Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2025"
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- Geographical variation in lung function: results from the multicentric cross-sectional BOLD studyPublication . Burney, Peter G.; Potts, James; Knox-Brown, Ben; Erhabor, Gregory; Hacene Cherkaski, Hamid; Mortimer, Kevin; Anand, Mahesh Padukudru; Mannino, David M.; Cardoso, Joao; Ahmed, Rana; Elsony, Asma; Barbara, Cristina; Nielsen, Rune; Bateman, Eric; Paraguas, Stefanni Nonna; Cher Loh, Li; Rashid, Abdul; Wouters, Emiel F.; Franssen, Frits M.; Dias, Hermínia Brites; Gislason, Thorarinn; Ghobain, Mohammed A.; Biaze, Mohammed El; Agarwal, Dhiraj; Juvekar, Sanjay; Rodrigues, Fatima; Obaseki, Daniel O.; Koul, Parvaiz A.; Harrabi, Imed; Nafees, Asaad A; Seemungal, Terence; Janson, Christer; Vollmer, William M; Amaral, Andre F.; Buist, A SoniaSpirometry is used to determine what is "unusual" lung function compared with what is "usual" for healthy non-smokers. This study aimed to investigate regional variation in the forced vital capacity (FVC) and in the forced expiratory volume in one second to FVC ratio (FEV1/FVC) using cross-sectional data from all 41 sites of the multinational Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease study. Participants (5,368 men; 9,649 women), aged ≥40 years, had performed spirometry, had never smoked and reported no respiratory symptoms or diagnoses. To identify regions with similar FVC, we conducted a principal component analysis (PCA) on FVC with age, age2 and height2, separately for men and women. We regressed FVC against age, age2 and height2, and FEV1/FVC against age and height2, for each sex and site, stratified by region. Mean age was 54 years (both sexes), and mean height was 1.69 m (men) and 1.61 m (women). The PCA suggested four regions: 1) Europe and richer countries; 2) the Near East; 3) Africa; and 4) the Far East. For the FVC, there was little variation in the coefficients for age, or age2, but considerable variation in the constant (men: 2.97 L in the Far East to 4.08 L in Europe; women: 2.44 L in the Far East to 3.24 L in Europe) and the coefficient for height2. Regional differences in the constant and coefficients for FEV1/FVC were minimal (<1%). The relation of FVC with age, sex and height varies across and within regions. The same is not true for the FEV1/FVC ratio.
- Young adults’ (re)negotiation of gender and sexual identities across mobile apps in PortugalPublication . Alcaire, Rita; Santos, Sofia José; Subtil, FilipaStemming from a critical approach towards technology (understood as a producer of meanings, subjectivity and agency, and, thus, shaped by power relations) and taking into account the role of broader societal norms and structures in technological uses and gratifications, this chapter explores the (re)negotiations of gender and sexual identities among Portuguese young adult app users. It focuses on if app usage allows these users to break heterocisnormativity and hegemonic notions of masculinity. For that purpose, the study conducted six focus groups involving 31 participants and 25 semi-structured interviews with young adults (18–30 years old). The scripts were designed to collect data about mobile app usage practices and what meanings interviewees attribute to used platforms, navigating through imaginaries, meanings, appropriations, incorporations and mostly negotiations. Analytically, this study contributes to an enhanced understanding of how apps might change young adult lives concerning gender and sexual identities and to challenging uses and gratifications theory, which, after almost 80 years since its first formulations, has gained new impetus with the ongoing digitisation process and the so-called interactive technologies that integrate it.
- Vagus nerve stimulation for the management of immune-mediated inflammatory diseasesPublication . Tarn, Jessica; Pinto, Ines Figueiredo; Ng, Wan-Fai; Staats, P. S.; Ayata, C.; Abd-Elsayed, A.The vagus nerve is a key component of several homeostatic axes including the cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway, hypothalamic–pituitary-adrenergic axis, and the brain-gut axis, all of which play important roles in the regulation of the immune system. Autonomic dysfunction has been described in many immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs). In addition, several pilot studies have shown that vagus nerve stimulation leads to improvement in several IMIDs. Taken together, the vagus nerve is a promising novel therapeutic target for the management of IMIDs.
