Browsing by Author "et al."
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- Acute HIV infection detection: rapid fourth-generation test or rapid molecular point-of-care HIV test?Publication . Rocha, Miguel; Medina, D.; Guerreiro, R.; Correia, H.; Rojas, J.; Ferreira, F.; Verissimo, L.; et al.
- Automated Remote Control of Cheese Ripening Chambers: Increasing Economic Value Added While Reducing the Risk of Transmission During the PandemicPublication . Ferreira, Paulo; Teixeira, Nuno; Dias, João; Pires, Clara; Pacheco De Carvalho, Maria Da Graça; Santos, Rute; Mondragão-Rodrigues, Francisco; et al.A new prototype of a ripening chamber was proposed aiming to evaluate the application of computational fluid dynamics in the optimization of traditional cheeses ripening conditions. With the purpose of evaluating the possible impact in the production of cheese in three Portuguese regions, the potential economic benefits of the prototype were demonstrated. The proposed automation process would imply higher production efficiency, increasing sales, decreasing stock levels and a significant reduction in the consumption of water and electricity. Based on average values, it was estimated potential increases of 133 010 € in sales and an individual net present value of almost 560 000 €. In addition to the economic impact in firms, which are mostly small and medium firms, the results also contribute to an increase on the sustainable use of natural resources. However, it is important to highlight the contribution of the project in a pandemic situation to develop a better financial situation of the firms based on a higher margin of the business.
- The impact of polytechnic institutes on the local economyPublication . Alves, João; Carvalho, Luísa; Carvalho, Renato; Correia, Florbela; Cunha, Jorge; Farinha, Luís; Fernandes, Joana; et al.Higher education institutions and, particularly, polytechnic institutes in Portugal are, generally speaking, recognized as the key stakeholders in regional development. However, due to the economic recession of recent years and the consequent budget constraints, higher education institutions more than ever need to demonstrate the social and cultural impact of their activities within their communities and their contribution to its economic development. The aim of this paper is to estimate the economic impact of a group of polytechnic institutes located in regions with diverse socio-economic characteristics using a common methodology. This common framework enables a comparative study and a better identification of the variables that differentiate the different regions, the respective polytechnics and their impacts
- Increasing and sustaining blood-borne virus screening in Spain and Portugal throughout the COVID-19 pandemic: a multi-center quality improvement interventionPublication . Vaz-Pinto, Inês; Ortega, Enrique; Chivite, Ivan; Butí, María; Turnes-Vázquez, Juan; Magno-Pereira, Vítor; Rocha, Miguel; et al.Background: Around 57,000 people in Spain and Portugal currently living with HIV or chronic hepatitis C are unaware of their infection. The COVID-19 pandemic severely disrupted screening efforts for these infections. We designed an intervention to increase and sustain opportunistic blood-borne virus (BBV) screening and linkage to care (SLTC) by implementing the TEST model. Methods: The Plan Do Study Act (PDSA) method of quality improvement (QI) was implemented in 8 healthcare organizations (HCOs), including four hospitals, two clusters of community health centers, and two community-based organizations (CBOs). Baseline assessment included a review of BBV SLTC practices, testing volume, and results 12 months before the intervention. Changes in BBV testing rates over time were measured before, during, and after the COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020. A mixed ANOVA model was used to analyze the possible effect on testing volumes among HCOs over the three study periods. Intervention: BBV testing was integrated into normal clinical flow in all HCOs using existing clinical infrastructure and staff. Electronic health record (EHR) systems were modified whenever possible to streamline screening processes, implement systemic institutional policy changes, and promote QI. Results: Two years after the launch of the intervention in screening practices, testing volumes increased by 116%, with formal healthcare settings recording larger increases than CBOs. The start of the COVID-19 lockdowns was accompanied by a global 60% decrease in testing in all HCOs. Screening emergency department patients or using EHR systems to automate screening showed the highest resilience and lowest reduction in testing. HCOs recovered 77% of their testing volume once the lockdowns were lifted, with CBOs making the fullest recovery. Globally, enhanced screening techniques enabled HCOs to diagnose a total of 1,860 individuals over the research period. Conclusions: Implementation of the TEST model enabled HCOs to increase and sustain BBV screening, even during COVID-19 lockdowns. Although improvement in screening was noted in all HCOs, additional work is needed to develop strong patient linkage to care models in challenging times, such as global pandemics.
