Profile of transversal skills of Nursing students to intervene in disaster situations.

OBJECTIVE: to identify the profile of transversal teaching/learning skills, which allows an adequate intervention of disaster nursing students. METHODS: this is research framed in the qualitative, transversal paradigm methodology, supported by inductive and exploratory reasoning. RESULTS: it was found that there is no consensus between Nursing Education Major Coordinators/Directors and disaster nursing experts regarding transversal skills considered decisive, due to the current absence of the theme in study plans and the limited personal and professional training of professors. FINAL CONSIDERATIONS: the development and implementation of teaching/learning strategies that allow the development of transversal skills, favoring students' ability to meet this reality in a conscious, balanced and efficient way, is crucial.

Profile of transversal skills of Nursing students to intervene in disaster situations / Perfil de competencias transversales de estudiantes de Enfermería para intervenir en situaciones de desastre / Perfil de competências transversais dos estudantes de Enfermagem para intervir em situações de catástrofe

ABSTRACT Objective: to identify the profile of transversal teaching/learning skills, which allows an adequate intervention of disaster nursing students. Methods: this is research framed in the qualitative, transversal paradigm methodology, supported by inductive and exploratory reasoning. Results: it was found that there is no consensus between Nursing Education Major Coordinators/Directors and disaster nursing experts regarding transversal skills considered decisive, due to the current absence of the theme in study plans and the limited personal and professional training of professors. Final considerations: the development and implementation of teaching/learning strategies that allow the development of transversal skills, favoring students' ability to meet this reality in a conscious, balanced and efficient way, is crucial.

RESUMEN Objetivo: identificar el perfil de competencias transversales de enseñanza/aprendizaje, que permita una adecuada intervención del estudiante de la Licenciatura en Enfermería en el dominio de la catástrofe. Resultados: se constató que no existe consenso entre los Coordinadores/Directores de la Licenciatura en Enfermería y los expertos en enfermería de catástrofes respecto a las competencias transversales consideradas cruciales. Métodos: investigación enmarcada en la metodología del paradigma cualitativo, transversal, sustentada en razonamientos inductivos y exploratorios. Consideraciones finales: es crucial el desarrollo e implementación de estrategias de enseñanza/aprendizaje que permitan el desarrollo de competencias transversales, favoreciendo la capacidad del estudiante para afrontar esta realidad de manera consciente, equilibrada y eficiente.

RESUMO Objetivo: identificar o perfil de competências transversais de ensino/aprendizagem, que permita uma intervenção adequada do estudante do Curso de Licenciatura em Enfermagem no domínio da catástrofe. Métodos: investigação enquadrada na metodologia do paradigma qualitativo, transversal, apoiada no raciocínio indutivo e exploratória. Resultados: verificou-se que não existe consenso entre os Coordenadores/Diretores dos Cursos de Licenciatura em Enfermagem e os peritos de enfermagem em catástrofe quanto às competências transversais consideradas determinantes, decorrente da atual ausência da temática nos planos de estudo e da diminuta formação pessoal e profissional dos docentes. Considerações finais: o desenvolvimento e implementação de estratégias de ensino/aprendizagem, que permitam o desenvolvimento de competências transversais, favorecendo a capacidade do estudante para se encontrar com esta realidade de maneira consciente, equilibrada e eficiente, assume-se crucial.

A integração da família nos cuidados de enfermagem: perspetiva de enfermeiros e estudantes de enfermagem / Integrating the family into nursing care: nurses' and nursing students' perspectives / Integración de la familia en los cuidados de enfermería: perspectiva de los enfermeros y los estudiantes de enfermería

Resumo Enquadramento: A pertinência da integração das famílias nos cuidados de enfermagem permite a promoção, manutenção e recuperação da saúde das famílias. Objetivos: Identificar e descrever a perspetiva dos enfermeiros e estudantes de enfermagem sobre a integração das famílias nos cuidados de enfermagem. Metodologia: Estudo inferencial, transversal, numa população de enfermeiros e estudantes de enfermagem. Foi aplicada a escala Families Importance in Nursing Care - Nurses Attitudes (FINC-NA). Resultados: Amostra constituída por 164 indivíduos, nos quais 71 eram profissionais e 93 estudantes. A média da importância atribuída à família foi maior nos estudantes de enfermagem relativamente aos enfermeiros, sendo a diferença entre os dois grupos significativa. Na análise de regressão linear univariada as variáveis: Idade, Anos de experiência profissional e Formação na área da família parecem estar associadas à importância atribuída à família. Conclusão: Os estudantes atribuem maior importância à integração da família do que os enfermeiros. As variáveis Idade, Anos de exercício profissional e Formação na área da família, nos enfermeiros, associam-se a uma maior importância da integração da família.

