100 results
Is peace a human phenomenon?
- Elva J. H. Robinson, António M. M. Rodrigues, Jessica L. Barker
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- Behavioral and Brain Sciences / Volume 47 / 2024
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 15 January 2024, e24
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Peace is a hallmark of human societies. However, certain ant species engage in long-term intergroup resource sharing, which is remarkably similar to peace among human groups. We discuss how individual and group payoff distributions are affected by kinship, dispersal, and age structure; the challenges of diagnosing peace; and the benefits of comparing convergent complex behaviours in disparate taxa.
46 Comparison of Anxiety Measures in a Memory Clinic Sample
- Raelynn Mae de la Cruz, Jessica Rodrigues, Rachel M. Butler-Pagnotti, Filippo Cieri, Shehroo B. Pudumjee, Sonakshi Arora, Kimberly L. Cobos, Jessica Z. K. Caldwell, Lucille Carriere, Christina G. Wong
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- Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society / Volume 29 / Issue s1 / November 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 21 December 2023, pp. 725-726
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Objective:
As the presentation of anxiety may differ between younger and older adults, it is important to select measures that accurately capture anxiety symptoms for the intended population. The 21-item Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) is widely used; however, its high reliance on somatic symptoms may result in artificial inflation of anxiety ratings among older adults, particularly those with medical conditions. The 30-item Geriatric Anxiety Scale (GAS) was specifically developed for older adults and has shown strong psychometric properties in community-dwelling and long-term care samples. The reliability and validity of the GAS in a memory clinic setting is unknown. The present study aimed to compare the psychometric properties of the GAS and the BAI in a memory disorder clinic sample.
Participants and Methods:Participants included 35 older adults (age=73.3±5.0 years; edu=15.3±2.8 years; 42% female; 89% non-Hispanic white) referred for a neuropsychological evaluation in a memory disorders clinic. In addition to the GAS and BAI, the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) were included. Cutoffs for clinically significant anxiety were based on published data for each measure. A dichotomous anxiety rating (yes/no) was created to examine inter-measure agreement; minimal anxiety was classified as “no” and mild, moderate and severe anxiety were classified as “yes.” Internal scale reliability was examined using Cronbach’s alpha. Convergent and discriminant validity were examined using Spearman rank correlation coefficients. Frequency distributions determined the proportion of yes/no anxiety ratings, and a McNemar test compared the proportion of anxiety classifications between the two measures.
Results:Both measures had excellent internal consistency (BAI: a=.88; GAS: a=.94). The BAI and GAS were highly correlated with each other (r=.79, p<.001) and positively correlated with a depression measure (BAI-GDS: r=.51, p=.002; GAS-GDS: r=.53, p=.001). Discriminant validity was supported by lower correlations between the anxiety measures and cognition (BAI-MoCA: r=.38, p=.061; GAS-MoCA: r=.34, p=.098). The BAI classified 14 participants as having anxiety (40%) and 21 participants as not having anxiety (60%), whereas the GAS classified 21 participants as having anxiety (60%) and 14 participants as not having anxiety (40%). The proportion of anxiety classifications were significantly different between the two measures (p =.016). For 28 participants (80%), there was agreement between the anxiety ratings. Seven participants (20%) were classified as having anxiety by the GAS, but not by the BAI; GAS items related to worry about being judged or embarrassed may contribute to discrepancies, as they were frequently endorsed by these participants and are unique to the GAS.
Conclusions:Results support that both anxiety measures have adequate psychometric properties in a clinical sample of older adult patients with memory concerns. It was expected that the BAI would result in higher classification of anxiety due to reliance on somatic symptoms; however, the GAS rated more participants as having anxiety. The GAS may be more sensitive to detecting anxiety in our sample, but formal anxiety diagnoses were not available in the current dataset. Future research should examine the diagnostic accuracy of the GAS in this population. Overall, preliminary results support consideration of the GAS in memory disorder evaluations.
Ten new insights in climate science 2023
- Mercedes Bustamante, Joyashree Roy, Daniel Ospina, Ploy Achakulwisut, Anubha Aggarwal, Ana Bastos, Wendy Broadgate, Josep G. Canadell, Edward R. Carr, Deliang Chen, Helen A. Cleugh, Kristie L. Ebi, Clea Edwards, Carol Farbotko, Marcos Fernández-Martínez, Thomas L. Frölicher, Sabine Fuss, Oliver Geden, Nicolas Gruber, Luke J. Harrington, Judith Hauck, Zeke Hausfather, Sophie Hebden, Aniek Hebinck, Saleemul Huq, Matthias Huss, M. Laurice P. Jamero, Sirkku Juhola, Nilushi Kumarasinghe, Shuaib Lwasa, Bishawjit Mallick, Maria Martin, Steven McGreevy, Paula Mirazo, Aditi Mukherji, Greg Muttitt, Gregory F. Nemet, David Obura, Chukwumerije Okereke, Tom Oliver, Ben Orlove, Nadia S. Ouedraogo, Prabir K. Patra, Mark Pelling, Laura M. Pereira, Åsa Persson, Julia Pongratz, Anjal Prakash, Anja Rammig, Colin Raymond, Aaron Redman, Cristobal Reveco, Johan Rockström, Regina Rodrigues, David R. Rounce, E. Lisa F. Schipper, Peter Schlosser, Odirilwe Selomane, Gregor Semieniuk, Yunne-Jai Shin, Tasneem A. Siddiqui, Vartika Singh, Giles B. Sioen, Youba Sokona, Detlef Stammer, Norman J. Steinert, Sunhee Suk, Rowan Sutton, Lisa Thalheimer, Vikki Thompson, Gregory Trencher, Kees van der Geest, Saskia E. Werners, Thea Wübbelmann, Nico Wunderling, Jiabo Yin, Kirsten Zickfeld, Jakob Zscheischler
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- Global Sustainability / Volume 7 / 2024
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 01 December 2023, e19
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Non-technical summary
We identify a set of essential recent advances in climate change research with high policy relevance, across natural and social sciences: (1) looming inevitability and implications of overshooting the 1.5°C warming limit, (2) urgent need for a rapid and managed fossil fuel phase-out, (3) challenges for scaling carbon dioxide removal, (4) uncertainties regarding the future contribution of natural carbon sinks, (5) intertwinedness of the crises of biodiversity loss and climate change, (6) compound events, (7) mountain glacier loss, (8) human immobility in the face of climate risks, (9) adaptation justice, and (10) just transitions in food systems.
