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Enquadramento: os produtos de apoio, nomeadamente o trapézio, são dispositivos destinados a aumentar a capacidade funcional das pessoas com déficits e melhorar e manter a sua funcionalidade física e a independência na realização das atividades diárias, como transferências e deambulação. Objetivos: caracterizar o nível de dependência do utente, averiguar se as intervenções de enfermagem se ajustam às necessidades do utente e se a disponibilidade e uso do trapézio se ajusta ao utente. Metodologia: estudo quantitativo transversal correlacional. Recolha de dados realizada com recurso a formulário Google Forms. Resultados: amostra não aleatória de 100 indivíduos, com um grau médio de dependência severa (Índice de Barthel), dos quais 76 (76,00%) dispunham de trapézio e 24 (24,00%) não. Os resultados sugerem que as intervenções de enfermagem se ajustam ao nível de dependência dos utentes, especialmente no apoio nas transferências. Nem todas as camas dos utentes dependentes possuem trapézios, e a disponibilização dos trapézios não parece ser ajustada ao nível de dependência. Quando os trapézios estão presentes, eles são utilizados corretamente e frequentemente, o que mostra que são necessários e úteis. Conclusão: a distribuição dos trapézios não é ideal, sendo feita de maneira aparentemente aleatória e não atendendo às necessidades dos utentes da amostra.

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Introdução: O cumprimento do Programa Nacional de Vacinação associa-se a ganhos em saúde pública. A atualização dos que trabalham na área da vacinação deve ser uma preocupação dos serviços de saúde. Objetivos: Avaliar o conhecimento sobre as falsas contraindicações à vacinação pediátrica e caracterizar práticas de aconselhamento, comparando os resultados em função da categoria profissional, da atividade clínica, dos anos de carreira e do local de trabalho. Métodos: Estudo quantitativo, transversal, descritivo e correlacional, aprovado por comissão de ética. Dados recolhidos em questionário online anónimo, validado, com questões relativas a contraindicações à vacinação expressas no Programa Nacional de Vacinação e outras variáveis sociodemográficas, como a categoria profissional: M (médicos), E (enfermeiros); atividade clínica: PA (prescreve/administra vacinas em idade pediátrica), NPA (não prescreve/não administra); anos de carreira: A1 (

Background: The Demand Control Support model is useful for studying work-related stress. The combination of high demand and a low level of control generates “job strain” (“job iso-strain” if poor support is added), with implications for the worker’s health and well-being. The aims of this study were to adapt, examine the factor structure of, and determine the reliability of, the Demand Control Support Questionnaire (DCSQ) short version for European Portuguese (DCSQ-PT). Methods: The scale was translated into Portuguese following a rigorous process and then applied to 501 workers from various professional sectors. An online survey was used to collect sociodemographic, professional, and Demand Control Support data. Validation was based on reliability and validity tests. Results: The mean age of the sample was 41.8 ± 10.3 years, and 50.1% of the participants were female. The results reveal good reliability (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.807) and validity. Confirmatory factor analyses demonstrated that a four-factor solution of the DCSQ-PT scale had a good fit to the data, as was the case for the original scale. The DCSQ-PT© with 16 items is composed of the following factors: social support at work; psychological demands; skill discretion; and decision authority. Conclusions: This validation allows an instrument to be obtained with 16 items for studying work-related stress in Portuguese workers.

The main objective of the National Project for Research and Incidence of Childhood Leukemias is to reduce early mortality rates for these neoplasms in the vulnerable regions of Mexico. This project was conducted in the states of Oaxaca, Puebla, and Tlaxcala. A key strategy of the project is the implementation of an effective roadmap to ensure that leukemia patients are the target of maximum benefit of interdisciplinary collaboration between researchers, clinicians, surveyors, and laboratories. This strategy guarantees the comprehensive management of diagnosis and follow-up samples of pediatric patients with leukemia, centralizing, managing, and analyzing the information collected. Additionally, it allows for a precise diagnosis and monitoring of the disease through immunophenotype and measurable residual disease (MRD) studies, enhancing research and supporting informed clinical decisions for the first time in these regions through a population-based study. This initiative has significantly improved the diagnostic capacity of leukemia in girls, boys, and adolescents in the regions of Oaxaca, Puebla, and Tlaxcala, providing comprehensive, high-quality care with full coverage in the region. Likewise, it has strengthened collaboration between health institutions, researchers, and professionals in the sector, which contributes to reducing the impact of the disease on the community.

