CT-Proven Ischaemic Stroke as the First Manifestation of Occult Lung Cancer

Cancer is associated with a higher risk of stroke, and in rare cases stroke can be the first manifestation of occult neoplasia. We present the case of a 74-year-old woman hospitalized for ischaemic stroke with multiple cerebral infarctions in several vascular territories. The exclusion of other aetiologies and the simultaneous presence of thromboembolic events in other organs raised the suspicion of a hypercoagulable state, which upon investigation revealed occult neoplasia of the lung. There was rapid deterioration, with recurrent thrombotic events despite anticoagulation, which eventually led to the patient’s death

Blood flow in microchannels manufactured by a low cost technique: xurography

The xurography is a technique that has been used to make molds to produce microchannels. In contrast to soft lithography [1, 2], xurography uses equipments and materials commonly used in the printing industry, such as cutting plotters, vinyl and other materials. The main advantage of this technique is to fabricate microchannels at a reduced cost [3, 4]. The Fahraeus-Lindqvist effect is a well know phenomenon that happens in microcirculation, where red blood cells (RBCs) have tendency to migrate toward the centre of the microtube resulting in a marginal cell-free layer (CFL) at regions adjacent to the wall [5]. Recently several studies showed strong evidence that the formation of the CFL is affected by the geometry of the microchannel [1, 6, 7] and the physiological conditions of the working fluid, such as the hematocrit (Hct) [2, 8]. The main objective of the present work is to fabricate polydimethysiloxane (PDMS) microchannels by using a soft xurography technique in order perform blood flow studies. Additionally, a high-speed video microscopy system is used to measure the CFL thickness in two different geometries, i. e., bifurcations and confluences

Consumo adicional de sal em Portugal: resultados do Inquérito Nacional de Saúde com Exame Físico 2015

Introdução Nas últimas décadas, estudos epidemiológicos têm demonstrado a associação entre o elevado consumo de sódio e o aumento da pressão arterial e outros eventos cardiovasculares. Apesar da OMS recomendar a ingestão de 5g de sal/dia, o estudo PHYSA realizado em 2012 mostrou que o consumo da população Portuguesa era de 10,7g de sal/dia. Tendo a redução do consumo de sal sido identificada com uma das intervenções mais custo-efetivas na redução da carga de doença crónica, é importante a caracterização dos padrões de consumo na população com vista ao planeamento de estratégias de redução de consumo de sal em diferentes grupos populacionais. Métodos Foi realizado um estudo epidemiológico transversal com base nos dados do Inquérito Nacional de Saúde com Exame Físico (INSEF). O consumo adicional de sal foi avaliado numa amostra probabilística representativa da população portuguesa (n=4911), com a questão “Costuma adicionar sal no prato da sua comida? (Sim/Não)”. Foi estimada a prevalência do consumo de sal e os respetivos intervalos de confiança a 95% para o total de população e estratificada por sexo, grupo etário, região, escolaridade, situação perante o trabalho e diagnóstico de hipertensão arterial. Resultados O consumo adicional de sal foi reportado por 17,7% [IC: 14,2; 21,9] da população. O consumo adicional de sal foi mais frequente entre os homens (20,9% [IC: 16,2; 26,5]), nos residentes na região do Algarve (35,8% [IC: 32,5; 39,3]) e entre os indivíduos empregados (19,6% [IC: 15,4; 24,6]) e variou com a idade de 22% [IC: 17,2; 27,6] no grupo etário mais jovem a 14% [IC: 10,6; 18,3] no grupo etário dos 65-74 anos. Os resultados revelam, ainda, que 13,7% [IC: 9,4; 19,5] da população com diagnóstico de hipertensão arterial refere um consumo adicional de sal. Conclusões Os resultados obtidos permitem concluir que a prevalência de consumo adicional de sal é maior em homens, em grupos etários mais jovens, em indivíduos empregados e na região do Algarve. O consumo adicional de sal nos indivíduos com diagnóstico de hipertensão arterial mostra um comportamento contrário às orientações preconizadas para controlo dos valores de pressão arterial nesta população. Os serviços de saúde pública deverão, neste sentido, centrar as estratégias de redução de consumo de sal nestes grupos populacionais, particularmente em indivíduos com diagnóstico de hipertensão arterial e que estão, por isso, sob maior risco de eventos cardiocerebrovasculares.Improvement of epidemiological health information to support public health decision and management in Portugal. Towards reduced inequalities, improved health, and bilateral cooperation (PDP000039 - Programa Iniciativas em Saúde Pública - EEA Grants)info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Discount Coupons Dematerialization: a Comprehensive Literature Review

