Programa de competências pessoais e sociais para adultos em exclusão social

Trabalho apresentado em XIII Congreso Internacional Galego-Portugués de Psicopedagoxía, Área 8 Interculturalidad, inclusión social y educación. Universidad da Coruña, 3 de Setembro de 2015.

Programa de competências pessoais e sociais para adultos em exclusão social

Trabalho apresentado em XIII Congreso Internacional Galego-Portugués de Psicopedagoxía, Área 8 Interculturalidad, inclusión social y educación. Universidad da Coruña, 3 de Setembro de 2015.

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.

Relação entre qualidade da quditoria e manipulação de resultados

A presente dissertação tem como objetivo analisar se existe relação entre a manipulação de resultados e a qualidade da auditoria, baseado no estudo do comportamento de determinados “accruals” nas empresas portuguesas não cotadas. Nos diversos estudos existentes sobre o tema “Relação da Qualidade da Auditoria e Manipulação de Resultados”, surgem abordados muitos aspetos, nomeadamente no que respeita às motivações, às formas de manipulação e métodos de deteção que se verifica no campo da auditoria e, este trabalho, pretende abordar se o processo da auditoria é, ou não, eficaz na deteção destas práticas efetuadas pelos gestores, pois isso influencia a confiança naqueles que utilizam a informação financeira. Desta forma, o trabalho pretende basear-se nestas abordagens e complementar visões e conclusões. Neste âmbito, surgem perspetivas e informações que alertam para comportamentos de risco, assim como a sua origem, ou seja, as motivações que provocam esta prática, tanto por parte dos gestores como dos administradores. É nesta perspetiva que este trabalho se enquadra, numa sociedade contemporânea que continuadamente dá exemplos reais e concretos destas práticas. Um ponto é comum, que é o facto de a manipulação dos resultados surgir principalmente pelo motivo dos interesses e motivações por parte dos gestores em conseguirem benefícios. Na tese são abordados os incentivos que levam à manipulação no contexto português, que parecem estar relacionados com o contexto económico e fiscal, onde é desenvolvida a atividade dos agentes económicos. Outra abordagem importante no trabalho é a referência às principais metodologias de detenção da manipulação de resultados, nomeadamente os modelos baseados nos accruals e na distribuição de resultados. O modelo empírico deste estudo consiste numa regressão linear múltipla, com o objetivo de explicar a relação, entre a variável accruals discricionários e as variáveis Big4, a dimensão da empresa, o endividamento, o volume de negócios e a rendibilidade. Para complementar este estudo a análise empírica incidiu sobre 4723 empresas portuguesas não cotadas, a amostra usada foi baseada na base de dados SABI, para um período de análise entre 2011 a 2013. Os resultados encontrados sugerem que existe relação entre a qualidade da auditoria e a manipulação dos resultados concluindo que as empresas auditadas pelas Big4 apresentam accruals discricionários inferiores às restantes empresas.

Clinical and epidemiological profile of female blood donors with positive serology for viral hepatitis B

ABSTRACTINTRODUCTION:Since women are frequently the minority among blood donors worldwide, studies evaluating this population usually reflect male features. We assessed the features of female blood donors with positive serology for HBV and compared them with those of men.METHODS The study comprised consecutive blood donors referred to a specialized liver disease center to be evaluated due to HBsAg- and/or anti-HBc-positive tests.RESULTS: The study encompassed 1,273 individuals, 219 (17.2%) of whom were referred due to positive HBsAg test and 1,054 (82.8%) due to reactive anti-HBc test. Subjects' mean age was 36.8±10.9 years, and 28.7% were women. Female blood donors referred for positive HBsAg screening tests demonstrated higher prevalence of healthcare workers (9.3% vs 2.5%) and lower prevalence of sexual risk behaviors (15.1% vs 41.1%) and alcohol abuse (1.9% vs 19.8%) compared to men. Women had lower ALT (0.6 vs 0.8×ULN), AST (0.6 vs 0.8×ULN), direct bilirubin (0.2 vs 0.3mg/dL), and alkaline phosphatase (0.5 vs 0.6×ULN) levels and higher platelet count (223,380±50,293 vs 195,020±53,060/mm3). Women also had a higher prevalence of false-positive results (29.6% vs 17.0%). No differences were observed with respect to liver biopsies. Female blood donors referenced for reactive anti-HBc screening tests presented similar clinical, epidemiological, and biochemical characteristics to those reported for positive HBsAg screening tests and similarly had a higher prevalence of false-reactive results.CONCLUSIONS: Compared to men, female blood donors with positive HBsAg and/or anti-HBc screening tests demonstrated higher prevalence of professional risk and false-positive results and reduced alteration of liver chemistry.