Technical summaryThe Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Assessment Reports provides the scientific foundation for international climate negotiations and constitutes an unmatched resource for researchers. However, the assessment cycles take multiple years. As a contribution to cross- and interdisciplinary understanding of climate change across diverse research communities, we have streamlined an annual process to identify and synthesize significant research advances. We collected input from experts on various fields using an online questionnaire and prioritized a set of 10 key research insights with high policy relevance. This year, we focus on: (1) the looming overshoot of the 1.5°C warming limit, (2) the urgency of fossil fuel phase-out, (3) challenges to scale-up carbon dioxide removal, (4) uncertainties regarding future natural carbon sinks, (5) the need for joint governance of biodiversity loss and climate change, (6) advances in understanding compound events, (7) accelerated mountain glacier loss, (8) human immobility amidst climate risks, (9) adaptation justice, and (10) just transitions in food systems. We present a succinct account of these insights, reflect on their policy implications, and offer an integrated set of policy-relevant messages. This science synthesis and science communication effort is also the basis for a policy report contributing to elevate climate science every year in time for the United Nations Climate Change Conference.
Social media summaryWe highlight recent and policy-relevant advances in climate change research – with input from more than 200 experts.
Folie a deux / induced delusional disorder – case report and literature review
- A. Lourenço, A. L. Falcão, G. Soares, J. Petta, C. Rodrigues, M. Nascimento, C. Oliveira
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- Journal:
- European Psychiatry / Volume 66 / Issue S1 / March 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 July 2023, pp. S1038-S1039
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Introduction
Folie a deux, also known as shared psychotic disorder or induced delusional disorder, is a rare mental disorder that was first described in France in the late 19th century and was referred to delusions shared between two individuals in close relationship. The concept has evolved and according to ICD-10 the following criteria for the diagnosis is phenomenology-based only.
ObjectivesTo describe a clinical case and review the existing evidence on folie a deux.
MethodsClinical case and non-systematic review of the literature, from the last 15 years, on folie a deux. For this research, the keywords “folie a deux”, “shared psychotic disorder” and “induced delusional disorder” were used in the MEDLINE/PubMed database.
ResultsThe clinical case presented refers to a 56-year-old female patient with no known psychiatric history. The patient stated that 5 years ago when his mother died, neighbors began to persecute her and her sister. She was medicated with a second-generation antipsychotic without total remission of symptoms. Generally, in folie a deux there is a close and prolonged relationship between the inducer and the receptor, as described in this case. We considered that the sister is the active subject. The delusion is persecutory, the most common in this disorder. The patient kept her job until she was hospitalized and as described in the literature patients with folie a deux maintain their functionality, which is responsible for the underdiagnosis of this disorder. The fact that the current evidence is based on case reports reflects the underdiagnosis and rarity of this disorder.
ConclusionsThis clinical case highlights the challenging diagnosis and difficulty in treating this condition. Patients can be diagnosed many years after the onset of symptoms, which may not resolve with treatment. Much information, as prevalence, natural history, and optimal treatment, is lacking on folie a deux, and the etiology remains unknown. As such, prospective studies should be carried out to help understand this disorder.
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
What’s new on the treatment of pedophilia and hebephilia?
- J. Castro Rodrigues, M. Vieira, B. F. da Silva, L. M. Ribeiro
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- European Psychiatry / Volume 66 / Issue S1 / March 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 July 2023, p. S1098
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Introduction
Paraphilias constitute a set of psychiatric conditions that are often chronic and require a combination of treatment approaches, such as pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy. Sexual interest toward prepubescents and pubescents (pedophilia and hebephilia) is frequently identified in criminal settings, within numerous child sexual abuse and child pornography offenses. The high prevalence rates and negative consequences of these acts, causing distress in multiple important areas of health and functioning, reveal the importance of preventing these offenses as a clinical and social matter. Secondary prevention programs, which provide treatment and support for those with paraphilia disorders before sexually abusive behaviors and legal system involvement, show as ethically and socially necessary.
ObjectivesWe aim to discuss and bring insights into the knowledge on pedophilia and hebephilia treatments and prevention programs, in the fields of psychotherapy as well as pharmacologic strategies.
MethodsWe present a non-systematic review of the updated literature on this subject from the data found on the PubMed and PsycInfo databases.
