Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2023-09-01"
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- General practitioners’ own traumatic experiences and their skills in addressing patients’ past history of adversities: a cross-sectional study in PortugalPublication . Sá, Mariana; Pereira, Paulo Almeida; Castro-Vale, IvoneAddressing trauma has been found to be important for primary care patients, as it can improve their health-related outcomes. We aimed to assess how Portuguese general practitioners’ (GPs) past history of traumatic events (TEs) and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) influence their clinical communication skills when addressing their patients’ past history of adversities. An online survey was circulated by email to GPs’ associations and through GPs’ social media groups. A sample of 143 GPs participated in this study. GPs’ exposure to ACEs and TEs was assessed using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire-Short Form and the Life Events Checklist for the DSM-5. To evaluate clinical communication skills, we adapted the Self-confidence Scale and used the Jefferson Scale of Physician Empathy. GPs identified barriers to addressing trauma routinely, including a lack of time (86.7%) and a fear of causing further patient suffering (56.6%). GPs’ exposure to TEs and ACEs was positively correlated with scores in some dimensions of self-confidence and empathy (r values varying from 0.170 to 0.247). GPs exposed to traumatic experiences felt more confident when addressing their patients’ adversities and were more empathic when conducting therapeutic relationships. This study shows that GPs with a history of traumatic experiences are able to address their patients’ adversities; however, they lack proper training and better patient care conditions, such as more time and more resources available for patient guidance.
- Individual-level determinants of religious intergenerational transmission: evidence from Catholic EuropePublication . Conway, Brian; Spruyt, Bram; Coutinho, José PereiraAlthough there is a rich body of research on religious transmission, relatively little attention has been given to studying this within specific religious traditions such as Catholicism, especially in Europe. Using data from the 2018 round of the International Social Survey Programme (ISSP), this study uses regression analysis to investigate individual-level determinants of religious transmission in 12 European countries with a Catholic tradition. We find support for the idea that parental religious socialization impacts adults' religiosity. More specifically, we find that childhood religiosity has explanatory effects separate from the impact of parental religiosity and that the religiosity of the father has a greater impact on offspring religiosity than the religiosity of the mother. We also find that childhood church attendance has a stronger effect in former communist countries than in western European countries. Overall, this study suggests the religious socialization perspective should be considered more in religious group-specific terms.
- Pain-related beliefs, coping, and function: an observational study on the moderating influence of country of originPublication . Ferreira-Valente, Alexandra; Sharma, Saurab; Chan, Joy; Bernardes, Sónia; Pais-Ribeiro, José; Jensen, Mark P.Chronic pain is a multidimensional experience and pain treatments targeting psychosocial factors reduce pain and improve function. These treatments often overlook the sociocultural factors that influence pain and the psychological factors associated with function in people with chronic pain. Although preliminary findings suggest that cultural background may influence pain and function via their effects on beliefs and coping, no previous study has directly tested if the country of origin moderates the associations between these psychological factors and pain and function. This study sought to address this knowledge gap. Five hundred sixty-one adults with chronic pain, born and living in the USA (n = 273) or Portugal (n = 288), completed measures of pain, function, pain-related beliefs, and coping. Between-country similarities were found in the endorsement of beliefs related to disability, pain control, and emotion, and in asking for assistance, task persistence, and coping self-statement responses. Portuguese participants reported greater endorsement of harm, medication, solicitude, and medical cure beliefs, more frequent use of relaxation and support seeking, and less frequent use of guarding, resting, and exercising/stretching. In both countries, disability and harm beliefs and guarding responses were associated with worse outcomes; pain control and task persistence were associated with better outcomes. Six country-related small effect-size moderation effects emerged, such that task persistence and guarding are stronger predictors of pain and function in adults from the USA, but pain control, disability, emotion, and medication beliefs are more important in adults from Portugal. Some modifications may be needed when adapting multidisciplinary treatments from one country to another. Perspective: This article examines the similarities and differences in beliefs and coping endorsed by adults with chronic pain from 2 countries, and the potential moderation effects of country on the associations between these variables and pain and function. The findings suggest that some modifications may be needed when culturally customizing psychological pain treatments.
