Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2025-01-04"
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- Trioza erytreae (Del Guercio, 1918) and the Interaction with its hosts: A ReviewPublication . Abranches de Magalhães, Tomás Thormann; Duarte, Amilcar; Tomás Marques, Natália; Pereira, José AlbertoThe cultivation of citrus in the Mediterranean region is of considerable economic importance. The viability of this industry is contingent upon a number of factors, with adequate phytosanitary management being of particular significance. During the last decade, the geographical range of the invasive psyllid, Trioza erytreae (Del Guercio, 1918), has expanded to the mainland territories of Portugal and Spain. Trioza erytreae acts as a vector for the Huanglongbing disease (HLB). This review presents the current knowledge about the hosts of the psyllid and their attractiveness and suitability. A classification of the hosts according to their suitability, as assessed in the literature, is provided. The attributes of the hosts and the methods used to assess their suitability are described, as well as the climatic factors that affect the psyllid–host interaction. The review emphasises the importance of a comprehensive evaluation of the interactions between the psyllids and their hosts to develop and implement more effective strategies for controlling T. erytreae.
- Death anxiety and work passion: cross-cultural analyses from Portugal and Saudi ArabiaPublication . Sousa, Cátia; Gonçalves, Gabriela; AL-Dossary, Saeed A.This cross-sectional, cross-cultural study aimed to investigate the relationships between death anxiety and work passion, focusing on the dimensions of harmonious and obsessive passion, as well as the moderating roles of work centrality and connection to work. Participants included Portuguese (n = 301) and Saudi Arabian (n = 181) employees. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze these relationships. The results revealed significant differences between the two groups, with Arabian participants reporting higher levels of death anxiety, work passion, and work centrality compared to Portuguese participants. The model demonstrated an adequate fit in both cultural contexts. The results indicated that death anxiety was negatively associated with harmonious work passion and positively associated with obsessive work passion in both cultures, with these effects being more pronounced among Saudi Arabian participants. Results of moderation analysis revealed that work centrality moderated the relationship between death anxiety and harmonious work passion only in Saudi Arab sample, while connection to work moderated this relationship only in Portuguese sample. Furthermore, the results indicated that work centrality and connection to work have no moderating effects on obsessive work passion in both cultures. These findings highlight the potential influence of cultural values on attitudes toward work and the interplay between personal and professional life, shaping how individuals experience death anxiety in the workplace.
- Pharmacist-mediated deprescribing in long-term care facilities: a systematic reviewPublication . Gonçalves, João Rafael; Magalhães, Neuza; Machado, Sara; Ramalhinho, Isabel; Cavaco, Afonso MiguelMultimorbidity and polypharmacy are prevalent among Long-Term Care (LTC) users. Older people, who most use LTC services, are more prone to drug-related problems, which polypharmacy aggravates. Deprescribing is a key intervention to address polypharmacy and inappropriate medication. Evidence shows that pharmacists' expertise in medicines and their growing involvement in clinical-oriented activities have proven to play an essential role across many healthcare settings, including LTC. Thus, this study aimed to identify and assess LTC pharmacist-mediated deprescribing. A systematic review was undertaken following the PRISMA checklist, using three literature databases (PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Knowledge). A set of 18 keywords, divided into three domains (professional, type of care, and type of setting), were combined into search equations. The studies selected were assessed through the Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies. Fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria out of 288 initial hits. Pharmacist-mediated deprescribing was divided into specific (targeted to a medicine group) and non-specific. Half of the studies were graded as low quality (53%). In total, the studies enrolled 6928 patients and 45 pharmacists. The ATC groups A, C, M, and N, as well as medicines with anticholinergic properties, were the most addressed medicines groups. Acceptance rates of pharmacists' recommendations ranged between 30% and 100%. Generically, the number of medicines was reduced after the intervention. Mixed results were found for falls and quality of life outcomes. Cost savings associated with the interventions ranged from neutral to as high as 3800 /patient/year. Barriers to deprescribing were mainly linked to patients' or family members' refusal to change. In conclusion, pharmacist-mediated deprescribing seems feasible in LTC. The studies' methodological heterogeneity hampers robust comparisons and conclusions. The medicine groups targeted by deprescribing can help tailor interventions to optimize the use of medicines in LTC. A detailed understanding of barriers and enablers to deprescribing would support developing and implementing these interventions.
- Impacto da sazonalidade do turismo na procura por cuidados de saúde: uma perspetiva regional portuguesaPublication . Baptista, Ema Camargo Florêncio; Fernandes, Sílvia C.; Martins, Paula Cristina Negrão VenturaA sazonalidade do turismo em Portugal afeta significativamente a procura por cuidados de saúde, especialmente no Algarve. Durante o verão, a afluência de turistas sobrecarrega os serviços de saúde locais, já limitados em recursos. Esta pressão agrava a escassez de profissionais e dificulta a gestão eficiente dos hospitais e centros de saúde, resultando em aumento da procura por urgências e outros cuidados médicos. Assim, o objetivo geral do presente trabalho consiste em investigar a relação entre a sazonalidade dos cuidados de saúde e o turismo em Portugal, com foco no Algarve, e desenvolver estratégias de gestão para padrões futuros. Outros objetivos relacionados são: analisar variações sazonais na procura por serviços de saúde em áreas turísticas, como o Algarve; e propor soluções para otimizar a alocação de recursos durante períodos de alta afluência turística. Utilizou-se a metodologia de investigação Design Science Research Methodology (DSRM), estruturando a pesquisa em seis etapas: Identificação do Problema, Definição de Objetivos, Desenho e Desenvolvimento, Demonstração, Avaliação e Comunicação. Foram analisados dados quantitativos utilizando as ferramentas Microsoft Excel e Power BI para criar um modelo que identifique padrões sazonais e apoie a gestão de recursos. O modelo foi analisado e otimizado com base nos resultados. O estudo mostra que a sazonalidade do turismo está relacionada com o aumento da procura por serviços de saúde, especialmente no Algarve, durante o verão. A análise revelou aumentos significativos em admissões hospitalares e uma maior pressão sobre os serviços de urgência, agravada pela escassez de recursos humanos e infraestruturas inadequadas. A pesquisa destaca a necessidade de políticas eficazes para gerir recursos de saúde em regiões turísticas. Recomenda-se reforçar infraestruturas hospitalares, contratar mais profissionais e criar protocolos específicos para lidar com a sazonalidade. A colaboração entre setores público e privado e a integração de estudantes internacionais são sugeridas para aliviar a falta de pessoal durante os períodos críticos, garantindo uma gestão eficiente dos serviços de saúde.