ResultsPreliminary results of recent works show that at-risk individuals with paraphilia disorders are often willing to seek treatment without external pressure from the legal system, and report benefits from early treatments. Most studies found that gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists reduce the risk of child sexual abuse in men with pedophilia. An injectable form has shown to lower this risk 2 weeks after the initial injection, suggesting its use as a rapid-onset treatment option. Cyproterone acetate and medroxyprogesterone acetate are other anti-androgen drugs that inhibit hypersexual behavior, with important side effects to be considered. The combination of androgen deprivation treatment and psychotherapy has a greater effect on preventing fantasies, urges, and behaviours in paraphilic patients. Cognitive-behavioural psychotherapy shows the best results and should soon be initiated in all patients. Biomolecular studies revealed that serotonin and prolactin inhibit sexual arousal, being SSRIs used as first treatment in younger patients, particularly in less severe cases.
ConclusionsEvidence-based treatments from randomized clinical trials for paedophilic and hebephilic disorders are lacking. These current numbers reveal the need for widespread implementation of primary and secondary prevention initiatives, that go beyond the prevention of a repeated offense. There is a need for further research using controlled, randomized trials to examine the effectiveness of sexual offender treatment including psychotherapeutic and pharmacologic interventions. The development of more specific, more effective, and better-tolerated medications for these disorders should be recognized as a program worthy of greater support from government and pharmaceutical industry sources.
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Difficult patients in mental health care–who are they?
- I. M. Figueiredo, G. Soares, C. Lopes, A. C. Rodrigues, A. L. Falcão, A. Lourenço, I. Cargaleiro, M. Nascimento, C. Oliveira
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- European Psychiatry / Volume 66 / Issue S1 / March 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 July 2023, p. S900
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Introduction
Difficult patients are not something new and we can find innumerous definitions for this concept. However, they form a very heterogenous group and we need a less abstract definition focused more on the clinical reality and the difficulties experienced by patients and mental health professionals.
ObjectivesOur goal was to find a more precise and clinical definition of the difficult patient based on quantitative measures using a statistical analysis of a series of hospitalizations.
MethodsA cluster analysis of our hospital’s in-patient treatment from the last 5 years was made concerning the duration of the stay and the number of previous hospitalizations.
ResultsA sample of 8576 inpatient treatment episodes was used. 52.4% were male and 47.6% female patients between the age of 15 and 103 years old. The length of the treatment varied from 0 to 1007 days and the number of previous hospitalizations from 0 to 109; excluding the outliers the means were, respectively, 21 days and 2 previous hospitalizations.
The cluster analysis excluded 85 episodes and it found the presence of 3 clusters, being the number 1 the wider one (n=5861 episodes) and the other quite similar.
The Cluster 1 was characterized by a smaller length of hospital stay and number of hospitalizations; the Cluster 2 was defined by the episodes with the highest number of previous hospitalizations (`x =8.77) and the Cluster C by the longest hospital stays (`x =58.09 days). With a Kruskal-Wallis test we found both variables statistically different between all clusters (p<0.001). In Cluster 2 and 3, respectively, we found that 40,24% and 34.61% was taking the medication before being hospitalized, 6.42% and 3.15% were compulsive hospitalizations, and 40.5% and 21.89% had LAI prescribed.
Concerning the diagnosis, Cluster 1 had more Depression, Neurotic and Somatoform disorders; Cluster 2 more Bipolar and Intellectual disability disorders and Cluster 3 more Dementia and Delusional disorders. Substance use disorders and Personality disorders were found more common in both Cluster 1 and 2, Schizophrenia in Cluster 2 and 3 and Psychosis non specified in Cluster 1 and 3.
ConclusionsWe can say Cluster 1 comprises the non-difficult patients and it’s not surprising that it includes more Depression and Neurotic and Somatoform disorders. The other diagnostic distributions among clusters were also expected and we can also theorize that Cluster 3 had higher percentages of social cases. Treatment with LAI is linked to a decrease in rehospitalizations and we found that in the majority of these episodes it wasn’t been applied. This research is important in order to identify the difficult patients and what challenges they can bring to the mental health services. Creating these patients’ profile will allow us to better understand their needs to create guidelines for a personalized inpatient treatment and to improve community services to prevent the rehospitalizations and prolonged hospital stays.
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Changing trends of suicide mortality from 2011 to 2019: an analysis of 38 European Countries
- G. Fico, A. Gimenez-Palomo, R. Andra Bursan, C. R. Ionescu, F. Kraxner, P. Rolland, S. Gomes-Rodrigues, M. Batković, E. Metaj, S. Tanyeri Kayahan, A. Mamikonyan, P. Paribello, A. K. Sikora, C. M. Platsa, M. Spasic Stojakovic, A. H. Halt, M. Az, N. Ovelian, K. Melamud, M. Janusz, K. Hinkov, C. Gramaglia, J. Beezhold, J. L. Castroman, C. Hanon, D. Eraslan, E. Olie
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- Journal:
- European Psychiatry / Volume 66 / Issue S1 / March 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 July 2023, pp. S85-S86
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Introduction
Suicide is a serious public health problem since it accounts for nearly 900,000 deaths each year worldwide. Globally in 2019, 10.7 persons out of 100,000 died by suicide. Psychiatric disorders are related to an overwhelming proportion of these cases. In the last years, several specific interventions and action plans for suicide prevention have been implemented in a number of European countries.
ObjectivesOur aim was to analyze recent epidemiologic trends of suicide mortality rates in Europe.
MethodsAnnual national statistics of suicide mortality rates derived from Eurostat public databases from 2011 to 2019 were analyzed for 38 European countries. The suicide mortality rate was estimated per year/100,000 population. Linear regression models were used to study temporal trends of suicidal mortality. Analyses were performed using RStudio.
