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Browsing EM - Artigos Científicos by Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) "03:Saúde de Qualidade"
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- Dosing accuracy of oral extemporaneous suspensions of antibiotics: measuring procedures and administration devicesPublication . Neves, Inês; Auxtero, Maria Deolinda; Auxtero, Maria DeolindaExtemporaneous suspensions are often marketed with several administration devices that can be freely used by patients/caregivers. The homogeneity of suspensions requires shaking before use. Hence, it is crucial to assess the precision of all devices and the users’ awareness of the shaking procedure. This study was conducted at University Institute Egas Moniz with 40 pharmacy students who were asked to measure 2.5 and 5 mL of two extemporaneous azithromycin suspensions. Formulation A is marketed with a double-dosing spoon and oral syringe, whereas B includes a transparent dosing spoon. Both have a reconstitution cup. The user’s preference for administration devices, the degree of compliance with the ‘shake before use’ instruction and the accuracy of the manipulation were assessed. The double-dosing spoon was the preferred device. The “shake before use” instruction was overlooked by most volunteers. The average measured volumes obtained with the double-dosing spoon were significantly different from the ones obtained with the oral syringe (p < 0.001) and significantly lower than the reference dose (p < 0.001). The oral syringe originates significantly higher values than the reference dose (p < 0.001). The dosing spoons values were significantly different from each other (p < 0.001). Liquid medicines containing several administration devices may be a challenge since they are nonequivalent.
- My tooth is ill: (un)healthy tooth profiles among children (phase I and II)Publication . Dias, Maria do Rosário; Evangelista, José Grillo; Neves, Ana CristinaDental caries has been considered a public health problem insofar as it constitutes a source of burden, pain, and aesthetics with implications for the general well-being of the individual. It is essential to understand, analyse and characterize the mental representation of children about this concept, to contribute to the (re)conceptualization of oral health education in terms of the aetiology of caries. Two studies (Phase I and II) were carried out with the aim of characterizing the mental representation of an (Un)Healthy Tooth, associated with the concept of dental caries mentally internalized by children. This paper presents the results of an exploratory study divided into two distinct phases (Phase I: n = 880/4 - 9 years; Phase II: n = 812/6 - 12 years) that involved a total of 1692 children, recruited at the schools of the municipality of Lisbon and at Egas Moniz University Clinic. Data was collected for two moments: M1, where the child was asked to draw a healthy tooth on a sheet of paper and M2, where the child was asked to draw an unhealthy tooth on another sheet using only a pencil of graphite, totalling 3384 drawings. Subsequently, the child was asked to answer to an open-ended questionnaire, composed by three different questions, with the aim to evaluate the mental representation of the concept of: a) Dental decay, b) Healthy tooth and c) Unhealthy tooth. In the data from the content analysis of the drawings, that has been made by 4 - 12 year-old children, the symbolism category of the teeth that were drawn, tends to increase with chronological age between 4 - 6 years old, denoting a higher frequency of an unrealistic teeth category, drawn from phase I to phase II, and at the same time from 10 years old onwards there is a marked decrease in this pictorial (Un)Realism. Most children in both phase I and phase II associate a healthy tooth with a clean tooth with a smooth surface; In contrast, to the mental representation of an unhealthy tooth in both phases, in which the caries category is represented at the level of the categories: Stains, fractures and cavitation. Analysis of the pictorial contents of the drawings made by the participating children denotes significant discrepancies, inherent to the illustration profiles of healthy tooth versus unhealthy tooth. Such discrepancies bear implications at the level of oral health promotion and prevention, suggesting the need to create ludic-pedagogic instruments for oral health education in very early development stages.
