Browsing by Author "Tavares, Ana Sofia"
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- Assessment and impact of the risk of exposure of Portuguese biomedical scientists in the context of COVID-19Publication . Tavares, Ana Sofia; Bellém, Fernando; Abreu, Renato; Leitão, Maria do Céu; Medeiros, Nuno; Alves, Patrícia; Calmeiro, LuísCurrently, the main public health concern worldwide is the COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, which was recently discovered and described. Due to its high pathogenicity and infectiousness, it is necessary to determine the risk healthcare professionals face every day while dealing with infected patients and contaminated biological samples. The purpose of this study was to assess Portuguese Biomedical Scientists' risk of COVID-19 exposure and related stress appraisals. One hundred and forty participants completed online versions of the WHO's Risk Assessment and Management of Exposure Survey and the Stress Appraisal Measure. Participants worked mainly in outpatient settings (45%), and in emergency services (28%). Twenty-three percent of participants were exposed to COVID-19 through community exposure, and 39% through occupational exposure. Although 95% reported using personal protective equipment (PPE), 83.6% were at high risk of infection. However, the use of some types of PPE was related to the risk of exposure. Participants reported moderate perceptions of stress and threat, but also moderate perceptions of control over the situation. These results may contribute to more efficient risk management of these professionals and prevent disease transmission in hospitals and communities.
- Characteristics of gym-goers performance-enhancing substance usePublication . Tavares, Ana Sofia; Carolino, Elisabete; Rosado, António; Calmeiro, Luís; Serpa, SidónioThe use of prohibited performance-enhancing substances (PES) in fitness and gym settings is a public health concern as knowledge concerning its short-term and long-term adverse health consequences are emerging. Understanding the underlying psychosocial mechanisms of PES use and the characteristics of the gym-goers who use PES could help identify those who are most vulnerable to PES use. The aim of this study was to investigate the profile (e.g., sociodemographic factors, exercise profile, gym modalities, peers, and social influence) and psychosocial determinants (e.g., attitudes, subjective norms, beliefs, and intentions) of PES users in gym and fitness contexts. In total, 453 gym-goers (mean age = 35.64 years; SD = 13.08) completed an online survey. Neural networks showed a global profile of PES users characterized by a desire to increase muscle mass, shape their body, and improve physical condition; being advised by friends, training colleagues, and coaches or on the Internet; less formal education, and more positive beliefs for PES use. These results may support public health and clinical interventions to prevent abusive use of PES and improve the health and well-being of gym-goers.
- Characteristics of IEF, SDS and SAR-PAGE of Cuba EPO biosimilarPublication . Tavares, Ana Sofia; Ruivo, João; Oca, Rodny Montes de; Martínez Brito, Dayamín; Torres, MirtaEPO is a glycoprotein produced in the kidney, which stimulates the division and differentiation of red cells in the bone marrow. Erythropoietin is available as a therapeutic agent produced by recombinant DNA technology in mammalian cell culture into which the human EPO gene has been transfected. Biosimilar Epoetins are mostly erythropoietins of the Epoetin alfa, beta or omega type, which are being produced at much lower cost due to expired patents. Recombinant human erythropoietin (rh-EPO) contains the identical amino acid sequence of natural EPO: 165 amino acids, with a molecular weight of 30,400 Da. Since glycosylation is not only dependent on the cell-line used for the expression of Epoetins but also on the entire biotechnological process the glycosylation patterns of biosimilars do not necessarily reflect the patterns of the originator compounds. Today biosimilar Epoetins are manufactured and distributed worldwide and under many different names. The use of recombinant EPOs for doping is prohibited because of its performance enhancing effect. The aim of the present study was to investigated whether biosimilar alpha r-HuEPO – ior®-EPOCIM, produced in Cuba and also available in other countries in all continents, could be differentiated from endogenous one by iso-electro-focusing plus double blotting, SDS-PAGE and SAR-PAGE for antidoping analysis.