- Três décadas da qualidade em saúde: que futuro?Publication . França, Margarida; Eiras , MargaridaNos dias de hoje, a Qualidade em Saúde não está dissociada da Segurança do Doente, cujo movimento surge com a publicação do Relatório To err is Human. Desde essa altura que as políticas de saúde, tanto ao nível internacional como nacional, têm uma preocupação crescente com a avaliação e a melhoria dos cuidados de saúde. Este documento aborda as Políticas Públicas e a Qualidade em Saúde, bem como o movimento da Segurança do Doente e as ações desenvolvidas em Portugal nos últimos anos. Finalizamos com propostas de desenvolvimento que poderão contribuir para uma reflexão sobre o futuro da Qualidade e Segurança em Portugal.
- Design and (im)materiality: designing for a regenerative and socially ethical food systemPublication . Duarte, Verónica; Félix, Maria João; Viegas, Cláudia; Borges, Miguel de AboimFood systems are facing serious challenges in the social, economic, and environmental dimensions. This article aims to revitalise the role of design in the transition to a regenerative food system, adopting ethical principles. A literature review was carried out that crossed different themes, to stimulate reflection on the involvement of design in the food system. Next, four evolutionary stages were planned and presented, complemented by conceptual models that resulted from the research carried out and related to the different theoretical subjects, to generate new perspectives on the topic addressed. The effective contribution of this study lies in demonstrating that designers, together with other stakeholders, can design useful solutions and generate interdisciplinary knowledge related to the food system. Furthermore, it is understood that a greater contribution from social design and inclusive design is needed to address several of the problems of the food system, and, consequently, significant and mutually beneficial changes occur. The expected results focus on the need to carry out additional research to deepen the relationship between design and the food system, to minimise adverse impacts on the environment, human health, and future generations.
- Foveal avascular zone area measurement in diabetic patients: superficial, deep or combined retinal vascular complex?Publication . Pereira, Bruno; Faria, Ross; Domingues, Cátia; Barros, Ana; Varandas, Teresa; Henriques, José; Nascimento, João; Carolino, Elisabete; Camacho, PedroPurpose: To compare differences in the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area, measured in the Superficial Vascular Complex (SVC), Deep Vascular Complex (DVC), and a combined analysis of both (SDVC), using two Spectral Domain OCT angiography (OCT-A) protocols, High Speed (HS) and High Resolution (HR). Methods: A total of 26 eyes of diabetic patients, with and without macular oedema, were examined with two different fovea-centered OCT-A volume scans. The two protocols were HS and HR volume scans, and the foveal avascular zone was manually measured in the SVC, DVC, and SDVC slabs by two masked investigators. Inter and intraoperator variability was analysed using Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) and differences were compared between the HR and HS acquisitions throughout the different vascular slabs. Results: Intraoperator variability was low in all slabs (ICC > 0.9) and interoperator variability was lower for HR (ICC 0.835-0.911) compared to HS (ICC between 0.604 and 0.865). Comparing HS and HR measurements for the same slab, the correlation was only moderate in SVC and DVC (ICC was 0.640 and 0.568 respectively) but was good in the SDVC (ICC = 0.823). FAZ area measurement in SDVC also showed the smallest bias (mean difference 0.009 mm2) and the narrowest limits of agreement (-0.175 to 0.193 mm2). Conclusions: Even in cases of diabetic macular oedema, when measuring the FAZ area, the reproducibility was better between HS and HR protocols when using the SDVC slab, compared to the SVC or DVC slabs alone. Further studies should evaluate the use of the combined SDVC slab for the FAZ assessment, compared to the SVC and DVC slabs alone, in detecting and progressing different retinal diseases.
- LIS postsecondary and undergraduate educationPublication . Sanches, Tatiana; Antunes, Maria Da Luz; Lopes, CarlosAn overview of the evolution, challenges, and future trends in Library and Information Science (LIS) education is presented. Traces the historical development of LIS worldwide, emphasizing the shift from practical training to academic recognition. The LIS programs’ structure is discussed, fundamentally covering undergraduate courses. Essential skills for LIS professionals include knowledge organization, use of technology, management, and customer service. Future trends highlight the importance of aligning curriculum with global changes in digital literacy, emerging technologies, and diversity. The profession׳s commitment to ethical values and user-centered services is emphasized, ensuring graduates are well-equipped for the complexities of the information age.
