Consumption patterns of NSAIDs in central Portugal and the role of pharmacy professionals in promoting their rational use

Background Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are among the most widely used of all therapeutic agents. In spite of their therapeutic efficacy, concern over the use of NSAIDs is largely related to their adverse effects in different organic systems, as well as their indiscriminate use. There is a lack of studies about the pattern of use of NSAIDs in Portugal. Objective The aim of this study was to characterize the consumption pattern of NSAIDs by adult users in the central region of Portugal, as well as the role of the community pharmacy professionals in counseling and promoting their rational use. Methods A questionnaire survey to determine sociodemographic information and NSAID use characterization was administered to a sample of 450 pharmacy customers between October and November of 2013. Results The prevalence of NSAID use was 57.6 % (95 % CI 53–62). Most of the 259 NSAID users were aged 18–39 years (61.4 %), female (67.6 %), urban zone inhabitants (70.7 %) and practiced self-medication (64.2 %). Self-medication with NSAIDs was significantly (p B 0.001) related to age, employment status and the use of gastroprotective drugs. The concomitant use of NSAIDs and other medications revealed the possibility of drug interactions in people aged C65 years (prevalence ratio 6.3). Of the NSAID users, 47 % reported that they sometimes, rarely or never received pharmacy professional recommendations. However, the majority (76 %) of respondents said that they read medicine leaflets, and considered NSAIDs to be effective and remarkably safe. Conclusions Considering the main results of this study, it is imperative to promote the re-education of the population and improve the consultative role of the pharmacy professionals regarding NSAID use

The heat transfer modelling for bone metastatic lesion minimization using two different cement types

Bone tumors grow when cells divide without any control, forming a tissue mass. Bone tumors could be benign or malignant, and primary or metastatic due to systemic cancer cells dissemination. They destroy bone and lead to pathological fractures. The main objective of this work is to study the thermal effect induced by the bone cement polymerization, in the bone metastatic tumor minimization. To assess the clinical effect, it is important to test this methodology before its application and obtain sustained results. In this work, a numerical model was developed to predict the temperature distribution produced by cement polymerization. Thus, distinct tests were produced for different two cements types and amounts introduced in a cortical and spongy bone metastatic lesion, with or without an intramedullary titanium nail. The bone cement was introduced to fill in a metastatic lytic lesion area, which the main objective is playing a promising role for bone tumor necrosis due to thermal effects and biomechanical stabilization for function and pain relief.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Monitoring of outdoor tourism demand. North of Portugal

The Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI) was used in order to understand the tourism competitiveness of the different sub-regions that make up the North Region of Portugal. This index is a measure which helps to analyse market concentration and at the same time determines the competitiveness of the market.Uniag, IPB, IPP, IPVC, Porto e Norte, FCT, Compete 2020, Portugal 2020, União Europeiainfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

AS TEMÁTICAS FÍSICO-NATURAIS NA GEOGRAFIA ESCOLAR : PRÁTICA DOCENTE E PROPOSIÇÃO DE RECURSOS PARA O ENSINO

Os alunos da educação básica precisam compreender a relação sociedade-natureza por meio da Geografia. E o ensino das temáticas físico-naturais da Geografia integra a essência desse componente curricular. Pois dá materialidade a relação sociedade-natureza, sendo essencial para a compreensão das categorias de análise, fundamento desse ensino e responsável por munir o aluno da competência de espacializar os fenômenos geográficos. Entretanto, na maioria das vezes o trabalho com essas temáticas se dá de forma superficial. Vários são os fatores que podem contribuir para que isso ocorra, interferindo na forma como a disciplina de Geografia é conduzida e na proposição de recursos didáticos para as aulas. Assim, o artigo teve como objetivo analisar a abordagem dada as temáticas físico-naturais no ensino médio, na rede pública do estado da Paraíba, a fim de propor práticas para esses temas nas aulas de Geografia. Para tal, utilizou-se questionário eletrônico (Google Formulários) divulgado por meio de redes sociais a grupos de professores de Geografia, entre os meses de outubro e dezembro de 2020. Com base nas informações extraídas, os professores afirmaram que os alunos apresentam dificuldades em compreender os temas físico-naturais, e a ausência de materiais didáticos específicos para trabalhar os esses conteúdos contribui para o problema. Por fim, realizou-se a proposição de aulas em que imagens de satélite podem ser utilizadas como recurso didático para abordar temáticas físico-naturais. &nbsp

Morphological and Postural changes in the foot during pregnancy and puerperium : a longitudinal study

The aim of this study is to observe the morphological and postural changes to the foot that take place during pregnancy and the puerperium. Method: In this descriptive, observational, longitudinal study, we analysed 23 pregnant women, with particular attention to morphological and postural aspects of the foot, at three time points during and after pregnancy: in weeks 9-13 of gestation, weeks 32-35 of gestation and weeks 4-6 after delivery. The parameters considered were changes in foot length, the Foot Posture Index (FPI) and the Hernández Corvo Index, which were analysed using a pedigraph and taking into account the Body Mass Index (BMI). The same procedure was conducted in each review. Results: The statistical analyses obtained for each foot did not differ significantly between the three measurement times. A pronator-type footprint was most frequently observed during the third trimester of pregnancy; it was predominantly neutral during the postpartum period. Statistically significant differences between the measurement times were obtained in the right foot for cavus vs. neutral foot type (between the first and third trimesters and also between the first trimester and the puerperium) (in both cases, p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Foot length increases in the third trimester and returns to normal in the puerperium. According to FPI findings, the third trimester of pregnancy is characterised by pronation, while the posture returns to neutrality during the postpartum period. During pregnancy, the plantar arch flattens, and this persists during the puerperium. The incidence of cavus foot increases significantly in the third trimester and in the puerperium

The heat transfer modelling for bone metastatic lesion minimization using two different cement types

Bone tumors grow when cells divide without any control, forming a tissue mass. Bone tumors could be benign or malignant, and primary or metastatic due to systemic cancer cells dissemination. They destroy bone and lead to pathological fractures. The main objective of this work is to study the thermal effect induced by the bone cement polymerization, in the bone metastatic tumor minimization. To assess the clinical effect, it is important to test this methodology before its application and obtain sustained results. In this work, a numerical model was developed to predict the temperature distribution produced by cement polymerization. Thus, distinct tests were produced for different two cements types and amounts introduced in a cortical and spongy bone metastatic lesion, with or without an intramedullary titanium nail. The bone cement was introduced to fill in a metastatic lytic lesion area, which the main objective is playing a promising role for bone tumor necrosis due to thermal effects and biomechanical stabilization for function and pain relief.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Systemic sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis overlap syndrome – management of severe cardiac, pulmonary and articular involvement

Introduction The presence of another rheumatological condition in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) is not uncommon. To report a case of a patient with SSc-RA overlap and perform a review of the cases re-ported in the literature. Material and Methods A chart review of the present case report was performed. After, we performed a literature search in MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane databases. Results We included 26 articles. Sixty-three patients were reviewed, 51 were female with a mean age of 45.03 years at the time of the first diagnosis. Sixty-three patients were diagnosed with limited cu-taneous SSc. Regarding organ involvement, the most frequently reported were cutaneous, vascular, pulmonary and gastrointestinal involvement. Erosions were presenting 65.08% of patients. A panoply of treatments was used. Conclusions The authors concluded that screening for an associated disease should be encouraged since the overlap with SSc may affect prognosis and treatment