Contact tracing management of a measles case in a paediatric hospital: experience of the local public health unit, Portugal, January 2024.

In January 2024, a child was diagnosed with measles in a paediatric hospital in Lisbon. Of 123 contacts, 39 (32%) were not fully immunised, presenting a risk for a potential outbreak. The public health unit initiated control measures and identified challenges during the response, such as the lack of interoperability between information systems and accessing vaccination records. The lessons learned prompted changes to national contact tracing procedures for measles, further strengthening Portugal's preparedness.

Widow's perception of their marital relationship and its influence on their restoration-oriented everyday occupations in the first six months after the death of the spouse: A thematic analysis.

INTRODUCTION: The death of a spouse greatly affects the survivor's emotions and may change one's everyday occupations, especially during recent bereavement. Considering the centrality of everyday occupations to occupational therapy practice, this research aimed to understand women's restoration-oriented everyday occupations within the first six months after the death of their spouse. METHODS: This was a qualitative thematic analysis that applied a realistic method and a theoretical approach at the semantic level. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to understand the everyday occupations of widows after their husbands' deaths, emphasising those that were restoration-oriented, according to the dual process model of coping with bereavement framework. The analysis was conducted according to the phases expected to be conducted during a thematic analysis. RESULTS: Fourteen widows with long-term marital relationships participated in this research. Their perceptions concerning their relationships with their spouses were an important aspect that influenced their everyday occupations. Women who qualitatively described their marital relationships in terms of attributes grouped by the researcher as lost and lonely also mentioned difficulty managing previously habitual occupations and changes in the meanings assigned to some of those occupations. These women mobilised unique strategies to address suffering and occupational changes during bereavement. Women who qualitatively described their relationships with attributes grouped by the researcher as free at last felt freedom after their husbands' deaths, which, according to the widows, brought happiness and feelings of peace and enabled them to engage in freely chosen occupations and to broaden their social networks. CONCLUSION: Everyday occupations and their meanings can considerably change during widowhood. This study contributes to comprehending the uniqueness of responses to loss.

BCR-ABL1 Transcript Levels at 3 and 6 Months Are Better for Identifying Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Patients with Poor Outcome in Response to Second-Line Second-Generation Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors after Imatinib Failure: A Report from a Single Institution.

Early reduction of BCR-ABL1 transcript levels has been associated with improved outcome in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) treatment. We evaluated 54 chronic-phase CML patients treated with imatinib who switched therapy to dasatinib (n = 33) or nilotinib (n = 21). BCR-ABL1 transcript levels were measured in peripheral blood using real-time quantitative PCR (RQ-PCR) every 3 months from the start of second-line treatment. Patients with BCR-ABL transcript levels >10% at 3 months and >1% at 6 months had significantly inferior progression-free (PFS) and event-free survival (EFS) than patients with RQ-PCR <10% at 3 months and <1% at 6 months (66 vs. 100%, p = 0.01, and 33 vs. 73%, p = 0.02, respectively). Patients with RQ-PCR <10% at 3 months and >1% at 6 months also had inferior PFS and EFS than patients with RQ-PCR <10% at 3 months and <1% at 6 months (48 vs. 100%, p = 0.002, and 25 vs. 73%, p < 0.0001, respectively). Two measurements of BCR-ABL levels were better than a single one to stratify chronic-phase CML patients as failure after second-line therapy.

A comprehensive assessment of the transcriptome of cork oak (Quercus suber) through EST sequencing.

BACKGROUND: Cork oak (Quercus suber) is one of the rare trees with the ability to produce cork, a material widely used to make wine bottle stoppers, flooring and insulation materials, among many other uses. The molecular mechanisms of cork formation are still poorly understood, in great part due to the difficulty in studying a species with a long life-cycle and for which there is scarce molecular/genomic information. Cork oak forests are of great ecological importance and represent a major economic and social resource in Southern Europe and Northern Africa. However, global warming is threatening the cork oak forests by imposing thermal, hydric and many types of novel biotic stresses. Despite the economic and social value of the Q. suber species, few genomic resources have been developed, useful for biotechnological applications and improved forest management. RESULTS: We generated in excess of 7 million sequence reads, by pyrosequencing 21 normalized cDNA libraries derived from multiple Q. suber tissues and organs, developmental stages and physiological conditions. We deployed a stringent sequence processing and assembly pipeline that resulted in the identification of ~159,000 unigenes. These were annotated according to their similarity to known plant genes, to known Interpro domains, GO classes and E.C. numbers. The phylogenetic extent of this ESTs set was investigated, and we found that cork oak revealed a significant new gene space that is not covered by other model species or EST sequencing projects. The raw data, as well as the full annotated assembly, are now available to the community in a dedicated web portal at http://www.corkoakdb.org. CONCLUSIONS: This genomic resource represents the first trancriptome study in a cork producing species. It can be explored to develop new tools and approaches to understand stress responses and developmental processes in forest trees, as well as the molecular cascades underlying cork differentiation and disease response.

