Browsing by Author "Ramalho, Susana"
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- Healthcare workers’ mental health in pandemic times: the predict role of psychosocial risksPublication . Barros, Carla; Baylina, Pilar; Fernandes, Rúben; Ramalho, Susana; Arezes, PedroHealthcare workers perform an emotionally exhausting daily work activity, making them prone to occupational hazards, namely psychosocial ones. This study aims to assess the impact of psy chosocial risk factors on healthcare workers’ mental health. A cross-sectional study was developed between May and June of 2021 with 479 healthcare workers from Portuguese hospitals. The Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale was used to assess mental health, and psychosocial risks were assessed through the Health and Work Survey e INSAT. Statistical analysis was performed to identify the psychosocial risk factors related to anxiety, depression, and stress. Subsequently, a multiple linear regression was performed to identify the models that better explained psychosocial risk factors’ relationship with anxiety, depression, and stress. Data showed a strong exposure to psychosocial risks. Work pace and intensity, work relation ships, and emotional demands stood out with higher global average percentages for yes answers to “exposure and discomfort.” The analysis of the b values and p-values from the multiple linear regression shows that some cross-sectional psychosocial risks are predictors of anxiety and stress dimensions, and other psychosocial risks differ in the two mental health dimensions. However, it is important to highlight that healthcare workers still showed great joy and pleasure in performing their work activities. Support network development in the work environment is needed to prevent healthcare workers’ emotional stress and promote their psychological well-being. Therefore, new research is essential to understand the psychosocial risks that affect healthcare workers and assess the less visible effects of workehealth relationships
- Moving towards personalized medicine—The broad use of aptamers for targeted theranosticPublication . Sousa, André P.; Rocha, Ana C.; Almeida, Cátia; Carneiro, Mariana C. C. G.; Pais, Patrick P.; Viana, Rejane; Fernandes, Rúben; Barata, Pedro; Gestoso, Álvaro; Ramalho, Susana; Martins-Mendes, Daniela; Baylina, Pilar; Pereira, Ana CláudiaAptamers are short, single-stranded oligonucleotides synthesized in vitro from a randomized oligonucleotide library against a specific target. These molecules are capable of binding to a wide range of biological targets with high specificity and affinity. They present great advantages over antibodies with potential applications in research, diagnosis, and therapeutics. Specifically for tumors with late-stage identification and poor prognosis, like pancreatic cancer, the study of novel aptamers holds tremendous potential for cancer diagnosis and treatment. Along with cancer treatment, aptamers have also shown high potential in regulating the immune response and modulating several critical steps of signaling cascades, such as in immune checkpoints. In the context of microbiota and infection, aptamers are being studied to identify microbes and their metabolites. This assessment has the potential to improve the detection and management of infectious diseases while assisting us in better understanding health risks and treatment outcomes by tracking changes in the microbiota. In this review, the potential of aptamers is explored regarding their applications in cancer, immune, and microbiota therapy.
- Sextortion: caracterização dogmática e delimitação da imputação criminal em PortugalPublication . Ramalho, Joaquim; Ramalho, SusanaO sextortion, tal como o cibercrime em geral, é um crime que tem vindo a sofrer um aumento da prevalência, manifestando o Direito dificuldades na sua tipificação e diferenciação em relação a outros tipos de crime. Deste modo, este artigo visa realizar uma abordagem reflexiva sobre a imputação da responsabilidade criminal em Portugal, procurando uniformizar a sua tipificação e evitar divergências doutrinais. Na imputação, partindo de uma conceção stricto sensu, o crime de sextortion subsume-se à posse autorizada das imagens da vítima e, através da ameaça de partilha das mesmas no ciberespaço, procurar obter vantagem financeira, novos conteúdos íntimos e encontros presenciais.
- Unveiling the path to resilience: prioritizing mental health, sleep, and nutrition in the Post-COVID EraPublication . Ramalho, Susana; Martins-Mendes, Daniela; Macedo, José Mário; Barros, Carla; Luís, Carla; Sá, Sara; Gestoso, Álvaro; Pereira, Ana Cláudia; Baylina, Pilar; Fernandes, RúbenThe COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted daily life, impacting relationships, work, and education. This has led to increased stress, anxiety, and depression, along with altered sleep patterns and eating behaviors. Quarantine and isolation have worsened mental health, especially in children and the elderly, due to the loss of activities and physical contact. Sleep disorders and negative dreams perpetuate poor sleep quality, increasing the risk of health issues. Sedentary lifestyles and emotional effects contribute to unhealthy eating patterns and obesity, exacerbated by disrupted routines and limited outdoor activities. Addressing these challenges requires prioritizing mental health, promoting healthy sleep habits, and addressing obesity factors. The pandemic has profoundly affected human well-being, but resilience, mental health, sleep, and nutrition can enhance overall well-being and adaptability in the post-COVID era. This comprehensive opinion aims to raise awareness of the wide-ranging impacts of this pandemic on various aspects of human well-being and to emphasize the importance of implementing strategies that prioritize mental health, improve sleep habits, address eating behaviors, and foster resilience to navigate and thrive in the face of future challenges.