Abstract Background: Integrating families into nursing care allows promoting, maintaining, and restoring their health. Objectives: To identify and describe nurses' and nursing students' perspectives of the integration of families into nursing care. Methodology: Inferential, cross-sectional study in a population of nurses and nursing students. The Families' Importance in Nursing Care - Nurses' Attitudes (FINC-NA) scale was applied. Results: Sample consisting of 164 individuals, of whom 71 were nurses and 93 nursing students. On average, the importance attached to the family was higher among nursing students than among nurses, with a significant difference between both groups. In the univariate linear regression analysis, the variables Age, Years of professional experience, and Training in the family nursing seem to be associated with the importance attached to the family. Conclusion: Students attach more importance to family integration than nurses. The variables Age, Years of professional experience, and Training in the family nursing are associated with greater importance attached by nurses to the integration of families into nursing care.

Resumen Marco contextual: La relevancia de la integración de las familias en los cuidados de enfermería permite promover, mantener y recuperar la salud de las familias. Objetivos: Identificar y describir la perspectiva de los enfermeros y los estudiantes de enfermería sobre la integración de las familias en los cuidados de enfermería. Metodología: Estudio inferencial, transversal, en una población de enfermeros y estudiantes de enfermería. Se aplicó la escala Families Importance in Nursing Care - Nurses Attitudes (FINC-NA). Resultados: Muestra compuesta por 164 personas, 71 de las cuales eran profesionales y 93 estudiantes. La media de la importancia concedida a la familia fue mayor entre los estudiantes de enfermería que entre los enfermeros, y la diferencia entre ambos grupos fue significativa. En el análisis de regresión lineal univariante, las variables Edad, Años de experiencia profesional y Formación en el área de la familia parecen estar asociadas a la importancia concedida a la familia. Conclusión: Los estudiantes conceden mayor importancia a la integración de la familia que los enfermeros. Las variables Edad, Años de ejercicio profesional y Formación en el área de la familia, en los enfermeros, se asocian a una mayor importancia de la integración de la familia.

Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities of Natural Compounds: Enhance the Safety and Quality of Food.

Nature has offered us a tremendous diversity of natural compounds, for which antimicrobial and antioxidant properties have been intensively explored and nowadays are plenty recognized [...].

Avaliação familiar e processo de enfermagem: programa de desenvolvimento de competências / Family assessment and nursing process: skills and knowledge development program / Evaluación familiar y proceso de enfermería: programa de desarrollo de competencias

Enquadramento: Na abordagem família é fundamental o enfermeiro deter ferramentas. O Modelo de Calgary de Avaliação Familiar (MCAF), é um instrumento importante na prática de enfermagem familiar. Objetivos: Conhecer a importância atribuída à família pelos enfermeiros que integram uma unidade de saúde familiar (USF) da Região Centro de Portugal; Identificar os conhecimentos dos enfermeiros sobre avaliação familiar pela aplicação do MCAF; Avaliar o impacto da aplicação de um programa intervenção envolvendo conhecimentos e competências sobre avaliação familiar pelo MCAF nos profissionais de enfermagem. Metodologia: Estudo longitudinal com 8 enfermeiros, do tipo quase experimental, realizado em dois momentos de recolha de dados, desenho do tipo pré e pós teste, sem grupo de controlo. A amostra, selecionou-se pelo método não probabilístico/acidental/conveniência. Resultados: Os enfermeiros têm atitudes de suporte à família. Existem diferenças estatísticas significativas, de conhecimentos e competências, na avaliação familiar pelo MCAF, antes e após intervenção. Conclusão: A implementação de programas interventivos na avaliação familiar pelo MCAF, permite transferência de conhecimentos e desenvolvimento de competências.