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A 24-year-old man suffered a witnessed cardiac arrest after a padel game. Basic life support was immediately provided. The pre-hospital emergency services team continued the resuscitation efforts, and the patient was accepted for extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The return of spontaneous circulation was achieved in 45 minutes. The initial assessment revealed a ST-segment elevation in leads V4-V6 and a dilated left ventricle with severe systolic dysfunction. Coronary angiography was normal. An improvement in left ventricular systolic function was observed and extracorporeal cardiac support was discontinued after 48 hours. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated hypokinesia and subepicardial fatty infiltration of the left ventricle lateral wall. Genetic testing detected a variant of uncertain significance in the ANK2 gene. The diagnosis of arrhythmogenic left ventricular myocardiopathy did not fulfill all the current diagnostic criteria, but it is a very likely diagnosis. An implantable cardioverter-defibrillator was placed. The patient was discharged without physical or cognitive impairment.

Given the importance of desert sports in the development of sports tourism in desert areas, the purpose of this study was to assess the effect of destination image on satisfaction and revisit the intention of desert sport tourists in the Lut desert of Iran as a desert sport destination. The research population was sport tourists who had visited the Lut desert (in Iran) in 2020. 208 valid and reliable questionnaires were distributed among the research samples that were selected through a convenience sampling approach. The model validity and the relationships among research variables were verified by using structural equation modeling with PLS. The research findings demonstrated that destination image of a desert sport destination has influenced desert sport tourists’ satisfaction and their revisiting intention. Moreover, tourists’ satisfaction had a significant effect on tourists’ revisit intention. The findings of this study can lead to a better understanding of behavioral mechanisms that can provide reliable principles for maintaining and developing sport tourism in desert sport destination destinations.

Introduction: Long-COVID-19 impacts health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) but data is scarce. The aim of this study was to describe and prospectively assess the prevalence and risk factors for long-COVID-19 after hospital discharge, and to evaluate its impact on patient HR-QoL. Methods: Single-centre longitudinal study including all COVID-19 patients discharged between December 2020 and February 2021. Patients were contacted remotely at three, six and nine months. Data were collected as follows: 1) Long-COVID-19 symptoms were self-reported; 2) HRQoL were assessed using the 3-level EuroQoL-5D (EQ-5D-3L) questionnaire. Pregnant women, demented, bedridden, and non-Portuguese-speaking patients were excluded. Results: The three-, six- and nine-month assessments were completed by 152, 117 and 110 patients (median age: 61 years; male sex: 56.6%). Long-COVID-19 (≥ 1 symptom) was reported by 66.5%, 62.4% and 53.6% of patients and HR-QoL assessment showed impairment of at least some domain in 65.8%, 69.2% and 55.4% of patients at three, six and nine months, respectively. Fatigue was the most common long-COVID-19 symptom. Anxiety/depression domain was the most frequently affected in all three time-points, peaking at six months (39%), followed by pain/discomfort and mobility domains. Long-COVID-19 was associated with the impairment of all EQ-5D-3L domains except for self-care domain at each time-point. Neither intensive care unit admission nor disease severity were associated with long-COVID-19 nor with impairment of any EQ-5D-3L domain. After adjusting for sex, age, frailty status, and comorbid conditions, long-COVID-19 remained significantly associated with HR-QoL impairment at three (OR 4.27, 95% CI 1.92 – 9.52, p < 0.001), six (OR 3.46, 95% CI 1.40 – 8.57, p = 0.007) and nine months (OR 4.13, 95% CI 1.62 – 10.55, p = 0.003) after hospital discharge. In a longitudinal analysis, patients reporting long-COVID-19 at three months had an EQ-5D-3L index value decreased by 0.14 per visit (p < 0.001) compared to those without long-COVID-19 and both groups had a non-significant change in mean EQ-5D-3L index over the nine-month period (time-point assessment, Z = 0.91, p = 0.364). Conclusion: Clinical sequelae associated with long-COVID-19 can persist for at least nine months after hospital discharge in most patients and can impair long-term HR-QoL in more than half of patients regardless of disease severity, and clinicodemographic characteristics.

