Looking the organization's "backstages": political leadership in health organizations

Although leadership investigation has become for the last years an election topic with major relevance on organizational studies and accepting peacefully the general idea that organizations are freeland for politics, all these acceptances run against a kind of “fear” from the academy scholars on approaching the political leaderships’ singularities on organizations. Indeed, when we cross over both phenomena we verify that the absence and weaknesses towards the unique characteristics of political leadership on work scenarios are becoming sharped regarding to their predictors, their workers and their organizations, even if we left aside its moderator variables.

Fungi spores dimension matters in health effects: a methodology for more detail fungi exposure assessment

Health effects resulting from dust inhalation in occupational environments may be more strongly associated with specific microbial components, such as fungi, than to the particles. The aim of the present study is to characterize the occupational exposure to the fungal burden in four different occupational settings (two feed industries, one poultry and one waste sorting industry), presenting results from two air sampling methods – the impinger collector and the use of filters. In addition, the equipment used for the filter sampling method allowed a more accurate characterization regarding the dimension of the collected fungal particles (less than 2.5 μm size). Air samples of 300L were collected using the impinger Coriolis μ air sampler. Simultaneously, the aerosol monitor (DustTrak II model 8532, TSI®) allowed assessing viable microbiological material below the 2.5 μm size. After sampling, filters were immersed in 300 mL of sterilized distilled water and agitated for 30 min at 100 rpm. 150 μl from the sterilized distilled water were subsequently spread onto malt extract agar (2%) with chloramphenicol (0.05 g/L). All plates were incubated at 27.5 ºC during 5–7 days. With the impinger method, the fungal load ranged from 0 to 413 CFU.m-3 and with the filter method, ranged from 0 to 64 CFU.m-3. In one feed industry, Penicillium genus was the most frequently found genus (66.7%) using the impinger method and three more fungi species/genera/complex were found. The filter assay allowed the detection of only two species/genera/complex in the same industry. In the other feed industry, Cladosporium sp. was the most found (33.3%) with impinger method and three more species/genera/complex were also found. Through the filter assay four fungi species/genera/complex were found. In the assessed poultry, Rhyzopus sp. was the most frequently detected (61.2%) and more three species/genera/complex were isolated. Through the filter assay, only two fungal species/genera/complex were found. In the waste sorting industry Penicillium sp. was the most prevalent (73.6%) with the impinger method, being isolated two more different fungi species/genera/complex. Through the filter assay only Penicillium sp. was found. A more precise determination of occupational fungal exposure was ensured, since it was possible to obtain information regarding not only the characterization of fungal contamination (impinger method), but also the size of dust particles, and viable fungal particles, that can reach the worker ́s respiratory tract (filters method). Both methods should be used in parallel to enrich discussion regarding potential health effects of occupational exposure to fungi.

Selenium role in an human biomonitoring study applied to occupational health

Selenium functions as a co-factor for the reduction of antioxidant enzymes and is an important component of antioxidant enzymes. Dietary selenium significantly inhibits the induction of skin, liver, colon, and mammary tumours in experimental animals by a number of different carcinogens, as well as the induction of mammary tumours by viruses. Selenium shows a “U” shaped curve for functionality, whereby too little is as damaging as too much. At optimal levels, selenium may protect against the formation of DNA adducts, DNA or chromosome breakage, chromosome gain or loss, mitochondrial DNA, and telomere length and function. Aim of study: Investigate the relation between selenium and genotoxic effects in a human biomonitoring study applied to occupational health.

Fungi, bacteria and pollens seasonally quantified at 3 basic schools in Lisbon: evaluation of ventilation need

Nowadays, most individuals spend about 80% of their time indoor and, consequently, the exposure to the indoor environment becomes more relevant than to the outdoor one. Children spend most of their time at home and at school and evaluations of their indoor environment are important for the time-weighted exposure. Due to their airways still in development, children are a sensitive group with higher risk than adults. Larger impact in health and educational performance of children demand indoor air quality studies of schools. The aim of this study was to assess the children exposure to bioaerosols. A methodology based upon passive sampling was applied to evaluate fungi, bacteria and pollens; its procedures and applicability was optimized. An indoor air study by passive sampling represents an easier and cheaper method when comparing with the use of automatic active samplers. Furthermore, it is possible to achieve important quality information without interfering in the classroom activities. The study was conducted in three schools, representative of different environments in the Lisbon urban area, at three different periods of the year to obtain a seasonal variation, to estimate the variability through the city and to understand the underneath causes. Fungi and bacteria were collected indoor and outdoor of the classrooms to determine the indoor/outdoor ratios and to assess the level of outdoor contamination upon the indoor environment. The children's exposure to pollen grains inside the classrooms was also assessed.

Exposure to dust in poultry: the importance of task differences for detailed exposure assessment

Dust is a complex mixture of particles of organic and inorganic origin and different gases absorbed in aerosol droplets. In a poultry unit include dried faecal matter and urine, skin flakes, ammonia, carbon dioxide, pollens, feed and litter particles, feathers, grain mites, fungi spores, bacteria, viruses and their constituents. Dust particles vary in size and differentiation between particle size fractions is important in health studies in order to quantify penetration within the respiratory system. A descriptive study was developed in order to assess exposure to particles in a poultry unit during different operations, namely routine examination and floor turn over. Direct-reading equipment was used (Lighthouse, model 3016 IAQ). Particle measurement was performed in 5 different sizes (PM0.5; PM1.0; PM2.5; PM5.0; PM10). The chemical composition of poultry litter was also determined by neutron activation analysis. Normally, the litter of poultry pavilions is turned over weekly and it was during this operation that the higher exposure of particles was observed. In all the tasks considered PM5.0 and PM10.0 were the sizes with higher concentrations values. PM10 is what turns out to have higher values and PM0.5 the lowest values. The chemical element with the highest concentration was Mg (5.7E6 mg.kg-1), followed by K (1.5E4 mg.kg-1), Ca (4.8E3 mg.kg-1), Na (1.7E3 mg.kg-1), Fe (2.1E2 mg.kg-1) and Zn (4.2E1 mg.kg-1). This high presence of particles in the respirable range (<5–7μm) means that poultry dust particles can penetrate into the gas exchange region of the lung. Larger particles (PM10) present a range of concentrations from 5.3E5 and 3.0E6 mg/m3.

