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- Acute effects of smoking on the arterial function of young healthy smokersPublication . Pereira, Telmo; Costa, TatianaSeveral studies have supported the idea that smoking induces changes with direct impact on endothelial function and arterial stiffness. The main purpose of this study was to assess the acute effects of smoking on vascular function in healthy young adults. METHODS: We designed a quasi-experimental study, including ninety participants aged between 18 and 25 years. Participants were divided into three groups: Active exposure group (AG) - 30 usual smokers; passive exposure group (PG) and non-exposure control group (CG), each including 30 non-smokers matched for age, gender and overall lifestyle. Heart rate (HR), brachial blood pressure (bBP), flow-mediated dilation (FMD), aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) and carotid pulse wave analysis (PWA) were evaluated in two moments: baseline and 30 minutes after smoking exposition (AG and PG) or 30 minutes after the first evaluation (CG). RESULTS: Significant changes from baseline were observed only in the AG, with an increase in PWV, from 5.6 ± 0.7 m/s to 6.1 ± 0.2 m/s post-smoking (p = 0.040), and a decrease in FMD of about -5.7 ± 2.3% after smoking one cigarette (p < 0.001). A significant increase in brachial and central BP was also observed in the AG. A trend for increase in brachial and central BP, and decrease in the FMD was observed in the PG and no significant changes were depicted in the CG. CONCLUSION: Just one cigarette produces significant detrimental acute effects on the vascular endothelium and hemodynamic profile of healthy young short-term smokers. Changes are also observed, although to a lesser extent, in passive smokers.
- Alimentação vegetariana na criança e no adolescentePublication . Silva Martins, Daniela; Faria, Ana; Loureiro, HelenaOs comportamentos alimentares têm vindo a alterar-se ao longo dos anos, tendo-se verificado um maior interesse pelo padrão alimentar vegetariano, por parte de adultos mas também de crianças e adolescentes. O objetivo deste artigo é identificar os motivos que provocam uma adesão ao padrão alimentar vegetariano e identificar os efeitos sobre a saúde deste padrão alimentar nas crianças e adolescentes. Alguns dos motivos que podem levar as crianças e adolescentes a adotarem por um padrão alimentar vegetariano podem ser por questões de saúde, ambientais, religiosas ou éticas. O padrão alimentar em questão apresenta alguns benefícios para a saúde, nomeadamente na prevenção de doenças como a obesidade, doenças cardiovasculares, diabetes tipo 2 e cancro. Por fim, o padrão alimentar vegetariano, se for corretamente planeado, pode fornecer as necessidades nutricionais de crianças e adolescentes. Contudo, se não for bem planeado pode originar défices nutricionais, comprometendo o crescimento e desenvolvimento adequados nestas faixas etárias.
- Apoio alimentar e o direito humano à alimentação adequada: questões éticasPublication . Lima, João PM; Rosa, Bárbara Santa; Silvestre, MargaridaA Declaração Universal dos Direitos Humanos defende que “todos os indivíduos têm direito à saúde e bem-estar, com acesso incondicional a alimentos, habitação e cuidados médicos”. Coexistem situações em que os indivíduos não têm acesso físico e económico a alimentos seguros e nutritivos, encontrando-se numa situação de insegurança alimentar. As dificuldades no acesso aos alimentos decorrentes de situações de carência socioeconómica são na verdade um dos problemas onde a intervenção na área da ação social é premente. Apesar de responder à garantia de um direito humano básico, a caridade alimentar motiva um dilema ético, contrapondo os princípios éticos que motivam a sua implementação, tais como o da solidariedade e cooperação, responsabilidade social e saúde, dignidade humana e direitos humanos, beneficência e igualdade, justiça e equidade; e aqueles que poderão estar a ser lesados com a mesma, tais como o da autonomia e responsabilidade individual, respeito pela vulnerabilidade humana e integridade pessoal, dignidade humana e direitos humanos e não discriminação e não estigmatização da Declaração Universal sobre Bioética e Direitos Humanos. Tal situação deverá contribuir para uma reflexão apurada e uma melhoria dos procedimentos a ela associados, como forma de garantir o fim último de salvaguarda do bem-estar dos indivíduos implicados.