Promoting cognitive health: a virtual group intervention for community-living older adults.

Group cognitive interventions can promote a sense of self-efficacy to older adults. Due to restrictive social distancing measures in the COVID-19 pandemic, face-to-face interventions that aimed to promote cognitive health needed to be adapted to a virtual offering. Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the effects of promoting cognitive health in a virtual group intervention for community-living older adults. Methods: This is a mixed, prospective, and analytical study. Before and after the intervention, the tests were applied: Brief Cognitive Screening Battery (BCSB) and the Subjective Memory Complaints Questionnaire (MAC-Q). Data were collected at semi-structured interviews related to the adoption of memory strategies. Statistical tests were conducted for initial and final intragroup comparison. The qualitative data were assessed using thematic analysis. Results: A total of 14 participants concluded the intervention. With respect to mnemonic strategies, the most relevant for the qualifier "Did not use it before and started to do so after the group" were association (n=10; 71.4%) and dual-task inhibition (n=9; 64.3%). According to the tests, the intervention improved incidental, immediate, and delayed recall, as well as the perception of memory for "Remembering the name of the person they just met," "Remembering the telephone number you use at least once a week," "Remembering where they put an object," "Remembering news from a magazine article or television program," and "In general, how would you describe your memory now compared to when you were 40 years old." Conclusions: The synchronous virtual group intervention was shown to be feasible for the elderly in the community who participated in the study.

Intervenções cognitivas em grupo podem promover um senso de autoeficácia em idosos. Em decorrência das medidas restritivas de distanciamento social na pandemia de COVID-19, as intervenções presenciais que visavam promover a saúde cognitiva precisaram ser adaptadas à oferta virtual. Objetivos: Analisar os efeitos da promoção da saúde cognitiva em uma intervenção em grupo virtual para idosos que vivem na comunidade. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo misto, prospectivo e analítico. Antes e depois da intervenção foram aplicados os testes: Bateria de Triagem Cognitiva Breve (BCSB) e Questionário de Queixas de Memória Subjetiva (MAC-Q). Os dados foram coletados em entrevistas semiestruturadas relacionadas à adoção de estratégias de memória. Foram realizados testes estatísticos para a comparação intragrupo inicial e final. Os dados qualitativos foram avaliados por meio da análise temática. Resultados: Quatorze participantes concluíram a intervenção. Com relação às estratégias mnemônicas, as mais relevantes para o qualificador "não usava antes e passou a usar depois do grupo" foram associação (n=10; 71,4%) e inibição de dupla tarefa (n=9; 64,3%). De acordo com os testes, a intervenção melhorou a recordação incidental, imediata e tardia, bem como a percepção da memória para: "lembrar o nome da pessoa que acabou de conhecer"; "lembrar o número de telefone que você usa pelo menos uma vez por semana"; "lembrar onde colocaram um objeto"; "lembrar notícias de um artigo de revista ou programa de televisão" e "em geral, como você descreveria sua memória agora em comparação com quando tinha 40 anos". Conclusões: A intervenção síncrona em grupo virtual mostrou-se viável para os idosos da comunidade que participaram do estudo.

Development of a customized booklet of foot-ankle exercises for people with diabetes mellitus as a management and prevention tool for musculoskeletal complications: A customized booklet of foot-ankle exercises for people with diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus (DM) and diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) compromises the structures of the musculoskeletal system, especially in the foot-ankle complex. Foot-related exercises can be a promising tool to be incorporated in health care programs to manage and prevent musculoskeletal complications resulting from DM and DPN progression. OBJECTIVE: To present the development, validation, and usability evaluation of a booklet that directs training and personalizes the progression of a home-based program of foot-ankle exercises. METHODS: The booklet containing a foot-ankle exercise program developed in a previous clinical trial was validated using the Delphi technique, with a multi-professional jury of experts who assessed the content of the material, language, individual education, exercise execution, exercise quality, and material implementation. The validated version was evaluated through telephone interview by a convenience sample of 10 individuals with DPN regarding its relevance, health education, comprehension, and usability. RESULTS: The validation process with experts was performed in two rounds achieving 100% agreement in the second round. During the usability evaluation process the main complaint of users was that performing all the exercises was very tiring and took too much time out of their daily routine. Thus, the number of repetitions for each exercise was changed from 30 to 12. CONCLUSION: The booklet is a material for prevention and management of the impacts of DM and DPN progression by improving the musculoskeletal function of the foot-ankle. This material provides an exercise regime with a personalized progression based on the perceived effort of the users.