- Citopatologia: workshopPublication . Tavares, Ana Sofia; Mendonça, PaulaObjetivo do workshop: Ampliar competências práticas na identificação de achados de Citologia respiratória e das cavidades serosas, através de visualização de laminas com campos selecionados e com posterior discussão em painel.
- Determinants of the intention to use performance-enhancing substances among Portuguese gym usersPublication . Tavares, Ana Sofia; Rosado, António; Marôco, João; Calmeiro, Luis; Serpa, SidónioThe purpose of this study is to examine the determinants of the intentions to use prohibited performance-enhancing substances (PES) and to test the Theory of Planned Behavior's usefulness in predicting self-reported PES use in both genders. A convenience sample of Portuguese gym users (n = 453) completed an anonymous web-based survey. Structural equation modeling, multigroup analysis, and t-test with the Welch correction for heterokedastic variances were used. At the structural level, results support attitudes, beliefs, and subjective norms in predicting intentions of PES use in gym users, with subjective norms being its strongest predictor. Moreover, results showed a significant association between self-reported PES use and intentions to use. The predictive model was invariant across genders; however, compared to males, females believed less in the performance-enhancing effects of PES, were less prone to the influence of significant others, and had weaker intentions to use these substances. Psychological strategies should be based on subjective norms, alongside beliefs and attitudes, toward PES use as these variables influence the intention to use PES in this particular population.
- Effect of motor competence and health-related fitness in the prevention of metabolic syndrome risk factorsPublication . Pombo, André; Cordovil, Rita; Rodrigues, Luis Paulo; Moreira, Ana Catarina; Borrego, Rute; Machado, Margarida; Costa, Vânia; Almeida, Ana; Tavares, Ana Sofia; Sá, Cristina Cardoso de; Luz, CarlosPurpose: In the last decades we have seen an increase in sedentary behaviors and a decrease in physical activity in children when compared to past generations. This lifestyle is commonly associated with the development of clustering risk factors that define metabolic syndrome (MetS). Knowing that motor competence (MC) development can influence lifelong physical activity habits, it is reasonable to assume that children's MC will directly link to clustered cardiometabolic health outcomes. The aim of this study was to analyze the role of MC in MetS risk factors. Methods: Seventy children with a mean age of 7.49 (SD = 1.28) years were evaluated on motor competence (MCA-Motor Competence Assessment instrument), cardiovascular fitness (PACER test), upper body strength (UBS; handgrip), and the components of MetS, hypertriglyceridemia, hypertension, abdominal obesity, low concentration of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high fasting blood glucose. The composite value of MetS was calculated according to Burns et al. (2017). Multiple standard regressions were performed to explore the effect of different variables on MetS. Motor competence and health-related fitness (cardiovascular fitness and relative upper body strength) were used as independent variables (predictors) and MetS as dependent variables. Results: Overall, the results showed that motor competence (β = -.072; p < .05) is a significant predictor and this model explained 7,1% of the variance in MetS. Conclusion: Although more studies are needed, our results indicate that MC seems to have a positive role in children's health markers.
- Evaluation of urinary protein and creatinine concentration in athletes after high-performance physical exercisePublication . Tavares, Ana Sofia; Ladeira, Carina; Quintão, João Filipe; Luís, Maria Carolina; Pereira, Miguel Oliveira; Abreu, RenatoIntense physical exercise without a planned or structured physical activity can induce potentials risks in the human body. The objective of this study is to verify the existence of a modulation of the values of creatinine and urinary proteins after performing a training session of high intensity. Furthermore, we intend to verify the existence of significant alterations of these analytes in sportsmen who regularly use protein supplementation, compared to a group of athletes who do not use supplementation after performing the same high-performance training. A convenience sample of 18 sportsmen attending gyms, both genders and between the ages of 18 and 35 were divided into two groups: users of protein supplementation (n = 9) and individual non-users of protein supplementation (n = 9). The two groups were subjects to a physical activity training session of high intensity, performed by a qualified professional. Urine samples were collected before and after the training session and proteinuria and creatinuria were analyzed by the Abbott® Architect C8200 system. Statistical treatment of the results was performed using the SPSS (version 22), as well as descriptive and inferential statistics. Results showed that in both groups, physical exercise-induced a significant increase in all these parameters. Both levels of protein and creatinine increased in urine approximately twice more after the physical training with an estimated time of 45 minutes. However, no statistically significant changes were observed from one group to another, although there were slight changes in the user group of protein supplementation.