- An overview of Portugal's educational challenges and responses to the global pandemic of COVID-19Publication . Costa, Filipa Alves da; Auxtero, Maria Deolinda; Martins, Ana Paula; Caramona, Maria MargaridaThe current pandemic of SARS-CoV-2 came un-expectantly and required unprecedented ability to adapt and quickly put in place the most appropriate response measures to limit the spread of COVID-19 disease, while minimising disruption to society’s essential activities. Some sectors were more capable of adapting and reacting than others. Higher education was one of the sectors where the academic capacity (FIP Development Goal 1) demonstrated was phenomenal, partially attributable to the ability to create partnerships between academia and practice. This editorial provides a description of the major changes put in place in Portugal to ensure the education and training of future graduates in Pharmaceutical Sciences was maintained with the same quality. It also discusses some of the potentially less beneficial long-term impacts of these adaptions to the teaching and assessment methods for the competencies of the workforce of tomorrow.
- Presence of gluten and soy derived excipients in medicinal products and their implications on allergen safety and labelingPublication . Figueiredo, Alexandra; Auxtero, Maria Deolinda; Brás, Adriana; Casimiro, Andreia; Costa, Isabel MargaridaGluten and soy allergies are significant health concerns, particularly in individuals with celiac disease or soy sensitivity. While dietary sources of these allergens are well-studied, their presence in medicinal products remains under-explored. This study assessed the prevalence of gluten and soy-derived excipients in 308 medicinal products authorized for marketing in Portugal. A systematic search of the Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) database was conducted for 108 analgesics and antipyretics containing paracetamol, 85 NSAIDs containing ibuprofen, and 115 antiasthmatic and bronchodilator medicinal products. The study found significant associations between pharmacotherapeutic groups and the presence of these allergens (p < 0.001). Gluten was more prevalent in the group of analgesics and antipyretics (44.4%) than in NSAIDs (8.2%), whereas soy-derived excipients were more frequent in NSAIDs (14%) than in analgesics and antipyretics (6.5%). No excipients containing gluten or soy were identified in antiasthmatic and bronchodilator medicinal products. In analgesics and antipyretics, 51.2% of solid oral dosage forms and 40% of liquid oral formulations contained gluten. Within the NSAIDs group, gluten was mainly present in liquid oral dosage forms (26.7%). Soy-derived excipients were found in 30% of liquid oral formulations and in 33.3% of rectal dosage forms of analgesics and antipyretics. In the NSAIDs group, soy was more prevalent in liquid oral formulations (26.7%). These findings highlight the need for clearer labeling of allergens in medicinal products and underscore the importance of vigilance for patients with gluten or soy allergies. Further research is required to address gaps in allergen disclosure by pharmaceutical manufacturers and to promote safer medicinal product use for sensitive populations. Enhanced awareness among healthcare providers and patients is essential to mitigate the risk of allergic reactions associated with hidden excipients in medicinal products.
- When is the smile categorized as an orthodontic smile? Highlight of a new conceptualizationPublication . Dias, Maria do Rosário; Neves, Ana CristinaObjective: Pioneering studies were conducted at a Dental University Clinic, focusing on the mental representation of the smile in patients with orthodontic braces. This brief communication presents the final findings from several studies that emphasize the significance of self-perception of the mouth and smile in shaping self-image and well-being across children, adolescents, and adults. Drawing was employed as a projective tool and graphic recording method, within the framework of a highly empirically relevant methodology.Methods: The sample was composed of two groups of patients of feminine and masculine gender, G1 - children and young people (8-24 Y) and G2 - Adults (25-59 Y), who underwent treatment with orthodontic appliances at the Orthodontic consultation. Participants were invited to draw two drawings of their mouth/smile based on the following questions: “What was your mouth like before you got braces?” (M1); and “What do you think your mouth will look like when you remove your braces?” (M2). The content analysis of all drawings made was carried out using a grid composed of analytical categories and subcategories. A sociodemographic questionnaire was also carried out, with the question, “Why do you wear orthodontic braces?”Results: Differences were found in the scope of the mental representation of the mouth and smile, and of expression of smile emotions. Conclusion: The results suggest that functional are the main reason for young people (children and adolescents) seeking orthodontic treatment, while adult participants appear to be motivated by aesthetic reasons.