- Application of a newly developed software program for image quality assessment in cone-beam computed tomographyPublication . de Oliveira, Marcus Vinicius Linhares; Santos, António Carvalho; Paulo, Graciano; Campos, Paulo Sergio Flores; Santos, JoanaThe purpose of this study was to apply a newly developed free software program, at low cost and with minimal time, to evaluate the quality of dental and maxillofacial cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images.
- Are consumers ready to take part in the Pharmacovigilance System?—a Portuguese preliminary study concerning ADR reportingPublication . Matos, Cristiano; van Hunsel, Florence; Joaquim, JoãoBACKGROUND: New pharmacovigilance legislation allows consumers to report adverse drug reactions (ADRs) directly to competent authorities in all European Union countries. Consumer reporting is available in Portugal since July 2012. In 2013, the National Pharmacovigilance System (SNF) had received 3461 spontaneous ADR reports, of which only 1.4% (n = 50) were from consumers. Consumer reporting could be one opportunity to reduce underreporting. AIM: The aim of this study was to describe the attitudes and knowledge of the general public regarding spontaneous reporting and the reasons and opinions that can influence consumers' ADR underreporting. METHODS: A descriptive-correlational study was performed looking for consumers' attitudes and knowledge regarding spontaneous reporting. A 6-month survey was conducted from June to November 2013 in general adult consumers from a community pharmacy in Coimbra, Portugal, who used prescribed medicines or over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. Attitudes and opinions were surveyed by personal interview in a closed-answer questionnaire using a Likert scale. Questionnaires from healthcare professionals or incomplete ones were not considered. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square (χ(2)) tests, and Spearman's correlation coefficients. RESULTS: One thousand eighty-four questionnaires were collected (response rate of 81.1%) and 948 completed were selected for analysis. Of the respondents, 44.1% never heard about SNF. Younger people and those with a higher education were significantly more likely to be aware of SNF. Only one consumer had previously reported directly an ADR. Reporting ADRs indirectly through a healthcare professional (HCP) was preferred by 62.4%. The main reasons for consumers reporting spontaneous ADR would be the severity of reactions (81.1% agreed or strongly agreed) and worries about their situation (73.4% agreed or strongly agreed). Only weak and moderate correlations were found between studied statements.. CONCLUSIONS: Consumers are more likely to do spontaneous report about severe reactions or if they are worried about the symptoms. Tailored and proactive information on ADR reporting and educational interventions on consumers could increase the number of reports from consumers in Portugal.
- Are intermediate school meals a real contribution to improve a healthy and sustainable diet ?Publication . Melo, Rita; PM Lima, João; Santos, Ana; Pinto, Ezequiel; Fialho, SóniaPurpose The purpose is to analyse the nutritional adequacy and carbon footprint of intermediated meals provided to preschool children and primary-level students in a Portuguese municipality. Design/methodology/approach An observational cross-sectional study was conducted with a convenience sampling consisting of school snacks from a Portuguese municipality. The nutritional assessment used food labels and a Portuguese food composition table. The literature review for carbon footprint assessment was conducted by searching for the products under analysis or similar ones. Findings The results showed that 80% of snacks have a higher energy value than recommended. The majority of options are below recommendations for protein and fat and above recommendations for carbohydrates. The intermediated meals with more dairy products in composition have the highest carbon footprint. The carbon footprint included the packaging of the products, and it wasn't possible to determine the influence of non-food products. Research limitations/implications This study has limitations in the fact that we do not know the carbon footprint of Portuguese products and we had to compare them with others, from different countries, with possibly different types of production. Practical implications Intermediate meals are inadequate, and the carbon footprint is higher when the intermediated meals include products of animal origin – the reason why the composition of intermediated meals should be redesigned considering the achievement of these targets. Social implications The promotion of intermediated meals that promote the Mediterranean eating pattern contributes to health and well-being and is a vehicle for nutrition education and healthy food consumption in schools. Originality/value Many studies have been conducted to analyse the carbon footprint and environmental impact of school meals, but commonly lunch is the meal evaluated and the assessment of intermediated meals' impact is an open field. Originality/value Many studies have been conducted to analyse the carbon footprint and environmental impact of school meals, but commonly lunch is the meal evaluated and the assessment of intermediated meals' impact is an open field.
