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- Functional ability and independence among older adults in Northern Portugal: A cross-sectional studyPublication . Moreira, Juliana; Santos, Rubim; Sousa, Andreia S. P.; Santos Moreira, Juliana; Rubim Silva Santos, Manuel; Pinheiro de Sousa, Andreia SofiaThe aging process impacts daily living activities, highlighting the need to assess functional ability to support independence in older adults. To characterize the functional ability of community-dwelling older adults in northern Portugal. Methodology: Sixty older adults, aged 60 and above, were assessed for body composition, self-reported health, medication intake, and fall history. Independence in basic and instrumental daily activities was evaluated using the Barthel Index and Lawton and Brody scale, respectively. Functional tests included handgrip strength, 10 meters walk test, five-times sit-to-stand, Timed up and go test, and one leg standing test. Participants had an average age of 67.86±6.46 years, classified as pre-obese based on body mass index, 43.95±6.77 kilograms of muscle mass, and 30% of body fat. Over half (51.6%) rated their health as poor, 88.3% took prescribed medication (average of three per day), and 36.7% had fallen in the past year. Dependence was observed in daily activities (Barthel Index: 19.86±0.35; Lawton and Brody: 22.70±1.23). Functional tests revealed a handgrip strength of 27.39±8.56 kilograms (37.21±6.06 for males, and 22.50±3.93 for females), a self-selected gait velocity of 1.78±0.19 meters/second, a time to complete the five-times sit-to-stand, the Timed up and Go and the one leg standing of 15.48±3.71, 9.32±1.99 and 30.23±23.07 seconds, respectively. While older adults in northern Portugal demonstrate mild functional impairments, their challenges in daily activities and self-perceived health from age 60 underscore the importance of early intervention strategies. Further research is needed to identify influencing factors and develop targeted interventions to enhance independence.
- Exercício em meio aquático e capacidade funcional – um estudo em adultos mais velhosPublication . Gonçalves, Luísa; Touabet, Myriam; Vieira, Ágata; Vieira, ÁgataO treino aquático é eficaz na manutenção e melhoria da capacidade funcional em adultos mais velhos, aproveitando as propriedades físicas e hidrodinâmicas da água para contrabalançar o declínio associado ao envelhecimento. Avaliar a capacidade funcional de adultos mais velhos praticantes de exercício aquático e analisar a sua associação com caraterísticas individuais: sociodemográficas, comportamentais e estado de saúde. Foi realizado um estudo transversal analítico em 41 voluntários, com idade superior a 65 anos, que realizavam exercício aquático duas vezes por semana (Aprovação Ética nº 38/CE-IPSN/2024). As caraterísticas dos participantes foram recolhidas por questionário e a capacidade funcional (independência, mobilidade e risco de queda) foi avaliada através dos testes Five Time Sit-To-Stand (5xSTS) e Timed Up and Go (TUG). A análise estatística foi realizada (SPSS v.29.0) com um nível de significância ⍺=0,05. Com uma mediana de idade de 68 (±7,00) anos, trinta e três (80,5%) participantes eram do sexo feminino. Os participantes apresentaram uma mediana de 9,2 (± 2,74) segundos, sendo que 90,2% tinham mobilidade sem risco de queda (5xSTS), e uma mediana de 9,7 (± 3,34) segundos, sendo que 61% dos participantes eram totalmente independentes (TUG). Não foi encontrada uma associação estatisticamente significativa entre as pontuações do 5xSTS e as caraterísticas individuais (p>0,05). A idade apresentou correlação positiva moderada estatisticamente significativa (p=0,005; r=0,433) com as pontuações do TUG. Os indivíduos com défices de visão (p=0,016) ou doença física/mental (p=0,030) apresentaram pontuações superiores no TUG. A maioria dos participantes apresentou mobilidade e independência funcional, sem risco de queda. Nesta amostra, a idade avançada, os défices de visão e a presença de patologia parecem ter um impacto negativo nos níveis de capacidade funcional (TUG).
- Burnout among healthcare workers: Insights for holistic well-beingPublication . Fernandes, Carina; Barros, Carla; Baylina, Pilar; BAYLINA MACHADO, PILARIn the healthcare sector, burnout has become a critical concern due to high job demands and emotional strain. The main objective of the study is to examine the predictive role of psychosocial work-related risks in the development of burnout. A cross-sectional study was conducted, using a snowball recruitment method, from May to September 2025, among 154 healthcare workers. Data were collected using the psychosocial risk factors scale (INSAT_ERPS) and the Burnout Assessment Tool (BAT) and analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics to analyze the predictive role of the psychosocial risk on burnout dimensions. Psychosocial risk factors are consistently linked to the development of burnout symptoms. For exhaustion, the predictors included Working Hours (β = 0.312, p < 0.001), Social Work Relations (β = 0.196, p = 0.026), and Emotional Demands (β = 0.295, p = 0.002). For mental distance, the predictors included Work Intensity (β = −0.193, p = 0.049), Emotional Demands (β = 0.294, p = 0.004), and Work Values (β = 0.348, p = 0.003). For cognitive impairment, Work Values (β = 0.240, p = 0.042) and for emotional impairment, Employment Relations (β = 0.182, p = 0.038) emerged only one significant positive predictor. Findings underscore a crucial understanding: the development of burnout is not solely determined by the workload intensity, or the number of hours worked, the quality of working life and the dynamics within the workplace play pivotal roles in predicting burnout. A multidomain evaluation aligns with a holistic well-being approach to well-being by emphasizing that enhancing healthcare workers’ health demands systemic interventions addressing psychosocial work environment.
- Antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory activities of Brachydins A-C and root extracts from Fridericia platyphyllaPublication . Lopes, Inês; Campos, Carla; Silva, Fernando; da Costa, Rui M. Gil; Ferreira, Layana S.; da Rocha, Cláudia Q.; Brito, Haissa O.; Capela, João Paulo; Pinto, Eugénia; Medeiros, Rui; Cerqueira, FátimaA hydroethanolic extract and its nonpolar dichloromethane fraction obtained from roots of Fridericia platyphylla (Cham.) L.G.Lohmann, Bignoniaceae, were evaluated against yeasts (Candida albicans, C. krusei, and Cryptococcus neoformans), and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) and Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria. Neither extract showed relevant activity against yeasts or Gram-negative bacteria. In contrast, the dichloromethane fraction exhibited stronger activity against methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA, ATCC 29213) with minimum inhibitory concentration of 26.7 µg/ml and showed marked antioxidant capacity. Three dimeric flavonoids—brachydins A, B, and C—isolated from dichloromethane fraction displayed potent antimicrobial activity against MSSA ATCC 29213 and V459 strains, with brachydin C being the most active (MIC 12.5 and 75 µM, respectively). Brachydin C also decreased the activity of S. aureus virulence-associated enzymes (DNase and catalase). Extracts and brachydins inhibited nitric oxide (NO) production by LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. The in silico ADME profile was further investigated. In conclusion, the results highlight the potential of brachydin C as an anti-staphylococcal agent and the antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant potential of F. platyphylla.