- Dentists’ perceptions and usability testing of the Implant Disease Risk Assessment IDRA, a tool for preventing peri-implant disease: a qualitative studyPublication . Bornes, Rita; Montero, Javier; Ferreira, Ana; Rosa, Nuno; Correia, AndréIntroduction: we aimed to explore dentists’ perceptions toward the implementation of a dental informatics risk assessment tool which estimates the risk for a patient to develop peri-implantitis. Materials and Methods: the Implant Disease Risk Assessment Tool (IDRA) was presented to a convenience sample of seven dentists working in a university clinic, whom were asked to use IDRA with the information of three clinical cases whilst thinking aloud and then fill the System Usability Scale (SUS). A semi-structured interview technique was used with audio record to allow free expression of participants’ perceptions related to the IDRA. The interviews information was categorized and analyzed by the authors. Results: to our knowledge, this is the first study conducted to develop a qualitative usability test of IDRA, evaluating the effectiveness, efficiency, and users’ satisfaction. There were more variations in responses the greater the degree of complexity of the clinical case. Generally, the participants classified the tool as good, getting usability values of 77,2 (SD 19,8) and learnability 73,2 (SD 24,5). Conclusion: four additional factors should be considered to improve IDRA tool: 1) considering the relation between contour angle and peri‐implant tissue height; 2) automatic periodontal classification in the IDRA tool after completing the periodontogram in the clinical software; 3) presentation of a flow chart to assist therapeutic decisions alongside the final score defined by the IDRA tool; 4) integrating of precision tests such as Implantsafe® DR (dentognostics gmbh, Jena) and Oralyzer®(dentognostics gmbh, Jena). Clinical Significance: etiology and pathogenesis of peri-implant diseases is multifactorial. These tools must follow a natural integration to be easily applied in a clinical setting. It is important to study their usability from the clinicians’ point of view, evaluating the effectiveness, efficiency, and users’ satisfaction.
- Sex and age-specific interactions of coronary atherosclerotic plaque onset and prognosis from coronary computed tomographyPublication . Rosendael, Sophie E. Van; Bax, A. Maxim; Lin, Fay Y.; Achenbach, Stephan; Andreini, Daniele; Budoff, Matthew J.; Cademartiri, Filippo; Callister, Tracy Q.; Chinnaiyan, Kavitha; Chow, Benjamin J. W.; Cury, Ricardo C.; DeLago, Augustin J.; Feuchtner, Gudrun; Hadamitzky, Martin; Hausleiter, Joerg; Kaufmann, Philipp A.; Kim, Yong Jin; Leipsic, Jonathon A.; Maffei, Erica; Marques, Hugo; Gonçalves, Pedro de Araújo; Pontone, Gianluca; Raff, Gilbert L.; Rubinshtein, Ronen; Villines, Todd C.; Chang, Hyuk Jae; Berman, Daniel S.; Min, James K.; Bax, Jeroen J.; Shaw, Leslee J.; Rosendael, Alexander R. VanAims: The totality of atherosclerotic plaque derived from coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) emerges as a comprehensive measure to assess the intensity of medical treatment that patients need. This study examines the differences in age onset and prognostic significance of atherosclerotic plaque burden between sexes. Methods and results: From a large multi-center CCTA registry the Leiden CCTA score was calculated in 24 950 individuals. A total of 11 678 women (58.5 ± 12.4 years) and 13 272 men (55.6 ± 12.5 years) were followed for 3.7 years for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) (death or myocardial infarction). The age where the median risk score was above zero was 12 years higher in women vs. men (64-68 years vs. 52-56 years, respectively, P < 0.001). The Leiden CCTA risk score was independently associated with MACE: score 6-20: HR 2.29 (1.69-3.10); score > 20: HR 6.71 (4.36-10.32) in women, and score 6-20: HR 1.64 (1.29-2.08); score > 20: HR 2.38 (1.73-3.29) in men. The risk was significantly higher for women within the highest score group (adjusted P-interaction = 0.003). In pre-menopausal women, the risk score was equally predictive and comparable with men. In post-menopausal women, the prognostic value was higher for women [score 6-20: HR 2.21 (1.57-3.11); score > 20: HR 6.11 (3.84-9.70) in women; score 6-20: HR 1.57 (1.19-2.09); score > 20: HR 2.25 (1.58-3.22) in men], with a significant interaction for the highest risk group (adjusted P-interaction = 0.004). Conclusion: Women developed coronary atherosclerosis approximately 12 years later than men. Post-menopausal women within the highest atherosclerotic burden group were at significantly higher risk for MACE than their male counterparts, which may have implications for the medical treatment intensity.
- Prognostic factors for delayed healing of complex wounds in adults: a scoping reviewPublication . Marques, Raquel; Lopes, Marcos; Ramos, Paulo; Neves‐Amado, João; Alves, PauloComplex or hard-to-heal wounds continue to be a challenge because of the negative impact they have on patients, caregivers, and all the associated costs. This study aimed to identify prognostic factors for the delayed healing of complex wounds. Five databases and grey literature were the sources used to research adults with pressure ulcers/injuries, venous leg ulcers, critical limb-threatening ischaemia, or diabetic foot ulcers and report the prognostic factors for delayed healing in all care settings. In the last 5 years, a total of 42 original peer-reviewed articles were deemed eligible for this scoping review that followed the JBI recommendations and checklist PRISMA-ScR. The most frequent prognostic factors found with statistical significance coinciding with various wound aetiologies were: gender (male), renal disease, diabetes, peripheral arterial disease, the decline in activities of daily life, wound duration, wound area, wound location, high-stage WIfI classification, gangrene, infection, previous ulcers, and low ankle brachial index. It will be essential to apply critical appraisal tools and assessment risk of bias to the included studies, making it possible to make recommendations for clinical practice and build prognostic models. Future studies are recommended because the potential for healing through identification of prognostic factors can be determined, thus allowing an appropriate therapeutic plan to be developed.
