Influence of Apolipoprotein E Plasma Levels and Tobacco Smoking on the Induction of Neutralising Antibodies to Interferon-Beta

Interferon-beta (IFN-beta) therapy for multiple sclerosis (MS) is associated with a potential for induction of neutralizing antibodies (NAbs). Because immune reactivity depends on changes in lipoprotein metabolism, we investigated whether plasma lipoprotein profiles could be associated with the development of NAbs. Thirty-one female MS patients treated with subcutaneously administered IFN-beta were included. Demographic and clinical characteristics were compared between NAbs response groups using t tests for continuous and logistic regression analysis and Fisher's exact tests for categorical data, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression was used to evaluate the effect of potential confounders. Patients who developed NAbs had lower apoE levels before treatment, 67 (47-74) mg/L median (interquartile range), and at the moment of NAb analysis, 53 (50-84) mg/L, in comparison to those who remained NAb-negative, 83 (68-107) mg/L, P = 0.03, and 76 (66-87) mg/L, P = 0.04, respectively. When adjusting for age and smoking for a one-standard deviation decrease in apoE levels, a 5.6-fold increase in the odds of becoming NAb-positive was detected: odds ratios (OR) 0.18 (95% CI 0.04-0.77), P = 0.04. When adjusting for apoE, smoking habit became associated with NAb induction: OR 5.6 (95% CI 1.3-87), P = 0.03. These results suggest that apoE-containing lipoprotein metabolism and, possibly, tobacco smoking may be associated with risk of NAb production in female MS patients treated with IFN-beta.

BACTERIOLOGICAL HAZARDS AND RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH SEAFOOD CONSUMPTION IN BRAZIL

SUMMARY The present study is a review of data available in Brazil on bacterial diseases transmitted through the consumption of seafood and related products. Data are presented regarding outbreaks and cases of disease and laboratory findings associated with pathogens in seafood and related products, and methods for prevention and control are described.

MOLECULAR IDENTIFICATION OF Pseudoterranova azarasi LARVAE IN COD (Gadus sp.) SOLD FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION IN BRAZIL

Anisakiasis and Pseudoterranovosis are human diseases caused by the ingestion of live Anisakidae larvae in raw, undercooked or lightly marinated fish. Larvae were collected from one salted cod sold for human consumption in a Sao Paulo market in 2013. One section of one brownish larva was used for molecular analyses. The partial COX2 gene sequence from the larva had a nucleotide identity of 99.8 % with Pseudoterranova azarasi, which belongs to the Pseudoterranova decipiens species complex. The risk of allergy when consuming dead larvae in salted fish is not well known and should be considered.

How does household energy consumption contribute to PM10 emissions?

A Work Project, presented as part of the requirements for the Award of a Masters Degree in Economics from the NOVA – School of Business and Economics

Why is the make-up consumption in Portugal so low?

A Work Project, presented as part of the requirements for the Award of a Masters Degree in Management from the NOVA – School of Business and Economics

2008 Portuguese tobacco law: What are the effects on smoking rates?

A Work Project, presented as part of the requirements for the Award of a Masters Degree in Economics from the NOVA – School of Business and Economics

Consumption and emotional compensation in economic crisis

A Work Project, presented as part of the requirements for the Award of a Masters Degree in Management from the NOVA – School of Business and Economics

Web-assisted tobacco intervention in Portuguese : intentions to make behavioural changes and behavioural changes