- Mapping age- and sex-specific HIV prevalence in adults in sub-Saharan Africa, 2000–2018Publication . Haeuser, Emily; Serfes, Audrey L.; Cork, Michael A.; et al.Background: Human immunodeficiency virus and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is still among the leading causes of disease burden and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), and the world is not on track to meet targets set for ending the epidemic by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Precise HIV burden information is critical for effective geographic and epidemiological targeting of prevention and treatment interventions. Age- and sex-specific HIV prevalence estimates are widely available at the national level, and region-wide local estimates were recently published for adults overall. We add further dimensionality to previous analyses by estimating HIV prevalence at local scales, stratified into sex-specific 5-year age groups for adults ages 15–59 years across SSA. Methods: We analyzed data from 91 seroprevalence surveys and sentinel surveillance among antenatal care clinic (ANC) attendees using model-based geostatistical methods to produce estimates of HIV prevalence across 43 countries in SSA, from years 2000 to 2018, at a 5 × 5-km resolution and presented among second administrative level (typically districts or counties) units. Results: We found substantial variation in HIV prevalence across localities, ages, and sexes that have been masked in earlier analyses. Within-country variation in prevalence in 2018 was a median 3.5 times greater across ages and sexes, compared to for all adults combined. We note large within-district prevalence differences between age groups: for men, 50% of districts displayed at least a 14-fold difference between age groups with the highest and lowest prevalence, and at least a 9-fold difference for women. Prevalence trends also varied over time; between 2000 and 2018, 70% of all districts saw a reduction in prevalence greater than five percentage points in at least one sex and age group. Meanwhile, over 30% of all districts saw at least a five percentage point prevalence increase in one or more sex and age group. Conclusions: As the HIV epidemic persists and evolves in SSA, geographic and demographic shifts in prevention and treatment efforts are necessary. These estimates offer epidemiologically informative detail to better guide more targeted interventions, vital for combating HIV in SSA.
- Mental health-promoting intervention models in university students: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocolPublication . Amaro, P; Fonseca, C; Pereira, A; Afonso, A; Barros, M L; Serra, I; Marques, M F; et al.Background The transition to higher education represents a demanding adaptation process with several socioeconomic factors involved. Mental health problems among university students have been worsening since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our objective is to create scientific evidence about the models of mental health-promoting interventions among higher education students applied in academic environments, as well as their effectiveness. We aim to synthesise the scientific evidence on the models of an intervention promoting mental health among university students applied in academic environments as well as their results. Methods and analysis A systematic review of the literature will be conducted. The research will be carried out using the EBSCO databases (CINAHL Complete, MEDLINE Complete, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection), PubMed and Scopus. The research strategy includes the following MeSH or similar terms: Universities [Mesh], Students [Mesh], Education [Mesh], Undergraduate, “Higher Education”, Universit*, College, Student*; “Psychosocial intervention” [Mesh], “Non-pharmacological”, “Intervention model*“, “Mental health promotion program*“, Intervention*; “Randomized Controlled Trial”, RCT; “Mental health” [Mesh], Depression [Mesh], Anxiety [Mesh], “Stress, psychological” [Mesh], “Quality of life” [Mesh], and “Psychological well-being” [Mesh]. All experimental studies with mental health-promoting interventions for university students that were published between January 2017 and November 2024 in English will be eligible. Two independent reviewers will apply the inclusion and exclusion criteria, analyse the quality of the data and extract it for synthesis. Disagreements will be resolved by a third reviewer. All randomised controlled trial studies with interventions in university students and their efficacy (with means and SD) will be included in the systematic review of the literature. The standardised mean difference will be used as the effect size to standardise individual results. Sensitivity analysis, subgroup analysis and meta-regression will be conducted to explore the causes of heterogeneity and the robustness of the results. Ethics and dissemination Ethical approval is not required for this study as it is based on the review of previously published data. The results will be disseminated through publication in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at academic conferences, as well as in events organised by student associations
- Optimising Legume Integration, Nitrogen Fertilisation, and Irrigation in Semi-Arid Forage SystemsPublication . Luís Silva; Sofia Barbosa; Fernando Cebola Lidón; Benvindo Maçãs; Salvatore Faugno; Maura Sannino; João Serrano; et al.Monoculture systems depend on high nitrogen (N) fertilisation. Incorporating legumes into forage crops offers a sustainable alternative with agronomic and economic benefits. This study assesses the impact of legumes in fodder systems, evaluating yield, N use efficiency (NUE), and profitability while identifying the best cropping strategy under semi-arid conditions. The experiment, conducted at Herdade da Comenda, Elvas, Portugal, used a split–split-plot randomised block design to analyse N doses, forage species, and irrigation. Economic metrics, including costs, net revenue, return on investment, and risk analysis, were also assessed. Moderate N doses (120 kg ha−1 ) resulted in significantly higher NUE (15.67 kg kg−1 N) than higher doses (200 kg ha−1 ), which yield only 1.40 kg kg−1 N (p < 0.05), particularly in mixed fodder crops. Irrigation improved N absorption, crop nutrition, and yield, leading to higher profitability despite increased initial costs. Agronomically, irrigation and N doses influenced yield and nutrient uptake, while no significant differences were observed between different forage crops in terms of yield or NUE. Economically, the irrigated mixed crop showed the highest return on investment (ROI = 247.37 EUR ha−1 ), whereas ryegrass presented lower financial risk (BE = 2213.24 kg ha−1 ) due to lower establishment costs. Yield was the strongest predictor of net profit (R2 = 0.89). Looking ahead, optimising N management, irrigation strategies, and mixed grass–legume crops will be crucial to maximising economic returns while minimising environmental impacts.
