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Purpose: Risk assessment in elder abuse is usually considered an additive process; risk factors are viewed as independent, and the higher the number of risk factors, the higher the risk. This study aims to explore the effect of the interaction between cognitive structures (episodic memory, perceptual speed, verbal fluency, executive function) and functional dependency on elder abuse. Design/methodology/approach: The authors collected data from 62 participants, aged between 64 and 94 years old, in the Minho region of Portugal. Face-to-face interviews were conducted to apply the assessment procedures. Findings: Results showed that emotional abuse is predicted by episodic memory and phonemic fluency, financial abuse by perceptual speed and phonemic fluency and neglect by perceptual speed. Moderation analysis showed that these effects were greater for older adults with higher dependence on movement and lower dependence on hygiene and daily organization. This study supports the hypothesis that the risk of elder abuse is interactive, highlighting a limitation of current risk assessment procedures. Originality/value: The current study explores the possibility of risk factors for elder abuse interacting. Understanding how risk factors interact can help to design more accurate measures of the risk of elder abuse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Functional fitness (FF) and gait ability in older populations have been associated with increased survival rates, fall prevention, and quality of life. One possible intervention for the improvement of FF is well-structured exercise programs. However, there are inconsistent findings regarding the effects of exercise interventions in the maintenance of gait parameters. The aim of this protocol is to develop a community-based exercise intervention targeting an older population. The intervention aim is the improvement of gait parameters and FF. A control trial with follow-up will be performed. The primary outcome variables will be plantar pressure gait parameters. The secondary outcome variables will be aerobic endurance, lower limb strength, agility, and balance. These variables will be recorded at baseline and after 12, 24, and 36 weeks, in the intervention and control groups. If effective, this protocol can be used by exercise professionals in improving community exercise programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Handgrip strength (HGS) and functional physical fitness (FPF) are important indicators of the elderly's functional capacity. This study aimed to characterize and explore the relations between HGS and FPF in octogenarians and nonagenarians. HGS, FPF, Self-reported physical activity, and anthropometric variables were assessed in 124 octogenarians and 35 nonagenarians of both genders in the Northern Interior Region of Portugal. Mann-Whitney and Pearson correlation coefficient tests were used. In a sample with higher levels of total and central adiposity (28,3±4,8 kg/m² and 97,8±12,5 cm, respectively) and lower FPF (> 40% at the 10th percentile), men showed higher HGS than women (octogenarian ♂ 27,8±1.3 kgf vs ♀ 16,5±0,5 kgf, and nonagenarians ♂ 22,6±1,5 kgf vs ♀ 14,9±1,5 kgf). The octogenarians HGS showed a significant correlation with FPF. In the nonagenarians, this correlation was only significant in the cardiorespiratory fitness test (r= 0,498, p < 0,01). We conclude that better HGS values are correlated with higher levels of FPF in octogenarians and better cardiorespiratory condition in nonagenarians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of the Portuguese version of the metacognitive training (MCT) programme for schizophrenia and its effects on psychotic symptoms, insight into the disorder and functionality. Design: This is a randomized controlled trial that will be undertaken in six psychiatric institutions in Portugal. Methods: This study was approved in March 2019. The sample will consist of people with schizophrenia. The evaluation instruments will include sociodemographic and clinical questionnaires, the Psychotic Symptom Rating Scales, the Beck Cognitive Insight Scale, the World Health Disability Assessment Schedule, and the Personal and Social Performance Scale, applied to both groups at three different times. In the experimental group, the eight MCT modules will be applied over 4 weeks. Discussion: It is expected that at the end of the programme, the experimental group will have reduced severity of psychotic symptoms and improved insight into the disease and functionality. Impact: Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder that, in most cases, leads to the deterioration of cognitive and social functioning as a result of psychotic symptoms. Metacognitive training for schizophrenia has been used in several countries, but its efficacy remains unclear. It is a type of programme that consists of changing the cognitive infrastructure of delusions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Environmental and contextual resources play an important contribution to aging well. • Predominantly urban sample present an overall worst physical and mental status. • Our data has implications for the provision of geographically sensitive health services. • More studies on health disparities according to the geographical location are needed. Abstract Background The worldwide increase of human life expectancy and the rapid aging of the population will contribute to an increasing prevalence of chronic illness. Even so, individuals who reach very advanced ages often postpone or escape age-related diseases that are common causes of death. Objective This article aims to examine health-related characteristics of two distinct samples of Portuguese centenarians (one predominantly rural – PR vs. one predominantly urban - PU), and explore potential dissimilarities in their morbidity profiles and use of health care services. Methods A total of 241 centenarians were considered. Sociodemographic characteristics, health status, and use of health care services were assessed by semi-structured interviews with the centenarians and their proxies (family or formal caregiver). Results A higher average of 4.80 self-reported illnesses (sd = 2.01) were found in the PU sample (vs. 2.96; sd = 1.77 in the PR sample); in overall the PR sample presented a better health condition with lower levels of physical and mental impairments, and a greater number of centenarians who did not succumb to the three most common lethal diseases (heart disease, non-skin cancer and stroke) in the elderly population (85.4% vs. 60% in the PU sample). Conclusions Portuguese