- Evaluation of urinary protein and creatinine concentration in athletes after high-performance physical exercisePublication . Tavares, Ana Sofia; Ladeira, Carina; Quintão, João; Luís, Carolina; Pereira, Miguel; Abreu, RenatoA atividade física desempenha um papel essencial na saúde dos indivíduos, diminuindo riscos de doenças cardiovasculares e prevenindo várias outras doenças. Apesar de todos os benefícios, a atividade física intensa é uma causa conhecida de modificação da fisiologia renal. Durante o exercício físico, o organismo origina creatinina a partir da creatina, sendo posteriormente transportada até a corrente sanguínea e eliminada através da urina. Por outro lado, o aumento do lactato leva a alterações conformacionais nas PT séricas, podendo levar ao aumento da permeabilidade do glomérulo e por conseguinte a sua excreção. A relação proteinúria/creatinúria (RPC) em amostras de urina, expressas em mg/dL, estima a quantidade de proteínas excretadas em 24H, no entanto, a utilização deste rácio numa amostra de urina ocasional, também permite obter uma estimativa da quantidade de proteínas excretadas ao longo do dia. A RPC é considerada um método eficaz para monitorizar a perda de proteínas na urina, bem como para acompanhar a evolução das glomerulonefrites. O uso excessivo de suplementos proteicos, sem prescrição médica pode constituir um risco para a saúde, uma vez que pode proporcionar efeitos negativos no metabolismo hepático e renal. Objetivo geral: Descrever os níveis de proteínas e creatinina na urina, antes e depois de um treino de alto rendimento, em duas populações distintas: utilizadores de suplementação proteica e não utilizadores de suplementação proteica.
- Excesso ponderal e pressão arterial em crianças do 1º CicloPublication . Moreira, Ana Catarina; Borrego, Rute; Machado, Margarida; Pombo, André; Costa, Vânia; Almeida, Ana Maria; Tavares, Ana Sofia; Sá, Cristina; Cordovil, R.; Luz, CarlosIntrodução: Portugal é o 6.° país da União Europeia cuja prevalência de excesso de peso e obesidade ultrapassa os 30%. As crianças obesas apresentam risco mais elevado para hipertensão arterial do que crianças não obesas, risco que aumenta com o aumento do IMC e não apenas na classificação de obesidade. A hipertensão arterial é um dos principais factores de risco modificável de doenças cardiovasculares. A sua incidência e prevalência em crianças tem aumentado nas últimas décadas, principalmente, nos países desenvolvidos. Crianças com hipertensão arterial tendem a ser adultos hipertensos com elevado número de morbilidades associadas. Como tal, a sua prevenção deve iniciar-se o mais precocemente possível. Métodos: Estudo transversal em crianças do 1º ciclo, com avaliação nutricional por parâmetros antropométricos e de pressão arterial. A avaliação nutricional incluiu peso e altura para cálculo do índice de massa corporal (IMC), prega cutânea tricipital e prega subescapular para cálculo da percentagem de massa gorda (%MG) através da equação de Slaughter, e o perímetro da cintura para a razão cintura/altura. Para a medição da pressão arterial foi utilizado um tensiómetro de braço, OMRON® M6, realizadas duas medições da pressão arterial sistólica e a pressão arterial diastólica com um intervalo de alguns minutos e classificada de acordo com o percentil de altura (National High Blood Pressure Education Program, 2004). A análise estatística foi efectuada com programa IBM SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences). Resultados: Foram incluídos 181 crianças, 90 (49,7%) do sexo masculino, entre os 5 e os 10 anos com idade, média 7,4n1,2 anos. De acordo com o IMC, a maioria (61,9%) apresentava eutrofia, 38 (21%) excesso ponderal e 29 (16%) obesidade. A razão perímetro da cintura/altura foi superior ao percentil 90, em 62 (32,4%) crianças. A classificação da %MG foi superior ao percentil 91 em 47 (26,3%) e destes, 21 (11,6%) foram classificados com percentil superior a 98. A pressão arterial sistólica estava elevada (>Percentil 90) em 6 (3,3%) crianças, enquanto a diastólica estava elevada em 44 (24,3%) crianças, das quais 25 (13,8%) acima do Percentil 