to ensure the trustworthiness of the data. Barriers and facilitators emerged from the data which have the potential to impact initiating HCV treatment and completion across the HCV care continuum. Understanding and addressing barriers and strengthening facilitators to HCV treatment will aid in HCV treatment completion and cure for PEH.

2.
Small ; : e2402502, 2024 Jul 15.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-39007246

RESUMEN

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). Glucagon-like peptide-2 (GLP-2) analogs possess high potential in the treatment of IBD by enhancing intestinal repair and attenuating inflammation. Due to the enzymatic degradation and poor intestinal absorption, GLP-2 analogs are administered parenterally, which leads to poor patient compliance. This work aims to develop IBD-targeted nanoparticles (NPs) for the oral delivery of the GLP-2 analog, Teduglutide (TED). Leveraging the overproduction of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) in the IBD environment, ROS-sensitive NPs are developed to target the intestinal epithelium, bypassing the mucus barrier. PEGylation of NPs facilitates mucus transposition, but subsequent PEG removal is crucial for cellular internalization. This de-PEGylation is possible by including a ROS-sensitive thioketal linker within the system. ROS-sensitive NPs are established, with the ability to fully de-PEGylate via ROS-mediated cleavage. Encapsulation of TED into NPs resulted in the absence of absorption in 3D in vitro models, potentially promoting a localized action, and avoiding adverse effects due to systemic absorption. Upon oral administration to colitis-induced mice, ROS-sensitive NPs are located in the colon, displaying healing capacity and reducing inflammation. Cleavable PEGylated NPs demonstrate effective potential in managing IBD symptoms and modulating the disease's progression.

3.
Sci Total Environ ; 947: 173619, 2024 Oct 15.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38825208

RESUMEN

The globalization in plant material trading has caused the emergence of invasive pests in many ecosystems, such as the alder pathogen Phytophthora ×alni in European riparian forests. Due to the ecological importance of alder to the functioning of rivers and the increasing incidence of P. ×alni-induced alder decline, effective and accessible decision tools are required to help managers and stakeholders control the disease. This study proposes a Bayesian belief network methodology to integrate diverse information on the factors affecting the survival and infection ability of P. ×alni in riparian habitats to help predict and manage disease incidence. The resulting Alder Decline Network (ADnet) management tool integrates information about alder decline from scientific literature, expert knowledge and empirical data. Expert knowledge was gathered through elicitation techniques that included 19 experts from 12 institutions and 8 countries. An original dataset was created covering 1189 European locations, from which P. ×alni occurrence was modeled based on bioclimatic variables. ADnet uncertainty was evaluated through its sensitivity to changes in states and three scenario analyses. The ADnet tool indicated that mild temperatures and high precipitation are key factors favoring pathogen survival. Flood timing, water velocity, and soil type have the strongest influence on disease incidence. ADnet can support ecosystem management decisions and knowledge transfer to address P. ×alni-induced alder decline at local or regional levels across Europe. Management actions such as avoiding the planting of potentially infected trees or removing man-made structures that increase the flooding period in disease-affected sites could decrease the incidence of alder disease in riparian forests and limit its spread. The coverage of the ADnet tool can be expanded by updating data on the pathogen's occurrence, particularly from its distributional limits. Research on the role of genetic variability in alder susceptibility and pathogen virulence may also help improve future ADnet versions.


Asunto(s)
Alnus , Teorema de Bayes , Enfermedades de las Plantas/microbiología , Enfermedades de las Plantas/estadística & datos numéricos , Phytophthora , Ecosistema , Europa (Continente)/epidemiología , Bosques , Conservación de los Recursos Naturales
4.
Ageing Res Rev ; 82: 101773, 2022 12.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36349647

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Emerging evidence suggests that the intestinal microbiota (IM) undergoes remodelling as we age, and this impacts the ageing trajectory and mortality in older adults. The aim was to investigate IM diversity differences between frail and non-frail older adults by meta-analysing previous studies. METHODS: The protocol of this systematic review with meta-analysis was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42021276733). We searched for studies comparing IM diversity of frail and non-frail older adults indexed on PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science in November 2021. RESULTS: We included 11 studies with 1239 participants, of which 340 were meta-analysed. Frailty was defined by a variety of criteria (i.e. Fried Scale, European Consensus on Sarcopenia). There were no differences in the meta-analyses between the frail and non-frail groups for species richness index (SMD = -0.147; 95% CI = -0.394, 0.100; p = 0.243) and species diversity index (SMD = -0.033; 95% CI = -0.315, 0.250; p = 0.820). However, we identified almost 50 differences between frail and non-frail within the relative abundance of bacteria phyla, families, genera, and species in the primary studies. CONCLUSIONS: The evidence to prove that there are differences between frail and non-frail IM diversity by meta-analysis is still lacking. The present results suggest that further investigation into the role of specific bacteria, their function, and their influence on the physiopathology of frailty is needed.