Characterization of a Lactiplantibacillus plantarum R23 Isolated from Arugula by Whole-Genome Sequencing and Its Bacteriocin Production Ability.

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum is one of the lactic acid bacteria species most used as probiotics and starter cultures in food production. Bacteriocin-producers Lpb. plantarum are also promising natural food preservatives. This study aimed to characterize Lpb. plantarum R23 and its bacteriocins (R23 bacteriocins). The genome sequence of Lpb. plantarum R23 was obtained by whole-genome sequencing (WGS) in an Illumina NovaSeq platform. The activity of Lpb. plantarum R23-produced bacteriocin against two Listeria monocytogenes strains (L7946 and L7947) was evaluated, and its molecular size was determined by tricine-SDS-PAGE. No virulence or antibiotic resistance genes were detected. Four 100% identical proteins to the class II bacteriocins (Plantaricin E, Plantaricin F, Pediocin PA-1 (Pediocin AcH), and Coagulin A) were found by WGS analysis. The small (<6.5 kDa) R23 bacteriocins were stable at different pH values (ranging from 2 to 8), temperatures (between 4 and 100 °C), detergents (all, except Triton X-100 and Triton X-114 at 0.01 g/mL), and enzymes (catalase and α-amylase), did not adsorb to the producer cells, had a bacteriostatic mode of action and their maximum activity (AU/mL = 12,800) against two L. monocytogenes strains occurred between 15 and 21 h of Lpb. plantarum R23 growth. Lactiplantibacillus plantarum R23 showed to be a promising bio-preservative culture because, besides being safe, it produces a stable bacteriocin or bacteriocins (harbors genes encoding for the production of four) inhibiting pathogens as L. monocytogenes. Further studies in different food matrices are required to confirm this hypothesis and its suitability as a future starter culture.

[Exploratory and Confirmatory Validation of the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC-10) in a Sample of Individuals Registered in Job Centers]. / Validação Exploratória e Confirmatória da Escala de Resiliência Connor-Davidson (CD-RISC-10) numa Amostra de Inscritos em Centros de Emprego.

INTRODUCTION: Bonanno defined resilience as the individual's capacity to cope with traumatic events, namely, the ability to maintain the levels of physical and psychological functioning relatively stable. The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of 10-item Connor-Davidson resilience scale. The Connor-Davidson resilience scale short version has good psychometric qualities (Cronbach α - 0.85) when compared with the long version (Cronbach α - 0.89). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We obtained a convenience sample of individuals registered in job centers which was randomly divided into two subsamples (sample 1 = 5127 and sample 2 = 5114). We applied the principal component analysis in sub-sample n1. With subsample n2 a confirmatory factorial analysis was performed using the maximum likelihood method. We used the multigroup analysis to compare the factorial model between genders and professional situation. We performed a convergent and discriminant analysis through Pearson's correlation analysis. RESULTS: The principal component analysis extracted one factor with an explained variance of 53.97%. The confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the unidimensionality of the scale. The invariance between genders and professional situation was confirmed. The Connor-Davidson resilience scale correlated positively with the SF-36 scale and negatively with the GHQ-12 scale. DISCUSSION: The exploratory and confirmatory analysis revealed one dimension, and good psychometric properties, which is similar to the original 10-item scale. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first validation study of this scale among the Portuguese population (Portugal). Its results are highly satisfactory, and its use is recommended among the Portuguese population.

Introdução: Bonanno definiu resiliência como a capacidade do indivíduo em lidar com os eventos traumáticos, nomeadamente a capacidade de manter os níveis de funcionamento físico e psicológico relativamente estáveis. O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar as propriedades psicométricas da escala de resiliência Connor-Davidson de 10 itens. A escala resumida apresenta boas qualidades psicométricas (α Cronbach ­ 0,85) quando comparada com a escala longa (25 itens) (α Cronbach ­ 0,89).Material e Métodos: Obtivemos uma amostra de conveniência de inscritos em centros de emprego que foi aleatoriamente dividida em duas subamostras (amostra 1 = 5127 e amostra 2 = 5134). Aplicámos a análise de componentes principais na amostra 1. Com a amostra 2 procedeu-se à análise fatorial confirmatória usando o método da máxima verosimilhança. Usámos a análise multigrupo para a comparação do modelo fatorial entre os géneros e a situação profissional. Efetuámos a análise convergente e divergente através da análise de correlação de Pearson.Resultados: A análise de componentes principais extraiu um fator com uma variância explicada de 53,97%. A análise fatorial confirmatória comprovou a unidimensionalidade da escala. Confirmámos a invariância entre géneros e situação profissional. A escala de resiliência Connor-Davidson de 10 itens correlacionou-se positivamente com as medidas da escala SF-36 e negativamente com a escala GHQ-12.Discussão: A análise exploratória e confirmatória corroborou a unidimensionalidade e boas propriedades psicométricas, semelhantes à escala original de 10 itens.Conclusão: Trata-se do primeiro estudo de validação desta escala na população portuguesa (Portugal), de acordo com a pesquisa efetuada. Os seus resultados são muito satisfatórios, recomendando-se o seu uso na população portuguesa.