95. Verificou-se uma correlação positiva entre a pressão arterial sistólica e diastólica e o Z-Score de IMC (r=0,328; p<0,000) e (r=0,263; p<0,000) ; e entre a %MG (r=0,271; p<0,000) e (r=0,187; p<0,000), enquanto apenas a sistólica mostrou correlação fraca com a razão cintura/altura (r=0,181; p=0,015). As crianças eutróficas apresentavam valores de pressão arterial inferiores aos das crianças com excesso ponderal e obesidade (sistólica: 88,5n10,0 vs 93,6n9,7; p=0,050) (diastólica: 61,7n9,3 vs 64,7n7,4; P=0,024). Conclusão: Estes dados confirmam a elevada prevalência de excesso de peso e pressão arterial elevada em crianças no 1º ciclo, bem como a sua associação. Cerca de 1/3 das crianças apresentava excesso ponderal e ¼ tinha valores de pressão arterial elevados. Apesar de num estudo transversal não serem avaliados factores de causalidade, a correlação observada entre a pressão arterial e excesso de peso, indica que futuras intervenções devem focar não apenas a obesidade, mas igualmente a pressão arterial, especialmente em crianças com excesso de peso.
- Factors associated with performance enhancing substances use in Portuguese fitness settingsPublication . Tavares, Ana Sofia; Serpa, S.Background: According to The Portuguese "National Plan for Reducing of Addictive Behaviors and Dependencies 2013-2020", the use of performance-enhancing substances (PES) by recreational sports practitioners is a pertinent and current topic, particularly in the field of public health. The people who use the gyms and fitness centers come from diverse socio-demographic conditions and have different purposes and motivations, which could influence the risk for PES use. In this context, and since there are practically no studies on the use of PES outside competitive sport in Portugal, it is necessary to investigate the reality of these settings, considering that the use of these substances can be associated with dangerous side effects or even fatal with long-term use. Research questions: What is the influence of socio-demographic variables, exercise profile, and smoking tobacco and alcohol habits in PES use among a sample of Portuguese gym/fitness users? Method: Cross-sectional, quantitative, and exploratory study among a convenience sample of 453 Portuguese gym/fitness users, recruited directly on social networks (Facebook) and by institutional email (via gyms). Data were collected via a structured on-line questionnaire. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 22. Results: Among the 453 gym/fitness users (61,3% female; 38,7% male) who participated in the survey, 50 (11,1%) reported PES use. Being male was identified as risk factors for PES use. A significant association was found between the gender and the class of PES used, namely the females presented a positive association with the use of diuretics (p = .003, C.I. 95% = .002, .004)) and males with the anabolic-androgenic steroids intake (p = .026, C.I. 95% = (.023, .029)). Being a student, versus being a worker, decreases the risk of consuming PES in 72.2%. The higher the education, the lower the risk of consuming PES in 26.9%. The frequency of training and the time spent in training are identified as risk factors for PES use. Concerning the association between modalities of physical activity and PES use, individuals who reported bodybuilding practice were more than eight times more likely to use PES, and individuals who reported Muay Thai practice, showing more than six times more likely to use PES versus individuals without bodybuilding and Muay Thai practice, respectively. There was no statistically significant association between PES use and smoking tobacco (x12 = .319, p = .992), neither in terms of consumed alcohol between users and nonusers of PES (x12 = .599, p = .439). Conclusion: This study revealed factors associated with PES use among Portuguese gym/fitness users and the increasing importance to investigate psychosocial determinants that may influence PES use in this specific population. Exploring these factors may improve the effectiveness of practical interventions to reduce the PES use among gym/fitness users.