Asunto(s)
Fragilidad , Microbioma Gastrointestinal , Sarcopenia , Humanos , Anciano , Envejecimiento
5.
Environ Res ; 214(Pt 2): 113764, 2022 11.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35803342

RESUMEN

Plastic pollution is a serious problem in aquatic systems throughout the world. Despite the increasing number of studies addressing the impact of macro- and microplastics on biota, there is still a significant knowledge gap regarding the effects of nanoplastics alone and in combination with other contaminants. Among the aquatic contaminants that may interact with nanoplastics is arsenic (As), a metalloid found in estuarine and coastal ecosystems, pernicious to benthic organisms. This study aimed to understand how a parental pre-exposure to 100 nm polystyrene nanoplastics (PS NPs) would influence the response of Hediste diversicolor to exposure to arsenic in terms of behaviour, neurotransmission, antioxidant defences and oxidative damage, and energy metabolism. The obtained data revealed an increase in burrowing time and a significant inhibition in cholinesterase activity in all polychaetes exposed to As, regardless of the pre-exposure to PS NPs. Oxidative status was altered particularly in parentally exposed organisms, with damage detected in terms of lipid peroxidation at 50 µg/L and protein carbonylation at 50 and 250 µg As/L exposed organisms when compared to control. Overall, data shows that parental pre-exposure to plastics influences the response of aquatic organisms, increasing their susceptibility to other contaminants. Thus, more studies should be performed with other environmental contaminants, to better understand the potential increased risk associated with the presence of nanoplastics to aquatic ecosystems.


Asunto(s)
Arsénico , Poliquetos , Contaminantes Químicos del Agua , Animales , Arsénico/toxicidad , Ecosistema , Microplásticos , Plásticos/toxicidad , Poliestirenos , Contaminantes Químicos del Agua/análisis
6.
Nanomaterials (Basel) ; 12(11)2022 Jun 01.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35683754

RESUMEN

The study of particle transport in different environments plays an essential role in understanding interactions with humans and other living organisms. Importantly, obtained data can be directly used for multiple applications in fields such as fundamental biology, toxicology, or medicine. Particle movement in biorelevant media can be readily monitored using microscopy and converted into time-resolved trajectories using freely available tracking software. However, translation into tangible and meaningful parameters is time consuming and not always intuitive. We developed new software-MPTHub-as an open-access, standalone, user-friendly tool for the rapid and reliable analysis of particle trajectories extracted from video microscopy. The software was programmed using Python and allowed to import and analyze trajectory data, as well as to export relevant data such as individual and ensemble time-averaged mean square displacements and effective diffusivity, and anomalous transport exponent. Data processing was reliable, fast (total processing time of less than 10 s), and required minimal memory resources (up to a maximum of around 150 MB in random access memory). Demonstration of software applicability was conducted by studying the transport of different polystyrene nanoparticles (100-200 nm) in mucus surrogates. Overall, MPTHub represents a freely available software tool that can be used even by inexperienced users for studying the transport of particles in biorelevant media.

7.
J Nurs Manag ; 30(7): 2937-2944, 2022 Oct.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35560750

RESUMEN

AIM: This study aimed to analyse the mediator effect of role ambiguity between social support from supervisor and colleagues and job satisfaction in Portuguese nursing staff. BACKGROUND: Few studies have analysed the processes through which social support increases job satisfaction in the nursing context. DESIGN: A cross-sectional design using questionnaires. METHOD: A total of 124 registered nurses and 130 certified nursing assistants participated in the study. Mediation analysis was performed by calculating percentile confidence intervals (10,000 resamples). RESULTS: Mediation analysis revealed a partial mediation between social support and job satisfaction through role ambiguity. The direct effect was greater in the case of supervisor support. CONCLUSIONS: Social support is a crucial resource in the nursing work context with a beneficial effect on well-being (e.g. reducing role stress) and job satisfaction. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Managers of hospitals and health units can establish the organizational bases to facilitate this process, considering the importance of the role of the supervisors and colleagues in the provision of high levels of instrumental and socio-emotional support.


