PAPEL DO ESTUDO URODINÂMICO NAS LESÕES MEDULARES. QUANDO FAZER?

Classicamente o estudo das bexigas neurogénicas nas Lesões Medulares é recomendado após a fase de choque medular. Por pensar que o Estudo Urodinâmico é fundamental mesmo nesta fase, os autores fizeram um estudo retrospectivo dos doentes internados entre 2001 e 2008 no Serviço de Fisiatria do Hospital de Santo António (a maior parte deles em fase aguda), correlacionando o tipo e o nível de lesão medular com o comportamento vesical, clínico e urodinâmico

Influência das propriedades reológicas do sangue em microcanal com contração simétrica

Neste trabalho recorreu-se à Dinâmica de Fluidos Computacional para simular escoamentos nãonewtonianos em microcanais com estenose simétrica. Para descrever o comportamento não-newtoniano do sangue utilizou-se o modelo de Carreau sendo os resultados obtidos considerando este modelo comparados com os obtidos para fluido newtoniano, o que permitiu avaliar o impacto das propriedades não-newtonianas nos escoamentos estudados

The ACUSTILAB, a small Educational double reverberant chamber

This paper presents the ACUSTILAB, an educational physical tool designed by the authors to be used by civil engineering students in laboratory classes regarding environmental and building acoustics. The ACUSTILAB is a fully functional scale model (about 1:2) of a double reverberant chamber with 1.5 x 3.5 x 1.4 m3. Its main use is to help teach the practical concepts of reverberation time and sound insulation and the effects of their variability by the visible use of different materials. This wheeled concrete model has its interior divided in two chambers by a movable separation that can be quickly changed according with the desired type of measurements. The upper enclosure simulates a slab to be used for structure borne transmission analysis. The ACUSTILAB is assisted by commercially available computer software to control the Reverberation Time, Dn.w (STC) and Ln,w (IIC) tests using a separate large screen to be visible by all the students surrounding the model during the classes

Using SWISH to realise interactive web based tutorials for logic based languages

Programming environments have evolved from purely text based to using graphical user interfaces, and now we see a move towards web based interfaces, such as Jupyter. Web based interfaces allow for the creation of interactive documents that consist of text and programs, as well as their output. The output can be rendered using web technology as, e.g., text, tables, charts or graphs. This approach is particularly suitable for capturing data analysis workflows and creating interactive educational material. This article describes SWISH, a web front-end for Prolog that consists of a web server implemented in SWI-Prolog and a client web application written in JavaScript. SWISH provides a web server where multiple users can manipulate and run the same material, and it can be adapted to support Prolog extensions. In this paper we describe the architecture of SWISH, and describe two case studies of extensions of Prolog, namely Probabilistic Logic Programming (PLP) and Logic Production System (LPS), which have used SWISH to provide tutorial sites

Drawing as a process of psychic mediation along the child´s developmental trajectory

This is an open-access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).INTRODUCTION: The intrapsychic process of resorting to the symbolic is innate and prepares the child for the organization of his internal world. Throughout the child's developmental trajectory, its playful projective expression, allows us to assess the psychographically internalized stages of development. The present study aims to evaluate the mental representation of the concept of symbolism, size, and perspective of designed percepts along the developmental trajectory (age range from 4 to 12 years).METHODS: Patients were invited to produce two drawings depicting a Healthy Tooth and an Unhealthy Tooth. The qualitative content grid for the analysis of the drawings was originally designed to study the pictorial representations found in the sample. However, in this article, we only intend to present the results obtained regarding Symbolism, Size and Perspective categories that are part of the content analysis grid.RESULTS: Regarding the Symbolism Category, most respondents between 4 and 6 years of age, pictorially represented an Unrealistic Tooth, and from 10 years onwards there is a marked decrease in this pictorial (Un)Realism. Regarding the Size of Teeth Category, from 8 years old onwards the drawings seem to increase in terms of their dimension. When it comes to Perspective Category, the percept drawn in a 2D perspective clearly prevails, regardless of age.CONCLUSION: Results obtained in this study show that the mental representation of (Un)Healthy teeth are early internalized during childhood and the stages of psychographic development seem to be reliable indicators of the development of the mental representation of the child´s symbolism.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Enthesis tissue engineering: biological requirements meet at the interface

