Denisa Mendonça - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Denisa Mendonça

Acta Paediatrica, 2009

Aim: To analyze whether changes in physical activity index (PAI), screen time (ST: television and... more Aim: To analyze whether changes in physical activity index (PAI), screen time (ST: television and computer), and body mass index (BMI) made a contribution to longitudinal changes in Fitness of children and adolescents. Additionally, we analyzed interaction between baseline fitness level and changes in fitness. Methods: This is a 3-years longitudinal study of 345 high school students aged 11-19 years. Students performed curl-ups, push-up, and 20m shuttle run tests from Fitnessgram. PA and ST were evaluated using a standard questionnaire. Standardized scores of fitness tests were summed. Changes over time, were calculated ! 1 (2007 minus 2006), ! 2 (2008 minus 2007), and ! 3 (2008 minus 2006). Results: Changes in PAI were positively and independently associated with changes in fitness in ! 1 , ! 2 , and ! 3. Changes in BMI were negative associated with changes in fitness in ! 3. Participants highly fit at baseline were those who showed positive changes in PAI over ! 3 , decreased changes ST and had the lowest increase in BMI over three years compared with who were low-fit at baseline. Conclusions: Changes in BMI were associated with changes in fitness over 3 years. However, changes in PAI were the best predictor for changes in Fitness in each year and over the 3 years of evaluation in youth.

SUMMARY Salmonella is one of the major causes of food borne disease in the European Union (EU). S... more SUMMARY Salmonella is one of the major causes of food borne disease in the European Union (EU). Some of the human cases are related to pork products. An EU baseline survey to assess the Salmonella pork prevalence was performed. Mesenteric lymph nodes were cultured and Salmonella sp. isolates were serotyped. Data concerning the animal and the slaughterhouse was also collected. The aim of the present study was to search for potential risk factors to the presence of Salmonella sp. in pigs lymph nodes in Portugal and to search for differences in the risk profile between groups of serotypes. The data was analysed using a Bayesian approach to incorporate the hierarchical structure of the data (samples nested in slaughterhouses). Two models were analysed: a binomial (presence/absence of Salmonella sp. ) and categorical model (absence of Salmonella sp., serotype Typhimurium or serotype 1,4,[5],12:i:-, other serotypes). A total number of 659 samples were tested, belonging to 36 slaughterhous...

International Conference on the Epidemiology and Control of Biological, Chemical and Physical Hazards in Pigs and Pork, 2011

As Salmonella is one of the major causes of food-borne disease in the European Union (EU), EU app... more As Salmonella is one of the major causes of food-borne disease in the European Union (EU), EU approved legislation to achieve a reduction of the prevalence of this agent in the pig sector. To set the target for this reduction in each country it was decided to carry out baseline surveys in the EU to estimate the prevalence of the agent. The dataset analyzed in this work refers to the cross sectional baseline survey on the prevalence of Salmonella in breeding pigs in Portugal. A total of 1670 pen fecal samples from 167 herds were submitted to fecal culture. Of these samples 170 were positive to Salmonella. Along with the collection of samples a questionnaire was applied to collect information about the herd management and potential risk factors. As data follows a multilevel structure, pen fecal samples (first level) nested within swine herds (second level) a multilevel analysis was performed using generalized linear mixed models (GLMM). The outcome variable was presence/absence of Salmonella in the pen sample. The results show significant associations (p<0.05) at herd level: North Region versus Alentejo Region (OR=3.86), rodents control (OR=0.23), more than 90% of boars home-raised or no boars versus more than 90% of boars from an external source (OR=0.54), semen bought from other herd versus semen bought at insemination centers (OR=4.47) and herds with 170 or more sows (OR=1.82); at pen level: maternity pens versus mating pens (OR=0.39), feed from external or mixed source versus home source (OR=2.81) and more than 10 animals in the pen versus 10 animals per pen (OR=2.02). This study gave valuable information that should be incorporated in future control plans for this agent in breeding pigs in Portugal.