Asunto(s)
Asistentes de Enfermería , Personal de Enfermería en Hospital , Personal de Enfermería , Humanos , Satisfacción en el Trabajo , Estudios Transversales , Apoyo Social , Encuestas y Cuestionarios , Personal de Enfermería en Hospital/psicología
8.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34991850

RESUMEN

OBJECTIVE: To assess the characteristics of suspected coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) and the rate of confirmed COVID-19 in a pediatric population at the beginning of the pandemic in Portugal. STUDY DESIGN: Suspected COVID-19 pediatric cases that were tested in a Portuguese hospital between March 17 and April 2 2020 were included in this descriptive retrospective study. The analyzed data included socio-demographic parameters, characteristics of the household, underlying medical conditions and symptoms. RESULTS: Ninety-four patients were included and all of them were symptomatic and treated without hospitalization. The most common symptoms were cough (80%;n=75), rhinorrhea (72%;n=68) and fever (60%;n=56). There was only one positive for SARS-CoV-2 in a five-year-old child with mild illness without epidemiologic linkage. CONCLUSION: This study showed a low rate of confirmed COVID-19 in children. The causes for this low rate can be multifactorial and illustrates how differently this virus spreads in the pediatric population.


Asunto(s)
COVID-19 , Niño , Preescolar , Humanos , Pandemias , Portugal/epidemiología , Estudios Retrospectivos , SARS-CoV-2
9.
Artículo en Inglés | IBECS | ID: ibc-203288

RESUMEN

ObjectiveTo assess the characteristics of suspected coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) and the rate of confirmed COVID-19 in a pediatric population at the beginning of the pandemic in Portugal.Study designSuspected COVID-19 pediatric cases that were tested in a Portuguese hospital between March 17 and April 2 2020 were included in this descriptive retrospective study. The analyzed data included socio-demographic parameters, characteristics of the household, underlying medical conditions and symptoms.ResultsNinety-four patients were included and all of them were symptomatic and treated without hospitalization. The most common symptoms were cough (80%;n=75), rhinorrhea (72%;n=68) and fever (60%;n=56). There was only one positive for SARS-CoV-2 in a five-year-old child with mild illness without epidemiologic linkage.ConclusionThis study showed a low rate of confirmed COVID-19 in children. The causes for this low rate can be multifactorial and illustrates how differently this virus spreads in the pediatric population.


ObjetivoEvaluar las características en casos sospechosos y la tasa de casos confirmados de enfermedad por coronavirus 19 (COVID-19) en una población pediátrica al inicio de la pandemia en Portugal.MétodosEn este estudio descriptivo-retrospectivo se incluyeron casos pediátricos sospechosos de COVID-19 que se testearon en un hospital portugués entre el 17 de marzo y el 2 de abril de 2020. Los datos fueron analizados bajo parámetros sociodemográficos, características del hogar, condiciones médicas subyacentes y síntomas.ResultadosSe incluyeron 94 pacientes, todos sintomáticos y tratados sin hospitalización. Los síntomas más frecuentes fueron tos (80%; n=75), rinorrea (72%; n=68) y fiebre (60%; n=56). Solo hubo un caso positivo para SARS-CoV-2, un niño de 5 años con una enfermedad leve, sin vínculo epidemiológico.ConclusiónEste estudio mostró una baja tasa de casos confirmados de COVID-19 en niños. Las causas de esta baja tasa pueden ser multifactoriales e ilustran cuán diferente se propaga este virus en la población pediátrica.