Delay in head and neck cancer care during the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on health outcomes.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has created unprecedent challenges for healthcare systems worldwide. Oncology services have been reorganized to decrease the risk of nosocomial acquisition of SARS-CoV-2, but changes in treatment pathways and follow-up cancer care can result in patients receiving suboptimal or delayed care. Herein, we describe a cross-sectional nested cohort study conducted to evaluate delays in care for patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) in post-treatment follow-up or palliative care during the COVID-19 pandemic in Northeast Brazil and its impact on health outcomes. Information was extracted from medical records and supplemented by telephone interviews. We compared the following health outcomes: self-perception of anxiety or sadness, fear of COVID-19 infection, cancer-related complications during social isolation, self-medication, diagnosis of COVID-19, and death between patients with and without delayed cancer care. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare distributions of continuous variables and the Fisher exact test was used for categorical variables. Thirty-one HNC patients were included in the study, and no case of confirmed SARS-CoV-2 was found. Delayed cancer care due to restriction in health services was reported in 58.1% of cases, and there was no report of telemedicine use during the COVID-19 outbreak. Cancer-related complications during the COVID-19 pandemic were described for most patients (67.7%) and included pain or discomfort, swelling, and dyspnea. Eight (25.8%) patients reported use of prescribed morphine or codeine to manage pain and six (19.4%) patients reported self-medication with over-the-counter (OTC) non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). We found an association between delayed HNC care and the use of self-medication (p = 0.028). This study indicated that patients with delayed HNC care during the COVID-19 outbreak are more likely to use self-medication with NSAIDs for pain management. Better strategies to follow HNC patients in socioeconomically disadvantaged communities need to be discussed and implemented.

A spatial stream-network approach assists in managing the remnant genetic diversity of riparian forests.

Quantifying the genetic diversity of riparian trees is essential to understand their chances to survive hydroclimatic alterations and to maintain their role as foundation species modulating fluvial ecosystem processes. However, the application of suitable models that account for the specific dendritic structure of hydrographic networks is still incipient in the literature. We investigate the roles of ecological and spatial factors in driving the genetic diversity of Salix salviifolia, an Iberian endemic riparian tree, across the species latitudinal range. We applied spatial stream-network models that aptly integrate dendritic features (topology, directionality) to quantify the impacts of multiple scale factors in determining genetic diversity. Based on the drift hypothesis, we expect that genetic diversity accumulates downstream in riparian ecosystems, but life history traits (e.g. dispersal patterns) and abiotic or anthropogenic factors (e.g. drought events or hydrological alteration) might alter expected patterns. Hydrological factors explained the downstream accumulation of genetic diversity at the intermediate scale that was likely mediated by hydrochory. The models also suggested upstream gene flow within basins that likely occurred through anemophilous and entomophilous pollen and seed dispersal. Higher thermicity and summer drought were related to higher population inbreeding and individual homozygosity, respectively, suggesting that increased aridity might disrupt the connectivity and mating patterns among and within riparian populations.

Evaluation of at-risk infant care: comparison between models of primary health care.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the health care network for at-risk infants in the western region of the city of São Paulo, with the primary health care as coordinator, and to compare the presence and extension of attributes of primary health care in the services provided, according to the service management model (Family Health Strategy and traditional basic health units). METHODS: A survey was conducted with all at-risk infants born in the western region of São Paulo between 2013 and 2014. The children were then actively searched for a later application of the PCATool - child version. The total of 233 children were located in the territory; 113 guardians agreed to participate, and 81 composed the final sample. RESULTS: Regarding the results of PCATool for overall and essential scores, the units with Family Health Strategy were better evaluated by users, when compared with traditional basic health units, showing a statistically significant difference. However, these scores were low for both management models. Regarding attributes, the Family Health Strategy presented better performance compared with traditional basic health units for most of them, except for coordination of information systems. Of ten assessed attributes, seven reached values ≥6.6 for Family Health Strategy and two for the traditional basic health unit. CONCLUSIONS: Regardless of the type of management model, low overall and essential scores were found, indicating that guardians of at-risk infants rated some attributes as unsatisfactory, with emphasis on accessibility, integrality and family guidance. Such a performance may have negative consequences for the quality and integrality of these infants' health care.

