The potential of AI in health higher education to increase the students’ learning outcomes

The main goal of this article is to understand the potential learning applications based on AI technologies for health higher education students. We employed a Systematic Literature Review, contributing to explore to what extent AI technologies are currently influencing the Health learning processes in higher education and the skills developed during the learning path. The intent is to contribute to a more profound understanding of learning contexts, methodologies, technologies, and pedagogical processes with the application of AI technologies. The literature emphasizes that AI can be used to potentiate the learning process and the learning outcomes, especially in laboratory classes, and such contexts are still largely unstudied. To fulfil this gap, some practical applications based on AI technologies applied to health higher education studies were identified, highlighting AI's innovations and possible opportunities for health higher education.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The Potential of AI in Health Higher Education to Increase the Students’ Learning Outcomes

The main goal of this article is to understand the potential learning applications based on AI technologies for health higher education students. We employed a Systematic Literature Review, contributing to explore to what extent AI technologies are currently influencing the Health learning processes in higher education and the skills developed during the learning path. The intent is to contribute to a more profound understanding of learning contexts, methodologies, technologies, and pedagogical processes with the application of AI technologies. The literature emphasizes that AI can be used to potentiate the learning process and the learning outcomes, especially in laboratory classes, and such contexts are still largely unstudied. To fulfil this gap, some practical applications based on AI technologies applied to health higher education studies were identified, highlighting AI's innovations and possible opportunities for health higher education

Magnetically responsive tropoelastin hydrogel as a platform for soft tissue regeneration applications

Publicado em "European Cells and Materials. ISSN 1473-2262. Vol. 33, Suppl. 2, 2017 (0006)"The natural polymer tropoelastin is a structural protein of ECM of tissues requiring elasticity as part of their function, including ligaments and tendons. Tropoelastin has an innate capacity of self-assembly into high-order structures, and together with elastic resilience, structural stability and bioactivity bring forth pleasant singularities in adopting it as a building block to fabricate hydrogels. Moreover, easy tailoring of properties can be attained via incorporation of specific components into the polymeric network, including magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), which are beneficial for on-demand therapies. Thus, the main goal of this work consisted in developing a magnetically responsive tropoelastin (MagTro) hydrogel as a platform to study the response of tendon cells to a mechanical stimulus induced by application of an external magnetic field (EMF). For this purpose, to first produce hydrogels, a solution of recombinant human tropoelastin was first freeze-dried overnight inside a mould and then chemically cross-linked inside an open desiccator via vapour glutaraldehyde. Thereafter, MagTro hydrogels were obtained through in situ precipitation of MNPs by immersing tropoelastin hydrogels in FeCl2 and FeCl3 solution overnight and secondly by soaking them in NaOH. Hydrogels were then analysed morphologically by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM and Cryo-SEM). Enzyme-triggered degradation was studied after 72h at 37oC in a human neutrophil elastase solution. Hydrogels exhibited a quick magnetic responsiveness to an EMF (Fig.1). Interestingly, MagTro hydrogels exhibited smaller pores as observed by Cryo-SEM. This feature can be tuned according to different soft tissue requirements by controlling different parameters of the fabrication process. Additionally, the release of tropoelastin into solution decreased, which suggests the formation of a surface coating of MNPs on tropoelastin network, protecting the hydrogel from a faster degradation. Preliminary results also indicate that cultured cells are viable and spread at the surface of the hydrogel. The application of an EMF to cell-laden MagTro hydrogels will be further investigated. Overall, the streamlined fabrication of MagTro hydrogels was successfully attained and the hydrogel formulation represents a promising potential platform for soft tissue regeneration.The authors acknowledge to BEAM-Master Joint Mobility Project an EU Australian cooperation in Biomedical Engineering Grant Agreement, 2014-1843/001 001-CPT EU-ICI-ECP and to FCT–Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia in the framework of FCT-POPH-FSE, RC-A PhD grant SFRH/BD/96593/2013 and MEG grant IF/00685/2012.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A platelet lysate antibacterial bioactive patch for tendon repair