Background: In the family approach, it is essential for nurses to have tools to intervene. The Calgary Family Assessment Model (MCAF) is an important instrument in family nursing practice. Objectives: To know the importance attributed to the family by nurses who are part of a family health unit (FHU) in the Central Region of Portugal; Identify nurses' knowledge of family assessment by applying the MCAF; To evaluate the impact of the application of an intervention program involving knowledge and skills on family assessment by the MCAF in nursing professionals. Methodology: Longitudinal, quasi-experimental study, performed in two moments of data collection, pre and post test design, without control group, with 8 nurses, selected by the non-probabilistic/accidental /convenience method. Results: Nurses have family supportive attitudes. There are significant statistical differences in knowledge and skills in family assessment by the MCAF before and after intervention. Conclusion: The implementation of intervention programs in family assessment by the MCAF, allows knowledge transfer and skills development.

Marco Contextual: en el enfoque familiar, es esencial que las enfermeras tengan herramientas para intervenir El Modelo de Evaluación Familiar de Calgary (MCAF) es un instrumento importante en la práctica de enfermería familiar. Objetivos: Conocer la importancia atribuida a la familia por las enfermeras que forman parte de una unidad de salud familiar (FHU) en la Región Central de Portugal; Identificar el conocimiento de las enfermeras sobre la evaluación familiar mediante la aplicación del MCAF; Evaluar el impacto de la aplicación de un programa de intervención que involucra conocimientos y habilidades en la evaluación familiar por parte del MCAF. Metodología: Estudio longitudinal con 8 enfermeras, cuasiexperimental, realizado en dos momentos de recolección de datos, diseño pre y post prueba, sin grupo de control. Muestra seleccionada por el método no probabilístico/accidental/de conveniencia. Resultados: las enfermeras tienen actitudes de apoyo familiar. Existen diferencias estadísticas significativas en el conocimiento y las habilidades en la evaluación familiar por parte del MCAF antes y después de la intervención. Conclusión: La implementación de programas de intervención en evaluación familiar por parte del MCAF, permite la transferencia de conocimiento y el desarrollo de habilidades.

Registos vacinais de enfermagem: importância para vigilância da saúde das populações / Vaccination nursing records: importance for monitoring the health of populations / Registros de vacunación de enfermería: importancia para el control de la salud de la población

Enquadramento: Os registos vacinais de enfermagem são uma fonte de informação relevante para uma adequada vigilância epidemiológica da aplicação do Programa Nacional de Vacinação. Objetivos: Avaliar a fiabilidade e precisão dos registos vacinais de enfermagem relativos à estratégia vacina antissarampo, parotidite e rubéola (VASPR). Metodologia: Foram consultados os registos oficiais de vacinação de 411 indivíduos, nascidos entre 1970 e 2004. Através destes registos estudou-se a história vacinal, de doença e de reações adversas à vacinação. Resultados: Existe informação vacinal coincidente registada na ficha individual de vacinação e no boletim individual de saúde em 96,22%. Os esquemas vacinais seguidos estiveram associados a gerações de nascimento às quais os indivíduos pertencem (r = 0,720; p = 0,020). O estado vacinal não esteve associado nem à história de doença nem à história de reações adversas à vacinação (p > 0,05). Conclusão: Os registos vacinais de enfermagem são fiáveis e precisos, permitem a monitorização e vigilância da saúde das populações e garantem o sucesso da aplicação do Programa Nacional de Vacinação em Portugal.

Background: Vaccination nursing records are a source of relevant information for adequate epidemiological surveillance of the implementation of the National Vaccination Program. Objectives: To evaluate the reliability and accuracy of vaccination nursing records related to the measles-mumps-rubella vaccination strategy (MMR). Methodology: The official vaccination records of 411 individuals, born between 1970 and 2004, were examined. We studied their vaccination, disease, and vaccination adverse reactions history. Results: There is a coincidence of vaccination information recorded in the Individual Vaccination Record and the Individual Health card in 96.22%. The followed vaccination schedules were associated with the birth generations to which individuals belong (r = 0.720; p = 0.020). Vaccination status was not associated with either the history of disease or the history of adverse reactions to vaccination (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Vaccination nursing records are reliable and accurate, allow the monitoring and surveillance of the health of populations, and ensure the success of the implementation of the National Vaccination Program in Portugal.