Journal of Dairy Science, 2018

The aim of this work was to investigate associations between individual cow Mycobacterium avium s... more The aim of this work was to investigate associations between individual cow Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis (MAP) seropositivity, 305-d corrected milk production, and somatic cell count during 5 lactations lifespan in Portuguese dairy herds using multilevel mixed models. We used MAP serum ELISA (Idexx MAP Ac, Idexx Laboratories Inc., Westbrook, ME) results (n = 23,960) from all the 20,221 adult cows present in 329 farms and corresponding 47,586 lactation records from the National Dairy Improvement Association. Cows and farms were classified as positive or negative. Multilevel mixed models were used to investigate the association of cow MAP status with variation in milk production and somatic cell count. Cow MAP status, farm status, and lactation number were considered as independent variables. A quadratic function of lactation number was used to mimic the effect of lactation order on milk production. The models considered 3 levels: measurement occasion (level 1) within cow (level 2) and cow within farm (level 3). Four final models were produced, including all herds and cows, to address the effect of farm status (models 1 and 2) or the effect of cow status (models 3 and 4) on the outcome variables. Our results show that MAP status affects milk production. Losses are detectable from third lactation onward. During the first 5 lactations, positive cows accumulated an average loss of 1,284.8 kg of milk when compared with the negative cows. We also observed that somatic cell counts were higher in positive cows and a positive interaction occurs between cow status and lactation number, suggesting a positive association between MAP infection and increased so-matic cell counts. Our results are in line with previous studies, suggesting a possible positive relation between cow milk production and susceptibility to MAP infection.

Tissue Antigens, 2008

Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B*51 is a well-known genetic factor associated with Behc xet's dise... more Human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-B*51 is a well-known genetic factor associated with Behc xet's disease (BD). To analyse the influence of HLA-B*51 and other HLA class I alleles in BD susceptibility in a Portuguese population and its association with disease severity, we studied 78 BD patients and 208 healthy controls. The patients were classified into two severity groups as described by Gul et al. As expected, a higher frequency of HLA-B*51 was found. The frequency of HLA-Cw*16 alleles was significantly higher in patients. Regarding severity, HLA-B*27 frequency was higher in the severe group compared with controls and with the mild group. Thus, HLA-B*51 and HLA-Cw*16 seem to confer susceptibility to BD in this patients. HLA-B*27 may be important as a prognostic factor.

Multiple Sclerosis, 2009

Background Multiple sclerosis (MS) is associated with human leukocyte antigen (HLA) HLA–DRB1*15. ... more Background Multiple sclerosis (MS) is associated with human leukocyte antigen (HLA) HLA–DRB1*15. Recent evidence that CD8 T cells are implicated in MS suggests that HLA class I may also contribute. An association of HLA–A*02 and A*03 alleles has been described. Objectives We examined the influence of HLA–A*02 and HLA–A*03 in Portuguese patients with MS, independently of HLA–DRB1*15 using a logistic regression model. Conclusions DRB1*15 increased the risk of developing MS and HLA–A*02 decreased the risk. A*03 had no effect. To analyze if HLA–A*02 association was independent from DRB1*15, an interaction between these two alleles was introduced in the model; no significant interaction was found.

Pessoas que sofrem de doença crónica são confrontadas com um conjunto de factores que têm o poten... more Pessoas que sofrem de doença crónica são confrontadas com um conjunto de factores que têm o potencial de induzir alterações profundas nas suas vidas. Existe uma longa história de interesse em factores psicológicos que afectam estas doenças. Lidar com uma doença deste tipo, requer um ajustamento em múltiplos domínios da vida, ao longo do tempo e, além disso, existe uma grande heterogeneidade entre os indivíduos em como ajustar-se a uma doença crónica (Stanton, Revenson, & Tennen, 2007). Este ajustamento pode ser definido como uma resposta a uma mudança no ambiente, que permite o organismo adaptar-se adequadamente a essa mudança. O que por sua vez significa presença ou ausência de diagnóstico de transtorno psicológico, sintomas psicológicos ou humores negativos (Sharpe & Curran, 2006; Stanton, Revenson, & Tennen, 2007). No entanto, o ajustamento a uma doença tem também sido operacionalizado como uma boa qualidade de vida, bem-estar, vitalidade, afecto positivo e auto-estima global (Sharpe & Curran, 2006). O ajustamento pode não ser apenas explicado por características biológicas, as variáveis psicológicas podem também ter um papel