centenarians experienced a substantial number of illnesses, but an overall better health status was found in centenarians from the PR area. By providing distinctive health-related profiles, our findings suggest the importance of contextual factors in shaping how very advanced ages may be achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the potential of neuroimaging, serum biomarkers, stroke etiology, and clinical characteristics as predictors of upper limb functioning 12 weeks after stroke. Methods: This was a prospective, observational study of patients (18-85 years-old) hospitalized due to acute ischemic stroke in the territory of the middle cerebral artery. Patients were hospitalized at a stroke rehabilitation center, where they underwent a standardized rehabilitation program. Clinical, imagiology, laboratory (biomarkers: C-reactive protein, D-dimer, and fibrinogen, and S100 calcium binding protein β [S100β]), and functionality assessments were conducted four different times: within 24 hours, and at 48 hours, 3 weeks, and 12 weeks after acute stroke. Results: Upper limb functioning at 12 weeks was significantly associated with Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) score (OR:2.012 [CI:1.349-3.000]; P = 0.001) and S100β protein levels (OR:0.997 [CI:0.994-0.999]; P = 0.007). Advanced age was associated with poor upper limb functioning. S100β protein levels < 140.5 ng/L at 48 hours and ASPECTS scores ≥ 7.5 within 24 hours of admission predicted good hand functioning at 12 weeks. Upper limb functioning and general functioning were significantly correlated (P < 0.001), with strong negative correlations (all correlation coefficients ≤-0.586) for all comparisons. Conclusion: ASPECTS score ≥ 8 within 24 hours and S100β protein < 140.5 ng/L at 48 hours predict better upper limb functioning, while advanced age predicts worse upper limb functioning 12 weeks after stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The "6-clicks" is the reduced version of the Activity Measure for Post-Acute Care for inpatients that assesses limitations in basic mobility, daily activity, and applied cognitive, simply and quickly., Objective: Cross-culturally adapt the "6-clicks" into Brazilian-Portuguese and verify its measurement properties., Methods: Cross-cultural adaptation followed recommendations from international guidelines. Reliability indices, standard error of measurement and minimum detectable difference were calculated. Participants included 13 professionals, 13 patients and 13 companions. Test of measurement properties involved 101 patients' of both sexes, hospitalized in the infirmary, under physical therapy care, able to understand and respond to commands and with no discharge expectation. Their 30 companions were also included., Results: Minor changes implemented to the original version. The three domains showed adequate internal consistency (α>0.65). Inter-rater reliability (n=50) and test-retest reliability, when administer to patients (n=51) and to companions (n=30), showed good for basic mobility domain (ICC 2.1 =0.81, 0.83 and 0.82, respectively), good to moderate for daily activity (ICC 2.1 =0.78 and ICC 3.1 =0.71 and 0.82, respectively) and moderate to poor for applied cognitive (ICC 2.1 =0.64, 0.36 and ICC 3.1 =0.63), respectively. The highest agreements among patients/companions were also in basic mobility. Standard error of measurement ranged from 2.03 to 2.64 while the minimum detectable difference ranged from 5.63 to 7.32., Conclusion: Translated and adapted Brazilian version of the "6-clicks" showed acceptable measurement properties. The functional data provided by the instrument could be used to enhance care and help treatment follow-up., (Copyright © 2019. Publicado por Elsevier Editora Ltda.)

Bacterial endophytes, a subset of a plant's microbiota, can facilitate plant growth by a number of different mechanisms. The aims of this study were to assess the diversity and functionality of endophytic bacterial strains from internal root tissues of native legume species grown in two distinct sites in South of Portugal and to evaluate their ability to promote plant growth. Here, 122 endophytic bacterial isolates were obtained from 12 different native legume species. Most of these bacteria possess at least one of the plant growth-promoting features tested in vitro, with indole acetic acid production being the most common feature among the isolates followed by the production of siderophores and inorganic phosphate solubilization. The results of in planta experiments revealed that co-inoculation of chickpea plants with specific endophytic bacteria along with N2-fixing symbionts significantly improved the total biomass of chickpea plants, in particular when these plants were grown under saline conditions. Altogether, this study revealed that Mediterranean native legume species are a reservoir of plant growth-promoting bacteria, that are also tolerant to salinity and to toxic levels of Mn. Thus, these bacterial endophytes are well adapted to common constraints present in soils of this region which constitutes important factors to consider in the development of bacterial inoculants for stressful conditions in the Mediterranean region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of the Portuguese version of the metacognitive training (MCT) programme for schizophrenia and its effects on psychotic symptoms, insight into the disorder and functionality., Design: This is a randomized controlled trial that will be undertaken in six psychiatric institutions in Portugal., Methods: This study was approved in March 2019. The sample will consist of people with schizophrenia. The evaluation instruments will include sociodemographic and clinical questionnaires, the Psychotic Symptom Rating Scales, the Beck Cognitive Insight Scale, the World Health Disability Assessment Schedule, and the Personal and Social Performance Scale, applied to both groups at three different times. In the experimental group, the eight MCT modules will be applied over 4 weeks., Discussion: It is expected that at the end of the programme, the experimental group will have reduced severity of psychotic symptoms and improved insight into the disease and functionality., Impact: Schizophrenia is a severe mental disorder that, in most cases, leads to the deterioration of cognitive and social functioning as a result of psychotic symptoms. Metacognitive training for schizophrenia has been used in several countries, but its efficacy remains unclear. It is a type of programme that consists of changing the cognitive infrastructure of delusions., (© 2019 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)