Smart modular dispenser for medication administration

Over the years, average life expectancy tends to increase, which directly translates into an increase of the aging population. Consequences of this process are the decline or loss of cognitive and motor capacities, reflecting directly on the quality of life and the autonomy of the people, compromising the fulfillment of a pharmacological plan. It is known that, inevitably, medicines are increasingly introduced as part of human life in order to improve the quality of life. However, especially in the elderly and people with dementia, the difficulties in strictly complying with their medicine intake are increasingly evident. In order to counteract this situation, this article presents a device that assists them in this challenge, overcoming situations of overdose, drug interactions and even forgetfulness, due to the lack of recall of instructions, doses and schedules. Although there are different types of pills dispensers on the market, the disclosure herein includes a number of novel features. It is a small and portable pill dispenser so that it is easy to carry. It is able to adapt to the pharmacological needs of the individual since it is modular. It presents audible and luminous alerts in order to facilitate their use and interpretation. This device is mostly used for pills of various shapes and sizes, but is also intended to be capable of holding drops or powdered medication.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Personal health records system no contexto de saúde português

Dissertação de Mestrado em Política SocialNa última década surgiram modelos de dispositivos de gestão de informação que permitem ao próprio cidadão organizar, gerir e partilhar a sua informação de saúde – os Personal Health Records Systems (PHRS) - com o propósito de ajudar o seu utilizador a tomar decisões de saúde bem suportadas/informadas. Neste sentido, foi desenvolvido este estudo cujo objectivo geral se prende com a ideia de avaliar e contribuir para a divulgação de aplicações específicas de gestão de informação e comunicação em saúde, que possam constituir uma mais-valia para o Sistema de Saúde Português. Através da análise aprofundada de um PHRS, este estudo destina-se a avaliar a qualidade instrumental e validar o modelo apresentado sob o ponto de vista dos utilizadores, avaliar a inserção do modelo apresentado no contexto de saúde português sob o ponto de vista dos utilizadores e sob o ponto de vista de um grupo de Peritos de diferentes áreas da Saúde Pública. A principal conclusão a tirar deste estudo é que este modelo de PHRS é muito útil para os cidadãos, e pode ser inserido no contexto de saúde português actual desde que exista um acompanhamento ao longo do processo, especialmente no que toca à Literacia Digital.In the last decade were developed some models of health information systems that allowed to own citizen to organize, to manage and to share health information - Personal Health Records Systems (PHRS) – with the propose to help people to take informed health choices. In this way, it was developed this research that wants to evaluate and contribute for dissemination of specific platforms to information management, which can be a value for Portuguese Health System. Thought the analyze of a PHRS, this research aim to evaluate the instrumental quality and validate this presented model in the users point of view, and evaluate the possible insertion of this model in the Portuguese Health System context in the point of view of users and Public Health experts from different areas. The most conclusion that we can take from this research is the fact that this model be very useful for citizens and it can be inserted in the present Portuguese Health context, but only if exists an effective support to people in the process, especially in Digital Literacy area

Physiological effect of caffeine in neurological studies based on Susceptibility Weighted Imaging (SWI)