Marco contextual: Los registros de vacunación de enfermería son una fuente de información pertinente para realizar un control epidemiológico adecuado de la aplicación del Programa Nacional de Vacunación. Objetivos: Evaluar la fiabilidad y la precisión de los registros de vacunación de enfermería relativos a la estrategia de vacunación contra el sarampión, la parotiditis y la rubeola (VASPR). Metodología: Se consultaron los registros oficiales de vacunación de 411 individuos nacidos entre 1970 y 2004. A través de estos registros, se estudió el historial de vacunación, de enfermedad y de reacciones adversas a la vacunación. Resultados: Existe información de vacunación coincidente registrada en la cartilla de vacunación individual y en el boletín individual de salud al 96,22%. Los esquemas de vacunación seguidos se asociaron con generaciones de nacimiento a las cuales pertenecen los individuos (r = 0,720; p = 0,020). El estado de vacunación no se asoció ni con el historial de enfermedad ni con el historial de reacciones adversas a la vacunación (p > 0,05). Conclusión: Los registros de vacunación de enfermería son fiables y precisos, permiten el seguimiento y el control de la salud de las poblaciones y garantizan el éxito de la aplicación del Programa Nacional de Vacunación en Portugal.

Molecular cloning and functional characterization of a monoterpene synthase isolated from the aromatic wild shrub Thymus albicans.

The essential oil of Thymus albicans Hoffmanns. & Link, a native shrub from the Iberian Peninsula, is mainly composed of monoterpenes. In this study, a 1,8-cineole synthase was isolated from the 1,8-cineole chemotype. A partial sequence that lacked the complete plastid transit peptide but contained an extended C-terminal when compared to other related terpene synthases was generated by PCR and Rapid Amplification of cDNA Ends (RACE). The predicted mature polypeptide was 593 amino acids in length and shared 78% and 77% sequence similarity with the homologue 1,8-cineole synthase from Rosmarinus officinalis and Salvia officinalis, respectively. The putative protein possessed the characteristic conserved motifs of plant monoterpene synthases including the RRx8W and DDxxD motifs and phylogenetic analysis indicated that the amplified 1,8-cineole synthase bears greater sequence similarity with other 1,8-cineole synthases from Lamiaceae family relative to the terpene synthases from the genus Thymus. Functional expression of the recombinant protein in Escherichia coli revealed that in the presence of geranyl diphosphate (GPP) 1,8-cineole was the major product but that its production was too low for robust quantification. Other minor conversion products included α-pinene, ß-pinene, sabinene and ß-myrcene suggesting the isolated 1,8-cineole synthase may be a multi-product enzyme. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a functionally characterized monoterpene synthase from Thymus albicans.

Targeted gene disruption coupled with metabolic screen approach to uncover the LEAFY COTYLEDON1-LIKE4 (L1L4) function in tomato fruit metabolism.

KEY MESSAGE: Functional analysis of tomato L1L4 master transcription factor resulted in important metabolic changes affecting tomato fruit quality. Tomato fruits from mutant lines bearing targeted disruption of the heterotrimeric nuclear transcription factor Y (NF-Y) transcription factor (TF) gene LEAFY-COTYLEDON1-LIKE4 (L1L4, NF-YB6), a master regulator of biosynthesis for seed storage proteins and fatty acids, were evaluated for metabolites content and morphology. Metabolic screens using LC-MS/MS-based analysis and physico-chemical methods in different L1L4 mutants of the fourth generation allowed a comparative assessment of the effects of the TF disruption. Mutagenesis resulted in fruits phenotypically similar to wild-type with subtle shape differences in the distal end protrusion and symmetry. Conversely, mutant fruits from independent lines had significant variation in moisture content, titratable acidity and overall metabolite profiles including oxalic and citric acid, fructose, ß-carotene, total polyphenols and antioxidants. Lines 6, 7 and 9 were the richest in ß-carotene and antioxidant activity, line 4 in ascorbic acid and lines 4 and 8 in succinic acid. The reduced content of the anti-nutrient oxalic acid in several mutant fruits suggests that L1L4 gene may regulate the accumulation of this compound during fruit development. Detailed LC-MS/MS analysis of mutant seeds showed substantial differences in bioactive compounds compared to wild-type seeds. Taken together, the results suggest that the L1L4 TF is a significant regulator of metabolites both in tomato fruit and seeds providing a molecular target for crop improvement. Elucidation of the candidate genes encoding key enzymes in the affected metabolic pathways aimed to facilitate the L1L4 gene network exploration and eventually lead to systems biology approaches in tomato fruit quality.

