Decylprodigiosin: a new member of the prodigiosin family isolated from a seaweed-associated Streptomyces.

Bioprospecting actinobacterial secondary metabolism from untapped marine sources may lead to the discovery of biotechnologically-relevant compounds. While studying the diversity and bioactive potential of Actinomycetota associated with Codium tomentosum, a green seaweed collected in the northern Portuguese cost, strain CT-F61, identified as Streptomyces violaceoruber, was isolated. Its extracts displayed a strong anticancer activity on breast carcinoma T-47D and colorectal carcinoma HCT116 cells, being effective as well against a panel of human and fish pathogenic bacteria. Following a bioactivity-guided isolation pipeline, a new analogue of the red-pigmented family of the antibiotics prodigiosins, decylprodigiosin (1), was identified and chemically characterized. Despite this family of natural products being well-known for a long time, we report a new analogue and the first evidence for prodigiosins being produced by a seaweed-associated actinomycete.

Understanding quality of life's challenges in sarcoma patients: A mixed-methods study.

PURPOSE: Sarcoma, a highly aggressive form of cancer, profoundly affects patients both physically and psychologically. This study aimed to assess sarcoma patients' health-related quality of life and explore their experiences of living with the disease and their specific care requirements. METHODS: This research employed a convergent parallel mixed-methods design. Fifty-two sarcoma patients completed the European Portuguese version of the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire, and seven of them participated in semi-structured interviews. Descriptive measures, Cronbach alpha for internal consistency, t-teste-Anova and stepwise regression were employed in the quantitative analysis. Qualitative data was analysed thematically. RESULTS: The most affected Quality of life (QoL) dimensions were role functioning and global health, areas of functioning that were also described as impacted in patients' experiences. Symptoms like insomnia, pain, and fatigue were frequently reported. Symptoms such as fatigue, pain, and financial difficulty explain QoL variance. No significant differences in QoL were found according to the different forms of treatment. Analysis of the interviews revealed three overarching themes: (1) disruption of daily life, (2) adaptation to life with sarcoma, and (3) the demand for more personalized care, allowing to gain a deeper understanding of living with sarcoma. CONCLUSION: The results underscore the significance of delivering care that enhances the quality of life for sarcoma patients, addressing both their physical and psychosocial needs, and providing personalized support throughout all stages of the disease.

Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Psychometric Testing of the Portuguese Version of the Iceland-Family Illness Beliefs Questionnaire.

Illness beliefs have a role in the adaptation, coping, well-being, healing, and recovery in families of children/adolescents with chronic illness. The assessment of family illness beliefs can support family nursing interventions that address the suffering of family members when illness arises. The purpose of this study was to translate, cross-culturally adapt, and psychometrically test the Portuguese version of the Iceland-Family Illness Beliefs Questionnaire. A sample of 237 parents of children/adolescents who experienced chronic health conditions completed the online questionnaire. The original factor model was tested through confirmatory factorial analysis. The results showed satisfactory model fit indices (χ2/gl = 3.004; comparative fit index [CFI] = 0.90; root mean square error of approximation [RMSEA] = 0.092) and internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.74). The instrument showed good psychometric characteristics of validity and reliability, suggesting it may be useful in the assessment of illness beliefs in families experiencing a pediatric chronic illness.

Monitoring Patient-Reported Outcomes in Self-management of Postsurgical Symptoms in Oncology: A Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND: Surgery is used widely for cancer treatment, and in most types, after discharge, patients usually report multiple symptoms, which, if not controlled, can put postoperative recovery at risk. Understanding which patient-reported outcomes (PROs) should be monitored could have a significant impact on reducing the symptom burden associated with cancer and its treatment by playing a pivotal role in developing symptom self-management plans and designing tailored approaches to optimize patients' symptom self-management behaviors. OBJECTIVE: To map the PROs used for patients' postsurgical symptom self-management after hospital discharge following cancer surgery. INTERVENTIONS/METHODS: Our scoping review process was guided by the steps for conducting scoping reviews recommended by the Joanna Briggs Institute. RESULTS: The search identified 97 potentially relevant studies, with 27 articles meeting the inclusion criteria. The most frequently assessed and monitored PROs were problems with surgical wounds, more general physical symptoms, psychological functioning outcomes, and quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed an overall uniformity among the PROs selected to be monitored in surgical cancer patients after hospital discharge. Monitoring through electronic platforms is widely used and seems useful to self-manage symptoms and optimize the recovery of cancer patients after discharge following surgery. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: This study provides knowledge about PROs that can be applied in oncologic patients after surgery to self-report their symptoms following discharge.