Clinical and epidemiological features of AIDS/tuberculosis comorbidity

Considering the relevance of AIDS/tuberculosis comorbidity worldwide, especially in Brazil, this study was developed to describe the clinical and epidemiological features of the comorbid cases identified from 1989 to 1997 by the epidemiology service of the Hospital das Clínicas of the Universidade de São Paulo. METHODS: Databases containing information on all identified AIDS/tuberculosis cases cared for at the hospital were used to gather information on comorbid cases. RESULTS: During the period, 559 patients were identified as presenting with AIDS/tuberculosis comorbidity. Risk behavior for AIDS was primarily heterosexual contact (38.9%), followed by intravenous drug use (29.3%) and homosexual/bisexual contact (23.2%). Regarding clinical features, there were higher rates of extrapulmonary tuberculosis when compared to tuberculosis without comorbidity. There was an increase in reporting of AIDS by ambulatory units during the period. Epidemiologically, there was a decrease in the male/female ratio, a predominance in the 20 to 39 year-old age group, and a majority of individuals who had less than 8 years of schooling and had low professional qualifications. CONCLUSIONS: High rates of AIDS/tuberculosis cases at our hospital indicate the need for better attention towards early detection of tuberculosis, especially in its extrapulmonary form. Since the population that attends this hospital tends to be of a lower socioeconomic status, better management of AIDS and tuberculosis is required to increase the rates of treatment adherence and thus lower the social costs.

O que é comportamento de risco para transtornos alimentares em adolescentes?

OBJETIVO: Caracterizar comportamento de risco para transtornos alimentares (TA) e sua frequência entre adolescentes em uma revisão da literatura nacional e internacional. MÉTODOS: Foi realizada uma busca bibliográfica por meio de uma revisão integrativa nas bases de dados PubMed (US National Library of Medicine)e Lilacs e no portal SciELO,utilizando-se os descritores relacionados à "eating disorder risk behavior". Foram selecionados artigos publicados nos últimos 10 anos, nos idiomas português, espanhol e inglês, e especificamente com adolescentes. Foram avaliados 76 artigos e analisados a nomenclatura e os instrumentos utilizados para avaliar comportamento de risco para TA e sua prevalência. RESULTADOS: Encontrou-se uma série de termos para avaliar risco para TA. A metodologia mais utilizada foi a de questionários e escalas, destacando-se o EAT-26 ou 40 e o BITE, dentre os mais frequentes; a prevalência de risco variou de 0,24% a 58,4%. CONCLUSÃO: Diferentes nomenclaturas e instrumentos são utilizados para avaliar comportamento de risco para TA entre adolescentes, com grande amplitude nos resultados de prevalência. Maior padronização de termos e metodologia de avaliação permitiriam melhor comparação entre estudos epidemiológicos em diferentes localidades.

Comportamentos de risco na juventude: Uma perspetiva de género e interseccional

Tese de Doutoramento em Psicologia - Especialidade em Psicologia Social

Application of receptive music therapy in internal medicine and cardiology

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of receptive music therapy in clinical practice. METHODS: Receptive music therapy was individually applied via musical auditions, including five stages: musical stimulation, sensation, situation, reflection, and behavioral alteration. Following anamnesis and obtainment of consent, patients answered a first questionnaire on health risk evaluation (Q1), and after participating in 16 weekly music therapy sessions, answered a second one (Q2). RESULTS: Two men and 8 women, aged above 18 years, referred to us due to symptoms of stress, emotional suffering, and the need to change lifestyles (health risk behavior) were studied between August 1998 and December 1999. Comparison between answers to Q1 and Q2, showed a trend (P=0.059) for reduction of ingestion of cholesterol-rich foods and for increased prospects in life with a tendency towards improvement, and also of increased intake of fiber-rich food (55.6%), increased levels of personal satisfaction (44.5%), and decreased levels of stress (66.7%). CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated decreased stress levels and increased personal satisfaction, higher consumption of fiber-rich food, lower cholesterol intake, and a better perspective on life, suggesting that receptive music therapy may be applied in clinical practice as an auxiliary therapeutic intervention for the treatment of behavioral health risks.