Antioxidant and α-Glucosidase Inhibitory Properties and Chemical Profiles of Moroccan Propolis.

The chemical profiles of propolis hydroalcoholic extracts from different regions of Morocco were studied by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry after silylation. Samples from Khamissat and Imouzzer belong to the poplar type, as typical poplar flavonoids predominated. Propolis from Rabat also contained high percentage of flavonoids, but had significantly lower amount of phenolic acid esters and contained no pinobanksin-3-O-acetate. Propolis from Bhalil demonstrated a profile rich in diterpenes (74.3%), and is a typical Mediterranean propolis sample. All samples had the capacity for inhibiting glucosidase and amylase enzymes, as well as the capacity for scavenging free radicals and preventing lipid peroxidation. Both activities were significantly higher in the flavonoids-rich samples.

Validação para a população portuguesa da escala - Perceptions of Empowerment in Midwifery Scale (PEMS) / Validation of Perceptions of Empowerment in Midwifery Scale (PEMS) in the Portuguese population

Introducción: ¿desde cuándo las parteras ocupan un lugar destacado en los diferentes contextos socioculturales de los individuos y las poblaciones asociadas con el control de las mujeres durante el embarazo, parto y puerperio? Actualmente en Portugal, el nivel de formación de enfermeras especialistas en lactancia materna y obstétrica ha evolucionado, es considerado el más avanzado en el contexto europeo; y con ello se han presentado nuevos desafíos para estos profesionales. Metodología: centrándose en cuál es la percepción de empoderamiento que tienen las enfermeras especializadas en enfermería obstétrica y salud materna en Portugal, se decidió realizar este estudio, titulado "Validación de la escala para población portuguesa - Perceptions of Empowerment in Midwifery Scale (PEMS)". Respondimos a la pregunta de investigación ¿cuáles son los niveles de empoderamiento de las enfermeras especializadas en enfermería y obstetricia de la salud materna en Portugal? Objetivo: conocer el nivel de empoderamiento de las enfermeras especializadas en enfermería y obstetricia de la salud materna en Portugal. En esta investigación se utilizó el método cuantitativo y descriptivo. Para llevarlo a cabo se procedió a la aplicación de un instrumento de recolección de datos organizados en dos partes bien diferenciadas. La primera parte nos permitió recoger datos socio-demográficos y profesionales de los encuestados. En la segunda utilizamos "Perceptions of Empowerment in Midwifery Scale" (Matthews, Scott, y Gallagher, 2009), herramienta de medición que tuvimos que validar transculturalmente. El estudio presentado aquí tomó muestras de 309 enfermeras de salud portuguesas especialistas en enfermería obstétrico materna. Resultados: ‘Perceptions of Empowerment in Midwifery Scale (PEMS)’ (Matthews, Scott, y Gallagher, 2009), presenta un marco pentafatorial (gestión eficaz y relaciones interdisciplinarias...