ResultsAvailable data show a statistically significant reduction in suicide mortality rates from 2011 to 2019 in 15 European countries, and a significant increase for Turkey (ES=0.32, SD=0.06, p=0.037) (Fig 1). The greatest significant decrease was reported in Lithuania (ES=-1.42, SD=0.02, p=0.02), followed by Hungary (ES=-1.13, SD=0.11, p=0.0007), Latvia (ES=-0.76, SD=0.11, p=0.007), and Poland (ES=-0.73, SD=0.10, p=0.001). Italy reported the lowest significant reduction in suicide mortality rates (ES=-0.13, SD=0.018, p=0.003). The remaining 16 countries showed no significant changes in suicide mortality trends.
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ConclusionsIn the last years, Europe registered an overall reduction in reported suicide rates. However, more recent data (i.e., suicide rates after COVID-19 pandemic, age and sex-related effect on suicide rates) should be analyzed and used to implement future recommendations. Current and future suicide prevention strategies aim to contribute to a greater reduction of suicide rates in the different European countries.
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
A Pragmatic Approach to define “DIFFICULT TO TREAT” patients
- M. Nascimento, A. Lourenço, A. L. Falcão, G. Soares, C. Rodrigues, J. Petta, C. Oliveira
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- European Psychiatry / Volume 66 / Issue S1 / March 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 July 2023, p. S542
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Introduction
Multiple definitions for “difficult to treat” patients (DTP) were given throughout the years. While most authors focus on diagnoses, others focus on clinical, social and demographic factors, which should be regarded as factors of bad prognosis and elevated costs for the healthcare systems.
ObjectivesTo identify and haracterize DTP patients admitted in acute ward, based on practical criteria.
MethodsThrough the hospital’s IT services, all acute inpatient episodes at Centro Hospitalar Psiquiátrico de Lisboa were collected, since 2017. Cluster analysis was performed, regarding number of previous admissions (PA) and days of admission. Descriptive and comparative statistics (with multiple comparisons) for the different clusters, regarding age, gender, diagnosis at discharge (according to ICD10), and, to the DTP, previous medical following, compliance to medication, and substance use at admission.
ResultsThree clusters were identified: (C1, n=5861) a larger, uncharacteristic one; (C2, n=1168) with a higher number of PA (average of 8, versus less than 2 on the others); and (C3, n=1462) with higher number of days of admissions (58 versus less than 16). Statistical significance was found regarding age (higher in C3), gender (more men in C2), nationality (C1 with more foreigners). Regarding diagnosis at discharge, statistical difference was found between the 3 groups: C1 has significantly less patients with Schizophrenia (11% versus 30% in the others), but more depressive (21% versus 6% in C2 and 12% in C3) and neurotic disorders. C2 presented less dementias (0,5% versus 3% in C1 and 10% in C3) and delusional disorders, but more bipolar disorders (24% versus 15% in C1 and C3); C3 represented less episodes due to substance abuse (alcohol or others) and personality disorders. In both C2 and C3, no psychiatric consultation happened in the 3 months prior admission to around 40% of episodes, and 50% had stopped medication. The majority had only oral medication. Almost 24% of C2 tested positive for cannabinoids, with no differences regarding other substances.
ConclusionsThese findings allow the definition of 2 kinds of DTP, which present unique characteristics but some common features (namely poor adherence to consultations and are in therapeutic compliance). An assertive multidisciplinary approach, focused on current treatment and relapse prevention (including social structures, more frequent clinical follow-up, and rehabilitation centers), will be the key to their treatment.
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
Psychiatric Comorbidities in Hyperacusis and Misophonia: A Systematic Review Protocol
- A. L. M. Rodrigues, A. R. Ferreira, H. Aazh, L. Fernandes
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- European Psychiatry / Volume 66 / Issue S1 / March 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 19 July 2023, p. S1035
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Introduction
Decreased sound tolerance amongst individuals can be divided into two conditions: Hyperacusis and Misophonia. Hyperacusis is the perception of certain everyday sounds as too loud or painful. Misophonia is characterized by heightened emotional reaction to a sound with a specific pattern and/or meaning to an individual, with the context in which occurs being relevant. Scattered evidence from clinical research suggests that Hyperacusis and Misophonia can co-occur with a wide range of psychiatric disorders. These factors can have an impact on the severity of the symptoms and subsequently, in the clinical management of these patients. A better understanding these comorbid conditions is important as it could help to clarify its underlying mechanisms and ultimately, to improve the care of these patients. Despite this, no attempt has been made to synthesize the spectrum of such co-occurring disorders.
ObjectivesTo conduct a systematic review of the available evidence on the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in patients with Hyperacusis and Misophonia, and to explore which factors may influence prevalence estimates.
MethodsPreferred Reporting Items for systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and Meta-analyses of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) recommendations will be followed. The CoCoPop (Condition, Context and Population) framework was used to develop the review question. Pubmed, PsycINFO, Scopus and Web of Science electronic databases will be searched, as well as grey literature, using key-terms in accordance with the pre-established research question. Additional manual searches will also be conducted. Searches will be limited to human studies and no date, language or country origin restrictions will be applied. Outcomes of interest will be the occurrence of comorbid psychiatric disorders in patients with Hyperacusis and Misophonia that are reported according to validated assessment methods. Retrieved records will be screened for eligibility by two independent reviewers using a two-phase approach (title and abstracts screening and full-text review). The methodological quality of primary studies will be assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) – Critical Appraisal Tools, depending on study design, and data will be extracted independently using a standardized extraction form.
