The vitality of pattern recognition and image analysis

Editorial sobre la selección de mejores artículos presentados en la conferencia internacional IbPRIA 2015 celebrada en Madeira, Portugal

Testemunhos de couraças ferruginosas quaternárias no sudoeste de Portugal (nota preliminar)

Volume de Homenagem ao Professor Doutor Carlos TeixeiraNesta nota assinala-se a presença de fragmentos de couraças sílico-ferruginosas, conglomerático-brechóides, no Sudoeste de Portugal (região de Vila do Bispo-Aljezur). Expõe-se muito sucintamente o estado actual dos conhecimentos e comparam-se, dos pontos de vista macroscópico, químico e mineralógico, amostras destes fragmentos com amostras de «zorra» e de couraças já estudadas provenientes de Angola, S. Tomé e Príncipe. Como factor importante que servirá de futuro como referência de datação, assinala-se a presença de um raspador sobre lasca, no seio de fragmento de couraça colhido na área de Torre de Aspa.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Stability of polymeric membranes to UV exposure before and after coating with TiO2 nanoparticles

Acknowledgments: Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP, Nº 2019/ 04319-9), Associate Laboratory for Green Chemistry—LAQV, Unidade de Tecnologia de Células Animais do iBET e à Paula Alves, iNOVA4Health—UIDB/Multi/04462/2020, a program financially supported by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia/Ministério da Educação e Ciência, through national funds is acknowledged. Funding from INTERFACE Program, through the Innovation, Technology and Circular Economy Fund (FITEC), is also gratefully acknowledged. Funding Information: Funding: Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP, Nº 2019/04319-9), Associate Laboratory for Green Chemistry—LAQV (through projects UIDB/50006/2020 and UIDP/ 50006/2020), Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia through the project PTDC/EAM-AMB/30989/2017, Unidade de Tecnologia de Células Animais do iBET, iNOVA4Health—UIDB/Multi/04462/2020. Funding Information: Funda??o de Amparo ? Pesquisa do Estado de S?o Paulo (FAPESP, N? 2019/04319-9), Associate Laboratory for Green Chemistry?LAQV (through projects UIDB/50006/2020 and UIDP/ 50006/2020), Funda??o para a Ci?ncia e a Tecnologia through the project PTDC/EAM-AMB/30989/2017, Unidade de Tecnologia de C?lulas Animais do iBET, iNOVA4Health?UIDB/Multi/04462/2020. Publisher Copyright: © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.The combination of photocatalysis and membrane filtration in a single reactor has been proposed, since the photocatalytic treatment may degrade the pollutants retained by the membrane and reduce fouling. However, polymeric membranes can be susceptible to degradation by UV radiation and free radicals. In the present study, five commercial polymeric membranes were exposed to ultraviolet (UV) radiation before and after applying a sol–gel coating with TiO2 nanoparticles. Membrane stability was characterized by changes in hydrophilicity as well as analysis of soluble substances and nanoparticles detached into the aqueous medium, and by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS) for structural, morphological, and elemental distribution analysis, respectively. The TiO2 coating conferred photocatalytic properties to the membranes and protected them during 6 h of UV radiation exposures, reducing or eliminating chemical and morphological changes, and in some cases, improving their mechanical resistance. A selected commercial nanofiltration membrane was coated with TiO2 and used in a hybrid reactor with a low-pressure UV lamp, promoting photocatalysis coupled with cross-flow filtration in order to remove 17α-ethinylestradiol spiked into an aqueous matrix, achieving an efficiency close to 100% after 180 min of combined filtration and photocatalysis, and almost 80% after 90 min.publishersversionpublishe