Variations in growth, survival and carbon isotope composition (delta(13)C) among Pinus pinaster populations of different geographic origins.

To evaluate differences in growth and adaptability of maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Ait.), we studied growth, polycyclism, needle tissue carbon isotope composition (delta(13)C) as an estimate of water-use efficiency (WUE) and survival of seven populations at 10 years of age growing in a performance trial at a provenance test site in Escaroupim, Portugal. Six populations were from relatively high rainfall sites in Portugal and southwestern France (Atlantic group), and one population was from a more arid Mediterranean site in Spain. There were significant differences between some populations in total height, diameter at breast height, delta(13)C of bulk needle tissue, polycyclism and survival. A population from central Portugal (Leiria, on the Atlantic coast) was the tallest and had the lowest delta(13)C. Overall, the variation in delta(13)C was better explained by the mean minimum temperatures of the coldest month than by annual precipitation at the place of origin. Analyses of the relationships between delta(13)C and growth or survival revealed a distinct pattern for the Mediterranean population, with low delta(13)C (and WUE) associated with the lowest growth potential and reduced survival. There were significant negative correlations between delta(13)C and height or survival in the Atlantic group. Variation in polycyclism was correlated with annual precipitation at the place of origin. Some Atlantic populations maintained a high growth potential while experiencing moderate water stress. A detailed knowledge of the relationships between growth, survival and delta(13)C in contrasting environments will enhance our ability to select populations for forestry or conservation.

[Reliability of the instrument for classifying elderly people's capacity for self-care]. / Confiabilidade do Instrumento para Classificação de Idosos quanto à Capacidade para o Autocuidado.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the reliability of an instrument for classifying elderly people regarding their capacity for self-care, which was developed to assist occupational therapists in attending elderly people at primary healthcare units. METHODS: Stability and internal consistency tests were carried out. To validate the instrument, tests were applied to a sample of 30 individuals aged 60 years and over, on two occasions. The statistical analysis was performed after careful grouping of the responses. This led to the formulation of a simplified version of the instrument. The stability of this version was assessed using the kappa coefficient and the internal consistency by Cronbach's alpha coefficient. RESULTS: The stability ranged from moderate to excellent. The internal consistency was checked only for areas that were shown to be appropriate for using the methodology, based on calculations of Cronbach's alpha: three of the six questions in the "social profile" area and the blocks of basic and instrumental activities of daily living in the "functional capacity" area, which respectively consisted of nine and eight activities. CONCLUSIONS: Following the stability and internal consistency tests, the instrument made it possible to succinctly and simply classify elderly people with regard to their functional capacity for basic and instrumental activities, and to characterize them regarding other aspects of self-care. The evidence regarding its reliability and validity could be expanded by means of new studies.

Promoting cognitive health: a virtual group intervention for community-living older adults / Promoção da saúde cognitiva: uma intervenção de grupo virtual para idosos que vivem na comunidade

ABSTRACT Group cognitive interventions can promote a sense of self-efficacy to older adults. Due to restrictive social distancing measures in the COVID-19 pandemic, face-to-face interventions that aimed to promote cognitive health needed to be adapted to a virtual offering. Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the effects of promoting cognitive health in a virtual group intervention for community-living older adults. Methods: This is a mixed, prospective, and analytical study. Before and after the intervention, the tests were applied: Brief Cognitive Screening Battery (BCSB) and the Subjective Memory Complaints Questionnaire (MAC-Q). Data were collected at semi-structured interviews related to the adoption of memory strategies. Statistical tests were conducted for initial and final intragroup comparison. The qualitative data were assessed using thematic analysis. Results: A total of 14 participants concluded the intervention. With respect to mnemonic strategies, the most relevant for the qualifier "Did not use it before and started to do so after the group" were association (n=10; 71.4%) and dual-task inhibition (n=9; 64.3%). According to the tests, the intervention improved incidental, immediate, and delayed recall, as well as the perception of memory for "Remembering the name of the person they just met," "Remembering the telephone number you use at least once a week," "Remembering where they put an object," "Remembering news from a magazine article or television program," and "In general, how would you describe your memory now compared to when you were 40 years old." Conclusions: The synchronous virtual group intervention was shown to be feasible for the elderly in the community who participated in the study.