Translation, Adaptation, and Validation of the Cultural Competence Assessment in Portuguese Nurses.

Background and Purpose: Previous research shows significant benefits resulting from improving culturally competent nursing care. Thus, the purpose of this study was to translate, adapt, and validate the Cultural Competence Assessment (CCA) in a sample of Portuguese nurses. Methods: A psychometric study of the CCA, after translation into European Portuguese, was performed with a snowball sample of 284 nurses. Participants were asked to fill in a sociodemographic questionnaire and the CCA. Results: The four-factor model of the CCA (Portuguese version) exhibited satisfactory indices of fitness without item nine. Cronbach's alpha was 0.85. Correlations between subscales and the total score scale were strong and statistically significant. Conclusions: These data add to the cultural competence knowledge of nurses to promote better practices and culturally competent care.

Assessing the Effectiveness of a Massive Open Online Course for Caregivers Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic: Methodological Study.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has presented significant challenges to health care systems, particularly impacting the older population due to their vulnerability and increased susceptibility to severe complications. Many of the most vulnerable individuals rely on informal caregivers, who play a vital role in enabling them to continue living in their homes. However, social isolation and limited access to health services during the pandemic have made caregiving more difficult. In response, massive open online courses (MOOCs) have emerged as a training and support solution for caregivers. This study focuses on a MOOC developed to assist caregivers during the pandemic, aiming to enhance their knowledge of COVID-19 and prevention measures and promote effective self-care practices. OBJECTIVE: The study's aim is to develop and validate a MOOC integrating personal and housing hygiene measures to be adopted in self-care-related activities, surveillance, and monitoring by caregivers of the most vulnerable home-dwelling-dependent people, to provide safe care and prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection. METHODS: A methodological study was developed. The content of the MOOC was developed based on scientific evidence and a Delphi study. The course was organized into 9 modules, addressing aspects related to safe self-care assistance and minimizing the risk of contagion. A convenience sample of 33 informal caregivers was recruited through a caregivers' association to verify the adequacy of the course. Knowledge questionnaires were administered before and after the course to assess the impact on caregivers' knowledge. The Family Caregiving Factors Inventory was used to evaluate caregiver resources, knowledge, expectations, and difficulties. Additionally, the technology acceptance model was applied to assess participants' satisfaction with the MOOC. RESULTS: Prior to attending the MOOC, participants demonstrated an average knowledge level score of mean 14.94 (SD 2.72). After completing the course, this score significantly increased to mean 16.52 (SD 2.28), indicating an improvement in knowledge. Caregivers found the course accessible, valuable, and applicable to their caregiving roles. Feedback regarding the MOOC's structure, illustrative videos, and language was overwhelmingly positive. Participants perceived the course as a valuable resource for decision-making in care delivery, leading to enhanced self-esteem and confidence. CONCLUSIONS: The MOOC has proven to be an effective tool for increasing caregivers' knowledge and empowering them in their roles. Remarkably, even low-literacy caregivers found the course valuable for its clear and understandable information. The MOOC demonstrated its adaptability to challenges faced during the pandemic, ensuring access to relevant information. This empowering strategy for caregivers has yielded positive outcomes. The MOOC represents a tool to support and empower informal caregivers, enabling them to provide optimal care during difficult times.

Development of a perioperative thermal insulation system: Testing comfort properties for different textile sets.

The poorly physical and psychological conditions of the patients make the body thermal protection crucial in the perioperative context, due to the risk of hypothermia. The lack of evidence regarding the effectiveness of textile coverings in protecting patients in the operating room, underscores the recommendation of the forced warming system using non-woven fabric for ensuring the best thermal protection in the perioperative context. This study is part of a development process of a three-layered thermal insulation system, a blanket for use in the perioperative context. After previous selection of two fabrics for the mid and outer layers, in this study three fabric samples for the inner layer with same soft tactile sensation and different textile compositions were tested to find its effect on increasing the thermal insulation of the whole set, using a thermal manikin. The serial method was used to calculate the thermal insulation properties of the sets. The best thermal insulation and thermal comfort performance was obtained by the set using an inner layer composed of polypropylene, polyamide, and elastane whose results were the highest thermal conductivity and thickness and the lowest maximum stationary heat flow density. The results indicated that this fabric influenced positively the values of the whole set once increased its thermal protection effectiveness when compared to the other tested sets. This set is more suitable for future testing in patients during their stay in the perioperative setting.