Asunto(s)
Humanos , Niño , Ciencias de la Salud , Coronavirus , Pediatría , Portugal , Salud Infantil , Reacción en Cadena de la Polimerasa , Coronavirus Relacionado al Síndrome Respiratorio Agudo Severo , Pandemias , Estudios Retrospectivos , Epidemiología Descriptiva , Enfermedades Transmisibles
10.
Pediatr Emerg Care ; 38(1): e240-e245, 2022 Jan 01.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32925706

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: The overcrowding of emergency departments (EDs) is an increasingly relevant public health problem. The main aims of this study were to identify and analyze temporal periodicities of a self-referred pediatric ED (PED), correlate them with meteorological and calendar variables and build a robust forecasting model. METHODS: An 8-year administrative data set (2010-2017) of the daily number of admissions to the PED of a public hospital in Lisbon, Portugal, was used (n = 670,379). A time-series model of the daily number of visits was built, including temporal periodicities, the Portuguese school calendar, and a meteorological comfort index (humidex). RESULTS: Several temporal cycles were identified: 1 year (peak in January/February related to respiratory infections in younger children and infants), 6 months (peaks in May and October with an increase in the admissions of older children and adolescents with trauma, gastrointestinal infections and atopic symptoms), 4 months (related to annual school vacations), 1 week (lower admission values on Saturday), and half a week (low from Friday to Monday morning). School calendar and humidex were significantly correlated with daily admissions. The model yielded a mean absolute percentage error of 10.7% ± 1.10% when cross-validation was performed for the full data set. CONCLUSION: Although PED visits are multifactorial, they may be predicted and explained by a relatively small number of variables. Such a model may be easily reproduced in different settings and represents a relevant tool to improve quality in EDs through correctly adapting human resources to ED demand.


Asunto(s)
Servicio de Urgencia en Hospital , Hospitalización , Adolescente , Niño , Hospitales Públicos , Humanos , Lactante , Portugal/epidemiología , Factores de Tiempo
11.
Adv Drug Deliv Rev ; 178: 113993, 2021 11.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34619286

RESUMEN

In vitro cell-based models have been used for a long time since they are normally easily obtained and have an advantageous cost-benefit. Besides, they can serve a variety of ends, from studying drug absorption and metabolism to disease modeling. However, some in vitro models are too simplistic, not accurately representing the living tissues. It has been shown, mainly in the last years, that fully mimicking a tissue composition and architecture can be paramount for cellular behavior and, consequently, for the outcomes of the studies using such models. Because of this, 3D in vitro cell models have been gaining much attention, since they are able to better replicate the in vivo environment. In this review we focus on 3D models that contain mucus-producing cells, as mucus can play a pivotal role in drug absorption. Being frequently overlooked, this viscous fluid can have an impact on drug delivery. Thus, the aim of this review is to understand to which extent can mucus affect mucosal drug delivery and to provide a state-of-the-art report on the existing 3D cell-based mucus models.


Asunto(s)
Técnicas de Cultivo Tridimensional de Células , Modelos Biológicos , Moco/citología , Humanos , Moco/metabolismo
12.
Appl Netw Sci ; 6(1): 49, 2021.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34226874

RESUMEN

Space Syntax and the theory of natural movement demonstrated that spatial morphology is a primary factor influencing movement. This paper investigates to what extent spatial morphology at different scales (node, community and global network) influences the use of public space by micromobility. An axial map and corresponding network for Lisbon's walkable and open public space, and data from e-scooters parking locations, is used as case study. Relevant metrics and their correlations (intelligibility, accessibility, permeability and local dimension) for the quantitative characterization of spatial morphology properties are described and computed for Lisbon's axial map. Communities are identified based on the network topological structure in order to investigate how these properties are affected at different scales in the case study. The resulting axial line clustering is compared via the variation of information metric with the clustering obtained from e-scooters' proximity. The results obtained enable to conclude that the space syntax properties are scale dependent in Lisbon's pedestrian network. On the other hand both the correlation between these properties, the number of scooters and the variation of information between clusters indicate that the spatial morphology is not the only factor influencing micromobility. Through the comparative analysis between the main properties of the public space network of Lisbon and data collected from e-scooters locations in a timeframe, centrality becomes a dynamic concept, relying not only on the static topological properties of the urban network, but also on other quantitative and qualitative factors, since the flows' operating on the network will operate several transformations on the spatial network properties through time, uncovering spatiotemporal dynamics.