Introdução: Desde sempre que as parteiras ocupam um lugar de destaque nos diferentes contextos socioculturais dos indivíduos e das populações, associadas ao acompanhamento das mulheres na gravidez, parto e no pós-parto. Atualmente em Portugal, o nível de formação dos enfermeiros especialistas em enfermagem de saúde materna e obstétrica muito evoluiu, sendo considerado dos mais avançados no contexto europeu, e com isso, novos desafios se colocaram a estes profissionais Metodologia: Centrando-nos na questão de partida ‘Que perceção têm os Enfermeiros Especialistas em Enfermagem de Saúde Materna e Obstétrica em Portugal sobre o seu empoderamento?’; decidimos realizar o presente estudo, intitulado “Validação para a População Portuguesa da Escala - Perceptions of Empowerment in Midwifery Scale (PEMS)”. Com base nas questões de partida, foi definida uma questão de investigação: Quais são os níveis de empoderamento dos Enfermeiros Especialistas em Enfermagem de Saúde Materna e Obstétrica em Portugal? Objetivo: Conhecer o nível de empoderamento dos Enfermeiros Especialistas em Enfermagem de Saúde Materna e Obstétrica em Portugal. Neste estudo recorremos à metodologia quantitativa, do tipo descritivo. Para a realização deste trabalho de investigação procedemos à aplicação de um instrumento de colheita de dados organizado em duas partes distintas. A primeira parte permitiu-nos recolher dados sociodemográficos e profissionais dos inquiridos. Na segunda parte utilizámos a escala ‘Perceptions of Empowerment in Midwifery Scale’ (Matthews, Scott e Gallagher, 2009), em que houve necessidade de proceder à validação transcultural deste instrumento de medida. O estudo aqui apresentado teve como amostra 309 Enfermeiros Especialistas em Enfermagem de Saúde Materna e Obstétrica portugueses. Resultados: A escala ‘Perceptions of Empowerment in Midwifery Scale’ (Matthews, Scott e Gallagher, 2009), apresenta uma estrutura pentafatorial...

Introduction: Since when midwives are prominent in different socio-cultural contexts of individuals and populations associated with the control of women during pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum? In Portugal, the level of training of nurses in breastfeeding and obstetric has evolved, is considered the most advanced in the European context, and this would have posed new challenges for these professionals. Methodology: focusing on what the perception of empowerment that have specialized nurses in midwifery and maternal health in Portugal, it was decided to conduct this study, entitled "Validation of the Portuguese population scale - Perceptions of Empowerment in Midwifery Scale (PEMS)" . We responded to the research question, what are the levels of empowerment of nurses in nursing and midwifery maternal health in Portugal? Objective: To determine the level of empowerment of nurses in nursing and midwifery maternal health in Portugal. In this study we used the quantitative method and descriptive. To accomplish this we proceeded to the implementation of a data collection instrument organized into two distinct parts. The first part allowed us to collect sociodemographic data and professional reviewers. In the second use "Perceptions of Empowerment in Midwifery Scale" (Matthews, Scott, and Gallagher, 2009), measuring tool we had to validate cross-culturally. The study presented here took samples of 309 Portuguese health nurses maternal obstetrical nurse specialists. Results: 'Perceptions of Empowerment in Midwifery Scale (PEMS)' (Matthews, Scott, and Gallagher, 2009), presents a framework pentafatorial (effective management and interdisciplinary relationships, sustained and autonomous practice, professional communication and consent, recognition health team, training and education), which together account for 72.9 percent of the variance of the results...

Avaliação e caracterização das populações com dependentes internados em unidades de cuidados continuados integrados / Evaluation and characterization of informal caregivers in patients admitted to Intensive care units of two portuguese centers

Introdução: O envelhecimento das sociedades é um dado incontestável e Portugal não foge à regra. Embora esteja entre os países mais jovens da União Europeia (em 1996, o índice de envelhecimento era de 86 idosos para cada 100 jovens, enquanto na União Europeia a mesma proporção era de 91 para 100), estima-se que o envelhecimento da população portuguesa sofra um aumento progressivo. A estrutura etária está cada vez mais envelhecida, tendo baixos níveis de fecundidade e de mortalidade. Metodologia: Esta investigação teve como objetivos conhecer as características sociodemográficas dos cuidadores informais e dos utentes internados nas Unidades de Cuidados Continuados Integrados da cidade do Entroncamento e da cidade de Ourém, Portugal; avaliar o nível de dependência dos utentes internados e determinar o nível de sobrecarga subjetiva, satisfação do cuidador e impacto do cuidado nos cuidadores informais dos utentes internados nas Unidades de Cuidados Continuados Integrados da cidade do Entroncamento e da cidade de Ourém, Portugal. Como questões de investigação temos: Quais são as características sociodemográficas dos cuidadores informais e dos utentes internados nas Unidades de Cuidados Continuados Integrados da cidade do Entroncamento e da cidade de Ourém, Portugal; Qual é o nível de dependência dos utentes internados e Qual é o nível de sobrecarga subjetiva, satisfação do cuidador e impacto do cuidado nos cuidadores informais dos utentes internados nas Unidades de Cuidados Continuados Integrados da cidade do Entroncamento e da cidade de Ourém, Portugal. Recorreu-se a uma metodologia descritiva correlacional, com uma amostra não probabilística de conveniência de 32 cuidadores informais e respetivos dependentes internados na Unidade de Cuidados Continuados. Os dados sociodemográficos foram recolhidos com recurso a um questionário. Foi ainda aplicado a Escala de Avaliação do Cuidador, para aferir os níveis de sobrecarga subjetiva, satisfação do cuidador e impacto...