ABSTRACT - The problem of how to support “intentions to make behavioural changes” (IBC) and “behaviour changes” (BC) in smoking cessation when there is a scarcity of resources is a pressing issue in public health terms. The present research focuses on the use of information and communications technologies and their role in smoking cessation. It is developed in Portugal after the ratification of WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (on 8 November 2005). The prevalence of smokers over fifteen years of age within the population stood at 20.9% (30.9% for men and 11.8% for women). While the strategy of helping people to quit smoking has been emphasised at National Health Service (NHS) level, the uptake of cessation assistance has exceeded the capacity of the service. This induced the search of new theoretical and practical venues to offer alternative options to people willing to stop smoking. Among these, the National Health Plan (NHP) of Portugal (2004-2010), identifies the use of information technologies in smoking cessation. eHealth and the importance of health literacy as a means of empowering people to make behavioural changes is recurrently considered an option worth investigating. The overall objective of this research is to understand, in the Portuguese context, the use of the Internet to help people to stop smoking. Research questions consider factors that may contribute to “intentions to make behavioural changes” (IBC) and “behavioural changes” (BC) while using a Web-Assisted Tobacco Intervention Probe (WATIP). Also consideration is given to the trade-off on the use of the Web as a tool for smoking cessation: can it reach a vast number of people for a small cost (efficiency) demonstrating to work in the domain of smoking cessation (efficacy)”? In addition to the introduction, there is a second chapter in which the use of tobacco is discussed as a public health menace. The health gains achieved by stopping smoking and the means of quitting are also examined, as is the use of the Internet in smoking cessation. Then, several research issues are introduced. These include background theory and the theoretical framework for the Sense of Coherence. The research model is also discussed. A presentation of the methods, materials and of the Web-Assisted Tobacco Intervention Probe (WATIP) follows. In chapter four the results of the use of the Web-Assisted Tobacco Intervention Probe (WATIP) are presented. This study is divided into two sections. The first describes results related to quality control in relation to the Web-Assisted Tobacco Intervention Probe (WATIP) and gives an overview of its users. Of these, 3,150 answered initial eligibility questions. In the end, 1,463 met all eligibility requirements, completed intake, decided on a day to quit smoking (Dday) and declared their “intentions to make behavioural changes” (IBC) while a second targeted group of 650 did not decide on a Dday. With two quit attempts made before joining the platform, most of the participants had experienced past failures while wanting to stop. The smoking rate averaged 21 cigarettes per day. With a mean age of 35, of the participants 55% were males. Among several other considerations, gender and the Sense of Coherence (SOC) influenced the success of participants in their IBC and endeavour to set quit dates. The results of comparing males and females showed that, for current smokers, establishing a Dday was related to gender differences, not favouring males (OR=0.76, p<0.005). Belonging to higher Socio-economic strata (SES) was associated with the intention to consider IBC (when compared to lower SES condition) (OR=1.57, p<0.001) and higher number of school years (OR=0.70, p<0.005) favoured the decision to smoking cessation. Those who demonstrated higher confidence in their likelihood of success in stopping in the shortest time had a higher rate of setting a Dday (OR=0.51, p<0.001). There were differences between groups in IBC reflecting the high and low levels of the SOC score (OR=1.43, p=0.006), as those who considered setting a Dday had higher levels of SOC. After adjusting for all variables, stages of readiness to change and SOC were kept in the model. This is the first Arm of this research where the focus is a discussion of the system’s implications for the participants’ “intentions to make behavioural changes” (IBC). Moreover, a second section of this study (second Arm) offers input collected from 77 in-depth interviews with the Web-Assisted Tobacco Intervention Probe (WATIP) users. Here, “Behaviour Change” (BC) and the usability of the platform are explored a year after IBC was declared. A percentage of 32.9% of self-reported, 12-month quitters in continuous abstinence from smoking from Dday to the 12-month follow- up point of the use of the Web-Assisted Tobacco Intervention Probe (WATIP) has been assessed. Comparing the Sense of Coherence (SOC) scores of participants by their respective means, according to the two groups, there was a significant difference in these scores of non smokers (BC) (M=144,66, SD=22,52) and Sense of Coherence (SOC) of smokers (noBC) (M=131,51, SD=21,43) p=0.014. This WATIP strategy and its contents benefit from the strengthening of the smoker’s sense of coherence (SOC), so that the person’s progress towards a life without tobacco may be experienced as comprehensible, manageable and meaningful. In this sample the sense of coherence (SOC) effect is moderate although it is associated with the day to quit smoking (Dday). Some of the limitations of this research have to do with self-selection bias, sample size (power) and self-reporting (no biochemical validation). The enrolment of participants was therefore not representative of the smoking population. It is not possible to verify the Web-Assisted Tobacco Intervention Probe (WATIP) evaluation of external validity; consequently, the results obtained cannot be applied generalized. No participation bias is provided. Another limitation of this study is the associated limitations of interviews. Interviewees’ perception that fabricating answers could benefit them more than telling the simple truth in response to questions is a risk that is not evaluated (with no external validation like measuring participants’ carbon monoxide levels). What emerges in this analysis is the relevance of the process that leads to the establishment of the quit day (Dday) to stop using tobacco. In addition, technological issues, when tailoring is the focus, are key elements for scrutiny. The high number of dropouts of users of the web platform mandates future research that should concentrate on the matters of the user-centred design of portals. The focus on gains in health through patient-centred care needs more research, so that technology usability be considered within the context of best practices in smoking cessation.

Which characteristics, behaviours and perceptions influence the consumption of Nestum private label brands?