Platelet lysate (PL) is a class of platelet-rich hemoderivatives produced by cryogenic disruption of platelet concentrates, originating a pool of supra-physiological concentrations of growth factors (GFs) that is being widely explored in the medical field, namely in sports medicine and orthopaedics. In this concern, patch augmentation strategies have been receiving increased attention as the basis for the development of novel biomaterials aiming at tendon regeneration. In the present work, we assessed PL- membranes as prospective bioinstructive patches under the hypothesis that tendon cells positively respond to PL-derived biochemical signals. For this purpose, PL membranes were fabricated as previously described by Babo et al1 and characterized in terms of degradation, PL-derived proteins and GF release profiles. Cell behaviour was studied in terms of metabolic activity and proliferation, as well as extracellular matrix (ECM) production by culturing human tendon-derived cells (hTDCs) up to 21 days. In addition, the potential of PL membranes as antibacterial surfaces for biomedical implants was evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213 by determining the number of viable counts, as well as biofilm formation and distribution up to 72h, using PDMS films as controls. Overall, our results showed that PL membranes remained stable for up to 30 days in PBS. In addition, PL-derived proteins, as well as specific GFs like basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and platelet derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB followed a typical controlled release profile, as described by Babo et al1. Regarding the biological performance, PL-membranes were able to control the proliferation of seeded hTDCs, as demonstrated by maintenance of DNA content over 21 days of culture, in comparison to the controls in standard culture plastic. This result strongly suggests that PL-membranes can avoid an extensive proliferative phase, which in vivo is responsible for the formation of scar tissue, a major concern during tendon healing. These cells were metabolically active over time in culture and deposited tendon-related ECM proteins, including collagen types 1 and 3 and tenascin-C. Additionally, PL- membranes exhibited a significantly reduced number of viable counts of S. aureus, together with diminished bacteria adherence after 24h of incubation. No biofilm formation was observed in comparison to PDMS controls. Altogether, our results demonstrate that these PL-membranes can modulate cellular activity in situ, acting as a reservoir of bioactive molecules derived from PL, which supports their application as bioinstructive and protective patches for tendon regeneration. Finally, exploring the multitude of features of crosslinked PL proteins can potentially uncover uncharted prospective applications in regenerative medicine. References: 1. Babo P. Inflamm Regen. 2014; 34:33-44. Acknowledgements: The authors thank FCTâ Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia in the framework of FCT-POPH-FSE, RC-A PhD grant SFRH/BD/96593/2013, ARF Post-Doc grant SFRH/BPD/100760/2014, and MEG grant IF/00685/2012. FCT–Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia in the framework of FCT-POPH-FSE, RC-A PhDgrant SFRH/BD/96593/2013, ARF Post-Doc grant SFRH/BPD/100760/2014, and MEG grant F/00685/2info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Simulated hypergravity induces changes in human tendon-derived cells: from cell morphology to gene expression

Gravity influences physical and biological processes, having an impact on development, as well as homeostasis of living systems. The musculoskeletal system is comprised of several mechano- responsive tissues and altered gravitational forces are known to influence distinct properties, including bone mineral density and skeletal muscle mass. This is particularly relevant in a near- weightlessness (microgravity) environment, which is found during spaceflight and, not less importantly, during bed resting. Over the years, several studies have been conducted under simulated conditions of altered gravity owing to the advances on ground-based facilities, such as bioreactors for microgravity / hypo-gravity (1g) studies. Interestingly, microgravity-induced alterations are comparable to tissue degeneration caused by disuse and ageing. In turn, exposing musculoskeletal tissues to hypergravity may constitute a way of simulating (over)loading or, eventually, to be used as a measure to rescue cell phenotype after exposure to near-weightlessness conditions. Different studies have focused on bone, cartilage and skeletal muscle, but effects on tendons and ligaments have been underappreciated. Therefore, we evaluated the influence of increasing g-levels (5g, 10g, 15g and 20g) and different hypergravity exposure periods (4 and 16 h) on the behaviour of human tendon- derived cells (hTDCs). For this purpose, hTDCs were exposed to simulated hypergravity conditions using the Large Diameter Centrifuge (LDC) from the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC, ESA, The Netherlands). Human TDCs cultured under standard conditions (1g, normogravity, Earth gravity force) were used as controls. The effects of hypergravity on the viability of hTDCs, as well as on the expression of tendon related markers at the gene level were evaluated. Simulated hypergravity resulted in a reduced cell content after 16 h independently of g-level, as determined by DNA quantification. Additionally, the different g-levels studied led to changes in cell and cytoskeleton morphology. Strikingly, a 16-hour period of exposure resulted in alterations of gene expression profiles. Overall, gene expression of tendon-related markers, including collagen types I (col1a1) and III (col3a1), scleraxis (scx), tenomodulin (tnmd), decorin (dcn) and tenascin (tnc), seemed to be increased upon hypergravity stimulation and in comparison to cells cultured under control conditions. Altogether, these results highlight that altered gravity, particularly simulated hypergravity, has an influence on the phenotype of tendon cells, opening new avenues for research focused on using altered gravity as a model for overloading-induced tendon tissue injury or as measure to rescue the phenotype of degenerated tendon cells. Acknowledgements The authors would like to thank ESA Education Office for Spin Your Thesis! 2016 programme. R.C-A acknowledges the PhD grant SFRH/BD/96593/2013 from FCT â Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia. SFRH/BD/96593/2013 from FCT –Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologiainfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Hacia la construcción de la plataforma integrada de información para el sector salud de México