- Assessing sarcocornia as a salt substitute: effects on lipid profile and gelatinase activityPublication . Louçano, Beatriz; Maletti, Sara; Timóteo, Maria Helena; Figueiredo, João; Osório, Nádia; Barroca, Maria João; Silva, Aida Moreira; Pereira, Telmo; Caseiro, ArmandoSodium, although essential for life, is a key factor in changes in vascular function and cardiovascular disease when consumed in excess. Sarcocornia spp., a halophyte plant with many nutritional benefits, presents itself as a promising substitute for the consumption of purified salt. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) 2 and 9 are widely studied due to their action in physiological processes and as biomarkers at the diagnostic level due to their increased expression in inflammatory processes. This study aimed to evaluate whether replacing salt with Sarcocornia perennis (S. perennis) powder in healthy young people leads to an improvement in biochemical profiles and the attenuation of MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity. In the present study, 30 participants were randomized into a control group that consumed salt and an intervention group that replaced salt with powdered S. perennis. The evaluation of the biochemical parameters was carried out by the spectrophotometry method, and the evaluation of MMP activity was carried out by zymography. A significant decrease was observed in the intervention group in total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), and creatinine (p-value ≤ 0.05), along with lower but not significantly different mean values of triglycerides. Regarding MMP activity after the intervention, a lower mean value was observed for MMP-9 activity, with there being higher mean values for MMP-2 activity, both with p-values ≥ 0.05.The results confirmed that the consumption of S. perennis is a beneficial choice for health regarding the lipid profile. The evaluation of MMP activity indicated the potential of S. perennis in the regulation of MMP-9 activity in healthy individuals, along with the need for the further study of these proteases in individuals with pathologies.
- Associations between quality of life and central auditory processing in seniors: preliminary resultsPublication . Amaral, Ana Paula; Silva, Carla Matos, 1975-; Alves, Ana Rita; Prata, Cláudia; Fernandes, Carolina; Simões, Paula; Nascimento, Maria; Rocha, ClaraIntroduction: Several health-related conditions have been reported to be important for quality of life (QoL) (Raggi et al., 2016). Central auditory processing (CAP) corresponds to the perceptual processing of the auditory information in the central nervous system (Musiek & Baran, 2007). With aging, alterations at the level of perception and detection of the sound in the central and peripheral system occur and have effects on the senior’s QoL. Objectives: To analyze associations between CAP and QoL, considering sociodemographic variables. Methods: This study was conducted in a cross-sectional and descriptive design. Ethical requirements are respected. Participants: 19 seniors with average age of 81.6 (SD=9.5), 68.4% are females and 68.4% live alone. Measures: Socio-demographic data survey, Portuguese version of World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument-Older Adults and an audiological evaluation constituted by an otoscopy, a tympanogram, a pure tone audiogram and the speech in noise test. Statistical analysis was performed using software IBM SPSS version 24. Nonparametric test were used. Results: When the elderly live alone, results showed significant positive associations between CAP and QoL (total score). There was positive correlations between QoL and the speech in noise test in the relation signal/noise10dB (r=0.573; p=0.041), and total (r=0.573; p=0.040) for right ear. The same result was observed in the left ear when the relation signal/noise10dB (r=0.572; p=0.041), and total (r=0.583; p=0.037). No significant results were obtained when the seniors don’t live alone. Conclusion: The results evidenced the importance of sociodemographic factors, such as “live alone” in the relation between CAP and QoL in older adults. Probably when we live alone the discrimination of speaking in noisy ambiance is a predictor factor of quality of life in seniors. Future studies are needed in order to clarify this relation.