When a building façade does not meet its performance requirements, the integrity and safety of the structure may be compromised, resulting in the reduction of the building’s service life. Ceramic tiles are a commonly applied cladding solution due to their aesthetic value and durability. However, as soon as ceramic claddings are installed, the claddings are subjected to various degradation agents, thus starting a degradation process in which different anomalies occur sequentially and simultaneously over the years. This study intends to find patterns of incidence of anomalies in distinct areas of the façade and to map the risk of occurrence of a given anomaly. For that purpose, 345 ceramic claddings are analysed (46 buildings, corresponding to 81,500 m2) in the region of Brasília, Brazil. Four main defects are identified based on visual inspections and using auxiliary diagnosis techniques, namely (i) detachment of ceramic tiles; (ii) cracking; (iii) grout failure; (iv) efflorescence. The results reveal that the detachment is the most frequent defect. The sensitivity maps proposed allow identifying a certain pattern in the occurrence of defects on ceramic claddings, revealing that continuous walls, transition between floors, and the top of the building are areas critically vulnerable to defects. The results obtained allow mapping the sensitivity of each part of the ceramic claddings to a given defect, aiding the detection and diagnosis of the degradation condition when carrying out inspections on new façades.

Brain–machine interfaces combining visual, auditory, and tactile feedback have been previously used to generate embodiment experiences during spinal cord injury (SCI) rehabilitation. It is not known if adding temperature to these modalities can result in discomfort with embodiment experiences. Here, comfort levels with the embodiment experiences were investigated in an intervention that required a chronic pain SCI patient to generate lower limb motor imagery commands in an immersive environment combining visual (virtual reality -VR), auditory, tactile, and thermal feedback. Assessments were made pre-/ post-, throughout the intervention (Weeks 0–5), and at 7 weeks follow up. Overall, high levels of embodiment in the adapted three-domain scale of embodiment were found throughout the sessions. No significant adverse effects of VR were reported. Although sessions induced only a modest reduction in pain levels, an overall reduction occurred in all pain scales (Faces, Intensity, and Verbal) at follow up. A high degree of comfort in the comfort scale for the thermal-tactile sleeve, in both the thermal and tactile feedback components of the sleeve was reported. This study supports the feasibility of combining multimodal stimulation involving visual (VR), auditory, tactile, and thermal feedback to generate embodiment experiences in neurorehabilitation programs.

This review article provides an update of the empirical research on cognitive fragility conducted in the last four years. The studies retrieved were classified in four different categories. The first category includes articles relating cognitive frailty to cognitive reserve and which continue to highlight the importance of educational level. The second category includes recent research on cognitive fragility biomarkers, involving neuroimaging, metabolism and, in a novel way, microbiota. The third category includes research on how cognitive frailty is related to motor development and physical functioning, exploring e.g. the use of technology to study motor markers of cognitive frailty. Finally, in the fourth category, research clarifying the difference between reversible frailty and potentially reversible cognitive frailty has led to new interventions aimed at reducing cognitive frailty and preventing negative health outcomes. Interventions based on physical activity and multicomponent interventions are particularly emphasized. In addition, recent research explores the long-term effects of dual interventions in older adults living in nursing homes. In summary, research on cognitive frailty has increased in recent years, and applied aspects have gained importance.