RESUMO Intervenções cognitivas em grupo podem promover um senso de autoeficácia em idosos. Em decorrência das medidas restritivas de distanciamento social na pandemia de COVID-19, as intervenções presenciais que visavam promover a saúde cognitiva precisaram ser adaptadas à oferta virtual. Objetivos: Analisar os efeitos da promoção da saúde cognitiva em uma intervenção em grupo virtual para idosos que vivem na comunidade. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo misto, prospectivo e analítico. Antes e depois da intervenção foram aplicados os testes: Bateria de Triagem Cognitiva Breve (BCSB) e Questionário de Queixas de Memória Subjetiva (MAC-Q). Os dados foram coletados em entrevistas semiestruturadas relacionadas à adoção de estratégias de memória. Foram realizados testes estatísticos para a comparação intragrupo inicial e final. Os dados qualitativos foram avaliados por meio da análise temática. Resultados: Quatorze participantes concluíram a intervenção. Com relação às estratégias mnemônicas, as mais relevantes para o qualificador "não usava antes e passou a usar depois do grupo" foram associação (n=10; 71,4%) e inibição de dupla tarefa (n=9; 64,3%). De acordo com os testes, a intervenção melhorou a recordação incidental, imediata e tardia, bem como a percepção da memória para: "lembrar o nome da pessoa que acabou de conhecer"; "lembrar o número de telefone que você usa pelo menos uma vez por semana"; "lembrar onde colocaram um objeto"; "lembrar notícias de um artigo de revista ou programa de televisão" e "em geral, como você descreveria sua memória agora em comparação com quando tinha 40 anos". Conclusões: A intervenção síncrona em grupo virtual mostrou-se viável para os idosos da comunidade que participaram do estudo.

Massage and Storytelling Reduce Aggression and Improve Academic Performance in Children Attending Elementary School.

BACKGROUND: Aggressive behaviors must be addressed in elementary schools. Massage and storytelling can be strategies to deal with aggression because both involve experience exchange and social interaction. Both can decrease stress and anxiety and increase self-esteem. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of two interventions (massage and storytelling) on aggressive behaviors and academic performance of elementary school children. METHOD: Three groups (n = 35 children in each group) of the second grade participated (aged 6.5-8.1 years). One group received ten extra classes of massage (MG), another group received extra classes of storytelling (SG), and the control group received extra classes of random subjects (CG). Extra classes lasted for 50 minutes, once a week. Aggressive behaviors were recorded on diaries, by the teachers and the coordinator. The frequency of aggressive behaviors and the academic performance of MG, SG, and CG were observed for six months and the groups were compared. FINDINGS: ANOVAs evidenced that MG and SG, but not CG, showed a reduction in aggressive behaviors registered by the teachers and coordinator, after the intervention. Academic performance of MG and SC improved after the intervention (p < 0.05).

Primary health care assessment by users with and without disabilities. / Avaliação da atenção primária em saúde por usuários com e sem deficiência.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the core (First Contact, Longitudinality, Comprehensiveness, and Coordination of Services) and derivative (Family Orientation, Community Orientation) attributes of primary health care (PHC) from the perspective of users with and without disabilities. METHODS: Observational, cross-sectional study using the Primary Care Assessment Tool (PCAT) with users with and without disabilities of five basic health units (BHU) in a municipality where 55% of the population depends on the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS). Scores were assigned to the responses given to each of the PHC attributes evaluated. RESULTS: Study participants were 93 (67 physically disabled and 26 without disabilities) PHC users. No statistically significant differences were observed for any attribute on the comparison between the populations. For both groups, the attributes Degree of Affiliation, First Contact - Utilization, Longitudinality, and Coordination of Services - Information System received satisfactory (above cutoff) scores, whereas the attributes First Contact - Accessibility, Coordination of Services - Care Integration, Comprehensiveness, Family Orientation, and Community Orientation received unsatisfactory (below cutoff) scores. Users reported that the health teams are able to satisfactorily identify mobility issues, but there are failures in the recognition of problems of hearing, voice/speech and vision, and in the orientation of services available and services provided. CONCLUSION: Users with and without disabilities evaluated the health care received similarly, indicating fragilities on the recognition of specific demands. Structural and work process changes should be conducted to ensure Accessibility, Comprehensiveness, and Family and Community Orientation, and thus increase the quality of PHC.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar atributos essenciais (acesso de primeiro contato, longitudinalidade, integralidade e coordenação da atenção) e derivados (orientação familiar e comunitária) da Atenção Primária em Saúde (APS) na percepção de usuários com e sem deficiência. MÉTODO: Estudo transversal observacional utilizando o questionário Primary Care Assesment Tool em usuários autodeclarados com e sem deficiência de cinco unidades básicas de saúde de um município no qual 55% da população depende do SUS. Foram atribuídos escores para as respostas dadas a cada atributo de atenção primária à saúde avaliado. RESULTADOS: Participaram 93 usuários (67 com e 26 sem deficiência). Não houve diferença estatisticamente significante para nenhum dos atributos na comparação entre pessoas com e sem deficiência. Para o grupo como um todo, obtiveram-se escores acima do critério de corte: Grau de afiliação, Acesso de primeiro contato (utilização), Longitudinalidade e Coordenação da atenção (sistema de informação). Receberam pior avaliação: Acesso de primeiro contato (acessibilidade), Coordenação da atenção (integralidade do cuidado), Integralidade (serviços disponíveis e prestados) e Orientação familiar e comunitária. Os usuários reconhecem que as equipes identificam problemas de locomoção e movimentação, mas que existem falhas no reconhecimento de problemas para ouvir, falar e enxergar; e na orientação das pessoas que necessitam de auxílio e das que prestam cuidados. CONCLUSÃO: Os usuários com e sem deficiência avaliaram de forma semelhante a atenção que recebem e indicaram fragilidades no reconhecimento de demandas específicas. Há necessidade de mudanças (estruturais e do processo de trabalho) para assegurar acessibilidade, integralidade do cuidado e orientação familiar e comunitária e, assim, melhor qualificar a APS.