Objetivo. Estandarizar técnica, funcional y operativamente los principales sistemas de información en salud de la Subsecretaria de Promoción y Prevención de la Salud de México (SPPS) de la Secretaría de Salud Federal (SSA). Metodología. Se realizó el diagnóstico de los sistemas de información de la SPPS y se priorizaron los hallazgos con base en los requerimientos y necesidades, para llevar a cabo las acciones de estandarización, mantenimiento y actualización. Resultados. Se evaluaron y realizaron mejoras a nueve sistemas de información, mismos que se encuentran operando de manera regular o en fase pre-operativa para el apoyo del monitoreo de programas preventivos.Sociedad Argentina de Informática e Investigación Operativ

Hacia la construcción de la plataforma integrada de información para el sector salud de México

Objetivo. Estandarizar técnica, funcional y operativamente los principales sistemas de información en salud de la Subsecretaria de Promoción y Prevención de la Salud de México (SPPS) de la Secretaría de Salud Federal (SSA). Metodología. Se realizó el diagnóstico de los sistemas de información de la SPPS y se priorizaron los hallazgos con base en los requerimientos y necesidades, para llevar a cabo las acciones de estandarización, mantenimiento y actualización. Resultados. Se evaluaron y realizaron mejoras a nueve sistemas de información, mismos que se encuentran operando de manera regular o en fase pre-operativa para el apoyo del monitoreo de programas preventivos.Sociedad Argentina de Informática e Investigación Operativ

Hacia la construcción de la plataforma integrada de información para el sector salud de México

Objetivo. Estandarizar técnica, funcional y operativamente los principales sistemas de información en salud de la Subsecretaria de Promoción y Prevención de la Salud de México (SPPS) de la Secretaría de Salud Federal (SSA). Metodología. Se realizó el diagnóstico de los sistemas de información de la SPPS y se priorizaron los hallazgos con base en los requerimientos y necesidades, para llevar a cabo las acciones de estandarización, mantenimiento y actualización. Resultados. Se evaluaron y realizaron mejoras a nueve sistemas de información, mismos que se encuentran operando de manera regular o en fase pre-operativa para el apoyo del monitoreo de programas preventivos.Sociedad Argentina de Informática e Investigación Operativ

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma presenting as a primary bladder tumor: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Primary lymphoma of the bladder represents 0.2% of all bladder malignancies. Secondary involvement of the bladder by malignant lymphoma occurs in 10% to 50% of cases. Most lymphomas of the bladder are non-Hodgkin's lymphomas of the B-cell type, with preponderance among women. The impact of positron emission tomography (PET) on tumor staging has recently become very important due to its use in the study of diagnosis extension and individual therapy design.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We report the case of a 79-year-old Caucasian man with intermittent haematuria as the presenting symptom of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the bladder. He was first diagnosed with primary lymphoma of the bladder using the current staging method, but a positron emission tomography study subsequently revealed that he instead had a secondary involvement of the bladder.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The staging of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas, which is useful in order to plan accurate therapy, has been changing since the introduction of positron emission tomography scanning. Primary lymphomas of the bladder, although very rare, may be even more uncommon when this imaging technique is used to assess the extension of the disease. Although the interpretation of this technique has some limitations that should be taken into account, the extensive use of positron emission tomography should nonetheless help improve the diagnosis of this disease.</p

Harnessing Wicked Problems in Multi-stakeholder Partnerships

Despite the burgeoning literature on the governance and impact of cross-sector partnerships in the past two decades, the debate on how and when these collaborative arrangements address globally relevant problems and contribute to systemic change remains open. Building upon the notion of wicked problems and the literature on governing such wicked problems, this paper defines harnessing problems in multi-stakeholder partnerships (MSPs) as the approach of taking into account the nature of the problem and of organizing governance processes accordingly. The paper develops an innovative analytical framework that conceptualizes MSPs in terms of three governance processes (deliberation, decision-making and enforce-ment) harnessing three key dimensions of wicked problems (knowledge uncertainty, value conflict and dynamic complexity). The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil provides an illustrative case study on how this analytical framework describes and explains organizational change in partnerships from a problem-based perspective. The framework can be used to better understand and predict the complex relationships between MSP governance processes, systemic change and societal problems, but also as a guiding tool in (re-)organizing governance processes to continuously re-assess the problems over time and address them accordingly