ResultsQuantitative data will be synthetized and presented in text and tabular format. Studies heterogeneity will be verified and if feasible, a meta-analysis will be conducted.
ConclusionsIt is expected that this systematic review will provide evidence of a significant prevalence of a wide range of psychiatric comorbidities in patients with Hyperacusis and Misophonia, supporting the importance of screening these patients for psychiatric disorders.
Disclosure of InterestNone Declared
The invasive giant African land snail, Achatina fulica (Gastropoda: Pulmonata): global geographical distribution of this species as host of nematodes of medical and veterinary importance
- G. M. Silva, S. C. Thiengo, V. L. Sierpe Jeraldo, M. I. F. Rego, A. B. P. Silva, P. S. Rodrigues, S. R. Gomes
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- Journal of Helminthology / Volume 96 / 2022
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 01 December 2022, e86
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The giant African land snail, Achatina fulica, is an important invasive species in many countries, where it causes losses in biodiversity and agriculture, as well as impacting the health of both humans and animals, as the intermediate host of medically important nematodes. The present study is based on a comprehensive review of the literature on the nematodes that have been found in association with A. fulica, worldwide. We searched a number of different databases and used the findings to investigate the methods used to extract and identify the nematodes, their larval stages, and environment and collecting procedures of the infected molluscs. Between 1965 and 2021, 11 nematode species were recorded in association with A. fulica in 21 countries. Most of the studies recorded associations between A. fulica and Angiostrongylus cantonensis, which causes cerebral angiostrongyliasis in humans and Aelurostrongylus abstrusus, which provokes pneumonia in felines. The nematodes were extracted primarily by artificial digestion with hydrochloric acid or pepsin, and identified based on their morphology or through experimental infection to obtain the adult. In most cases, the nematodes were at larval stage L3, and the infected A. fulica were collected from anthropogenic environments. The results demonstrate the importance of A. fulica as a host of nematodes of medical and veterinary importance, as well the contribution of anthropogenic environments to the occurrence of the parasites, and give information about the different methods used to collect and identify the nematodes found associated with this species.
Healthcare-associated infections on the intensive care unit in 21 Brazilian hospitals during the early months of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic: An ecological study
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- Ana Paula M. Porto, Igor C. Borges, Lewis Buss, Anna Machado, Bil R. Bassetti, Brunno Cocentino, Camila S. Bicalho, Claudia M.D.M. Carrilho, Cristhieni Rodrigues, Eudes A.S. Neto, Evelyne S. Girão, Filipe Piastrelli, Giovanna Sapienza, Glaucia Varkulja, Karin Kolbe, Luciana Passos, Patricia Esteves, Pollyana Gitirana, Regia D.F. Feijó, Rosane L. Coutinho, Thais Guimarães, Tiago L.L. Ferraz, Anna S. Levin, Silvia F. Costa
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- Journal:
- Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology / Volume 44 / Issue 2 / February 2023
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 18 March 2022, pp. 284-290
- Print publication:
- February 2023
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Objective:
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused a global health crisis and may have affected healthcare-associated infection (HAI) prevention strategies. We evaluated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on HAI incidence in Brazilian intensive care units (ICUs).
Methods:In this ecological study, we compared adult patients admitted to the ICU from April through June 2020 (pandemic period) with the same period in 2019 (prepandemic period) in 21 Brazilian hospitals. We used the Wilcoxon signed rank-sum test in a pairwise analysis to compare the following differences between the pandemic and the prepandemic periods: microbiologically confirmed central-line–associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) incidence density (cases per 1,000 central line and ventilator days, respectively), the proportion of organisms that caused HAI, and antibiotic consumption (DDD).
Results:We detected a significant increase in median CLABSI incidence during the pandemic: 1.60 (IQR, 0.44–4.20) vs 2.81 (IQR, 1.35–6.89) (P = .002). We did not detect a significant difference in VAP incidence between the 2 periods. In addition, we detected a significant increase in the proportion of CLABSI caused by Enterococcus faecalis and Candida spp during the pandemic, although only the latter retained statistical significance after correction for multiple comparisons. We did not detect a significant change in ceftriaxone, piperacillin–tazobactam, meropenem, or vancomycin consumption between the studied periods.
Conclusions:There was an increase in CLABSI incidence in Brazilian ICUs during the first months of COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, we detected an increase in the proportion of CLABSI caused by E. faecalis and Candida spp during this period. CLABSI prevention strategies must be reinforced in ICUs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Determination of the mature weight of intact male hair sheep
- M. S. Mendes, R. N. B. Lôbo, C. J. L. Herbster, J. G. Souza, J. P. P. Rodrigues, M. I. Marcondes, E. S. Pereira
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- The Journal of Agricultural Science / Volume 159 / Issue 9-10 / November 2021
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 08 March 2022, pp. 757-761
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The objective of this study is to provide approaches to determine the mature weight of intact male hair sheep using body composition data. To estimate empty body weight (EBW) at maturity, we used information from eight independent studies comprising a total of 250 intact males in growing and finishing phases. The quantitative data used for each animal were body weight (BW), EBW, water-free EBW protein content, water-free EBW fat content, water-free EBW ash content and EBW water content. The water, protein, fat and ash contents in the EBW and water-free EBW were predicted by non-linear regressions. The best model was chosen considering the achievement of convergence and capacity for biological explanation. The standard deviation of the asymptotic EBW was computed using a simulation method based on a Monte Carlo approach. Among the non-linear evaluations, only the allometric function converged with the parameters within the expected biological limits. To estimate mature EBW, only protein and fat were suitable to predict estimates with the capacity to biological explanation. The water and protein contents in the EBW were closely associated. Animal maturity can be estimated mathematically using body composition. Maturity was reached at an EBW of 47.3 and 57.5 kg when protein and fat were used as a predictor, respectively. We conclude that protein is a good predictor of maturity for intact male hair sheep.