13.
Artículo en Inglés, Español | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33268186

RESUMEN

OBJECTIVE: To assess the characteristics of suspected coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) and the rate of confirmed COVID-19 in a pediatric population at the beginning of the pandemic in Portugal. STUDY DESIGN: Suspected COVID-19 pediatric cases that were tested in a Portuguese hospital between March 17 and April 2 2020 were included in this descriptive retrospective study. The analyzed data included socio-demographic parameters, characteristics of the household, underlying medical conditions and symptoms. RESULTS: Ninety-four patients were included and all of them were symptomatic and treated without hospitalization. The most common symptoms were cough (80%;n=75), rhinorrhea (72%;n=68) and fever (60%;n=56). There was only one positive for SARS-CoV-2 in a five-year-old child with mild illness without epidemiologic linkage. CONCLUSION: This study showed a low rate of confirmed COVID-19 in children. The causes for this low rate can be multifactorial and illustrates how differently this virus spreads in the pediatric population.

14.
Int J Nurs Stud ; 109: 103672, 2020 Sep.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32569828

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Role stress (ambiguity and conflict) is a major psychosocial risk at work negatively associated with job satisfaction in the nursing context. According to Kanter's empowerment theory, high levels of structural empowerment reduce role stress, so role ambiguity and conflict could be potential mediators of the relationship between empowerment and job satisfaction. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze the relationships between structural empowerment, role stress (ambiguity and conflict), and job satisfaction, assuming the mediating role of role stress on the relationship between structural empowerment and job satisfaction. DESIGN: A cross-sectional design was utilized, using questionnaires for data collection and convenience sampling. SETTING(S): Private health care organizations in southern Portugal. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred and twenty-four registered nurses (sample 1) and one hundred and thirty certified nursing assistants (sample 2) completed self-report measures of structural empowerment, role stress, and job satisfaction. METHODS: Mediation analysis was performed using linear regression models and the bootstrapping method. Bias-Corrected confidence intervals (95%) were calculated for the study of direct and indirect effects. RESULTS: In both samples, structural empowerment, role ambiguity, and role conflict were significant predictors of job satisfaction. Both ambiguity and role conflict partially mediated the effect of structural empowerment on job satisfaction. The effect mediated by ambiguity was greater than the effect mediated by role conflict in both registered nurses and certified nursing assistants. CONCLUSIONS: Two processes could explain the effect of structural empowerment on job satisfaction in the nursing context: a direct effect generating experiences and perceptions of power in professionals; and an indirect effect reducing role stress levels in the workplace. The creation of empowering workplaces which clarify work roles and functions of nursing staff should be a priority issue for health managers and nurse executives.


Asunto(s)
Satisfacción en el Trabajo , Poder Psicológico , Estudios Transversales , Humanos , Portugal , Encuestas y Cuestionarios
15.
Int Nurs Rev ; 67(3): 380-386, 2020 Sep.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32436283

RESUMEN

AIM: To analyse the moderating effect of role clarity on the relationship between social support (supervisor and colleagues) and job satisfaction. BACKGROUND: The social support of supervisors and co-workers and the clarity of roles are important antecedents of job satisfaction. According to the Conservation of Resources theory, the interaction of the instrumental nature of role clarity and social support would result in higher levels of job satisfaction in nursing. METHODS: Through a convenience sample, a final sample of 191 participants (64.92% registered nurses, 35.08% nursing assistants) was obtained from a private hospital complex in Portugal. Hierarchical linear regression models were carried out to check the moderating function of role clarity. RESULTS: Regression models showed the moderating effect of role clarity. Nursing staff with high social support from their supervisors and peers showed higher scores in job satisfaction when role clarity was high. CONCLUSION: An adequate description of roles, through clear and detailed information regarding expected functions, responsibilities and behaviour, allows the effect of social support from supervisors and co-workers on job satisfaction to be stronger. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Strategies such as defining responsibilities, setting clear expectations and role analysis allow a reduction in sources of uncertainty in jobs. Training in communication and feedback skills would improve the social support given by supervisors and colleagues. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING POLICY: Hospital boards and nurse managers should be aware of the importance of clarifying roles, responsibilities, and functions of each professional category and hierarchical level for the provision of adequate quality of care.