This article presents a comprehensive literature review regarding digital coupon processing in its various aspects: suppliers, retailers and customers. Current standards, solutions and platforms available in the market and proposed by the scientific community (research, patents, etc.) are presented. A brief summary of the major trends in digital coupon processing is also presented. By resuming the state of the art in digital coupon processing, the article may be useful both for researchers and practitioners interested in the topic

Influenza virus type/subtype and different infection profiles by age group during 2017/2018 season

DDI-INSA em colaboração com a Rede Portuguesa de Laboratórios para o Diagnóstico da GripeBackground: Influenza has a major impact in hospitalization during each influenza season. We analysed the influenza type/subtype distribution by age group and medical care wards (ambulatory, hospital, intensive care unit). Material and Methods: During 2017/2018 season, 14 hospitals from Portugal mainland and Atlantic Island (Azores and Madeira) reported to the National Influenza Centre 13747 cases of respiratory infection, all tested for influenza type and/or subtype. Epidemiological data: age, sample collection, hospital dwelling service and patient outcome were reported. Results: From the 13747 reported cases, 3717(27%) were influenza positive of which 2033 (55%) were influenza B, 722 (19%) A unsubtyped, 505 (14%) AH3, 442 (12%) AH1pdm09 and 15(0,1%) mixed infections. Influenza A was detected in 71% (204/208) of toddlers(<5 years) although in the remaining age groups influenza B was detected in more than 50% of the confirmed flu cases. Influenza B was the predominant virus in hospitalized and ICU influenza cases between 5-14 years (69% and 75%, respectively) and played a major role in elderly (65+ years) hospitalized and ICU cases(57% and 67%, respectively). AH1pdm09 virus was detected in 30% of the influenza confirmed ICU patients, 2.1 times more than in hospitalized cases in other wards and 3.3 times more than influenza AH1pdm09 cases in ambulatory care. Influenza mixed infection were detected sporadically,mainly in hospitalized and ICU patients. From 2080 known outcomes, 40(1.9%) patients deceased, influenza was confirmed in 11(28%) of these cases. Conclusions: Cocirculation of different influenza virus type/subtype may indicate different infection profiles by age groups and should guide influenza preventive/treatment measures.N/

Influenza severe cases in hospitals, between 2014 and 2016 in Portugal

Rede Portuguesa de Laboratórios para o Diagnóstico da GripeBackground: Since 2009, the Portuguese Laboratory Network (PLNID) for Influenza Diagnosis has integrated 15 Laboratories in mainland and Atlantic Islands of Azores and Madeira. This PLNID added an important contribute to the National Influenza Surveillance Program regarding severe and hospitalized influenza cases. The present study aims to describe influenza viruses detected in influenza like illness (ILI) cases: outpatients (Outp), hospitalized (Hosp), and intensive care units (ICU), between 2014 and 2016. Methods: The PLNID performs influenza virus diagnosis by biomolecular methodologies. Weekly reports to the National Influenza Reference Laboratory ILI cases tested for influenza. Reports include data on detecting viruses, hospital assistance, antiviral therapeutics, and information on death outcome. Were reported during two winter seasons 8059 ILI cases,being 3560 cases in 2014/15 (1024 in Outp, 1750 Hosp, and 606 in ICU) and 4499 cases in 2015/2016 (1933 in Outp, 1826 Hosp, and 740 in ICU). Results: The higher percentage of influenza positive cases were detected in Outp in both seasons, 18% during 2014/15 and 20% in 2015/16. In 2014/15,influenza cases were more frequent in individuals older than 65 years old and these required more hospitalizations,even in ICU. In 2015/16,the influenza cases were mainly detected in individuals between 15-64 years old. A higher proportion of influenza positive cases with hospitalization in ICU were observed in adults between 45-64 years old.During the study period,the predominant circulating influenza viruses were different in the two seasons: influenza B and A(H3) co-circulated in 2014/15,and influenza A(H1)pdm09 was predominant during 2015/16. Even when influenza A is notthe dominant virus, A(H3) and A(H1)pdm09 subtypes correlate with higher detection rate in hospitalized cases (Hosp and UCI), with higher frequencies in adults older than 45. Influenza B,detected in higher proportion in outpatients, was frequently relatedwith influenza cases in younger age groups: 0-4 and 5-14 years old. Conclusions: This study highlights the correlation of theinfluenza virus type/subtype that circulates in each season with the possible need for hospitalization and intensive care in special groups of the population. Circulation of influenza A subtypes can cause more frequentdisease in individuals older than 45, with need of hospitalization including intensive care. On the other hand, influenza B is more frequently associated with less severe cases and with infection in children and younger adults. Influenza B circulation might predict lower number of hospitalizations.The identification of influenza type in circulation,byPLNID ineach season, could guide action planning measures in population health care.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