Seizure-induced increase in microglial cell population in the developing zebrafish brain.

Epilepsy is a chronic brain disorder characterized by unprovoked and recurrent seizures, of which 60% are of unknown etiology. Recent studies implicate microglia in the pathophysiology of epilepsy. However, their role in this process, in particular following early-life seizures, remains poorly understood due in part to the lack of suitable experimental models allowing the in vivo imaging of microglial activity. Given the advantage of zebrafish larvae for minimally-invasive imaging approaches, we sought for the first time to describe the microglial responses after acute seizures in two different zebrafish larval models: a chemically-induced epileptic model by the systemic injection of kainate at 3 days post-fertilization, and the didys552 genetic epilepsy model, which carries a mutation in scn1lab that leads to spontaneous epileptiform discharges. Kainate-treated larvae exhibited transient brain damage as shown by increased numbers of apoptotic nuclei as early as one day post-injection, which was followed by an increase in the number of microglia in the brain. A similar microglial phenotype was also observed in didys552-/- mutants, suggesting that microglia numbers change in response to seizure-like activity in the brain. Interestingly, kainate-treated larvae also displayed a decreased seizure threshold towards subsequent pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures, as shown by higher locomotor and encephalographic activity in comparison with vehicle-injected larvae. These results are comparable to kainate-induced rodent seizure models and suggest the suitability of these zebrafish seizure models for future studies, in particular to elucidate the links between epileptogenesis and microglial dynamic changes after seizure induction in the developing brain, and to understand how these modulate seizure susceptibility.

Psychometric properties of the European Portuguese version of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ family impact module.

PURPOSE: This study aims to assess the psychometric properties of the European Portuguese version of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ Family Impact Module in parents of children/adolescents with chronic health conditions. DESIGN AND METHODS: The European Portuguese version of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ Family Impact Module was administered to 237 parents of children/adolescents with chronic disease and/or chronic disorder. Participants were recruited from the day hospital and/or outpatient services of four hospitals in Northern Portugal, the majority being mothers (87.3%) aged between 31 and 50 years (86.9%). The questionnaire was administered online through the REDCap platform. The hierarchical factor model of the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory™ Family Impact Module proposed by Varni and colleagues was tested. RESULTS: Confirmatory Factor Analysis indicated good model fit, with the following indices (χ2 /gL = 2.19; comparative fit index [CFI] = 0.90;  root mean square error of approximation [RMSEA] = 0.07 immune cell [IC] 90% = 0.06-0.07). Internal consistency values were high (parent quality of life subtotal, α = .96; family functioning subtotal, α = .92; total score, α = .96). PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The European Portuguese version of the PedsQL™ FIM is a reliable and valid measurement tool for nurses to assess the impact of the child/adolescent chronic conditions on family's quality of life and to develop interventions to improve their well-being.

Incorporation and modification of fatty acids in cyanobacterial natural products biosynthesis.

Fatty acid-derived alkyl chains are often found in natural products, where they can exert a number of different functions, most notably biological membrane interactions. Such alkyl chains are difficult to modify regio- and stereoselectively, since most positions are distant from any directing functional group. Chemical and biochemical diversification of these moieties is therefore a challenge, and most organisms do not modify alkyl moieties to a great extent. Still, one particular group of microorgansims - cyanobacteria - display not only a large number of fatty acid-incorporating natural products, but also modify these to a great extent. Here, we provide an overview of the unique fatty acid metabolism of cyanobacteria in the context of natural products biosynthesis. We cover the diverse range of fatty acid incorporation mechanisms that these organisms use to recruit and commit fatty acids to natural products biosynthetic pathways. A variety of alkyl chain decorations and modifications that are found in cyanobacterial natural products are highlighted, illustrating the rich enzymatic arsenal that these organisms have evolved to diversify fatty acid-derived alkyl chains.