A Work Project, presented as part of the requirements for the Award of a Masters Degree in Management from the NOVA – School of Business and Economics

The influence of consumption vocabulary on the encoding and retrieval of haptic information

A Work Project, presented as part of the requirements for the Award of a Masters Degree in Management from the NOVA – School of Business and Economics

Drivers of participation in collaborative consumption ventures

A Work Project, presented as part of the requirements for the Award of a Masters Degree in Management from the NOVA – School of Business and Economics

Complicações em idosos submetidos a cirurgia de correcção de de hérnias da parede abdominal

RESUMO: O envelhecimento da população é um fenómeno à escala mundial, com tendência a aumentar, sendo cada vez mais os idosos e mais velhos. Esta propensão é notória nos utentes que recorrem aos cuidados de saúde. À medida que se envelhece maior vai sen-do a vulnerabilidade e riscos para a saúde, bem como a prevalência para doenças croni-cas, que se traduz num aumento de hospitalizações e consumo. As complicações ocorri-das em idosos aquando submetidos a intervenções cirúrgicas estão descritas na literatu-ra, havendo uma escassez de publicações nacionais relacionadas com o tema. O presente estudo teve por objectivo caracterizar idosos submetidos a correcção cirúrgi-ca de hérnias da parede abdominal, os procedimentos e as complicações ocorridas. O estudo, transversal e de natureza quantitativa, foi realizado no Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Norte – Hospital Pulido Valente, e teve como critério de inclusão os indivíduos com 65 ou mais anos submetidos a correcção cirúrgica de hérnias da parede abdominal, realizadas em 2009-2010, que tiveram um período de recobro na Unidade de Cuidados Anestésicos Pós-operatórios. Para a obtenção dos dados, foram analisados os processos clínicos do Arquivo Clínico da Instituição e registada informação sobre variáveis de caracterização sócio demográfi-ca, de saúde pré, intra e pós-operatória imediata e descritivas da cirurgia. Foram avaliadas as situações de 164 indivíduos, 78.7% eram homens e 21.3% mulheres e a média de idades era de 72.4 anos e desvio padrão 5.46. Em termos de hábitos de Vida, foi possível constatar um predomínio de baixo consumo de tabaco (13.4%) e álcool (6.7%). O valor médio de co-morbilidades foi de 2.6 e desvio padrão de 1.34 sendo a maior prevalência de 3-4 co-morbilidades com 48.8%. Salienta-se que todas as mulheres da amostra apresentaram doenças. As patologias mais prevalentes são as do foro cardiovascular: Hipertensão Arterial (75.0%), Dislipidémia (35.4%) e Insuficiência Venosa Periférica (14.6%), de forma menos expressiva, mas igualmente relevante a Diabetes Mellitus (23.8%). Nos mais idosos [75 ou mais], verificou-se uma expressivi-dade Hipertrofia benigna da próstata (18.2%). Das cirurgias ocorridas predominou a correcção cirúrgica de Hérnia Inguinal.Das complicações identificadas prevaleceu a dor (97.6%). A hipotermia (34.8%), HTA (24.4%) e bradicárdia (14.6%) encontram-se entre as complicações mais determinantes. Verificaram-se diferenças com significado estatístico entre os dois grupos etários consi-derados nas complicações bradicárdia (p=0.021) e a saturação de oxigénio <90% (p = 0.006), hemorragia (p=0.036) e retenção urinária (p = 0.038). Neste estudo constata-se que a cirúrgica de hérnias da parede abdominal em idosos é uma realidade prevalente. Dos factores que possam estar associados a propensão para complicações pós-cirúrgicas, a idade e a presença de co-morbilidade controlada não revelaram ter influência. Também os tempos de cirurgia e de anestesia não revelaram influências no surgimento de complicações. A monitorização dos sinais vitais deve ser constante, desde o período pré-operatório imediato de forma a permitir aos profissionais de saúde identificar uma propensão para vulnerabilidade, com vantagem em ser apre-sentado sob a forma de score. Este manifestou diferenças significativas a nível dos dois grupos etários considerados (p=0.001). Este score, vai possibilitar sinalizar quais os idosos com maior susceptibilidade de ocorrência de complicações.------------------ABSTRACT:Population aging has become a worldwide phenomenon with tendency to increase. This is particularly evident due to the amount of elderly that attend the medical services. As one gets older, more vulnerable and more risks to one’s health. Also chronic diseas-es are more likely to exist which lead to more hospitalizations and increase of consuma-bles. The complications after a surgery in older people are well documented in international scientific studies, however national studies are still lacking. The present study aims to characterize elderly patients after abdominal hernia surgical correction, the procedures and complications detected. This transversal and quantitative nature like study, was held in the Centro Hospitalar Lisboa-Norte – Hospital Pulido Valente, and as inclusive criteria where patients with more than 65 or more years old, who undergone abdominal hernia surgical correction surgery in 2009-2010 and had the post-operation on the Unidade de Cuidados Anestésicos Pós-Operatorios. Data from the clinical files from the archive of the hospital where analyzed. Information was taken regarding social demographic variables; before, during and immediately after surgery variables and also descriptive of the surgery itself. Were evaluated 164 individuals, 78, 7% of which were men and 21, 3% women with an average age of 72, 4 years and standard deviation 5.46. Life habits analyzed detected low consumption of tobacco (13, 4%) and alcohol (6, 7%). The average of co-morblity was 2, 6 and standard deviation 1.34. The biggest prevalence of 3-4 co-morbilities was 48, 8%. Important to notice that, all women from the study presented illnesses. The illnesses more frequent were cardiovascular: High Blood Pressure (75%), Dyslipidemia (35, 4%), Deep Venous Insufficiency (14, 6%), less significant but also relevant, Diabetes Melli-tus (23, 8%). In the older (75 or more), was noticed Benign Prostatic (18, 2%). In the surgeries verified, the abdominal hernia correction was more frequent. From all thecomplications identified, pain was 97, 6%, Hypothermia 34, 8%, high Blood Pressure 24, 4% and Bradycardia 14, 6%, were higher prevalence. Was seen differences in the statistic meaning of the two groups in the Bradycardia com-plications (p=0.021), and the oxygen saturation < 90% (p=0.006), bleeding (p=0,036) and urine retention (p=0,038). In the present study it is evident that the abdominal hernia surgical correction in older population is a common procedure. Of all the factors that might be related with post-operatory complications, age and the presence of controlled co-morbility didn’t reveal relevant. Also, surgical times and duration of anesthesia didn´t seem to be related to complications incidence. Monitoring the vital signs must be constant since the immedi-ate post-operatory to ensure that the professionals can identify any possible vulnerabil-ity, presenting it in a score like way. The score has shown meaningful differences be-tween the two age groups analyzed (p=0,001). This score allows identifying which pa-tients are more likely to suffer complications.