Asunto(s)
Satisfacción en el Trabajo , Enfermeras Administradoras/psicología , Rol de la Enfermera/psicología , Asistentes de Enfermería/psicología , Personal de Enfermería en Hospital/psicología , Apoyo Social , Adulto , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Enfermeras Administradoras/estadística & datos numéricos , Asistentes de Enfermería/estadística & datos numéricos , Personal de Enfermería en Hospital/estadística & datos numéricos , Portugal , Encuestas y Cuestionarios
16.
West J Nurs Res ; 42(3): 187-193, 2020 03.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31148516

RESUMEN

The aim of the study was to verify the mediator role of work engagement between supervisor social support and affective organizational commitment. A cross-sectional and correlational study using questionnaires was conducted. We obtained a convenience sample of 267 participants from 403 nurses from two public hospitals (66.25% response rate). Participants were required to be registered nurses without a supervisor position and to have worked for at least 1 year in the same ward in a public hospital. The mediator role of work engagement was examined using path analysis and bootstrapping method (bias-corrected confidence intervals). Results showed that affective organizational commitment was positively and significantly predicted by supervisor support, vigor, and absorption. Supervisor support had both a direct effect and an indirect effect, through vigor and absorption, on affective organizational commitment. Social support from supervisors allows an increase both in nurses' engagement and their desire to remain in the organization.


Asunto(s)
Personal de Enfermería en Hospital , Cultura Organizacional , Lealtad del Personal , Apoyo Social , Compromiso Laboral , Adulto , Estudios Transversales , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Personal de Enfermería en Hospital/psicología , Personal de Enfermería en Hospital/estadística & datos numéricos , Portugal , Encuestas y Cuestionarios
17.
Arch Environ Contam Toxicol ; 78(2): 245-253, 2020 Feb.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31858197

RESUMEN

Open-air landfill's may be are considered as a potential source of human environmental exposure to chemical substances such as, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and toxic metals. Due to possible availability of mercury in the environment caused by open landfill emissions, this study evaluates the spatiality and seasonality of macroinvertebrates, in particular shrimps (Macrobrachium amazonicum), exposure to mercury (Hg). Information regarding Hg accumulation in this crustacean may be important for the development of public policies aiming conservation and preservation of ecosystems surrounding landfills in Amazon, and around the world. Sampling occurred quarterly in the following months: November/2015; February/2016; May/2016 and; August/2016. In each of these months, three points were selected: P1, P2 and P3. The samples were processed via acid digestion and the quantification of metal was performed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The average concentration of total mercury (T-Hg) was 24.565 ± 6.610 µg kg-1 wet weight, with minimum and maximum limits of 12.742 ± 11.367 (P3) and 35.509 ± 14.761 µg kg-1 wet weight (P1) in November/2015 and August/2016, respectively. The concentration of total mercury (T-Hg) in shrimps was different between points (p = 0.004) and months (p = 0.000). The T-Hg concentrations were significantly higher in May and August 2016, which corresponds to the dry season. The presence of landfills promotes large accumulation of T-Hg in the aquatic biota and represents a risk to human health. However, seasonal changes in T-Hg levels were observed. In the wettest period, bioconcentration factor levels decrease in aquatic organisms.


Asunto(s)
Monitoreo del Ambiente/métodos , Mercurio/análisis , Palaemonidae/efectos de los fármacos , Contaminantes Químicos del Agua/análisis , Animales , Organismos Acuáticos/efectos de los fármacos , Organismos Acuáticos/metabolismo , Bioacumulación , Brasil , Ecosistema , Biomarcadores Ambientales , Mercurio/farmacocinética , Mercurio/toxicidad , Músculos/efectos de los fármacos , Músculos/metabolismo , Palaemonidae/metabolismo , Ríos , Estaciones del Año , Instalaciones de Eliminación de Residuos , Contaminantes Químicos del Agua/farmacocinética , Contaminantes Químicos del Agua/toxicidad
18.
Artículo en Inglés | IBECS | ID: ibc-194292

RESUMEN

OBJECTIVE: To assess the characteristics of suspected coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) and the rate of confirmed COVID-19 in a pediatric population at the beginning of the pandemic in Portugal. STUDY DESIGN: Suspected COVID-19 pediatric cases that were tested in a Portuguese hospital between March 17 and April 2 2020 were included in this descriptive retrospective study. The analyzed data included socio-demographic parameters, characteristics of the household, underlying medical conditions and symptoms. RESULTS: Ninety-four patients were included and all of them were symptomatic and treated without hospitalization. The most common symptoms were cough (80%; n = 75), rhinorrhea (72%; n = 68) and fever (60%; n = 56). There was only one positive for SARS-CoV-2 in a five-year-old child with mild illness without epidemiologic linkage. CONCLUSION: This study showed a low rate of confirmed COVID-19 in children. The causes for this low rate can be multifactorial and illustrates how differently this virus spreads in the pediatric population