More of the same: new policies continue fostering the use of non-native fish in Brazil
- Diego AZ Garcia, Thiago VT Occhi, Ângelo A Agostinho, Gustavo HZ Alves, Marcelo FG Brito, Armando CR Casimiro, Thiago BA Couto, Almir M Cunico, Lucas R Jarduli, Dilermando P Lima-Junior, André LB Magalhães, José Luís C Novaes, Mário L Orsi, Fernando M Pelicice, Miguel Petrere-Junior, Fábio L Rodrigues, Flávia DF Sampaio, Vagner LM dos Santos, Bruno E Soares, Lívia H Tonella, Jansen AS Zuanon, Jean RS Vitule
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- Journal:
- Environmental Conservation / Volume 49 / Issue 1 / March 2022
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 20 January 2022, pp. 4-7
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Physico-chemical and sensory interactions of arabica coffee genotypes in different water regimes
- D. S. Ferreira, J. F. T. do Amaral, L. L. Pereira, J. M. S. Ferreira, R. C. Guarçoni, T. R. Moreira, A. C. de Oliveira, W. N. Rodrigues, S. L. H. de Almeida, W. R. Ribeiro, M. A. Tomaz, D. T. Castanheira, T. Lima Filho
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- Journal:
- The Journal of Agricultural Science / Volume 159 / Issue 1-2 / January 2021
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 31 March 2021, pp. 50-58
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The production of specialty coffee has several factors and parameters that are added up in the course of production, so that the quality is expressed in the act of consumption. Based on this scenario, this study included the analysis of ten genotypes of arabica coffee, the materials being subjected to irrigated and rainfed water regimes, in a low altitude region, to identify responses for sensory and physical–chemical quality. The genotypes were evaluated in a split-plot scheme with a randomized block design, with three replications. Arabica coffee fruits were harvested with 80% cherry seeds and processed by the wet method. Subsequently, the characteristics related to physical–chemical and sensory analyses were evaluated. The genotypes of the Paraíso group showed great variability for the physical–chemical and sensory variables for rainfed and irrigated regimes. The genotypes of the Catuaí group, however, showed less variability for sensory characteristics in both cultivation environments and for physical–chemical characteristics in the irrigated regime. In the sensorial data set, the genotypes Catuaí 144 CCF and Catuaí 144 SFC (when irrigated) and Paraíso H 419-3-3-7-16-2, Paraíso H 419-3-3-7-16-11 and Catucaí 24-137 (rainfed cultivation), are more favourable to the production of specialty coffee at low altitude.
Cross-cultural measurement equivalence of the Healthy Eating Index adapted version for children aged 1–2 years
- S. A. Ribas, D. M. G. Santos, G. P. C. Rosa, M. T. Teixeira, L. G. Rodrigues, E. S. Marques
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- Journal:
- British Journal of Nutrition / Volume 126 / Issue 5 / 14 September 2021
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 25 November 2020, pp. 782-789
- Print publication:
- 14 September 2021
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The objectives of this study were to evaluate the cross-cultural measurement equivalence of the Healthy Eating Index (HEI) for children aged 1–2 years and to analyse the quality of nutrition of preterm infants. This was a cross-sectional study with 106 premature infants attended in two specialised outpatient clinics of university hospitals. The quality of the diet was analysed through an adapted HEI to meet the dietary recommendations of Brazilian children aged 1–2 years. Food consumption was measured by 24-h recalls. The reliability of the instrument was evaluated by internal consistency analysis and inter-observer reliability using Cronbach’s α coefficient and κ with quadratic ponderation. The construct validity was evaluated by principal component analysis and by Spearman’s correlation coefficient with total energy and consumption of some groups’ food. The diet quality was considered adequate when the total HEI score was over 80 points. Cronbach’s α was 0·54. Regarding inter-observer reliability, ten items showed strong agreement (κ > 0·8). The item scores had low correlations with energy consumed (r ≤ 0·30), and positive and moderate correlation of fruit (r 0·67), meat (r 0·60) and variety of diet (r 0·57) with total scores. When analysing the overall quality of the diet, most patients need improvement (median 78·7 points), which can be attributed to low total vegetable intake and the presence of ultraprocessed foods in the diet. The instrument showed auspicious psychometric properties, being promising to evaluate the quality of the diet in children aged 1–2 years.
471 - Online program to cope to prolonged grief: an end-user centered approach
- J. Isaac, A. Gouveia, M. Suarez-Gomez, A. Rodrigues, R. Sousa, H. Canhão, L. Ferreira, C. Alcobia, R. Pinho, M. Cabrita, L. van Velsen, A. Matos-Pires
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- International Psychogeriatrics / Volume 32 / Issue S1 / October 2020
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 04 November 2020, p. 193
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Background: Loss of a spouse is a frequent occurrence in later life, with about 10% of the individuals finding themselves unable to cope and progressing to prolonged grief, risking further mental and physical problems.
Objective: The development and implementation of an online grief program, such as LEAVES (optimizing the menta L hEalth and resilience of older Adults that haVe lost th Eir spou Se via blended, online therapy), intends to improve prevention and treatment of prolonged grief, so that elderly mourners can continue to lead an active, meaningful and dignified life.