Psychosocial adjustment and physical health in children of divorce

Objective: To review the literature on the effects of parental divorce over the psychological maladjustment and physical health problems in children of divorced parents, thus contributing to the integration of existing scientific knowledge based on the biopsychosocial model of the impact of divorce on children’s physical health as proposed by Troxel and Matthews (2004). Sources: Review of the literature using MEDLINE and PsycInfo (1980-2007) databases, selecting the most representative articles on the subject. Special attention was paid to contributions by internationally renowned investigators on the subject. Summary of the findings: Divorce may be responsible for a decline of physical and psychological health in children. The developmental maladjustment of children is not triggered by divorce itself, but rather by other risk factors associated with it, such as interparental conflict, parental psychopathology, decline in socio-economic level, inconsistency in parenting styles, a parallel and conflicting co-parenting relationship between parents and low levels of social support. Such risk factors trigger maladjusted developmental pathways, marked by psychopathological symptoms, poor academic performance, worst levels of physical health, risk behavior, exacerbated psychophysiological responses to stress and weakening of the immune system. Conclusions: Clear links were observed between experiencing parental divorce and facing problems of physical and psychological maladjustment in children. Divorce is a stressor that should be considered by health professionals as potentially responsible for maladjusted neuropsychobiological responses and for decline in children’s physical health.

Química y actividad biológica en Huperzia saururus. Chemistry and biological activity in Huperzia saururus.

El presente proyecto apunta a buscar una posible solución a dos problemáticas de salud que afectan a un importante grupo de la población mundial y son los asociados a la enfermedad de Alzheimer (EA) y a la disfunción eréctil. La EA es una enfermedad neurodegenerativa progresiva caracterizada por la pérdida de memoria a corto plazo, entre otras manifestaciones. En la actualidad la terapia más utilizada son los inhibidores de la acetilcolinesterasa (AChE), ya que acetilcolina es el principal neurotransmisor afectado. No obstante, los agentes terapéuticos utilizados presentan efectos no deseados a nivel gastrointestinal, lo que motiva la búsqueda de nuevos agentes. A partir del estudio de la especie autóctona Huperzia saururus aislamos hasta el presente 10 alcaloides, algunos de los cuales resultaron activos sobre la retención de memoria, investigación realizada mediante ensayos tanto in vitro como in vivo. A partir de los promisorios resultados obtenidos se continuarán profundizando estos estudios y también se buscará el farmacóforo, la parte de la estructura responsable de la actividad. Para ello, se realizarán modificaciones químicas de los grupos funcionales y los productos obtenidos serán igualmente evaluados por su actividad sobre memoria. Los que resulten activos serán investigados en relación a su toxicidad, en la búsqueda de potenciales agentes terapéuticos. Paralelamente se estudiarán las diferentes familias de compuestos presentes en la especie, dado que el uso popular proclama su efecto afrodisíaco. La búsqueda de un afrodisíaco perfecto que incremente el deseo sexual, el placer y el desempeño, ha sido una constante desde los tiempos remotos. En todos los casos, se ha buscado mejorar el rendimiento sexual o combatir la disfunción eréctil (DE). Este término se describe como “la incapacidad constante para alcanzar o mantener una erección que es satisfactoria para el rendimiento sexual”. Para investigar la actividad biológica de H. saururus, los extractos y compuestos aislados serán evaluados por la generación de NO que produzcan, la que será estimada mediante la acumulación de nitrito, metabolito estable del NO, en sobrenadantes de cultivo de células endoteliales (HUVEC). Los que resulten efectivos serán evaluados mediante ensayos in vivo tales como, el de conducta sexual en machos y de comportamiento de monta. Del mismo modo que para los alcaloides, se estudiará la toxicidad de los compuestos que resulten activos a los fines de proseguir la metodología en la investigación preclínica de potenciales medicamentos. The present Project aims to look for a possible solution for two health problems that affect an important group of world population and they are those associated to Alzheimer Disease (AD) and Erectile Dysfunction. AD is a neurodegenerative progressive disease characterized by short term memory loss, among other signs. Nowadays the most used therapy are the acethylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChE), in view that the acethylcholine is the main neurotransmitter affected. Nevertheless, the therapeutic agents used present collateral effects at gastrointestinal level, so it motivates the search for new agents. From the autochthonous species Huperzia saururus we have isolated 10 alkaloids until the present, some of which were active on memory retention, investigation developed in vitro and in vivo. After these promising results, these studies will be continued, as well as the search for the pharmacophore. For this reason, chemical modifications on functional groups will be done and the obtained products will be evaluated on their activity on memory as well. In line with this, the different families of compounds present in H. saururus will be studied in view that the popular use claims its aphrodisiac effect. The search for a perfect aphrodisiac that increase the sexual desire, the pleasure and performance was a constant since the old times. In all the cases it was looked a better sexual performance or fight against the erectile dysfunction (DE). For investigate the biological activity of H. saururus, the extracts and the isolated compounds will be evaluated on the NO generation, which will be estimated by means of nitrite accumulation, stable metabolite of NO, in supernatants of endothelial cell cultures (HUVEC). The compounds that appear effectives will be evaluated by in vivo assays such as sexual male behavior, and mount behavior. As for alkaloids, toxicity of active compounds will be studied to follow the pre-clinic methodology research of potential medicines.

