Ciências da Vida | Artigos em revistas internacionais / Papers in international journals
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Browsing Ciências da Vida | Artigos em revistas internacionais / Papers in international journals by Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) "03:Saúde de Qualidade"
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- Assessing the relation between career satisfaction in psychiatry with lifelong learning and scientific activityPublication . Afonso, Pedro; Ramos, Maria do Rosário; Saraiva, Sérgio; Moreira, Cátia Alves; Figueira, Maria LuísaLifelong learning (LLL) is an essential feature for the doctor to keep clinically updated and has been described as an indicator of competence and professionalism. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between career satisfaction in psychiatry, lifelong learning, and commitment in scientific activities, taking into account other personal and professional effects. The survey was sent to 453 national psychiatrists and 190 surveys (41.9%) were completed online and validated. The Jefferson Scale of Physician Lifelong Learning (JSPLL) was used to assess the level of LLL for each doctor. The results of the analysis of JSPLL showed that participants more satisfied with their career have greater motivation and invest more in the LLL. Furthermore, participants who were more satisfied with their career had a higher percentage of scientific activity in the last year. Multiple linear regression with these two effects in the model revealed a positive association between career satisfaction in psychiatry, LLL and the publication of scientific papers, leading to the main conclusion that satisfaction with a career in psychiatry has a significant correlation with LLL and with involvement in scientific activities.
- Body composition, nutritional intake assessment, and perceptions about diet for health and performance: an exploratory study for senior futsal playersPublication . Brum, Sílvia Zambujo; Franchini, Bela; Moura, Ana Pinto deThis study aims to assess the body composition and nutritional intake of senior male futsal players from the II Futsal Division—Azores Series and explore their individual viewpoints regarding the benefits and barriers of healthy eating and performance. Two groups were identified: those who only completed the sociodemographic questionnaire and the anthropometric data (Group 1, n = 48), and those who additionally had their food intake assessed using three 24-h dietary recalls and were interviewed (Group 2, n = 20). Although most of the players have a healthy body composition, those from Group 2 had a significantly higher Body Mass Index, showing that they are under “pre-obesity”, and have a higher percentage of body fat compared to the players from Group 1. Findings from the nutritional intake assessment revealed that players from Group 2 met dietary recommendations for protein, but not for energy and carbohydrate, and they slightly exceeded recommendations for fat. Findings from the interviews revealed that most of these players reported low levels of satisfaction with their sport performance, explained by their deviation from a healthy eating practice in their daily lives. They recognized the need to alter their diets, identifying food items that should be taken and avoided.
- Development of histopathological indices in a commercial marine bivalvePublication . Costa, Pedro M.; Carreira, S.; Costa, Maria Helena; Caeiro, SandraBivalve histopathology is an acknowledged tool in environmental toxicology studies, however geographically restricted, limited to a few species and still lacking the degree of detail needed to develop effective (semi)quantitative approaches. A first-time detailed histopathological screening was performed on grooved carpet shell clams collected from commercial shellfish beds in distinct coastal ecosystems of the Southern Portuguese coast: two parted sites within an impacted estuary (S1 and S2), an inlet channel of a fish farm at a considered pristine estuary (site M) and a site allocated in a clean coastal lagoon (A). A total of thirty histopathological lesions and alterations were analysed in the gills and digestive glands following a weighted condition indices approach, including inflammation-related responses, necrosis, neoplastic diseases and parasites. Digestive glands were consistently more damaged than gills, except for animals collected from site M, where the most severe lesions were found in both organs, immediately followed by S2. Clams from sites S1 and A were overall the least damaged. Neoplastic diseases were infrequent in all cases. Inflammation-related traits were some of the most common alterations progressing in animals enduring severe lesions such as digestive tubule (diverticula) and intertubular tissue necrosis. Some alterations, such as lipofuscin aggregates within digestive tubule cells, did not relate to histological lesions. Granulocytomas only occurred in heavily infected tissues. Animals from M and A presented the highest infections in the digestive gland, especially by protozoa. Gill infections were more similar between sites. Still, the level of infection does not account for all histopathological lesions in either organ. Overall, the results are in accordance with environmental parameters, such as distance to pollution sources, sediment type and hydrodynamics, and show that the combination of multiple histopathological features in these clams provides good sensitivity for inter-site distinction even when low or moderate anthropogenic impacts are at stake.