A Rare Geriatric Diagnosis of Eosinophilic Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis: A Case Report.

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is a rare form of systemic disease characterized by inflammation and necrotizing effects of the small and medium blood vessels. It is a vasculitis found in all age groups and both genders, although its etiology is unknown. The mean age at diagnosis is 40 years, consisting of an uncommon cause of vasculitis in people older than 65 years. It is the least common of the three antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (EGPA, granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), and microscopic polyangiitis). The characteristic features of EGPA include extravascular eosinophilic granulomas, peripheral eosinophilia, and asthma, usually responsive to steroid treatment. In this article, we discuss a case of an 83-year-old male with a history of undetermined etiology of chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and severe chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis. First hospitalized with the suspicion of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), based on worsening blood eosinophilia and unresolving respiratory symptoms, a suspicion for EGPA was raised. The development of an eosinophilic pleural effusion, later upon admission, was a predominant factor for its confirmation, as it constitutes a rare finding, only present in about 30% of patients. Laboratory tests showed elevated IgE, the presence of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies directed against myeloperoxidase with a perinuclear staining pattern (ANCA-MPO), and the absence of antiproteinase 3 (anti-PR3) ANCA, which were consistent with the diagnosis. A pleural biopsy was then made, revealing fibrosis with the presence of eosinophils, although with no evidence of granulomas. According to the most recent and accepted classification criteria, the "2022 American College of Rheumatology and European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (ACR/EULAR) for EGPA," this patient presented with a score of 13 (a score greater than or equal to 6 is needed for the classification of EGPA). Hence, a diagnosis of EGPA was assumed, and the patient was initiated on corticosteroid therapy, with a favorable response. The aim of this article is to present a rare case of EGPA diagnosis made at the age of 83 years old, although there was evidence that could point to this disease years before the diagnosis was made. In the present case, it is important to point out the long diagnostic delay in a geriatric patient, much older than the median age of diagnosis for EGPA, culminating in a curious case of uncommon pleuroparenchymal involvement.

Realistic simulation in nursing education: Testing two scenario-based models.

AIM: To evaluate students' self-perceived pedagogical outcomes when using a digital scenario-based tool compared to traditional scenarios printed on paper. DESIGN: This study used a within-subjects experiment. METHOD: A digital platform for scenario development was developed, focusing on patients' regaining independence and returning home after an acute event. Students participated in two simulation activities, differing only in the type of scenario used and completed a questionnaire to evaluate their learning experience. RESULTS: Students considered that the new scenario template provided a clearer understanding of the situation under analysis, allowing them to recognize the focuses of attention to be prioritized when formulating the intervention plan. No Patient or Public Contribution: A digital platform for a standardized process of scenario writing to help realistic simulation in nursing education is a novelty in this study and will likely contribute to substantial learning gains.

Biosynthesis of the Unusual Carbon Skeleton of Nocuolin A.

Nocuolin A is a cytotoxic cyanobacterial metabolite that is proposed to be produced by enzymes of the noc biosynthetic gene cluster. Nocuolin A features a 1,2,3-oxadiazine moiety, a structural feature unique among natural products and, so far, inaccessible through organic synthesis, suggesting that novel enzymatic chemistry might be involved in its biosynthesis. This heterocycle is substituted with two alkyl chains and a 3-hydroxypropanoyl moiety. We report here our efforts to elucidate the origin of the carbon skeleton of nocuolin A. Supplementation of cyanobacterial cultures with stable isotope-labeled fatty acids revealed that the central C13 chain is assembled from two medium-chain fatty acids, hexanoic and octanoic acids. Using biochemical assays, we show that a fatty acyl-AMP ligase, NocH, activates both fatty acids as acyl adenylates, which are loaded onto an acyl carrier protein domain and undergo a nondecarboxylative Claisen condensation catalyzed by the ketosynthase NocG. This enzyme is part of a phylogenetically well-defined clade within similar genomic contexts. NocG presents a unique combination of characteristics found in other ketosynthases, namely in terms of substrate specificity and reactivity. Further supplementation experiments indicate that the 3-hydroxypropanoyl moiety of 1 originates from methionine, through an as-yet-uncharacterized mechanism. This work provides ample biochemical evidence connecting the putative noc biosynthetic gene cluster to nocuolin A and identifies the origin of all its carbon atoms, setting the stage for elucidation of its unusual biosynthetic chemistry.