Context-based identification of energy consumption in industrial plants

Nowadays, reducing energy consumption is one of the highest priorities and biggest challenges faced worldwide and in particular in the industrial sector. Given the increasing trend of consumption and the current economical crisis, identifying cost reductions on the most energy-intensive sectors has become one of the main concerns among companies and researchers. Particularly in industrial environments, energy consumption is affected by several factors, namely production factors(e.g. equipments), human (e.g. operators experience), environmental (e.g. temperature), among others, which influence the way of how energy is used across the plant. Therefore, several approaches for identifying consumption causes have been suggested and discussed. However, the existing methods only provide guidelines for energy consumption and have shown difficulties in explaining certain energy consumption patterns due to the lack of structure to incorporate context influence, hence are not able to track down the causes of consumption to a process level, where optimization measures can actually take place. This dissertation proposes a new approach to tackle this issue, by on-line estimation of context-based energy consumption models, which are able to map operating context to consumption patterns. Context identification is performed by regression tree algorithms. Energy consumption estimation is achieved by means of a multi-model architecture using multiple RLS algorithms, locally estimated for each operating context. Lastly, the proposed approach is applied to a real cement plant grinding circuit. Experimental results prove the viability of the overall system, regarding both automatic context identification and energy consumption estimation.

The consumption of media contents through mobile devices in Finland

O campo dos media na Finlândia encontra-se num processo de mudanças aparentemente imparáveis, com os dispositivos móveis, tal como os smartphones e tablets, a influenciarem cada vez mais os padrões de produção e consumo de media. Nesta dissertação é defendido que esta situação é influenciada por factores históricos, sociais e culturais: desde os livros e jornais como meio de manter a língua finlandesa até aos benefícios da Segurança Social que permitiram que até as pessoas com menos rendimentos comprassem o jornal para se manterem a par dos desenvolvimentos do país, bem como a grande tradição de leitura que é associada aos finlandeses, assim como as condições que ao longo da história fazem fizeram com que os finlandeses sejam fascinados pelas novas tecnologias. Adicionalmente, presto especial atenção às estratégias que são adoptadas pelas cada vez mais convergentes companhias de media para enfrentarem a competição de elementos como os social media.