Introduction: The aging of societies is an incontestable fact and Portugal is no exception. Although among the youngest countries of the European Union (in 1996, the aging index was 86 elderly for every 100 young people, while the European Union in the same proportion was 91 to 100), it is estimated that the aging population undergoes a progressive increase. The age structure is growing older, having low levels of fertility and mortality. Methods: This research aims to identify the sociodemographic characteristics of informal caregivers and users admitted to the Continuous Care Units of Entroncamento city, and Ourém city, Portugal; assess the level of dependency of clients admitted and determine the level of subjective burden, caregiver satisfaction and impact of care on informal caregivers of clients admitted to the Continuous Care Units of Entroncamento city, and Ourém city, Portugal. As research questions are: What are the sociodemographic characteristics of informal caregivers and users admitted to the Continuous Care Units of Entroncamento city, and Ourém city, Portugal; What is the level of dependency of clients admitted and What is the level of subjective burden, caregiver satisfaction and impact of care on informal caregivers of clients admitted to the Continuous Care Units of Entroncamento city, and Ourém city, Portugal. We used a descriptive correlational methodology, with a non-probability convenience sample of 32 informal caregivers and respective dependents admitted to the Continuing Care Unit. Demographic data were collected using a questionnaire. It was also applied to the Caregiver Assessment Scale, to measure the levels of subjective burden, caregiver satisfaction and impact of care on informal caregivers, and the Barthel Index to determine the functional dependence of the dependent institutionalized. Complex hypotheses have also been identified, non-directional, namely...

Effects of postharvest application of 1-MCP and postcutting dip treatment on the quality and nutritional properties of fresh-cut kiwifruit.

Consumption of minimally processed fruit and vegetables has increased significantly in the past few years due to the consumers' life style. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of treatment with ascorbic acid or calcium chloride on the quality parameters of fresh-cut kiwifruit prepared from fruit previously stored for 3 months, either treated or not treated with 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) before storage. Harvested fruit were treated with 1 microL L(-1) 1-MCP for 20 h at room temperature ( approximately 20 degrees C) (MCP) or had no treatment (C) and were then stored at 0 degrees C. After 3 months, fruit were removed from storage, peeled, and cut longitudinally in quarters, dipped in 2% ascorbic acid (Asc), 2% calcium chloride (Ca), or just water (cont), and kept at 2 degrees C for 8 days. Measurements of firmness, soluble solids content (SSC) ( degrees Brix), color (CIE L*, a*, b*), electrolyte leakage, sugars, organic acids, total phenolics, and antioxidant activity (DPPH and ABTS) were performed at 0, 4, and 8 days. A taste panel was performed on the seventh shelf life day. It was shown that whole MCP-treated kiwifruit kept better than the control through the 3 months storage, this effect being lost through the fresh-cut shelf life period. Furthermore, the postcut dip on 2% CaCl(2) was effective on delaying softening and browning of fresh-cut kiwifruit, which were also the fruit preferred by panelists. Both ascorbic acid and CaCl(2) were effective on preserving or improving nutritional properties (phenolics, ascorbic acid, DPPH, and ABTS) mainly in the first 4 days of shelf life. The CaCl(2) had a further beneficial effect until 8 shelf life days. It is suggested that CaCl(2) is better in keeping overall quality through 8 days of shelf life at 2 degrees C in fresh-cut kiwifruit followed by Asc, and 1-MCP has negligible effect in the conditions of this experiment.

Susceptibility of Helicobacter pylori to essential oil of Dittrichia viscosa subsp. revoluta.