Background. Controversies exist about the effect of renin-angiotensin system inhibitors (RASi) on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outcome. The inhospital use of RASi and its effect on inflammatory sate are still poorly studied during the COVID-19 pandemic. Objectives. We aimed to compare the impact of previous and inhospital RASi exposure on the outcome and inflammatory response of COVID-19 patients. Methods. Single-centre, ambispective analysis of hospitalized adult COVID-19 patients at Hospital de Santa Maria, Lisbon, between March and August 2020 was performed. We excluded asymptomatic patients and those admitted due to another disease. The primary outcome was inhospital all-cause mortality. Illness severity was assessed based on the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome/acute lung injury (ARDS/ALI), intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and need for invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). We used C-reactive protein (CRP), ferritin, and interleukin 6 (IL-6) as surrogate markers of the inflammatory response. Results. From a total of 432 patients, 279 were selected, among whom 133 (47.7%) were receiving a RASi. Chronic treatment with RASi was not associated with the risk of death (OR 1.24, 95% CI 0.66–2.31, p=0.500), ARDS/ALI development (OR 1.12, 95% CI 0.67–1.86, p=0.676), ICU admission (OR 1.11, 95% CI 0.67–1.84, p = 0.686), and IMV need (OR 1.03, 95% CI 0.58–1.84, p=0.917) in a univariable and multivariable analysis. Inhospital RASi withdrawing was associated with the risk of death (OR 4.38, 95% CI 1.11–17.21, p=0.035) and ARDS/ALI development (OR 4.33, 95% CI 1.49–12.6, p=0.007), the latter remaining significant after adjustment. Previous exposure to RASi was associated with lower CRP levels at admission (p=0.018). IL-6 levels were significantly higher in those patients whose RASi were stopped (p=0.024). Conclusion. Previous and inhospital exposure to RASi was not associated with mortality nor severity of COVID-19. This study supports current guidance on RASi management during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a multisystemic condition caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) with manifestations ranging from mild upper respiratory symptoms to cytokine storm causing acute respiratory distress syndrome. Pancreatic exocrine tissue and endocrine islets both express angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), the proven receptor for SARS-CoV-2 cell internalization. An increase in pancreatic enzymes has been increasingly recognized in patients with COVID-19, but little is known about the real prevalence of acute pancreatitis in this population. We report a case of acute acalculous pancreatitis in a COVID-19 patient.

Renal cell carcinoma accounts for approximately 3% of adult malignancies. Designated in the literature as “the great masquerader,” the great diversity of clinical manifestations is associated with the several paraneoplastic syndromes that potentially accompany it. Paraneoplastic amyloidosis is described in about 3–8% of cases, only exceptionally as an initial manifestation, with uncommon gastrointestinal involvement. A rare case of malabsorption by intestinal amyloidosis is presented as initial manifestation of renal cell carcinoma, emphasizing the need for early recognition of these paraneoplastic conditions.

Introdução: Os adolescentes são um grupo de intervenção prioritária em saúde reprodutiva. Os médicos de medicina geral e familiar, ginecologistas e pediatras são os principais responsáveis pelo aconselhamento contracetivo. Material e Métodos: Estudo transversal, correlacional, de natureza quantitativa, aprovado pela comissão de ética do Centro Hospitalar de Leiria. Dados colhidos em questionário online validado (alfa de Cronbach e Análise Fatorial Exploratória), constituído por itens de tipo diferencial semântico, com cinco pontos (“Discordo totalmente — 1” e “Concordo totalmente — 5”). Pontuações mais elevadas conotam-se com maior conhecimento ou adequabilidade na questão. Análise por género, especialidade, anos de carreira e grau de formação: especialista, interno de formação específica. Resultados: Obtiveram-se 338 respostas (51% médicos de medicina geral e familiar, 29% pediatras, 20% ginecologistas). Do total, 66% eram especialistas, 36% tinham menos de cinco anos de carreira e 17% tinham mais de 20 anos de carreira. O conhecimento das recomendações foi superior entre os ginecologistas [4,38 (1,09); p < 0,001] e no género feminino [3,65 (1,41); p = 0,039] com diferença estatisticamente significativa. Os ginecologistas receberam mais formação recentemente [3,79 (1,42)] e consideram estar atualizados [4,41 (0,70), p < 0,001]. Discussão: O questionário revelou validade e fiabilidade. Os ginecologistas estão mais familiarizados com a contraceção na adolescência, enquanto pediatras e clínicos mais novos referem maior necessidade de atualização. Os ginecologistas receberam formação recentemente e consideram estar atualizados, pelo que a formação na área parece ter impacto positivo. Conclusão: O conhecimento acerca do aconselhamento contracetivo ainda não é ótimo, pelo que é fundamental investir na formação dos profissionais de saúde.