OBJETIVO: Evaluar las características en casos sospechosos y la tasa de casos confirmados de enfermedad por coronavirus 19 (COVID-19) en una población pediátrica al inicio de la pandemia en Portugal. MÉTODOS: En este estudio descriptivo-retrospectivo se incluyeron casos pediátricos sospechosos de COVID-19 que se testearon en un hospital portugués entre el 17 de marzo y el 2 de abril de 2020. Los datos fueron analizados bajo parámetros sociodemográficos, características del hogar, condiciones médicas subyacentes y síntomas. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 94 pacientes, todos sintomáticos y tratados sin hospitalización. Los síntomas más frecuentes fueron tos (80%; n = 75), rinorrea (72%; n = 68) y fiebre (60%; n = 56). Solo hubo un caso positivo para SARS-CoV-2, un niño de 5 años con una enfermedad leve, sin vínculo epidemiológico. CONCLUSIÓN: Este estudio mostró una baja tasa de casos confirmados de COVID-19 en niños. Las causas de esta baja tasa pueden ser multifactoriales e ilustran cuán diferente se propaga este virus en la población pediátrica


Asunto(s)
Humanos , Masculino , Femenino , Niño , Adolescente , Infecciones por Coronavirus/epidemiología , Neumonía Viral/epidemiología , Pandemias , Estudios Retrospectivos , Estudios Transversales , Portugal/epidemiología
19.
Workplace Health Saf ; 67(8): 391-398, 2019 Aug.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31288628

RESUMEN

In the nursing context, structural empowerment has proved to be an organizational tool leading to the prevention of stress and burnout. Structural empowerment is defined as the perception of the presence or absence of empowering conditions in the workplace. However, few studies have explored the particular relationships between power in organizations, structural empowerment, and burnout. The aim of this study was to examine the mediator role of structural empowerment (access to opportunities, information, support, and resources) in the relationship between formal and informal power, and core burnout among Portuguese nurses. We administered a questionnaire among a convenience sample of 304 nurses employed in public hospitals. Model fit and mediation analysis were conducted using path analysis and bootstrapping methods. Formal power, informal power, access to opportunities, and access to resources were significant and negative predictors of core burnout. Opportunities, resources, and informal power had a direct influence on core burnout. Formal power and informal power showed an indirect influence, mediated by opportunities and resources, on core burnout. These findings suggest that by providing nurses with high levels of formal and informal power, as well as access to resources and opportunities, their risk of core burnout can be lowered.


Asunto(s)
Agotamiento Profesional/complicaciones , Personal de Enfermería/psicología , Poder Psicológico , Adulto , Agotamiento Profesional/psicología , Estudios Transversales , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Cultura Organizacional , Portugal , Encuestas y Cuestionarios
20.
Health Care Manag (Frederick) ; 38(3): 220-227, 2019.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31261190

RESUMEN

Greater effectiveness of health care does occur with a more effective management of interpersonal processes. A working management environment, which ensures sufficient access to information, support, resources, and opportunities (structural empowerment), probably can promote a personal perception of capacity and effectiveness (global empowerment) in caregivers to achieve organizational objectives and job satisfaction. This study evaluated the relationship between empowerment and job satisfaction, supported by Kanter's theory of structural empowerment. This study used a convenience sample of 151 nurses from public Portuguese hospitals. The adjustment of the model and the effect of mediation were carried out with a structural equation model (path analysis) through the statistical software STATA. The results show the mediator effect of global empowerment on the relationship between structural empowerment and job satisfaction and the direct and indirect effects of "access to opportunities" in job satisfaction. Managers of these health units should consider that the more the work environment is characterized by having the resources, opportunities, and support indispensable to the good execution of the work by the nurses, the greater the global empowerment and job satisfaction. The results obtained can be an important contribution that can be adopted as a strategy in any health institution without any harm.


Asunto(s)
Agotamiento Profesional/prevención & control , Empoderamiento , Satisfacción en el Trabajo , Cultura Organizacional , Lugar de Trabajo/psicología , Estudios Transversales , Humanos , Modelos Psicológicos , Portugal , Encuestas y Cuestionarios
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