Methods: The LEAVES program, a project under AAL (Active and Assisted Living) 2019 Call for Sustainable Smart Solutions for Ageing Well, is in development by an international consortium and integrates academical, clinical and technical experts. The project will take place between February 2020 and January 2023 and involve real-life evaluation of 315 end-users. The Psychiatric Department at the Health Unit of Baixo Alentejo (ULSBA) will offer the service to its primary users, blending online services with telephone, video calls and face-to-face sessions. Widowed older adults >65 that express the need for help in mourning their spouse will be recruited in the community as well as via the geriatric psychiatry team and primary care.
Results: With LEAVES program we aim for older adults to process the loss of a spouse in a blended online/presential environment, detecting olders at risk for complications, reveal negative trends in their emotional life, and act to counter such trends. The evaluation will focus on wellbeing and involve several measures to assess grief symptoms, loneliness, hopelessness, satisfaction and quality of life. Conclusions: ULSBA will use LEAVES to improve clinical practice on preventing and managing prolonged grief as well as, after testing and validating it in this project, to save economical costs and improve effectiveness, both to hospital and patients.
Food consumption on campus is associated with meal eating patterns among college students
- L. B. Fonseca, L. P. Pereira, P. R. M. Rodrigues, A. C. de S. Andrade, A. P. Muraro, B. M. Gorgulho, R. A. Pereira, M. G. Ferreira
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- Journal:
- British Journal of Nutrition / Volume 126 / Issue 1 / 14 July 2021
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- 24 September 2020, pp. 53-65
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- 14 July 2021
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This is a cross-sectional analysis of data obtained in the baseline of the Longitudinal Study on the Lifestyle and Health of University Students (n 685) carried out in a public Brazilian university. Food intake was assessed using a 24-h dietary recall. Dietary patterns (DP) for breakfast, lunch and dinner were identified using principal component analysis. Generalised linear models were used to analyse the variables associated with each DP. Three DP were extracted for each meal: breakfast: ‘White bread and butter/margarine’, ‘Coffee and tea’ and ‘Sausages, whole wheat bread and cheese’; lunch: ‘Traditional’, ‘Western’ and ‘Vegetarian’ and dinner: ‘Beans, rice and processed juice’, ‘White bread and butter/margarine’ and ‘White meat, eggs and natural juice’. Students who had meals at the campus showed greater adherence to the ‘White bread and butter/margarine’ (exp (βadj) = 1·15, 95 % CI 1·11, 1·19) and ‘Coffee and tea’ (exp (βadj) = 1·06, 95 % CI 1·02, 1·10) breakfast patterns; ‘Western’ lunch pattern (exp (βadj) = 1·04, 95 % CI 1·01, 1·08) and to the ‘Beans, rice and processed juice’ dinner pattern (exp (βadj) = 1·10, 95 % CI 1·06, 1·14). Having meals at the campus was associated with lower adherence to the ‘Sausages, whole wheat bread and cheese’ breakfast pattern (exp (βadj) = 0·93, 95 % CI 0·89, 0·97), ‘Traditional’ lunch pattern (exp (βadj) = 0·96, 95 % CI 0·93, 0·99) and to the ‘White bread and butter/margarine’ (exp (βadj) = 0·96, 95 % CI 0·93, 0·99) and ‘White meat, eggs and natural juice’ (exp (βadj) = 0·96, 95 % CI 0·93, 0·99) dinner pattern. The food environment at campus may influence students’ DP. Recognising meal eating patterns is important to support healthy eating promotion strategies on campus. Adjustments in the University Canteen menu could contribute to healthier eating choices among students.
Greenhouse gas balance and carbon footprint of pasture-based beef cattle production systems in the tropical region (Atlantic Forest biome)
- P. P. A. Oliveira, A. Berndt, A. F. Pedroso, T. C. Alves, J. R. M. Pezzopane, L. S. Sakamoto, F. L. Henrique, P. H. M. Rodrigues
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The production of beef cattle in the Atlantic Forest biome mostly takes place in pastoral production systems. There are millions of hectares covered with pastures in this biome, including degraded pasture (DP), and only small area of the original Atlantic Forest has been preserved in tropics, implying that actions must be taken by the livestock sector to improve sustainability. Intensification makes it possible to produce the same amount, or more beef, in a smaller area; however, the environmental impacts must be assessed. Regarding climate change, the C dynamics is essential to define which beef cattle systems are sustainable. The objectives of this study were to investigate the C balance (t CO2e./ha per year), the intensity of C emission (kg CO2e./kg BW or carcass) and the C footprint (t CO2e./ha per year) of pasture-based beef cattle production systems, inside the farm gate and considering the inputs. The results were used to calculate the number of trees to be planted in beef cattle production systems to mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The GHG emission and C balance, for 2 years, were calculated based on the global warming potential (GWP) of AR4 and GWP of AR5. Forty-eight steers were allotted to four grazing systems: DP, irrigated high stocking rate pasture (IHS), rainfed high stocking rate pasture (RHS) and rainfed medium stocking rate pasture (RMS). The rainfed systems (RHS and RMS) presented the lowest C footprints (−1.22 and 0.45 t CO2e./ha per year, respectively), with C credits to RMS when using the GWP of AR4. The IHS system showed less favorable results for C footprint (−15.71 t CO2e./ha per year), but results were better when emissions were expressed in relation to the annual BW gain (−10.21 kg CO2e./kg BW) because of its higher yield. Although the DP system had an intermediate result for C footprint (−6.23 t CO2e./ha per year), the result was the worst (−30.21 CO2e./kg BW) when the index was expressed in relation to the annual BW gain, because in addition to GHG emissions from the animals in the system there were also losses in the annual rate of C sequestration. Notably, the intensification in pasture management had a land-saving effect (3.63 ha for IHS, 1.90 for RHS and 1.19 for RMS), contributing to the preservation of the tropical forest.