OBJECTIVE: Reliable and valid instruments are essential for understanding health-promoting behaviors in adolescents. This study analyzed the psychometric properties of the Portuguese version of the Adolescent Lifestyle Profile (ALP).METHODS: A linguistic and cultural translation of the ALP was conducted with 236 adolescents from two different settings: a community (n = 141) and a clinical setting (n = 95). Internal consistency reliability and confirmatory factor analysis were performed.RESULTS: Results showed an adequate fit to data, yielding a 36-item, seven-factor structure (CMIN/DF = 1.667, CFI = 0.807, GFI = 0.822, RMR = 0.051, RMSEA = 0.053, PNFI = 0.575, PCFI = 0.731). The ALP presented a high internal consistency (a = 0.866), with the subscales presenting moderate reliability values (from 0.492 to 0.747). The highest values were in Interpersonal Relations (3.059 ± 0.523) and Positive Life Perspective (2.985 ± 0.588). Some gender differences were found. Findings showed that adolescents from the clinic reported an overall healthier lifestyle than those from the community setting (2.598 ± 0.379 vs. 2.504 ± 0.346; t = 1.976, p = 0.049).CONCLUSION: The ALP Portuguese version is a psychometrically reliable, valid, and useful measurement instrument for assessing health-promoting lifestyles in adolescence. The ALP is cross-culturally validated and can decisively contribute to a better understanding of adolescent health promotion needs. Additional research is needed to evaluate the instrument's predictive validity, as well as its clinical relevance for practice and research.

OBJECTIVE: The current study evaluates the usability perception of an e-therapeutic platform (supported by electronic processes and communication), aiming to promote the behavior change and to improve the adolescent health status through increased and interactive contact between the adolescent and the clinical staff. METHODS: This was a correlational study with a sample of 48 adolescents (12-18 years) who attended a Pediatric Obesity Clinic between January and August of 2012. Participants were invited to access, during 24 weeks, the e-therapeutic multidisciplinary platform (Next.Step) in addition to the standard treatment program. A usability questionnaire was administered and the platform performance and utilization indicators were analyzed. RESULTS: The users' perception of satisfaction, efficiency, and effectiveness regarding the Next.Step platform was clearly positive. However, only 54.17% of the enrolled adolescents accessed the platform, with a mean task-completion rate of 14.55% (SD = 18.853). The higher the number of the platform consulted resources, the greater the tendency to enjoy the platform, to consider it exciting and quick, to consider that the time spent in it was useful, to consider the access to information easy, and to login easier. Post-intervention assessment revealed a significant reduction in anthropometric and behavioral variables, including body mass index z-score, waist circumference percentile, hip circumference, and weekly screen time. CONCLUSION: These results highlight the importance of information and communication technologies in the health information access and the healthcare provision. Despite the limited adherence rate, platform users expressed a positive overall perception of its usability and presented a positive anthropometric and behavioral progress.

Disseminated necrotizing leukoencephalopathy (DNL) is characterized by multiple microscopic foci of white matter necrosis. DNL was initially thought to be exclusively associated with immunosuppression conditions but it has been recently described in immunocompetent patients in septic shock. A 90-year-old immunocompetent woman with no previous neurological impairment presented with septic shock and drowsiness that responded well to therapy with clinical improvement and a full neurological recovery. Unexpectedly deterioration with progression to coma occurred. Investigation excluded other causes and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) was consistent with the diagnosis of DNL showing bilateral multifocal white matter lesions with a nonvascular pattern with restricted diffusion. Neurological impairment persisted with progression to death. DNL is an unexpected diagnosis in an immunocompetent patient. We compared the present case to those found in the literature of DNL complicating septic shock and discuss the antemortem diagnosis based on MRI findings.