- Ecotoxicological heterogeneity in transitional coastal habitatsPublication . Carreira, S.; Costa, Pedro M.; Martins, M.; Lobo, J.; Costa, Maria Helena; Caeiro, SandraTransitional waterbodies, such as estuaries, are highly diversified environments with respect to ecology, geophysics, and nature of anthropogenic impacts. This spatial heterogeneity may pose important constraints when developing monitoring programmes for aquatic pollution. The present study compared three distinct coastal ecosystems located in Southern Portugal (subjected to different anthropogenic stressors), namely, two estuaries and a coastal lagoon, through the characterisation of sediment contamination and a biomarker approach to an important commercial clam (Ruditapes decussatus) obtained from local fishing grounds. The results showed high heterogeneity of sediment contamination for both estuaries and a marked distinction between industrially and agriculturally influenced areas as well as between natural and artificialized sites. Hydrodynamics and oceanic influence (in essence dictating sediment type) play a major role in environmental quality. Environmental heterogeneity constituted an important confounding factor for biomarker analysis in the clams’ digestive glands since the animals appeared to respond to their immediate surroundings’ characteristics rather than the geographical area where they were collected from, despite the relative distance to pollution hot spots. Still, oxidative stress biomarkers (lipid peroxidation and catalase activity) could correlate with each other and to both organic and metallic contamination, whereas metallothionein- like protein induction failed to correlate to any class of sediment toxicants (albeit metals being the most representative pollutants) and appeared to be strongly affected (unlike the previous) by clam size and probably other unknown internal and external variables, among which contaminant interactions should play a major role.
- Empathy and burnout: a multicentre comparative study between residents and specialistsPublication . Ferreira, Sara; Afonso, Pedro; Ramos, Maria do RosárioRationale, Aims, and Objectives The prevalence of burnout among medical doctors and its negative effect on empathy can influence therapeutic success. The aim of this study was to compare the levels of empathy and burnout between residents and specialists as well as to study the correlation between empathy and burnout. Methods This is an exploratory study of a convenience sample of 104 doctors who work in health institutions in Greater Lisbon area in Portugal, covering central hospitals, district hospitals, and health centres. Each doctor filled in a questionnaire, which included the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) and the Jefferson Scale of Empathy (JSE). Results Participants were divided in two subgroups: 51% residents (n = 53) and 49% specialists (n = 51). A difference (p = .048) in JSE scores between residents (mean 116.4, SD 12.8) and specialists (mean 120.78, SD 12.84) has been identified. Furthermore, in all three MBI subscales (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and lack of personal accomplishment), the group of residents showed significantly higher mean scores. In general, empathy scores showed an inverse relationship between depersonalization (r = –0.390, p < .0001) and lack of personal accomplishment (r = –0.447, p < .0001). Finally, we found that an increase in MBI level is associated with a decrease in empathy levels. Conclusion Our findings suggest that there is a significant difference in burnout subscales scores between residents and specialists and that these have a negative correlation with empathy level. These exploratory results draw attention to the importance of preventing burnout in hospital and health care centres professionals, in particular in residents, through the implementation of individual and organizational structured measures.
- Evaluation of the trade-off between variety, processing, and low-GI claim in ready-to-eat ricePublication . Cabral, Diva; Fonseca, Susana C.; Rocha, C.; Moura, Ana Pinto de; Oliveira, J. C.; Cunha, Luís Miguel; Moura, Ana Pinto deAn increasing number of consumers demand healthier, more convenient, and sustainable food products, including rice, a staple worldwide. Food manufacturers have responded to this trend by considering food’s intrinsic and extrinsic aspects. This study evaluated the importance of variety, processing, and claims on willingness to try ready-to-eat rice (RTE-rice). It also analyses the influence of consumer attitudes on the importance of attributes and willingness to try. The results showed that processing significantly influenced willingness to try RTE-rice, revealing consumers’ greater preference for whole grain than milled rice with added bran. Claims had the least relevant importance. However, low glycaemic index had a positive impact, indicating its potential to influence consumer purchasing attitudes and promote healthier rice consumption. Additionally, three groups were created based on attitudinal factors. Naturalness-oriented and convenienceoriented groups were more likely to try RTE-rice. However, the reasons that motivate them may be different; this latter could be the ease of the service offered, while for the group focused on naturalness, they may have perceived through the ingredients and claimed that the product, despite being convenient, can bring benefits, thus perceiving them as natural.
- Food choices among Portuguese teenagers: a case studyPublication . Guimarães, Maria de Fátima; Carapeto, CristinaThe Mediterranean Dietary Pattern (MDP) is currently accepted as being protective against some of the most worrisome chronic non-communicable diseases in today's society. It is important to instil this nutritional pattern in young people as it is at this point in life that healthy eating habits are created and later maintained. Assessing the adherence of students to the Mediterranean Dietary Pattern (MDP). A case study was carried out with 463 students aged between 14 and 20 years old. Parents of the youngsters were also surveyed to find out about the accuracy of the youth's answers and to determine the type of food preparation practiced in the family. Those who participated in this study had an informed consent, previously signed by their parents and voluntarily expressed their willingness to participate, although they could drop out at any time if they so wished. The results showed a good adherence to the Mediterranean Dietary Pattern (MDP) by the respondents (46.47%) and their knowledge about the concept of the Mediterranean Diet can be classified as “good” (39.7%) and “reasonable” (36.6%). The main conclusions of the study are that the students participating in the study have a good knowledge about the Mediterranean Food Pattern and show a high level of adherence to it.