Percepção de saúde, mobilidade e humor de mulheres participantes de caminhada em imersão / Perception of health, mobility and mood of women participating in immersion walk

Estudos têm demonstrado que exercícios realizados em meio aquático produzem benefícios diversos para mulheres. Esta pesquisa objetivou avaliar a percepção subjetiva de saúde, mobilidade e humor de mulheres quinquagenárias saudáveis e sedentárias em decorrência de participação em programa de caminhada em imersão. Participaram 59 mulheres entre 50 e 59 anos, distribuídas em grupos de 10 a 12 pessoas. A atividade foi desenvolvida em piscina aquecida 2 vezes por semana, por 30 minutos, durante 12 meses. O programa foi dividido em 4 etapas de 3 meses com 5 tempos de avaliação. Para a avaliação subjetiva sobre o estado de saúde, mobilidade e humor, utilizou-se uma escala numérica de 0 a 10. Breve relato sobre os principais efeitos do programa também foi analisado em seu conteúdo. Observou-se melhora na percepção de saúde (p < 0,001), na mobilidade (p < 0,001) e no humor (p = 0,003). Na análise de conteúdo, 49,4% dos relatos relacionaram-se com a melhora da saúde; 22,9% com a autoestima e satisfação e 19,3% com a capacidade física. O estudo reforça a necessidade deste tipo de prática para a saúde integral da mulher de "meia idade" como medida preventiva do processo de envelhecimento saudável. (AU)

Reliability and Validity of the Brazilian Version of the Late-Life Function and Disability Instrument.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the test-retest reliability, internal consistency, and construct validity of the Brazilian version of the Late-Life Function and Disability Instrument. METHOD: A sample of 118 older adults provided data for testing construct validity and internal consistency, and 14 provided data for testing test-retest reliability. Factor analysis with varimax rotation was used to assess construct validity. RESULTS: The Function component had excellent test-retest and total internal consistency reliability. Factor analysis revealed that the Upper Extremity Function and Advanced Lower Extremity Function domains were similar to the original analysis. The Disability component showed adequate to excellent test-retest reliability, except in the Management role; total internal consistency was excellent. Factor analysis revealed that its domains were similar to the original analysis, except for some items. CONCLUSION: The Late-Life Function and Disability Instrument is recommended for assessment of Brazilian community-dwelling older adults who are functionally independent and who do not require mobility assistance.

Atuação de terapeutas ocupacionais com idosos frágeis / Intervention of occupational therapists with frail elderly

Resumo Introdução Terapeutas ocupacionais compõem as equipes que prestam assistência a idosos frágeis em diferentes contextos de atenção, dentre eles saúde, assistência social e cultura. Objetivo Identificar a atuação de terapeutas ocupacionais com idosos frágeis. Método Estudo qualitativo e exploratório. Realizaram-se entrevistas com terapeutas ocupacionais que atuam com idosos frágeis na cidade de São Paulo, SP, Brasil, utilizando roteiro semiestruturado de questões. Empregou-se a técnica "bola de neve". Os resultados foram analisados por meio da análise de conteúdo temático-categorial. Resultados Foram entrevistadas nove terapeutas ocupacionais atuantes na saúde, assistência social e cultura. As categorias encontradas foram: I) ações desenvolvidas por terapeutas ocupacionais na assistência a idosos frágeis; II) trabalho em equipe e articulação de saberes, contribuições e desafios; III) articulação de redes e intersetorialidade; IV) aspectos relevantes na assistência integral a idosos frágeis. As entrevistadas realizam ações diversificadas, considerando a inserção cultural e social do idoso e as políticas públicas; compartilhadas com profissionais da equipe e com serviços da rede setorial e intersetorial; além de incluírem cuidadores na assistência prestada aos idosos frágeis. Conclusão Dentre os desafios encontrados pelas terapeutas ocupacionais na atuação com idosos frágeis, encontra-se a incorporação das premissas da integralidade, intersetorialidade e trabalho em equipe. As diferentes ações realizadas estão amparadas nas políticas públicas para o envelhecimento, e buscam o cuidado singular baseado na complexidade biopsicossocial e nos aspectos contextuais que influenciam o envelhecimento. Os resultados indicam a necessidade de ampliação da inserção de terapeutas ocupacionais em equipes que ofertam cuidados para idosos frágeis em diferentes contextos de atenção.