Predicting enteric methane production from cattle in the tropics
- R. S. Ribeiro, J. P. P. Rodrigues, R. M. Maurício, A. L. C. C. Borges, R. Reis e Silva, T. T. Berchielli, S. C. Valadares Filho, F. S. Machado, M. M. Campos, A. L. Ferreira, R. Guimarães Júnior, J. A. G. Azevêdo, R. D. Santos, T. R. Tomich, L. G. R. Pereira
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Accurate estimates of methane (CH4) production by cattle in different contexts are essential to developing mitigation strategies in different regions. We aimed to: (i) compile a database of CH4 emissions from Brazilian cattle studies, (ii) evaluate prediction precision and accuracy of extant proposed equations for cattle and (iii) develop specialized equations for predicting CH4 emissions from cattle in tropical conditions. Data of nutrient intake, diet composition and CH4 emissions were compiled from in vivo studies using open-circuit respiratory chambers, SF6 technique or the GreenFeed® system. A final dataset containing intake, diet composition, digestibility and CH4 emissions (677 individual animal observations, 40 treatment means) obtained from 38 studies conducted in Brazil was used. The dataset was divided into three groups: all animals (GEN), lactating dairy cows (LAC) and growing cattle and non-lactating dairy cows (GCNL). A total of 54 prediction equations available in the literature were evaluated. A total of 96 multiple linear models were developed for predicting CH4 production (MJ/day). The predictor variables were DM intake (DMI), gross energy (GE) intake, BW, DMI as proportion of BW, NDF concentration, ether extract (EE) concentration, dietary proportion of concentrate and GE digestibility. Model selection criteria were significance (P < 0.05) and variance inflation factor lower than three for all predictors. Each model performance was evaluated by leave-one-out cross-validation. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (2006) Tier 2 method performed better for GEN and GCNL than LAC and overpredicted CH4 production for all datasets. Increasing complexity of the newly developed models resulted in greater performance. The GCNL had a greater number of equations with expanded possibilities to correct for diet characteristics such as EE and NDF concentrations and dietary proportion of concentrate. For the LAC dataset, equations based on intake and animal characteristics were developed. The equations developed in the present study can be useful for accurate and precise estimation of CH4 emissions from cattle in tropical conditions. These equations could improve accuracy of greenhouse gas inventories for tropical countries. The results provide a better understanding of the dietary and animal characteristics that influence the production of enteric CH4 in tropical production systems.
A National Spinal Muscular Atrophy Registry for Real-World Evidence
- Victoria L. Hodgkinson, Maryam Oskoui, Joshua Lounsberry, Saïd M’Dahoma, Emily Butler, Craig Campbell, Alex MacKenzie, Hugh J. McMillan, Louise Simard, Jiri Vajsar, Bernard Brais, Kristine M. Chapman, Nicolas Chrestian, Meghan Crone, Peter Dobrowolski, Susan Dojeiji, James J. Dowling, Nicolas Dupré, Angela Genge, Hernan Gonorazky, Simona Hasal, Aaron Izenberg, Wendy Johnston, Edward Leung, Hanns Lochmüller, Jean K. Mah, Alier Marerro, Rami Massie, Laura McAdam, Anna McCormick, Michel Melanson, Michelle M. Mezei, Cam-Tu E. Nguyen, Colleen O’Connell, Erin K. O’Ferrall, Gerald Pfeffer, Cecile Phan, Stephanie Plamondon, Chantal Poulin, Xavier Rodrigue, Kerri L. Schellenberg, Kathy Selby, Jordan Sheriko, Christen Shoesmith, Garth Smith, Monique Taillon, Sean Taylor, Jodi Warman Chardon, Scott Worley, Lawrence Korngut
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- Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences / Volume 47 / Issue 6 / November 2020
- Published online by Cambridge University Press:
- 04 June 2020, pp. 810-815
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Background:
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a devastating rare disease that affects individuals regardless of ethnicity, gender, and age. The first-approved disease-modifying therapy for SMA, nusinursen, was approved by Health Canada, as well as by American and European regulatory agencies following positive clinical trial outcomes. The trials were conducted in a narrow pediatric population defined by age, severity, and genotype. Broad approval of therapy necessitates close follow-up of potential rare adverse events and effectiveness in the larger real-world population.
Methods:The Canadian Neuromuscular Disease Registry (CNDR) undertook an iterative multi-stakeholder process to expand the existing SMA dataset to capture items relevant to patient outcomes in a post-marketing environment. The CNDR SMA expanded registry is a longitudinal, prospective, observational study of patients with SMA in Canada designed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of novel therapies and provide practical information unattainable in trials.
Results:The consensus expanded dataset includes items that address therapy effectiveness and safety and is collected in a multicenter, prospective, observational study, including SMA patients regardless of therapeutic status. The expanded dataset is aligned with global datasets to facilitate collaboration. Additionally, consensus dataset development aimed to standardize appropriate outcome measures across the network and broader Canadian community. Prospective outcome studies, data use, and analyses are independent of the funding partner.
Conclusion:Prospective outcome data collected will provide results on safety and effectiveness in a post-therapy approval era. These data are essential to inform improvements in care and access to therapy for all SMA patients.