Esophageal Candidiasis in a Non-HIV Patient: A Primary Care Diagnosis.

A 74-year-old man visited his family doctor for dysphagia and was diagnosed with esophageal candidiasis. His risk factors included type 2 diabetes mellitus, long-term intake of budesonide/formoterol inhaler 160/45 µg, and pantoprazole 20 mg. He was treated with fluconazole 200 mg per day for 14 days. Other factors of immunosuppression were excluded, and his chronic medication was adapted by starting him with a proton pump inhibitor withdrawal plan and switching his inhaled device to a formoterol-only device without an inhaled corticosteroid. The patient had complete remission of the symptoms on the seventh day of treatment without relapse to date. The key point is that iatrogenic factors should be considered in the presence of esophageal candidiasis in immunocompetent patients and a therapeutic review is an important tool that should be used in every primary care appointment to refrain from long-term prescriptions without clinical indication and, consequently, to avoid adverse events.

Malignancy risk of thyroid nodules: quality assessment of the thyroid ultrasound report.

BACKGROUND: Thyroid nodules are a challenge in clinical practice and thyroid ultrasonography is essential for assessing the risk of malignancy. The use of ultrasound-based malignancy risk classification systems has been recommended by several scientific societies but radiologist's adherence to these guidelines may vary. The authors aimed to analyze the quality of the information provided by the thyroid ultrasound report, to assess the malignancy risk of thyroid nodules, in Portugal. METHODS: Multicenter and retrospective study, conducted in three of the five Portuguese NUTS2 corresponding to about 88.3% of the mainland population. We included 344 consecutive unselected participants aged ≥ 18 years who underwent thyroid ultrasonography in 2019. The description of six features of the dominant thyroid nodule was analyzed: maximum size, shape, margins, composition, echogenicity and echogenic foci. A utility score, including these six features, was used as an indicator of the report's quality. A score of 4 was considered as a minimum value. RESULTS: Maximum diameter was reported for all nodules. Shape, margins, composition, echogenicity and echogenic foci were reported in 8.1%, 25.0%, 76.5%, 53.2% and 20.9%, respectively. Only 21.8% of the nodules had a score ≥ 4. At least one of four suspicious features, including marked hypoechogenicity, microcalcifications, irregular margins and non-oval shape, was identified in 8.7% of the nodules. Cervical lymph nodes' status was reported in 93% of the exams. The risk category was only reported in 7.8% of the participants. CONCLUSION: The adherence of Portuguese radiologists to a standardized reporting model and to an ultrasound-based malignancy risk stratification system is still low and has implications for the correct characterization of the malignancy risk of nodules and the decision to perform fine-needle aspiration biopsy.

Transient remission of hyperparathyroidism after fine-needle aspiration biopsy.

Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is the unregulated overproduction of parathyroid hormone (PTH), resulting in abnormal calcium homeostasis. PHPT is most commonly caused by a single adenoma of the parathyroid gland, which can have an intrathyroid location in rare cases. The measurement of intact PTH in the washout fluid obtained by ultrasound (US)-guided fineneedle aspiration (FNA) can be useful in clarifying the aetiology of these lesions. This study presented a 48-year-old man with a background history of symptomatic renal stone disease who was diagnosed with PHPT and referred to our Endocrinology department. A neck US revealed a thyroid nodule with a size of 21 mm in the right lobe. The patient underwent US-guided FNA of the lesion. The measurement of PTH in the washout fluid was significantly elevated. Following the procedure, he reported neck pain and noticed distal paraesthesias in the upper limbs. Blood test results showed significant hypocalcaemia and supplementation with calcium and calcitriol was started. The patient was closely monitored. Recurrence of hypercalcaemia was later observed, and the patient was submitted to surgery. We present a case of FNAinduced transitory remission of PHPT in a patient with an intrathyroid parathyroid adenoma. We conjecture that intra-nodular haemorrhage might have occurred, which temporarily affected the viability of the autonomous parathyroid tissue. A few similar cases of spontaneous or induced remission of PHPT after FNA have been previously described in the literature. This remission can be transitory or permanent, depending on the degree of cellular damage thus follow-up of these patients is recommended.

Psychometric Properties of the Portuguese Version of the Iceland-Family Perceived Support Questionnaire in Parents of Children and Adolescents with Chronic Condition.