Patologias Vulvares que Necessitaram de Biopsia: Estudo Retrospetivo

Introduction: The vulvar area may be affected by many noninfectious conditions with similar clinical appearance, requiring a cutaneous biopsy. Our goal was to characterize the noninfectious vulvar diseases that required a biopsy in a southwestern Europe Central Hospital during a 10-year period. Methods: A retrospective study of all the noninfectious vulvar diseases with histological confirmation diagnosed in our institution was conducted between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2017. Results: The sample included a total of 323 biopsies from 317 patients, aged between 11 and 98 years (mean age of 54.2 years). A total of 36 vulvar diseases was identified. Neoplastic conditions were the most frequently found, particularly melanotic macules (22.3%). The most frequent malignant tumor was vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (6.2%) and squamous cell carcinoma (5.6%). The most common dermatosis was lichen sclerosus (12.7%). Conclusion: Neoplasms were the most frequently diagnosed conditions affecting the vulvar area that required a biopsy. Ruling out malignancy was also the main reason to perform a biopsy. This study highlights the variety of noninfectious diseases that may affect the vulva and require a biopsy. Since vulvar diseases may be serious and carry high levels of patient distress a correct understanding of these conditions is crucial.Introdução: Diversas patologias não infeciosas podem afetar a vulva, por vezes necessitando de realização de biopsia cutânea. O objetivo deste trabalho foi caracterizar todas as patologias vulvares não infeciosas em que foi realizada biopsia cutânea, num Hospital Central, durante um período de 10 anos. Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo retrospetivo de todas as patologias vulvares não infeciosas com confirmação histológica na nossa instituição, entre 1 de janeiro de 2008 e 31 de dezembro de 2017. Resultados: A amostra incluiu 323 biópsias de 317 doentes, entre os 11 e os 98 anos (média de idades de 54,2 anos), tendo sido identificadas 36 patologias distintas. As patologias neoplásicas foram as mais frequentes, nomeadamente as máculas pigmentadas da vulva (22,3%). A neoplasia maligna mais diagnosticada foi a neoplasia intraepitelial da vulva (6,2%) e o carcinoma espinocelular (5,6%). Já a dermatose inflamatória mais frequente foi o líquen escleroso (12,7%). Conclusão: A maior parte das biopsias envolveu patologias neoplásicas sendo a exclusão de malignidade o principal motivador da sua realização. Este estudo evidencia a grande diversidade de patologias não infeciosas que podem afetar a vulva e que são fonte de sofrimento e angústia, o que torna o seu correto diagnóstico e orientação essenciais

Response surface methodology in the optimization of extraction conditions for Gracilaria gracilis extracts for use in thermoplastic food coatings

Incorporation of antioxidant agents in edible films and packages often relies in the usage of essential oils and other concentrated hydrophobic liquids, with reliable increases in antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of the overall composite, and consequent improvements in product shelf life. These oils are often obtained from plant sources and the usage of organic solvents in their extraction has been criticized as to whether it constitutes a health hazard for consumers [1, 2, 3]. The use of water-soluble antioxidant agents is less common, due to lower activities and extraction yields. As such, using commonly available seaweeds as the source for both the main polymers and the supplementing antioxidant/antimicrobial agents in bioactive films can potentially reduce production costs and create a safer, more sustainable product [1]. Hydroethanolic extracts of commercially available red macroalgae Gracilaria gracilis were evaluated for their antioxidant potential and phenolic content, as part of the preliminary assays for the selection of algal biomass for the enrichment of thermoplastic films. The extracts were obtained through use of solid-liquid extractions, over which yield, DPPH radical reduction capacity, total phenolic content, and FRAP activity assays were measured [4, 5]. Solid to liquid ratio (SLR), extraction time, and ethanol to water ratio were selected as independent variables with experimental ranges and configurations obtained using a Box-Behnken design with three factors, resulting in 15 experimental conditions. Extraction duplicates were used [4]. Response surface methodology was then used to estimate the effect of each extraction condition on the tested bioactivities. Bioactivities were significantly (p<0.05) and positively affected by the presence of ethanol in the extraction solvent, while extraction yield was reduced. Lower solid to liquid ratios (higher solvent proportions) resulted in higher yields, but had no significant (p<0.05) impact on bioactivities. Time was not a relevant factor in any of the measured variables, and as such will be minimized in any further work. 100% ethanol with minimum extraction time (10 minutes) and 1g to 5mL SLR maximize antioxidant activities per gram of dry extract. Maximum ethanolic yields were obtained with a theoretical extraction of 100 minutes and a 1g to 25mL SLR. Aqueous extractions displayed similar results in terms of optimum conditions, but with overall lower bioactivities and higher yields, very likely due to high amounts of soluble polysaccharides. While the high antioxidant activities from the ethanolic extracts encourage the selection of this solvent for extraction of bioactives, low yields may make them later unfeasible. Future studies over the compatibility of these extracts in the polymeric matrix of the films, as well as further optimization of the extraction process will be necessary before the definitive choice for bioactive origin and processing is made.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Investigação no ensino de engenharia biomédica: dois casos de estudo