MAMMALS IN PORTUGAL : A data set of terrestrial, volant, and marine mammal occurrences in P ortugal

Mammals are threatened worldwide, with 26% of all species being includedin the IUCN threatened categories. This overall pattern is primarily associatedwith habitat loss or degradation, and human persecution for terrestrial mam-mals, and pollution, open net fishing, climate change, and prey depletion formarine mammals. Mammals play a key role in maintaining ecosystems func-tionality and resilience, and therefore information on their distribution is cru-cial to delineate and support conservation actions. MAMMALS INPORTUGAL is a publicly available data set compiling unpublishedgeoreferenced occurrence records of 92 terrestrial, volant, and marine mam-mals in mainland Portugal and archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira thatincludes 105,026 data entries between 1873 and 2021 (72% of the data occur-ring in 2000 and 2021). The methods used to collect the data were: live obser-vations/captures (43%), sign surveys (35%), camera trapping (16%),bioacoustics surveys (4%) and radiotracking, and inquiries that represent lessthan 1% of the records. The data set includes 13 types of records: (1) burrowsjsoil moundsjtunnel, (2) capture, (3) colony, (4) dead animaljhairjskullsjjaws, (5) genetic confirmation, (6) inquiries, (7) observation of live animal (8),observation in shelters, (9) photo trappingjvideo, (10) predators dietjpelletsjpine cones/nuts, (11) scatjtrackjditch, (12) telemetry and (13) vocalizationjecholocation. The spatial uncertainty of most records ranges between 0 and100 m (76%). Rodentia (n=31,573) has the highest number of records followedby Chiroptera (n=18,857), Carnivora (n=18,594), Lagomorpha (n=17,496),Cetartiodactyla (n=11,568) and Eulipotyphla (n=7008). The data setincludes records of species classified by the IUCN as threatened(e.g.,Oryctolagus cuniculus[n=12,159],Monachus monachus[n=1,512],andLynx pardinus[n=197]). We believe that this data set may stimulate thepublication of other European countries data sets that would certainly contrib-ute to ecology and conservation-related research, and therefore assisting onthe development of more accurate and tailored conservation managementstrategies for each species. There are no copyright restrictions; please cite thisdata paper when the data are used in publications.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A list of land plants of Parque Nacional do Caparaó, Brazil, highlights the presence of sampling gaps within this protected area

Brazilian protected areas are essential for plant conservation in the Atlantic Forest domain, one of the 36 global biodiversity hotspots. A major challenge for improving conservation actions is to know the plant richness, protected by these areas. Online databases offer an accessible way to build plant species lists and to provide relevant information about biodiversity. A list of land plants of “Parque Nacional do Caparaó” (PNC) was previously built using online databases and published on the website "Catálogo de Plantas das Unidades de Conservação do Brasil." Here, we provide and discuss additional information about plant species richness, endemism and conservation in the PNC that could not be included in the List. We documented 1,791 species of land plants as occurring in PNC, of which 63 are cited as threatened (CR, EN or VU) by the Brazilian National Red List, seven as data deficient (DD) and five as priorities for conservation. Fifity-one species were possible new ocurrences for ES and MG states