- Optimising Legume Integration, Nitrogen Fertilisation, and Irrigation in Semi-Arid Forage SystemsPublication . Luís Silva; Sofia Barbosa; Fernando Cebola Lidón; Benvindo Maçãs; Salvatore Faugno; Maura Sannino; João Serrano; et al.Monoculture systems depend on high nitrogen (N) fertilisation. Incorporating legumes into forage crops offers a sustainable alternative with agronomic and economic benefits. This study assesses the impact of legumes in fodder systems, evaluating yield, N use efficiency (NUE), and profitability while identifying the best cropping strategy under semi-arid conditions. The experiment, conducted at Herdade da Comenda, Elvas, Portugal, used a split–split-plot randomised block design to analyse N doses, forage species, and irrigation. Economic metrics, including costs, net revenue, return on investment, and risk analysis, were also assessed. Moderate N doses (120 kg ha−1 ) resulted in significantly higher NUE (15.67 kg kg−1 N) than higher doses (200 kg ha−1 ), which yield only 1.40 kg kg−1 N (p < 0.05), particularly in mixed fodder crops. Irrigation improved N absorption, crop nutrition, and yield, leading to higher profitability despite increased initial costs. Agronomically, irrigation and N doses influenced yield and nutrient uptake, while no significant differences were observed between different forage crops in terms of yield or NUE. Economically, the irrigated mixed crop showed the highest return on investment (ROI = 247.37 EUR ha−1 ), whereas ryegrass presented lower financial risk (BE = 2213.24 kg ha−1 ) due to lower establishment costs. Yield was the strongest predictor of net profit (R2 = 0.89). Looking ahead, optimising N management, irrigation strategies, and mixed grass–legume crops will be crucial to maximising economic returns while minimising environmental impacts.
- Orogenital and anal infection by Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Mycoplasma genitalium, and other sexually transmitted infections in men who have sex with men in LisbonPublication . Minetti, Corrado; Rocha, Miguel; Duque, Luís Miguel; Meireles, Paula; Correia, Cristina; Cordeiro, Dora; João, Inês; et al.Background: Men who have sex with men (MSM) are at risk for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), but more data on extragenital carriage are needed. Aim: We assessed the genital and extragenital prevalence of bacterial and other STIs in MSM in a Lisbon sexual health clinic. Methods: We screened oral, anal, and urine samples of MSM visiting the GAT-CheckpointLX clinic June 2017-December 2021 for Chlamydia trachomatis (including lymphogranuloma venereum, LGV), Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Mycoplasma genitalium, Trichomonas vaginalis, Mycoplasma hominis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, and U. parvum. Ano-oro-genital lesions were tested for LGV, Treponema pallidum, and Herpes Simplex Virus. Blood was tested for HIV and T. pallidum antibodies. Results: N. gonorrhoeae was found in 16.6% of the MSM followed by C. trachomatis (13.2%), M. genitalium (10.3%) and T. vaginalis (0.2%). The most frequent occurrence was anorectal (C. trachomatis, M. genitalium) and oral (N. gonorrhoeae). We found high carriage of U. urealyticum (36.1%) and M. hominis (22.1%). LGV was detected in 21.8% of chlamydia-positive anorectal swabs. Syphilis was detected in 22.6% of tested MSM, while 13.8% had HIV. Gonorrhoea and chlamydia were significantly more prevalent in MSM with concomitant HIV or syphilis. Conclusion: The substantial extragenital prevalence of bacterial STIs in MSM, and HIV and syphilis coinfections, suggest screening has value in identifying hidden carriage and in contributing for providing better care.
- PrEP users among Lisbon MSM Cohort participants – A first look after PrEP implementation in PortugalPublication . F Fernandes; P Meireles; Rocha, Miguel; J Rojas; H Barros; Fernandes, F; Paula Meireles; et al.