Desde os anos oitenta que os avanços das ciências básicas e das ciências da engenharia têm dado um impulso sem precedentes à investigação médica, o que criou as condições para a afirmação da Engenharia Biomédica como ramo autónomo da Engenharia. Este novo ramo da Engenharia impôs-se em domínios que incluem a imagiologia biomédica, a bioinformática, a biotecnologia, a biomecânica, os biomateriais, a engenharia de tecidos, próteses e orgãos artificiais, a análise e modelação de sinais fisiológicos e a gestão de sistemas de saúde. Já no século XXI, o volume de saber acumulado e a motivação para acelerar desenvolvimentos científicos e tecnológicos, levou à criação e organização nas universidades de uma oferta de cursos de graduação e pós-graduação em Engenharia Biomédica. Apesar do espectro muito largo da Engenharia Biomédica e dos cursos criados, é possível, mesmo ao nível de Mestrado pós-Bologna (licenciatura pré-Bologna), dar uma formação avançada que permita aos alunos realizar trabalhos de investigação complexos e com impacto clínico. Neste artigo apresentamos dois destes casos de sucesso, representativos do papel da investigação ao longo do ensino bem actual da Engenharia Biomédica. No primeiro, intitulado “Caracterização Tridimensional da Placa de Ateroma da Bifurcação Carotídea com Ultrasonografia 3D”, é apresentado um método inovador de diagnóstico da Aterosclerose, baseado na reconstrução e caracterização tridimensional da lesão aterosclerótica ao nível da bifurcação carotídea. O segundo trabalho, intitulado “Reconstrução da Frente de Onda e Simulação da Acuidade Visual no Estudo do Impacto das Aberrações Ópticas em Olhos Submetidos a Cirurgia”, apresenta uma ferramenta computacional que gera informação adicional sobre a medição da frente de onda obtida com aparelhos comerciais, permitindo estudar o impacto de aberrações ópticas na acuidade visual de diferentes olhos. Este artigo está organizado em quatro partes. A primeira parte é uma nota histórica introdutória à Engenharia Biomédica em geral. A segunda parte apresenta o que do ponto de vista de ensino superior em Engenharia Biomédica, ao nível de Mestrado Integrado de 1º e 2º ciclos, pode em geral viabilizar a fácil inserção dos estudantes na Investigação, conduzindo-os de imediato a resultados de investigação concretos. A terceira parte constitui a parte central deste artigo onde se apresentam dois exemplos ilustrativos do sucesso da formação de 5 anos em Engenharia Biomédica e da inserção da investigação, desde muito cedo, nessa formação. Por fim, na quarta secção apresentam-se as conclusões

Poultry shelf-life enhancing potential of nanofibers and nanoparticles containing Porphyra dioica extracts

Aqueous extracts of commercially available red macroalgae Porphyra dioica were integrated as inner coatings of food-grade polypropylene (PP) films through use of electrospinning and electrospraying technologies. Two coating formulations (A = 5 wt% P. dioica extract and 7.5 wt% polyvinyl alcohol (PVA); B = 1 wt% P. dioica extract, 1 wt% PVA, and 17% gelatine) were evaluated as to their capacity to delay spoilage of minced chicken breasts, through monitoring of microbial growth (total mesophile aerobic colony counts), colour stability, lipid oxidation (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS)), and sensory analysis over a 4-day refrigerated storage. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging revealed an increased nanofiber and nanoparticle density on extract-enriched fibers, without compromise to their morphology or the homogeneity of the coatings. Total microbial counts on coating B samples was significantly (p < 0.001) reduced compared to uncoated plastic wraps. The coated samples also exhibited fewer colour degradation, though the coatings did not di er substantially from uncoated plastic wrap. Sensory analysis test subjects successfully distinguished the raw samples based on their treatment and gave a positive approval rating (66.7%) to the extract-enriched coatings when asked about edibility post storage.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Primary Cutaneous Cryptococcosis Case Report