Tendon-to-bone interface (enthesis) exhibits a complex multiscale architectural and compositional organization maintained by a heterogeneous cellular environment. Orthopedic surgeons have been facing several challenges when treating tendon pullout or tear from the bony insertion due to unsatisfactory surgical outcomes and high retear rates. The limited understanding of enthesis hinders the development of new treatment options toward enhancing regeneration. Mimicking the natural tissue structure and composition is still a major challenge to be overcome. In this review, we critically assess current tendon-to-bone interface tissue engineering strategies through the use of biological, biochemical, or biophysical cues, which must be ultimately combined into sophisticated gradient systems. Cellular strategies are described, focusing on cell sources and cocultures to emulate a physiological heterotypic niche, as well as hypoxic environments, alongside with growth factor delivery and the use of platelet-rich hemoderivatives. Biomaterial design considerations are revisited, highlighting recent progresses in tendon-to-bone scaffolds. Mechanical loading is addressed to uncover prospective engineering advances. Finally, research challenges and translational aspects are considered. In summary, we highlight the importance of deeply investigating enthesis biology toward establishing foundational expertise and integrate cues from the native niche into novel biomaterial engineering, aiming at moving today's research advances into tomorrow's regenerative therapies.Authors thank the support from the European Union Framework Programme for Research and Innovation HORIZON2020 [TEAMING Grant agreement No 739572 - The Discoveries CTR]; FCT–Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia for the PhD grant of IC [PD/BD/128088/2016]; the Project NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000021:“Accelerating tissue engineering and personalized medicine discoveries by the integration of key enabling nanotechnologies, marine-derived biomaterials and stem cells”, supported by Norte Portugal Regional Operational Programme (NORTE 2020), under the PORTUGAL 2020 Partnership Agreement, through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the ERC Consolidator grant of ME [ERC-2017-CoG-772817]

Random scenarios generation with minimun energy consumption model for sectoring optimization in pressurized irrigation networks using a simulated annealing approach

A pressurized irrigation network may operate in two ways, namely, on demand and organized under operating sectors. In the first case, the user decides when to irrigate, and the pumping station has to meet the discharge and pressure head requirements of the group of users that is demanding water at any time. In the second case, the operating hydrants at a given moment are previously established, which permits identification of scenarios related to lesser energy consumption. In this work, a new model was developed that identifies such scenarios. The optimization process is carried out by means of simulated annealing (SA). The model was applied to an example and the result obtained was compared with the same network operating on demand and sectorized using the criterion of hydrant elevation with respect to the pumping station. The scenario adopted for SA saved 11.8% and 15.5% in energy consumption compared with the two other scenarios, and decreased the installed power requirement by 38.3% and 21.6%, respectively.García Prats, A.; Guillem Picó, S.; Martínez Alzamora, F.; Jiménez Bello, MA. (2012). Random scenarios generation with minimun energy consumption model for sectoring optimization in pressurized irrigation networks using a simulated annealing approach. Journal of Irrigation and Drainage Engineering. 138(7):613-624. doi:10.1061/(ASCE)IR.1943-4774.0000452S613624138

Identification of a biomarker panel for improvement of prostate cancer diagnosis by volatile metabolic profiling of urine