The support from nurses perceived by family members of children with chronic conditions has been shown to be a protective factor at different levels in a family's health. As such, nurses need to have instruments that assess this perception to increase the quality of the care provided to those families. This methodological study aimed to analyze the psychometric properties of the Portuguese translation of the Iceland-Family Perceived Support Questionnaire (ICE-FPSQ) in parents of children/adolescents with chronic conditions. The ICE-FPSQ was administered to 237 parents recruited from the day hospital and outpatient services of four hospitals in Northern Portugal. Cronbach's alpha reliability coefficients for the Total Scale, Cognitive Support, and Emotional Support subscales were excellent (α = 0.96, α = 0.93, α = 0.96, respectively). Reasonable fit indexes were found by confirmatory factor analysis (χ2/df = 2.799; CFI = 0.960; PCFI = 0.791, and RMSEA = 0.087), indicating a good model fit to the original structure. The ICE-FPSQ is a valid and reliable instrument to measure perceived support.

Shorted Happiness at Work Scale: Psychometric Proprieties of the Portuguese Version in a Sample of Nurses.

In the last decades, happiness at work has been studied due to social changes; increased workload; stress; and, more recently, the COVID-19 pandemic. Happiness at work is considered an umbrella concept as it covers individual and organizational aspects of working life. The aim of this study is to analyze the psychometric properties of the Shorted Happiness at Work Scale (SHAW) in a sample of Portuguese nurses. A cross-sectional study with 113 Portuguese nurses, from one of the islands of the Azores, was selected through a convenience sample. A sociodemographic/professional questionnaire and the SHAW scale were applied. Through the CFA, the SHAW trifactorial model was tested according to its theoretical reference, having obtained a general tolerable adjustment index. After respecification of the model through the correlation of the errors of two items, a better adjustment was obtained, but the RMSEA value remains problematic. Additionally, the values of the coefficient of internal consistency were indicative of good fidelity. The analysis of the psychometric characteristics of the SHAW scale, in the sample of Portuguese nurses, suggests a theoretical adaptation to the model of happiness at work.

Self-Care Dependency Evaluation Form: Psychometric properties of the revised version with 27 items.

INTRODUCTION: The Self-Care Dependency Evaluation Form assesses dependency in performing self-care activities, but its original version is extensive and provides redundant information. The present study aims to scrutinise the items of the scale with the purpose of creating a revised version and to evaluate its psychometric properties. METHODS: The study was conducted in two phases. In the first phase, an exploratory and correctional analysis of the items of the original form was performed from a database with 282 participants, followed by a review by a panel of experts who analysed the discriminatory ability and the contribution and relevance of each item, which resulted in the revised version. In the second phase, a new study with a sample comprising 150 participants was conducted to test the psychometric properties of the revised version. All ethical aspects and matters of confidentiality and privacy were assured. RESULTS: The scale with 27 items shows good internal consistency, ranging from 0.67 (taking medication) to 0.96 (walking). It was moderately correlated with the Barthel Index and the Lawton and Brody Scale, proven to be a discriminatory measurement instrument. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION: This measure will enable health professionals to better evaluate self-care activities and provide more efficient, simple and effective prescriptions.

Engagement in civic organisations in old age: Motivations for participation and retention.

Although the importance of older citizens' civic engagement has been highlighted in research and policy, the topic remains underexplored. In this study, we discuss older Portuguese citizens' motivations for civic engagement. The research is based on interviews with eighteen participants aged over 60, who are retired but active in civic organisations, in which they hold or have held leadership positions. We employed thematic analysis to examine the qualitative data. The findings suggest a range of motivations for participation, with personal and ideological/political motives emerging as relevant for involvement, retention and leaving, and interpersonal relationships motivating involvement and retention. However, the specific motivations differ as a function of not only the stages of involvement/retention/leaving, but also the type of organisation and the participants' life experiences. There are notable differences between the motivations for involvement in cultural and recreational organisations, neighbourhood organisations and volunteer programmes, where the emphasis is on fostering interpersonal relationships, and the more ideological/political motivations that appear as determinant within political and activist organisations. As such, this study brings a more complex understanding of the range of motivations for civic engagement in later life, with significant implications for fostering older citizens' mobilisation and sustained engagement.