Introdução – O presente estudo avaliou o efeito da cafeína no valor da razão contraste ruído (CNR) em imagens SWI. Objetivos – Avaliar o efeito da cafeína qualitativamente e quantificado pelo cálculo do valor CNR em imagens de magnitude e MIP para as estruturas: veia cerebral interna, seio sagital superior, tórcula e artéria cerebral média. Metodologia – A população do estudo incluiu 24 voluntários saudáveis que estiveram pelo menos 24h privados da ingestão de cafeína. Adquiriram-se imagens SWI antes e após a ingestão de 100ml de café. Os voluntários foram subdivididos em quatro grupos de seis indivíduos/grupo e avaliados separadamente após decorrido um intervalo de tempo diferente para cada grupo (15, 25, 30 ou 45min pós-cafeína). Utilizou-se um scanner Siemens Avanto 1,5 T com bobine standard de crânio e os parâmetros: T2* GRE 3D de alta resolução no plano axial, TR=49; TE=40; FA=15; FOV=187x230; matriz=221x320. O processamento de imagem foi efetuado no software OsiriX® e a análise estatística no GraphPadPrism®. Resultados e Discussão – As alterações de sinal e diferenças de contraste predominaram nas estruturas venosas e não foram significantes na substância branca, LCR e artéria cerebral média. Os valores CNR pré-cafeína diferiram significativamente do pós-cafeína nas imagens de magnitude e MIP na veia cerebral interna e nas imagens de magnitude do seio sagital superior e da tórcula (p<0,0001). Não se verificaram diferenças significativas entre os grupos avaliados nos diferentes tempos pós-cafeína. Conclusões – Especulamos que a cafeína possa vir a ser usada como agente de contraste nas imagens SWI barato, eficaz e de fácil administração.ABSTRACT: Introduction – The present study investigates the effect of caffeine on contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) in SWI images. Purpose – Data analyses included qualitative and quantitative measures, specifically the CNR pre and post-ingestion, in magnitude and MIP images. The structures evaluated were internal cerebral vein, superior sagital sinus, torcula, and middle cerebral artery. Methodology – Twenty-four healthy volunteers were enrolled in the study. All the volunteers were caffeine-free for 24h prior to the test. SWI images were acquired before caffeine ingestion and post-ingestion of 100 ml of coffee. The volunteers were divided into four groups of six subjects and evaluated sequentially (15, 25, 30 and 45min after caffeine). High-resolution T2* weighted 3D GRE (SWI) sequence was acquired on the axial plane on a 1.5 T (Siemens Avanto) whole body scanner using the manufacturer’s standard head coil and the following parameters: TR=49; TE=40; FA=15; FOV=187x230; matrix=221x320. Statistics were performed with GraphPad Prism® and image analysis with Osirix®. Results and Discussion – We verified that signal alterations and contrast differences were predominant in venous structures and not significant in white matter, CSF and middle cerebral artery. The CNR values between pre and post-caffeine ingestion in magnitude and MIP images in internal cerebral vein (p<0.0001) and in magnitude images of superior sagittal sinus and tórcula showed significant differences CNR. There were no significant differences between groups evaluated at different times after the ingestion of caffeine. Conclusion – We speculate that caffeine can be used as a cost-effective, safe and easy to administrate contrast agent on SWI images

Heat-related mortality amplified during the COVID-19 pandemic

Excess mortality not directly related to the virus has been shown to have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, changes in heat-related mortality during the pandemic have not been addressed in detail. Here, we performed an observational study crossing daily mortality data collected in Portugal (SICO/DGS) with high-resolution temperature series (ERA5/ECMWF), characterizing their relation in the pre-pandemic, and how it aggravated during 2020. The combined result of COVID-19 and extreme temperatures caused the largest annual mortality burden in recent decades (~ 12 000 excess deaths [~ 11% above baseline]). COVID-19 caused the largest fraction of excess mortality during March to May (62%) and from October onwards (85%). During summer, its direct impact was residual, and deaths not reported as COVID-19 dominated excess mortality (553 versus 3 968). A prolonged hot spell led mortality to the upper tertile, reaching its peak in mid-July (+ 45% deaths/day). The lethality ratio (+ 14 deaths per cumulated ºC) was higher than that observed in recent heatwaves. We used a statistical model to estimate expected deaths due to cold/heat, indicating an amplification of at least 50% in heat-related deaths during 2020 compared to pre-pandemic years. Our findings suggest mortality during 2020 has been indirectly amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic, due to the disruption of healthcare systems and fear of population in attending healthcare facilities (expressed in emergency room admissions decreases). While lockdown measures and healthcare systems reorganization prevented deaths directly related to the virus, a significant burden due to other causes represents a strong secondary impact. This was particularly relevant during summer hot spells, when the lethality ratio reached magnitudes not experienced since the 2003 heatwaves. This severe amplification of heat-related mortality during 2020 stresses the need to resume normal healthcare services and public health awareness.This work was partially funded by national funds through Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) under project IMPECAF (PTDC/CTA-CLI/28902/2017) and project HOLMODRIVE (PTDC/CTA-GEO/29029/2017). AR, PMS, and RT are also grateful by the FCT funding UID GEO 50019 2020–Instituto Dom Luiz. JLG acknowledges FCT (Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia) for the PhD Grant 2020.05198.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The InBIO Barcoding Initiative Database: DNA barcodes of Portuguese Diptera 01

Background The InBIO Barcoding Initiative (IBI) Diptera 01 dataset contains records of 203 specimens of Diptera. All specimens have been morphologically identified to species level, and belong to 154 species in total. The species represented in this dataset correspond to about 10% of continental Portugal dipteran species diversity. All specimens were collected north of the Tagus river in Portugal. Sampling took place from 2014 to 2018, and specimens are deposited in the IBI collection at CIBIO, Research Center in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources. New information This dataset contributes to the knowledge on the DNA barcodes and distribution of 154 species of Diptera from Portugal and is the first of the planned IBI database public releases, which will make available genetic and distribution data for a series of taxa. All specimens have their DNA barcodes made publicly available in the Barcode of Life Data System (BOLD) online database and the distribution dataset can be freely accessed through the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Memória para acontecimentos de vida: análise da frequência de ocorrência até aos 10 anos de idade