Cidadania e diversidade em saúde: necessidades e estratégias de promoção de equidade nos cuidados

Este artigo introduz o conceito de cidadania associado à sua concretização no âmbito da saúde em contextos de diversidade. Conjuga resultados de vários projetos de investigação de cariz qualitativo como forma de ilustrar algumas das estratégias concebidas pelo Estado e pela sociedade civil em resposta às mudanças trazidas pelas migrações internacionais. Assim, identificam-se as necessidades da população, as barreiras de acesso aos cuidados de saúde, as principais fontes de desigualdades e iniquidade e algumas das estratégias desenvolvidas na promoção da equidade em saúde, alertando para a importância de levar em consideração as questões culturais e as de índole socioeconómica.

Avaliação da Usabilidade de um Projeto de eHealth, enquadrado na visão europeia de Health Technology Assessment (HTA)

Trabalho de projeto apresentado à Escola Superior de Comunicação Social como parte dos requisitos para obtenção de grau de mestre em Audiovisual e Multimédia.

Stress in university students and cardiovascular response to academic stressors

Introduction: University students are frequently exposed to events that can cause stress and anxiety, producing elevated cardiovascular responses. Repeated exposure to academic stress has implications to students’ success and well-being and may contribute to the development of long-term health problems. Objective: To identify stress levels and coping strategies in university students and assess the impact of stress experience in heart rate variability (HRV). Methods: 17 university students, 19-23 years, completed the University Students Stress Inventory, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scales and the Ways of Coping Questionnaire. Two 24h-Holter recordings were performed, on academic activity days, including one of them an exam situation. Results: Students tend to present moderate stress levels, and prefer problem-focused coping strategies in order to manage stress. Exam situations are perceived as significant stressors. Although we found no significant differences in HRV (SDNN), between days with and without an exam, we registered a lower SDNN score and a variation in heart rate (HR) related to exam situation (maximum HR peak at 10 minutes before the exam, and total HR recovery 20 minutes after the exam), reflecting sympathetic activation due to stress. Conclusions: These results suggest that academic events, especially those related to exam situations, are the cause of stress in university students, with implications at cardiovascular level, underlying the importance of interventions that help these students improve their coping skills and optimize stress management, in order to improve academic achievement and promote well-being and quality of life.

The contribution of cellblock – histogel – in bronchial washing samples

Introduction: The cellblock is a technique that enables the pathologist to study the morphological detail of residual samples and can be used when it is necessary to perform additional diagnostic techniques. Objective: Demonstrate the processing of bronchial washings in liquid based cytology to cellblock using HistoGel in residual samples, evaluating the morphology and preservation of cytological material. Methods: There were used 40 residual samples from bronchial washings in liquid based cytology, after determination of the clinical diagnosis, being made subsequently 40 cellblocks using HistoGel. For each cellblock there was made one histological section for analysis of cell morphology, which was subsequently stained with the routine histological staining. After microscope observation, the morphology was evaluated by 3 experts in the field of pathology, based on the parameters: Cellularity, Preservation and Background. Results: The average final score of 3 evaluators, on a scale of 0 to 100, in assessing the morphology of the 40 samples was 55.6. From the 40 histological sections, 5 of them were considered not viable for evaluation. Conclusions: The results obtained indicate median quality maintenance of morphology. However, it is noted that in only 5 cases it was not possible to determine an evaluation, knowing from the outset that these are residual samples with a very scant cellularity. Thus, it is possible to say that the processing of bronchial washings to cellblock using HistoGel contributes to a concentration of the cytological material, allowing its evaluation and subsequent diagnosis. Additional diagnostic techniques are shown equally viable in these cellblocks.

Education for health: alcohol and young aged school teenagers

Introduction: Alcohol consumption starts at an early age in Portuguese people. Health problems and risk behavior associated with excessive consumption can be prevented or highly reduced through effective school programs. Health professionals, such as biomedical scientists, (BSc), are important in promoting healthy lifestyles through the transmission of knowledge. Objective: Explore the role of the BSc in promoting health via intervention and clarification actions, (ICA), with 9th grade students from Agrupamento de Escolas da Portela e Moscavide (AEPM) and Visconde Juromenha (AEVJ); Verify the relationship between participating in the ICA and the level of knowledge acquired from it. Methods: Behaviors and beliefs concerning alcohol consumption and knowledge about the repercussions of it in the human body, mainly regarding the liver, were assessed by questionnaire. The questionnaire was completed before and after the ICA, by the control group (CG) and the study group (SG), respectively. The answers concerning knowledge were given points, later converted to a score from 0 to 100%. Data was analyzed applying descriptive statistics and the t-student test using SPSS 20.0. Results: After statistical analysis, it was found an average score of 48.8% for SG and 46.2% for CG. The difference between groups was statistically significant only in AEPM where ICA included a practical methodology (microscopic and macroscopic observation of pork livers), contrary to AEVJ. Conclusions: BSc intervention through ICA’s improves teenagers’ knowledge. Theoretical knowledge associated with practical approaches improves the retention of information and the development of a conscious behavior about the consumption of alcohol.