Apesar da efetividade da terapia compressiva no tratamento de úlceras venosas ser evidenciada cientificamente, ela não é amplamente usada. O objetivo deste estudo é determinar quais as barreiras/obstáculos à sua implementação e utilização mais ampla. Uma revisão da literatura permitiu definir um conjunto de barreiras potenciais, que foram posteriormente validadas e hierarquizadas segundo peso/importância por peritos em úlcera de perna, num Painel de Delphi online. Depois desenvolveu-se um estudo do tipo transversal descritivo analítico, através da aplicação de questionários construídos para o efeito a uma amostra acidental de 241 profissionais de saúde (enfermeiros e médicos) que trabalham em Cuidados de Saúde Primários. Com os dados construímos e validámos a escala de Avaliação de Barreiras à Implementação da Terapia Compressiva na Úlcera Venosa (ABITCUV). Nos resultados destacamos que, relativamente às barreiras que constituem a escala, os profissionais de saúde consideraram, por ordem decrescente de peso/importância: o deficit de formação, o deficit de recursos materiais e financeiros, a ausência de normatização e protocolização de práticas. Depois surgiram a recusa do cliente, falta de motivação e reconhecimento institucional do profissional e resistência do profissional à mudança/novas práticas. Esta hierarquização das barreiras feita pelos profissionais revelou-se similar à sugerida pelos peritos no Painel de Delphi.Pese a que la efectividad de la terapia compresiva en el tratamiento de úlceras venosas sea evidente científicamente, esta no es ampliamente usada. El objetivo de este estudio es determinar cuáles son las barreras/obstáculos a su implementación y utilización más amplia. Una revisión de la literatura permitió definir un conjunto de barreras potenciales, que fueron posteriormente validadas y jerarquizadas según su peso/importancia por expertos en úlcera de pierna, en un Panel de Delphi online. Después se desarrolló un estudio transversal descriptivo analítico, mediante la aplicación de cuestionarios construidos con ese fin en una muestra accidental de 241 profesionales de la salud (enfermeros y médicos) que trabajan en los Cuidados de Salud Primarios. Con los datos construimos y validamos la escala de Evaluación de Barreras a la Implementación de la Terapia Compresiva en la Úlcera Venosa (ABITCUV). En los resultados destacamos que, en lo que concierne las barreras que constituyen la escala, los profesionales de salud consideraron ser, por orden decreciente de peso/importancia: el déficit de formación, el déficit de recursos materiales y financieros y la ausencia de normas y protocolo de prácticas. Después surgieron el rechazo del cliente, la falta de motivación y el reconocimiento institucional del profesional y la resistencia del profesional al cambio/nuevas prácticas. Esta jerarquización de las barreras hecha por los profesionales reveló ser similar a aquella sugerida por los expertos del Panel de Delphi.Despite the effectiveness of compression therapy in the treatment of venous ulcers being scientifically demonstrated, it is not widely used. The aim of this study was to determine the barriers/ obstacles to its implementation and extensive use. A literature review allowed identification of a set of potential barriers, which were then validated and ranked for burden/importance by experts in leg ulcers via an online Delphi Panel. After this, we developed a cross-sectional descriptive and analytical study, with a convenience sample of 241 healthcare professionals (nurses and doctors) in primary health care, using questionnaires constructed for this purpose. Based on the data, we constructed and validated the Assessment of Barriers to Implementation of Compression Therapy in Venous Ulcer scale (ABITCUV). The results indicated that healthcare professionals considered the barriers in following descending order of burden/importance: lack of education, lack of material and financial resources, and absence of guidelines and protocols. After these came patient refusal, lack of motivation and institutional professional recognition, and professional resistance to change/new practices. This hierarchy of barriers was similar to that suggested by experts in the Delphi Panel.