- A food product development project with humanitarian character: an exploratory studyPublication . Lucca, G. L.; Fonseca, S. Caldas; Moura, Ana Pinto deVulnerable livelihood groups, such as the Fulanis in Guinea-Bissau, are affected by the consequences of inequality, as they lack access to healthy food, a healthy environment and adequate primary health care. Coordination between sectors can be key to building resilient food and health systems by integrating and scaling up preventive and emergency nutrition services, especially in the context of malnutrition. In 2021, a cashew-based food product was launched in Portugal in partnership with an NGO and a Portuguese food retailer. This study aims to explore the development and marketing of the product with humanitarian objectives, assessing its impact on the different stakeholders of the project. A mixed methodology was applied, combining the evaluation of consumer behavior, assessed through self-reported electronic questionnaires and in-depth interviews with the actors involved in the project. According to the retailer group stakeholders, a great opportunity for the future lies in developing new products with a humanitarian character. The results show that consumers are indeed interested in buying a product associated with a humanitarian cause, and that the product “100% Cashew Nut Butter” has a favorable consumer acceptance in terms of sensory attributes. The long-term nature of the project and the financial return were cited as strengths by all NGO stakeholders involved, but all stakeholders agreed that innovation was needed to sustain donations. Thus, this may be a cyclical process: businesses can create demand through product development, while management and consumers, in turn, drive demand. These findings can be used to improve the design of future projects that might use this as an example.
- Histological biomarkers in liver and gills of juvenile Solea senegalensis exposedPublication . Costa, Pedro M.; Diniz, Mário S.; Caeiro, Sandra; Lobo, Jorge; Martins, Marta; Ferreira, Ana M.; Caetano, Miguel; Vale, Carlos; DelValls, T. Ángel; Costa, Maria HelenaYoung juvenile Solea senegalensis were exposed to three sediments with distinct contamination profiles collected from a Portuguese estuary subjected to anthropogenic sources of contamination (the Sado estuary, western Portugal). Sedimentswere surveyed formetals (cadmium, chromium, copper, nickel, lead and zinc), ametalloid (arsenic) and organic contaminants (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls and a pesticide, dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane plus itsmetabolites), aswell as total organic matter, redox potential and particle fine fraction. The fish were exposed to freshly collected sediments in a 28-day laboratorial assay and collected for histological analyses at days 0 (T0), 14 (T14) and 28 (T28). Individual weighted histopathological indices were obtained, based on presence/absence data of eight and nine liver and gill pathologies, respectively, and on their biological significance. Although livers sustained more severe lesions, the sediments essentially contaminated by organic substances caused more damage to both organs than the sediments contaminated by both metallic and organic contaminants, suggesting a possible synergistic effect. Correlation analyses showed that some alterations are linked, forming distinctive histopathological patterns that are in accordance with the severity of lesions and sediment characteristics. The presence of large eosinophilic bodies in liver and degeneration of mucous cells in gills (a first-time described alteration)were some of the most noticeable alterations observed and were related to sediment organic contaminants. Body size has been found to be negatively correlated with histopathological damage in livers following longer term exposures. It is concluded that histopathological indices provide reliable and discriminatory data even when biomonitoring as complex media as natural sediments. It is also concluded that the effects of contamination may result not only from toxicant concentrations but also from their interactions, relative potency and sediment characteristics that ultimately determine bioavailability.
- A influência da religião na alimentação nas comunidades Católica e Adventista do Sétimo Dia em Cabo Verde: um estudo exploratórioPublication . Semedo, Daniel António Tavares Varela; Leitão, Emília; Moura, Ana Pinto deA cultura é considerada um determinante na escolha alimentar. Neste contexto, a religião, enquanto determinante cultural, influencia a aceitação e a escolha dos alimentos. A presente investigação visa avaliar de que modo a religião influência a alimentação, nomeadamente junto de comunidades católicas e adventistas do sétimo dia, em Cabo Verde. Para o efeito, utilizou-se uma metodologia qualitativa, recorrendo-se a entrevistas semiestruturadas. Através da análise dos relatos discursivos aos 30 participantes, mediante a categorização dos mesmos, identificaram-se duas grandes categorias de análise: i) Relação do participante com a religião e ii) Influência da religião na alimentação. Verificou-se que os participantes adventistas do sétimo dia estão mais envolvidos com a religião, do que os participantes católicos. Por outro lado, verificou-se que para os adventistas do sétimo dia, a religião influência diariamente as escolhas alimentares, quer na compra quer no consumo alimentares, enquanto que essa influência faz-se notar nos católicos principalmente em momentos pontuais: Quarta-feira de Cinzas e nas Sextas-feiras que precedem a Páscoa. Finalmente, os adventistas do sétimo dia destacam que a prática da sua religião trás benefícios para a sua saúde e bem-estar, contrapondo com os católicos que não identificaram benefícios diretos para a saúde pelo facto de praticarem esta religião.