- Impact of ultrasound settings on lung vertical artefacts: an observational study in mechanically ventilated patientsPublication . Leote, João; Gonçalves, Andreia; Fonseca, Júlia; Loução, Ricardo; Dias, Maria Hermínia Monteiro Brites; Ribeiro, Maria Inês; Meireles, Ricardo; Varudo, Rita; Bacariza, Jacobo; Gonzalez, FilipeThe number of vertical artefacts (VAs) in lung ultrasound (LUS) impacts patients' clinical management. This study aimed to demonstrate the influence of ultrasound settings on the number of VAs in patients under invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). Methods: Patients under IMV were recruited for LUS, including three breathing cycles with a motionless curvilinear probe on the thoracic region with the most VAs. Three experts in LUS were asked about the number of VAs at random, and blinded after altering the settings for a total of 20 test recordings per patient. The correlation between expert classifications was tested after grading the classifications. The number of VAs across clinicians was compared between baseline recordings and test condition recordings to determine statistical differences. Results: 29 patients were enrolled with a median Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score of 6 (interquartile range (IQR) 3). IMV was mainly due to stroke (n=10) and pneumonia (n=6). LUS was made between days 1 and 6 (IQR). Baseline recordings showed a median of 2±2 VAs in inspiration and a median of 1±2 in expiration from 3636 expert classifications, with a strong agreement among patients. A probe frequency of 8 MHz, artefact filtering, speckle reduction, and frame average reduced the median VA number by one. A power of -20 dB and a dynamic range of 32 dB abolished the VAs. A gain above 90% increased the median number of VAs by one. Conclusion: In this in vivo study, the LUS settings influenced the VA number in IMV patients, after controlling for physiological and operator confounders.
- The International Collaboration of Pharmacy Journal Editors (ICPJE) formally constituted to foster quality around clinical and social pharmacy practice research publicationsPublication . Alves da Costa, F.; Fernandez-Llimos, Fernando; Desselle, S.; Arnet, I.; Babar, Z.; Bond, C.; Cordina, M.; Garcia Cardenas, V.; El Hajj, M. S.; Jacobsen, R.; Law, A. V.; Nørgaard, L. S.; Polidori, C.; Shcherbakova, N.; Stewart, D.; Tonin, Fernanda; Weidmann, A. E.The Granada statements were a result of the need to strengthen clinical, social, and administrative pharmacy practice as an area of knowledge that translates into practice, research,h and policy. As a response, a group of clinical and social pharmacy practice journal editors launched an initiative in Granada in 2023, to discuss ways to improve the quality of publications in this area, culminating in the Granada statements. Eighteen statements were developed, clustered into six main domains: (1) the appropriate use of terminology; (2) developing impactful abstracts; (3) having the required peer reviews; (4) journal scattering; (5) more effective and wiser use of journal and article performance metrics; and (6) authors’ selection of the most appropriate pharmacy practice journal to submit their work. The full Granada statements have been published in 14 journals. These pioneering statements are rooted in similar endeavors undertaken by scholars in other health professions groups, fostering the concept of interdisciplinary consensus and advancing the scientific paradigm.
- Spatial frequency of environments and myopia: a systematic review on associated evidence and underlying mechanismsPublication . Li, Dan-Li; Lança, Carla; Zhang, Xiu-Juan; Grzybowski, Andrzej; He, Xian-Gui; Pan, Chen-WeiPurpose: Previous animal studies have found a relationship between spatial frequency and myopia. New research in humans suggests that reduced high spatial content of the visual environment may be a contributing factor to myopia development. This study aims to review the literature and elucidate the potential biological mechanisms linking spatial frequency and myopia. Methods: A systematic search was conducted across PubMed and Web of Science databases. The studies published from their inception to August 2024 have explored the connection between spatial frequency and myopia. Only full-text articles in English were included. PRISMA was used for data validity. Results: A total of 13 articles were included in this review, comprising seven animal model studies, four population-based studies, one pictorial analysis, and one study on research design. Epidemiological evidence is comparatively limited and has only begun to emerge in recent years. Mid- to high spatial frequencies were found to play an important role in the emmetropization process of the eye. Low spatial frequencies can increase the risk of myopia incidence. Furthermore, the potential mechanisms of how spatial frequency affects myopia are summarized as visual information processing characteristics, eye accommodation function, eye movements, contrast sensitivity, and relevant molecules involved in the pathway. Conclusion: The evidence suggests that indoor spatial frequency may be related to the development of myopia. Further studies are warranted to understand if the incorporation of changes in indoor environments is helpful in the prevention and control of myopia.