Gene polymorphisms of phase I (CYP1A1 and CYP2E of cytochrome P,) and phase II (GSTM1, GSTT1 and GSTP1 of glutathione-S-transferase,) enzymes and the TP53 tumor suppressor gene were studied as markers in a sample of 262 Brazilians of European descent, the sample consisting of 97 patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), 75 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and 90 control individuals. For NSCLC, we found no significant relationship between any of the markers studied and susceptibility to this disease. With respect to COPD, although the distribution of the CYP1A1, GSTM1, GSTP1, GSTT1 and TP53 genotypes was similar to that of the controls the frequency of the CYP2E1*1A/*5B heterozygote was about 6 times higher in COPD patients than in controls (OR= 6.3; CI = 1.1-35.5 for p = 0.04). Individuals who presented the GSTT1 null phenotype and GSTP1 Ile/Val genotype had a risk about four times higher (OR= 4.0; CI = 1.2-14.6 for p = 0.02) of having COPD than individuals without these genotypes, the same being true for individuals having the GSTT1 null phenotype and CYP1A1*1A/*2A genotype (OR= 3.7; 1.1-14.6 for p = 0.04).These results suggest that the CYP2E1 and GSTT1 + GSTP or GSTT1 + CYP1A1 polymorphisms may be predictive of susceptibility to COPD, at least in this population of European ancestry.

The actin-Capping Protein heterodimer, composed of the α and β subunits, is a master F-actin regulator. In addition to its role in many cellular processes, Capping Protein acts as a main tumor suppressor module in Drosophila and in humans, in part, by restricting the activity of Yorkie/YAP/TAZ oncogenes. We aimed in this report to understand how both subunits regulate each other in vivo. We show that the levels and capping activities of both subunits must be tightly regulated to control F-actin levels and consequently growth of the Drosophila wing. Overexpressing capping protein α and β decreases both F-actin levels and tissue growth, while expressing forms of Capping Protein that have dominant negative effects on F-actin promote tissue growth. Both subunits regulate each other's protein levels. In addition, overexpressing one of the subunit in tissues knocked-down for the other increases the mRNA and protein levels of the subunit knocked-down and compensates for its loss. We propose that the ability of the α and β subunits to control each other's levels assures that a pool of functional heterodimer is produced in sufficient quantities to restrict the development of tumor but not in excess to sustain normal tissue growth.

Overweight is an extra burden for adolescent development and can trigger severe physical and psychosocial problems. This cross-sectional correlational study aimed to analyze the association between treatment adherence and obesity-related quality of life among overweight adolescents. The sample consisted of 94 adolescents attending a specialized Pediatric Obesity Clinic in Portugal, 48.94% of whom were boys and 51.06% girls, with a median age of 14.17 years (SD = 1.51). A positive correlation was found between obesity-related quality of life and adherence to weight control. The influence of parents and caregivers on the adherence to weight control is significantly associated with increased physical comfort, better social life and family relations. These results highlight the importance of behavioral change and adherence to weight control as pillars of a better quality of life among overweight adolescents. Obesity management programs need to focus on multiple criteria of treatment effectiveness, such as obesity-related quality of life.

Objective: To verify whether the time spent in prone, supine, or seated positions differed between term and preterm infants; and to determine whether a single verbal guidance session for parents changed the time spent in different positions, and, consequently, the motor development scores, after one month in preterm infants. Methods: Sixty-one infants from a full-term and preterm group from Brazil were included. Motor development was assessed by the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) and the parents registered the time spent in each position on a 24-hour schedule. A month after verbal guidance, a second assessment was performed only on the preterm infants. Results: The positioning times awake determined for the fullterm and preterm parents were similar. Preterm infants spent more time in the prone sleeping position (2.1 vs. 0.8 h; p=0.037) than full-term infants. The AIMS percentile scores did not differ significantly between the groups. For preterm infants, the time spent in all positions did not change during the second assessment (n=18). Conclusions: The fact that some parents position their infants in the prone posture during sleeping periods reinforce the importance of parental education approaches for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) prevention during the first months of life. The verbal guidance provided to parents of preterm infants did not influence the AIMS percentile and time spent in various positions but increased preterm parents’ confidence in placing their infants in a prone position to play. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]