Abstract Introduction Occupational therapists make up the teams that provide assistance to frail elderly people in different care contexts, including health, social assistance and culture. Objective To identify the role of occupational therapists who work with frail elderly people. Method Qualitative and exploratory study. Interviews were carried out with occupational therapists who work with frail elderly people in the city of São Paulo, SP, Brazil, using a semi-structured script of questions. "Snowball sampling" was used. The results were analyzed using thematic-categorical content analysis. Results Nine occupational therapists working in health, social care and culture were interviewed. The categories found were: I) actions developed by occupational therapists in assisting frail elderly people; II) teamwork and articulation of knowledge, contributions and challenges; III) articulation of networks and intersectoriality; IV) relevant aspects in comprehensive care for frail elderly people. The interviewees perform diversified actions, considering the cultural and social insertion of the elderly and public policies; shared with team professionals and with services from the sectorial and intersectorial network; included caregivers in the assistance provided to the frail elderly. Conclusion Among the challenges faced by occupational therapists in working with frail elderly people, there is the incorporation of the premises of integrality, intersectoriality and teamwork. The different actions taken are supported by public policies for aging, and seek unique care based on biopsychosocial complexity and contextual aspects that influence aging. The results indicate the need to expand the insertion of occupational therapists in teams that offer care to frail elderly people in different care contexts.

Abordagem grupal em terapia ocupacional com adultos e idosos no contexto da hospitalização / Group approach in occupational therapy with adults and elderly in the context of hospitalization

A hospitalização configura-se como condição complexa e potencialmente desencadeadora de sofrimento para a pessoa em processo de adoecimento e para aqueles que a acompanham. O terapeuta ocupacional se utiliza de diferentes abordagens para favorecer a integralidade e humanização do cuidado, sendo uma delas a grupal. Objetivos:Analisar uma experiência grupal desenvolvida pela terapia ocupacional com usuários, familiares/acompanhantes na enfermaria de clínica médica de um hospital universitário. Método: Estudo qualitativo com base na análise de conteúdo temática de documentos, sendo esses prontuários dos usuários participantes de grupos, realizados de junho de 2018 a dezembro de 2019. Resultados: Analisados 22 prontuários dos usuários, a maioria adultos e com equilíbrio entre os sexos. As temáticas do grupo versaram sobre: construção de trabalho colaborativo entre a equipe multiprofissional; expressão de sentimentos e potencialização de vínculos; resgate de atividades, singularidades e projetos de vida; ressignificação e humanização do cotidiano hospitalar. Conclusões:A abordagem grupal evidencia uma prática humanizada em saúde, que favorece o trabalho colaborativo em equipe, o apoio à elaboração do adoecimento e a promoção do bem-estar do usuário. Ao ser adotada e sistematizada, amplia possibilidades e potencialidades de seu uso no contexto da hospitalização.

Hospitalization is a complex condition that potentially triggers suffering for the person in the process of becoming ill and for those who accompany them. The occupational therapist uses different approaches to favor the integrality and humanization of care, one of which is the group approach. Objectives: To analyze a group experience developed by occupational therapy with users, family members/companions in the medical clinic ward of a university hospital. Method: Qualitative study based on thematic content analysis of documents, with these records of users participating in groups, carried out from June 2018 to December 2019. Results: 22 records of users were analyzed, most of them adults and with a balance between the sexes. The themes of the group were about: construction of collaborative work among the professional team; expression of feelings and strengthening of bonds; rescue of activities, singularities and life projects; resignification and humanization of hospital routine. Conclusions: The group approach evidences a humanized practice in health, which favors the collaborative work of the team, the support for the elaboration of the illness and the promotion of the user's well-being. When adopted and systematized, it expands its possibilities and potential in the context of hospitalization