The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 2016

Vitamin D status in human populations has become a matter of great concern, in the wake of a mult... more Vitamin D status in human populations has become a matter of great concern, in the wake of a multitude of published works that document widespread vitamin D deficiency across Europe, even in countries with abundant sunlight. In Portugal there are no measures of 25-hydroxyvitamin D - 25(OH)D - levels in the general adult population. The purpose of this study was to measure 25(OH)D levels in a healthy population cohort and investigate the possible association with season and selected demographic and laboratory measurements. A cohort of 198 participants (18-67 years) living in the north of Portugal, Porto, conducted in July and August 2015 (summer time) and April 2016 (winter time) was studied to evaluate serum 25(OH)D levels. Sociodemographic characteristics (age, sex and body mass index) and season of the year were taken into account as possible 25(OH)D levels codeterminants. In the whole group, the mean level of serum 25(OH)D was 55.4±23.4 nmol/L, with 48% of the population presenting levels compatible with vitamin D deficiency (below 50 nmol/L). In the winter period, this value reaches 74%. No statistically significant differences were observed between genders (57.4±23.9 vs. 53.3±22.8 nmol/L, p=0.219) as well as no statistically significant correlation was found between age and 25(OH)D levels (p=0.349). As expected higher levels of 25(OH)D were observed in summer than in winter (68.2±21.5 vs. 42.2±16.9 nmol/L; p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;0.0001). Serum 25(OH)D levels were significantly lower in obese compared to non-obese subjects (46.6±17.6 vs. 57.7±24.2 nmol/L, p=0.012). Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in this area, affecting almost half of the population. Body mass index and season are predictors for lower 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and vitamin D status. An effective strategy to prevent vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency should be envisaged and implemented in our population.

RESUMO-A epilepsia é uma das patologias neurológicas mais comuns em todo o mundo, com repercussõe... more RESUMO-A epilepsia é uma das patologias neurológicas mais comuns em todo o mundo, com repercussões importantes na Qualidade de Vida (QDV) dos indivíduos. Deste modo, o objetivo do tratamento ultrapassa a remissão total das crises epiléticas, dado que também prioriza a QDV do indivíduo com epilepsia. A QDV tem vindo a ser associada a alguns fatores modificáveis, importantes para a sua promoção. Assim, pretende-se com o presente estudo identificar se a Adesão à Terapêutica, as Estratégias de Coping e a Espiritualidade são preditores da QDV de indivíduos com epilepsia. O SF-36 v1.0, a Medida de Adesão aos Tratamentos, o COPE-R e a Escala de Avaliação de Espiritualidade em Contextos de Saúde foram administrados a 94 indivíduos com diagnóstico de epilepsia entre quatro e 49 anos. A relação entre as variáveis foi analisada através do modelo de regressão linear múltipla. Os resultados revelam que a Adesão à Terapêutica, a Esperança/Otimismo predizem positivamente a QDV. Já as estratégias de Coping Desinvestimento Comportamental, Expressão de Sentimentos e Religião predizem-na negativamente. Estes resultados são importantes para os profissionais de saúde, na medida em que a identificação de preditores modificáveis da QDV sugere pistas para intervenções que promovam a QDV de indivíduos com epilepsia. Palavras-chave: epilepsia, qualidade de vida, adesão à terapêutica, coping, espiritualidade ______________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACT-Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological pathologies in the world, with important repercussions in the individuals' Quality of Life (QOL). In this way, the goal of treatment surpasses the total remission of seizures, since it also prioritizes the improving the QOL of individuals with epilepsy. The QOL has been associated with some important modifying factors, for its promotion. In this way, with the present study we pretend to identify whether Adherence to Therapy, Coping Strategies and Spirituality are predictors of QOL of individuals with epilepsy. The SF-36 v1.0, the Measure Treatment Adherence, The COPE-R and The Spirituality Assessment Scale in Health Contexts were administered to 94 individuals with epilepsy diagnosis between four and forty-nine years. The relation between the variables was analysed through multiple linear regression model.

