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- Education and training in radiation protection in Europe: an analysis from the EURAMED rocc-n-roll projectPublication . Rainford, Louise; Santos, Joana; Alves, Francisco; Figueiredo, João; Hoeschen, Christoph; Damilakis, John; Frija, Guy; Andersson, Jonas; McNulty, Jonathan; Foley, Shane; Bacher, Klaus; Nestle, Ursula; Hierath, Monika; Paulo, GracianoBackground: A Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats analysis was performed to understand the status quo of education and training in radiation protection (RP) and to develop a coordinated European approach to RP training needs based on stakeholder consensus and existing activities in the field. Fourteen team members represented six European professional societies, one European voluntary organisation, two international healthcare organisations and five professions, namely: Medical Physicists; Nuclear Medicine Physicians; Radiologists; Radiation Oncologists and Radiographers. Four subgroups analysed the “Strengths”, “Weaknesses”, “Opportunities” and “Threats” related to E&T in RP developed under previous European Union (EU) programmes and on the Guidelines on Radiation Protection Education and Training of Medical Professionals in the EU. Results: Consensus agreement identified four themes for strengths and opportunities, namely: (1) existing structures and training recommendations; (2) RP training needs assessment and education & training (E&T) model(s) development; (3) E&T dissemination, harmonisation, and accreditation; (4) financial supports. Weaknesses and Threats analysis identified two themes: (1) awareness and prioritisation at a national/global level and (2) awareness and prioritisation by healthcare professional groups and researchers. Conclusions: A lack of effective implementation of RP principles in daily practice was identified. EuRnR strategic planning needs to consider processes at European, national and local levels. Success is dependent upon efficient governance structures and expert leadership. Financial support is required to allow the stakeholder professional agencies to have sufficient resources to achieve a pan European radiation protection training network which is sustainable and accredited across multiple national domains.
- O impacto do stress e do burnout na qualidade do sono em profissionais de saúde e docentesPublication . Figueiredo, João; Amaral, Ana Paula; Batista, Inês; Pereira, SaraIntroduction: Stress, sleep quality and burnout represent a psychosocial problematic with serious consequences at the individual, organizational and public health levels. Health and education professionals are considered high-risk groups, due to the multiple psychological and emotional demands in the work context. Purpose:This project intends to study the population (health technicians of the Hospital and University Center of Coimbra and the teaching staff in Coimbra Health School) regarding both stress and burnout levels and later understand their impact on the quality of sleep of the same. Methodology: The study design used was an observational and cross-sectional study. The simple random sample consisted of 63 professionals (49 health technicians and 14 teachers), 16 male and 47 female, in the age range of 22 to 65 years, with an average age of 45.27 years and standard deviation of 10,238 years. The research instruments used were: socio-demographic questionnaire, "Stress Perceived Scale (PSS)", "Maslach Burnout Inventory- General Survey (MBI- GS)" and "Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index". Results: Most individuals presented high levels of burnout and poor sleep quality. Regarding the Emotional Exhaustion index, the majority of professionals (58.5%) who showed poor sleep quality, showed greater exhaustion in the daily life compared to the group with good sleep quality (33.3%). At the level of Professional Depersonalization, both groups indicated a high level of depersonalization, regardless of sleep quality. Conclusions: We can conclude that along with high levels of work stress professionals tend physiologically to alter their well-being which in this case has translated into quality sleep.
- Bioanalytical approach-ageing, exercise and oxidative stressPublication . Valado, Ana; Lopes, Diana; Osório, Nádia; Caseiro, Armando; Figueiredo, João; Patrício, Cristina; Pacheco, Maria Paula; Oostingh, Gertie Janneke; Gabriel, António José dos SantosAbstract: Exercise interferes with the ageing, causing changes in markers of the antioxidant system, such as nitric oxide (NO) and uric acid. Aim: The objective of this study was to evaluate if regular exercise affects the ageing process by causing changes in the antioxidant markers, nitric oxide and uric acid, in individuals aged ≥ 65 years, subjected to an exercise plan. Methods: The study involved 12 participants distributed in an experimental and control group. The experimental group performed exercises guided by a physiotherapist during 12 weeks. Three blood samples were collected from participants: T0, at the start of the study; T1, after 12 weeks of exercise and T2, 12 weeks after finishing the exercise. NO and uric acid were quantified with commercial kits. The statistics were performed using SPSS and the ANOVA and Student t-tests were applied. Result: In the experimental group, the mean values of NO showed an increase between T0 and T1, with a slight decrease between T1 and T2. Similar effects were observed for the uric acid concentration in the experimental group, with statistical significance from T0 to T1. Conclusion: After exercise, there was an increase in blood uric acid and NO levels, highlighting the importance of moderate and controlled exercise practice. Therefore, exercise seems relevant and beneficial in activating antioxidant mechanisms.
- 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.