Background: The lack of sensitive and specific biomarkers for the early detection of prostate cancer (PCa) is a major hurdle to improve patient management. Methods: A metabolomics approach based on GC-MS was used to investigate the performance of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in general and, more specifically, volatile carbonyl compounds (VCCs) present in urine as potential markers for PCa detection. Results: Results showed that PCa patients (n = 40) can be differentiated from cancer-free subjects (n = 42) based on their urinary volatile profile in both VOCs and VCCs models, unveiling significant differences in the levels of several metabolites. The models constructed were further validated using an external validation set (n = 18 PCa and n = 18 controls) to evaluate sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the urinary volatile profile to discriminate PCa from controls. The VOCs model disclosed 78% sensitivity, 94% specificity and 86% accuracy, whereas the VCCs model achieved the same sensitivity, a specificity of 100% and an accuracy of 89%. Our findings unveil a panel of 6 volatile compounds significantly altered in PCa patients' urine samples that was able to identify PCa, with a sensitivity of 89%, specificity of 83%, and accuracy of 86%. Conclusions: It is disclosed a biomarker panel with potential to be used as a non-invasive diagnostic tool for PCa.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Systematic Review of Potential Health Risks Posed by Pharmaceutical, Occupational and Consumer Exposures to Metallic and Nanoscale Aluminum, Aluminum Oxides, Aluminum Hydroxide and Its Soluble Salts

Aluminum (Al) is a ubiquitous substance encountered both naturally (as the third most abundant element) and intentionally (used in water, foods, pharmaceuticals, and vaccines); it is also present in ambient and occupational airborne particulates. Existing data underscore the importance of Al physical and chemical forms in relation to its uptake, accumulation, and systemic bioavailability. The present review represents a systematic examination of the peer-reviewed literature on the adverse health effects of Al materials published since a previous critical evaluation compiled by Krewski et al. (2007). Challenges encountered in carrying out the present review reflected the experimental use of different physical and chemical Al forms, different routes of administration, and different target organs in relation to the magnitude, frequency, and duration of exposure. Wide variations in diet can result in Al intakes that are often higher than the World Health Organization provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI), which is based on studies with Al citrate. Comparing daily dietary Al exposures on the basis of “total Al”assumes that gastrointestinal bioavailability for all dietary Al forms is equivalent to that for Al citrate, an approach that requires validation. Current occupational exposure limits (OELs) for identical Al substances vary as much as 15-fold. The toxicity of different Al forms depends in large measure on their physical behavior and relative solubility in water. The toxicity of soluble Al forms depends upon the delivered dose of Al+ 3 to target tissues. Trivalent Al reacts with water to produce bidentate superoxide coordination spheres [Al(O2)(H2O4)+ 2 and Al(H2O)6 + 3] that after complexation with O2•−, generate Al superoxides [Al(O2•)](H2O5)]+ 2. Semireduced AlO2• radicals deplete mitochondrial Fe and promote generation of H2O2, O2 • − and OH•. Thus, it is the Al+ 3-induced formation of oxygen radicals that accounts for the oxidative damage that leads to intrinsic apoptosis. In contrast, the toxicity of the insoluble Al oxides depends primarily on their behavior as particulates. Aluminum has been held responsible for human morbidity and mortality, but there is no consistent and convincing evidence to associate the Al found in food and drinking water at the doses and chemical forms presently consumed by people living in North America and Western Europe with increased risk for Alzheimer\u27s disease (AD). Neither is there clear evidence to show use of Al-containing underarm antiperspirants or cosmetics increases the risk of AD or breast cancer. Metallic Al, its oxides, and common Al salts have not been shown to be either genotoxic or carcinogenic. Aluminum exposures during neonatal and pediatric parenteral nutrition (PN) can impair bone mineralization and delay neurological development. Adverse effects to vaccines with Al adjuvants have occurred; however, recent controlled trials found that the immunologic response to certain vaccines with Al adjuvants was no greater, and in some cases less than, that after identical vaccination without Al adjuvants. The scientific literature on the adverse health effects of Al is extensive. Health risk assessments for Al must take into account individual co-factors (e.g., age, renal function, diet, gastric pH). Conclusions from the current review point to the need for refinement of the PTWI, reduction of Al contamination in PN solutions, justification for routine addition of Al to vaccines, and harmonization of OELs for Al substances