$Research paper thumbnail of The interactions between municipal socioeconomic status and age on hip fracture risk$

Osteoporosis International, 2014

Age modifies the effect of area-level socioeconomic status (SES) in the risk of fragility hip fra... more Age modifies the effect of area-level socioeconomic status (SES) in the risk of fragility hip fractures (HF). For older individuals risk of HF increases as SES increases. For younger, risk of HF increases as SES decreases. Our study may aid decisions makers and medical guidelines for HF prevention. Background: The effect of socioeconomic status (SES) on hip fracture (HF) incidence remains unclear. Objective: To evaluate the association between HF incidence and municipality-level SES as well as interactions between age and SES. Methods: From the Portuguese Hospital Discharge Database we selected hospitalizations (2000-2010) of patients aged 50+, with HF diagnosis (codes 820.x, ICD9.CM), caused by traumas of low/moderate energy, excluding bone cancer cases and readmissions for after-care. Municipalities were classified according to SES (deprived to affluent) using 2001 Census data. A spatial Bayesian hierarchical regression model (controlling for data heterogeneity effect and spatial autocorrelation), using the Poisson distribution, was used to quantify the Relative Risk (RR) of HF, 95% credible interval (95%CrI), and to analyze the interaction between age and SES, after adjusting for rural conditions. Results: There were 96,905 HF, 77.3% of which were on women who on average were older than men (mean age 81.2±8.5 vs 78.2±10.1 years) at admission (p<0.001). In women, there was a lower risk associated with better SES: RR=0.83 (95%CrI 0.65-1.00) for affluent versus deprived. There was an inverse association between SES and HF incidence rate in the youngest and a direct association in the oldest, for both sexes, but significant only between deprived and affluent in older ages (≥75years). Conclusions: Interaction between SES and age may be due to inequalities in lifestyles, access to health systems and preventive actions. These results may help decision-makers to better understand the epidemiology of hip fractures and to better direct the available funding.

International Journal of Sports Medicine, 2010

The aim of this study was to analyse whether Physical Activity Index (PAI), Physical Fitness, Scr... more The aim of this study was to analyse whether Physical Activity Index (PAI), Physical Fitness, Screen Time (watching TV and computer use), Socio-economic Status and Commuting to School made a significant contribution to longitudinal changes in Body Mass Index (BMI) in youth. This longitudinal study was carried out over a period of 3 years with 345 students (147 boys) who were between 11 and 16 years old at the beginning of the study. Students were invited to perform tests from FITNESSGRAM Battery for Curl-Ups, Push-Ups, Back-Saver Sit and Reach, and 20 m Shuttle-Run (CRF). Fitness tests were categorized in &amp;quot;Healthy Zone&amp;quot; (HZ) and &amp;quot;Under Healthy Zone&amp;quot; (UHZ), PAI in &amp;quot;less active&amp;quot; and &amp;quot;active&amp;quot;; Socio-economic Status, in low, middle and high education level, and Commuting in active and passive. BMI was corrected for age and gender meaning that we subtracted the age-and-sex-specific cut points for overweight. Corrected body mass index was used as dependent variable in a Linear Mixed Model. The main result was the strong positive and independent association of individuals with CRF performances UHZ with corrected body mass index. In conclusion, the results of this longitudinal study showed markedly an important relationship of lower fitness levels with the risk of being overweight/obese, in particular CRF and abdominal strength.