- Atrial fibrillation and early vascular aging: clinical implications, methodology issues and open questions—a review from the VascAgeNet COST ActionPublication . PUCCI, Giacomo; Grillo, Andrea; DALAKLEIDI, KALLIOPI; Fraenkel, Emil; Gkaliagkousi, Eugenia; Golemati, Spyretta; Guala, Andrea; Hametner, Bernhard; LAZARIDIS, ANTONIOS; Mayer, Christopher; Mozos, Ioana; Pereira, Telmo; Veerasingam, Dave; Terentes-Printzios, Dimitrios; Agnoletti, DavideAtrial fibrillation (AF), the most common cardiac arrhythmia, is associated with adverse CV outcomes. Vascular aging (VA), which is defined as the progressive deterioration of arterial function and structure over a lifetime, is an independent predictor of both AF development and CV events. A timing identification and treatment of early VA has therefore the potential to reduce the risk of AF incidence and related CV events. A network of scientists and clinicians from the COST Action VascAgeNet identified five clinically and methodologically relevant questions regarding the relationship between AF and VA and conducted a narrative review of the literature to find potential answers. These are: (1) Are VA biomarkers associated with AF? (2) Does early VA predict AF occurrence better than chronological aging? (3) Is early VA a risk enhancer for the occurrence of CV events in AF patients? (4) Are devices measuring VA suitable to perform subclinical AF detection? (5) Does atrial-fibrillation-related rhythm irregularity have a negative impact on the measurement of vascular age? Results showed that VA is a powerful and independent predictor of AF incidence, however, its role as risk modifier for the occurrence of CV events in patients with AF is debatable. Limited and inconclusive data exist regarding the reliability of VA measurement in the presence of rhythm irregularities associated with AF. To date, no device is equipped with tools capable of detecting AF during VA measurements. This represents a missed opportunity to effectively perform CV prevention in people at high risk. Further advances are needed to fill knowledge gaps in this field.
- Attitudes and knowledge of community pharmacy professionals regarding the spontaneous reporting of adverse drug reactions: a preliminary study in Coimbra, PortugalPublication . Matos, Cristiano; Joaquim, João; Pires, TimóteoBackground Spontaneous reporting of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) remains one of the most efficient methods to detect new, unusual, and severe ADRs. Community pharmacy professionals (CPPs) play a fundamental role in the reporting of spontaneous ADRs. The aim of this study was to describe the attitudes and knowledge of different CPP groups regarding the spontaneous reporting of ADRs and to identify the factors that can influence ADR under-reporting. Methods A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in CPPs (156 pharmacists and 40 pharmacy technicians) working in 49 pharmacies in Coimbra, Portugal. A survey of the knowledge and attitudes of CPPs towards reporting ADRs and the factors that encourage and discourage ADR reporting was constructed and personally delivered to the pharmacies. Results The response rate was 82.0%. The seriousness and the unusualness of the reaction were the most important motives to report ADRs (98.0 and 97.4% of respondents, respectively). CPPs also considered ADR reporting to be a professional obligation (96.4%), but “don’t feel the need to report well-known ADRs” (54.1%). Other attitudes associated with under-reporting were lack of time (50.0%), method of reporting (38.3%), and fear of legal liability (29.6%). Conclusions CPPs’ knowledge and behavior play a significant role in ADR reporting. Despite the differences in their educational syllabus, there were no statistical differences between pharmacists and pharmacy technicians with regard to their perception of the importance of ADR reports or the factors that affect their reporting. It may be possible to reduce the under-reporting of ADRs by introducing educational interventions based on the attitudes related to under-reporting that have been identified in this study.