The essential oil of Dittrichia viscosa subsp. revoluta and its fractions were assessed for anti-Helicobacter activity. The essential oil was isolated by hydrodistillation, submitted to flash column chromatography and analysed by gas chromatography, gas-chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry and (13)C-nuclear magnetic resonance. The anti-Helicobacter activity was determined by incorporation of the crude essential oil and oxygenated fractions of the oil into the culture medium. At a concentration of 0.025 microL/mL no recovery was registered when one of the oxygenated fractions of the oil, mainly constituted by 3-methoxy cuminyl isobutyrate (about 40%), was used. This fraction revealed a higher activity against the six H. pylori strains tested when compared with the other oxygenated fractions. The crude essential oil at a concentration of 0.33 microL/mL reduced the initial population of H. pylori CCUG 15818 of 8.52 +/- 0.30 log(10) cfu/mL to 7.67 +/- 0.22 log(10) cfu/mL. The susceptibility of several Helicobacter pylori strains to the oxygenated fraction of Dittrichia viscosa subsp. revoluta essential oil suggests the possible use of these natural products in combating this widespread infection.

Antibacterial and antioxidant activities of essential oils isolated from Thymbra capitata L. (Cav.) andOriganum vulgare L.

Antilisterial activities of Thymbra capitata and Origanum vulgare essential oils were tested against 41 strains of Listeria monocytogenes. The oil of T. capitata was mainly constituted by one component, carvacrol (79%), whereas for O. vulgare three components constituted 70% of the oil, namely, thymol (33%), gamma-terpinene (26%), and p-cymene (11%). T. capitata essential oil had a significantly higher antilisterial activity in comparison to O. vulgare oil and chloramphenicol. No significant differences in L. monocytogenes susceptibilities to the essential oils tested were registered. The minimum inhibitory concentration values of T. capitata essential oil and of carvacrol were quite similar, ranging between 0.05 and 0.2 microL/mL. Antioxidant activity was also tested, the essential oil of T. capitata showing significantly higher antioxidant activity than that of O. vulgare. Use of T. capitata and O. vulgare essential oils can constitute a powerful tool in the control of L. monocytogenes in food and other industries.

The Effect of Two Methods of Pomegranate (Punica granatum L) Juice Extraction on Quality During Storage at $4

The effect of two extraction methods of pomegranate juice on its quality and stability was evaluated. The first method consisted of separation of the seeds from fruits and centrifugation. The second method consisted of squeezing fruit halves with an electric lemon squeezer. During a period of 72 hours of cold storage at $4^\circ$ C, the juices were evaluated for the presence of sugars, organic acids, and anthocyanins. Delphinidin 3-glucoside was identified to be the major anthocyanin present at the level of 45-69 mg/L. Among the organic acids, oxalic and tartaric acids dominated. The major sugars detected in pomegranate juice were glucose and sucrose. No significant differences in the content of sugars, organic acids, or anthocyanins in juices obtained through application of the two different extraction methods were detected, with the exception of the drastic decrease of cyanidin $3,5$ -diglucoside level in juice obtained by seed centrifugation. The pH did not show differences between treatments. Titrable acidity and the level of sugars expressed as ${}^{\circ}$ Brix decreased after 32 and 15 hours after extraction, respectively, when juice was obtained by centrifuging the seeds.

Anthocyanin Concentration of "Assaria" Pomegranate Fruits During Different Cold Storage Conditions.

The concentration of anthocyanins in fruits of "Assaria" pomegranate, a sweet Portuguese cultivar typically grown in Algarve (south Portugal), was monitored during storage under different conditions. The fruits were exposed to cold storage ( $5^{\circ}$ C) after the following treatments: spraying with wax; spraying with $1.5$ % CaCl(2); spraying with wax and $1.5$ % CaCl(2); covering boxes with 25 $\mu$ c thickness low-density polyethylene film. Untreated fruits were used as a control. The anthocyanin levels were quantified by either comparison with an external standard of cyanidin 3-rutinoside (based on the peak area) or individual calculation from the peak areas based on standard curves of each anthocyanin type. The storage time as well as the fruit treatment prior to storage influenced total anthocyanin content. The highest levels were observed at the end of the first month of storage, except for the fruits treated with CaCl(2), where the maximal values were achieved at the end of the second month. The anthocyanin quantification method influenced the final result. When total anthocyanin was calculated as a sum of individual pigments quantified based on standard curves of each anthocyanin type, lower values were obtained.