Construcción y validación de un cuestionario para medir conductas, conocimientos y actitudes sobre la higiene de las manos en personal sanitario en formacion.

Background: Hand hygiene in the health context is a complex behaviour. There have been rarely given the role of the knowledge and attitudes as predictors of hand hygiene behaviour. The main objective of this work is the description of the development of a questionnaire on hand hygiene and the analysis of their measurement properties. Method: An instrument which was designed and validated a questionnaire. It was held in January 2009. It finally has had 50 items that assess risk behaviour intention before and after contact with the patient, declarative knowledge and attitudes about hand hygiene. It has been applied to 431 students of health sciences at the University of Granada. Results: There were three factor analysis, ultimately obtaining a general convergence value that explains 46.01% of the total variance and high reliability (a=0,843). There is correlation between knowledge and behavior intentions before and after patient contact (p <0.01).In turn, the attitude correlates only with behavioral intention before (p <0.05). The hand hygiene behavior refers to a higher mean after the completion of various health activities before the same (4.26 and 3.96 respectively). Both declarative knowledge and attitudes significantly predict behavioral intention, in particular the conduct before the contact with the patient (R2 = 0.100, standardized Beta 0.256 for knowledge and 0.145 for attitudes). Conclusions: The questionnaire shows high internal consistency. We have obtained a valid tool for assessing risk behavior, knowledge and attitudes about students’ hand hygiene in health sciences. The tool detects deficiencies in basic skills in students.

Prevención de propagación de epidemias usando dispositivos inteligentes, mediante el análisis de lenguaje natural, para detectar comportamientos de riesgo en las redes sociales

El presente trabajo proporciona un nivel de ayuda para los usuarios de aplicaciones sociales, brindándoles un criterio adicional al momento de contactar a otra persona, apoyando al usuario con advertencias sobre algún comportamiento de riesgo de sus contactos y fomentando así la prevención de enfermedades.

HIV-1 elite controllers: beware of super-infections.

Super- and co-infection with HIV-1 are generally associated with accelerated disease progression. We report on the outcome of super-infection in two HIV-1 infected individuals previously known as elite controllers. Both presented an acute retroviral syndrome following super-infection and showed an immuno-virological progression thereafter. Host genotyping failed to reveal any of the currently recognized protective factors associated with slow disease progression. This report indicates that elite controllers should be informed of the risk of super-infection, and illustrates the complexity of mounting broad anti-HIV immunity.

Five-year monitoring of a gay-friendly voluntary counselling and testing facility in Switzerland: who got tested and why?

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: An increase in new HIV cases among men who have sex with men (MSM) has been reported in Switzerland since 2001. A rapid result HIV testing for MSM through voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) facility ("Checkpoint") was opened in Geneva in 2005. This gay-friendly facility, the first to open in Switzerland, provides testing for sexually transmitted infections (STI) and rapid result HIV testing and counselling. Our objective was to analyze Checkpoint's activity over its first five years of activity and its ability to attract at-risk MSM. METHODS: We used routine data collected anonymously about the facility activity (number of clients, number of tests, and test results) and about the characteristics of the clientele (sociodemographic data, sexual risk behaviour, and reasons for testing) from 2005 to 2009. RESULTS: The yearly number of HIV tests performed increased from 249 in 2005 to 561 in 2009. The annual proportion of positive tests among tests performed varied between 2% and 3%. Among MSM clients, the median annual number of anal intercourse (AI) partners was three. Roughly 30% of all MSM clients had at least one unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) experience in the previous 12 months with a partner of different/unknown HIV status.The main reason for testing in 2007, 2008, and 2009 was "sexual risk exposure" (~40%), followed by "routine" testing (~30%) and "condom stopping in the beginning of a new steady relationship" (~10%). Clients who came to the facility after a sexual risk exposure, compared to clients who came for "routine testing" or "condom stopping" reasons, had the highest number of AI partners in the previous 12 months, were more likely to have had UAI with a partner of different/unknown HIV status in the previous 12 months (respectively 57.3%, 12.5%, 23.5%), more likely to have had an STI diagnosed in the past (41.6%, 32.2%, 22.9%), and more likely to report recent feelings of sadness or depression (42.6%; 32.8%, 18.5%). CONCLUSION: Many of Checkpoint's clients reported elevated sexual risk exposure and risk factors, and the annual proportion of new HIV cases in the facility is stable. This VCT facility attracts the intended population and appears to be a useful tool contributing to the fight against the HIV epidemic among MSM in Switzerland.