- MOIRA: literatura digital na (re)criação de patrimónioPublication . Marques, Diogo; Gago, AnaMOIRA é um projeto de investigação artística, de natureza ciberliterária, que procura reinterpretar e (re)criar versões algarvias das lendas de Mouras Encantadas. MOIRA visa usar a criação artística como plataforma para questionamento e mobilização de grupos e comunidades em torno do património cultural imaterial, recorrendo à criação artística como um agente dinâmico para novas interpretações e usos desse património, fora das instituições museológicas. Ao combinar a criatividade computacional com a revitalização do património cultural imaterial, o projeto MOIRA visa ainda refletir sobre problemáticas sociais prementes como questões de género e direitos das mulheres. Através do uso da literatura digital e do conceito de património digital, o projeto procura preservar, disseminar e gerar múltiplas formas de conhecimento à escala glocal.
- New evidence on the psychometric properties of the Portuguese version of the Flourishing ScalePublication . Rando, Belén; Abreu, Ana Maria; Blanca, María J.This research aims to bring new evidence concerning the psychometric properties of the Portuguese version of the Flourishing Scale (FS-P) in a sample of the general Portuguese population. Participants consisted of 396 Portuguese adults between 18 and 52 years of age. We collected data mainly via an online survey following a snowball sampling strategy. We analyzed FS-P validity evidence based on its internal structure, measurement invariance across gender, reliability of test scores, homogeneity indices of the items, and validity evidence based on association with measures on life satisfaction (single-item), self-esteem (RSES), self-control (SCBS), loneliness (DJGLS), depression (CES-D 10), and distress (K6+). Confirmatory factor analysis showed a one-factor solution. Configural, metric, and scalar invariance across gender was tenable with adequate fit indices. The reliability analysis showed adequate internal consistency (McDonald’s Omega = 0.88) and adequate homogeneity indices for all items. We obtained positive correlations between FS-P scores and measures on life satisfaction, self-esteem, and self-control, and negative correlations with scores on loneliness, depression, and distress (significance level of 0.05). All correlations values were close to |0.50|. These results sustain the importance of such a practical short scale in research and clinical contexts.
- Molecular mechanisms of ischemia and glutamate excitotoxicityPublication . Neves, Diogo; Salazar, Ivan L.; Almeida, Ramiro D.; Silva, Raquel M.Excitotoxicity is classically defined as the neuronal damage caused by the excessive release of glutamate, and subsequent activation of excitatory plasma membrane receptors. In the mammalian brain, this phenomenon is mainly driven by excessive activation of glutamate receptors (GRs). Excitotoxicity is common to several chronic disorders of the Central Nervous System (CNS) and is considered the primary mechanism of neuronal loss of function and cell death in acute CNS diseases (e.g. ischemic stroke). Multiple mechanisms and pathways lead to excitotoxic cell damage including pro-death signaling cascade events downstream of glutamate receptors, calcium (Ca2+) overload, oxidative stress, mitochondrial impairment, excessive glutamate in the synaptic cleft as well as altered energy metabolism. Here, we review the current knowledge on the molecular mechanisms that underlie excitotoxicity, emphasizing the role of Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide (NAD) metabolism. We also discuss novel and promising therapeutic strategies to treat excitotoxicity, highlighting recent clinical trials. Finally, we will shed light on the ongoing search for stroke biomarkers, an exciting and promising field of research, which may improve stroke diagnosis, prognosis and allow better treatment options.
- Challenges in pea breeding for tolerance to drought: status and prospectsPublication . Bagheri, Maryam; Santos, Carla S.; Rubiales, Diego; Vasconcelos, Marta W.Drought is increasingly frequent in the context of climate change and is considered a major constraint for crop yield. Water scarcity can impair growth, disturb plant water relations, and reduce water use efficiency. Pea (Pisum sativum) is a temperate grain legume rich in protein, fiber, micronutrients, and bioactive compounds that can benefit human health. In reducing pea yield due to drought, the intensity and duration of stress are critical. This review describes several drought resistance mechanisms in pea based on morphology, physiology, and biochemical changes during/after the water deficit period. Drought tolerance of pea can be managed by adopting strategies such as screening, breeding, and marker-assisted selection. Therefore, various biotechnological approaches have led to the development of drought-tolerant pea cultivars. Finally, the main objective of the current research is to point out some useful traits for drought tolerance in peas and also, mention the methods that can be useful for future studies and breeding programmes.