A criptococose constitui doença causada pelo fungo Cryptococcus neoformans, comumente encontrado em fezes de aves, como pombos. Este microorganismo pode causar doença em seres humanos, podendo acometer diversos órgãos, dentre eles a pele. Mais comumente ocasiona doença em indivíduos imunossuprimidos. O caso relatado é o de uma paciente do sexo feminino de 44 anos que fazia uso crónico de corticosteroide sem prescrição médica e apresentou lesão em face lateral de braço esquerdo, cujos exames laboratoriais confirmaram o diagnóstico de criptococose cutânea primária.Cryptococcosis is a disease caused by the fungus Cryptococcus neoformans, commonly found in bird excrement, like pigeons. This organism has the ability to cause disease in humans, which may affect several organs, including the skin. Most commonly it causes disease in individuals with some kind of suppression of the immune system. The case reported is of a female patient of 44-years- -old that had used corticosteroids for many months without prescription and presented a skin lesion on her left arm. Laboratory tests confirmed the diagnosis of primary cutaneous cryptococcosis

Para o estudo da evolução do ensino e da formação em administração educacional em Portugal

Estudos sobre a evolução do ensino de disciplinas, na formação de professores em Portugal, são recentes. O controle burocrático centralizado reteve as dimensões do controle político-administrativo. De certo modo, protegeu a esfera educativa das influências modernizantes, do capitalismo industrial e das lógicas mercantis e gerencialistas. Defendeu a educação do domínio político, da intervenção de movimentos sociais, das propagandas de ideais democráticos e da cidadania. A utilização da designação "Administração educacional" ilustra as dificuldades sentidas, ao longo dos últimos anos, em termos da construção acadêmica de uma área, seja pela falta de tradição, seja pelos antecedentes históricos.In Portugal, studies about the evolution of disciplines teaching in the teachers formation are recent. The centralized bureaucratic control has held back the dimensions of politic administrative control. In a certain way, it has protected the education against the new-fashioned influences, manufacturing capitalism, and mercantile and managerial logics. This centralized bureaucratic control has also profected the education against the politic dominion, the intervention of social movements, the advertising of democratic ideals, and against the citizenship. The use of the term "Educational administration" shows the difficulties met by the searchers along the latest years, since there is no tradiction nor historic antecedence

Advanced Technologies for Oral Controlled Release: Cyclodextrins for oral controlled release

Cyclodextrins (CDs) are used in oral pharmaceutical formulations, by means of inclusion complexes formation, with the following advantages for the drugs: (1) solubility, dissolution rate, stability and bioavailability enhancement; (2) to modify the drug release site and/or time profile; and (3) to reduce or prevent gastrointestinal side effects and unpleasant smell or taste, to prevent drug-drug or drug-additive interactions, or even to convert oil and liquid drugs into microcrystalline or amorphous powders. A more recent trend focuses on the use of CDs as nanocarriers, a strategy that aims to design versatile delivery systems that can encapsulate drugs with better physicochemical properties for oral delivery. Thus, the aim of this work was to review the applications of the CDs and their hydrophilic derivatives on the solubility enhancement of poorly water soluble drugs in order to increase their dissolution rate and get immediate release, as well as their ability to control (to prolong or to delay) the release of drugs from solid dosage forms, either as complexes with the hydrophilic (e.g. as osmotic pumps) and/ or hydrophobic CDs. New controlled delivery systems based on nanotechonology carriers (nanoparticles and conjugates) have also been reviewed