No estudo da memória humana tem-se constatado que a imaginação pode ser uma fonte de interferência negativa. Com efeito, um dos mecanismos de criação de memórias falsas consiste na imaginação de acontecimentos que nunca ocorreram (Roediger & McDermott, 2000). Desde o estudo pioneiro, proposto por Garry e colaboradores (1996), que vários outros investigadores se têm interessado por este fenómeno, designado-o como “imagination inflation”. Nesta comunicação apresentamos os resultados da aplicação do Inventário de Acontecimentos de Vida (IAVid) a cerca de duas centenas de jovens adultos. Serão descritas as taxas de ocorrência de um conjunto de 40 episódios de vida antes dos dez anos de idade com o objectivo de estabelecer um padrão de recordação de episódios de vária natureza, incluindo escolar. Serão também apresentadas as diferenças de género na avaliação da ocorrência dos episódios referidos

Linguistic and cultural adaptation of the EARP Questionnaire to European Portuguese

OBJECTIVE: This study aims at the linguistic and cultural adaptation of the Early ARthritis for Psoriatic Patients (EARP) questionnaire into European Portuguese, for psoriatic patients attending dermatology medical examination. METHODS: Firstly, we performed a process of translation and back-translation of the English version of the EARP Questionnaire to European Portuguese, with interim and final harmonization. The resulting Portuguese version was approved by the EARP original author. Secondly, individual interviews were conducted to complete the linguistic and cultural adaptation of the initial translated Portuguese version, with the think-aloud and probe methods. At this stage, we conducted eight interviews, four with rheumatology and dermatology doctors (experts), and four with patients with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Finally, the version resulting from the adaptation process was back-translated from Portuguese to English. RESULTS: Our results showed that EARP Questionnaire's items are easy to understand and do not raise comprehension concerns in experts or patients. Our findings suggested that items demanding health literacy from patients and that do not include a precise cue to signal the inflammatory nature of the joint pain may lead to confusion while answering, potentially leading to the patient's need for assistance. CONCLUSION: The Portuguese version of the EARP Questionnaire demonstrated adequate comprehension properties. Our findings support the use of this measure in clinical practice and future research, however, a validation study with Portuguese patients is needed.publishersversionpublishe

Potency of HIV-2-specific antibodies increase in direct association with loss of memory B cells

Potent HIV-neutralizing antibodies are critical for vaccination and viral reservoir control. High levels of neutralizing antibodies characterize HIV-2 infection, a naturally occurring model of attenuated HIV disease with low-to-undectable viremia. We found that HIV-2-specific antibody potency increased in direct association with the loss of both switched and unswitched memory B cells in untreated HIV-2 infection. Thus, HIV antibody affinity maturation is linked to memory B-cell exhaustion even in reduced viremia settings.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A mixed-methods approach

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Violência em transporte público: uma abordagem baseada em análise espacial

OBJETIVO: Realizar uma análise espacial da ocorrência de atos de violência (especificamente roubos) em transporte público, identificando as regiões de maior incidência, por meio da geoestatística, e possíveis causas com auxílio de análise multicritério em Sistema de Informação Geográfica. MÉTODOS: A unidade de análise é a zona de tráfego da pesquisa Origem-Destino, realizada em Salvador, BA, Brasil, em 2013. Os roubos registrados pela Secretaria de Segurança Pública da Bahia, no mesmo ano, foram localizados e compatibilizados aos limites das zonas de tráfego e, posteriormente, associados aos respectivos centroides. Após determinação das regiões de maior probabilidade de ocorrências, foi feita uma análise geográfica de possíveis causas na região de maior potencial, considerando fatores analisados por meio de uma análise multicritério em ambiente de Sistema de Informação Geográfica. RESULTADOS: A execução das duas etapas deste trabalho permitiu identificar áreas correspondentes à maior probabilidade de ocorrência de roubo em transporte público. Além disso, foram identificados três trechos viários (Estrada da Liberdade, Rua Pero Vaz e Avenida General San Martin) mais vulneráveis, localizados nessas áreas. Nesses trechos, os fatores que mais contribuem para o potencial de ocorrência de roubo em ônibus são: F1 - proximidade a locais que facilitam a fuga, F3 - grande movimentação de pessoas e F2 - ausência de policiamento, respectivamente. CONCLUSÕES: Com o uso da Krigagem indicativa (estimação eoestatística), é possível a construção de uma superfície espacial de probabilidades de ocorrências, que pode ser uma ferramenta útil para implementação de políticas públicas. A análise multicritério no ambiente do Sistema de Informação Geográfica permitiu a compreensão dos fatores espaciais relacionados ao fenômeno em análise.OBJECTIVE: To carry out a spatial analysis of the occurrence of acts of violence (specifically robberies) in public transportation, identifying the regions of greater incidence, using geostatistics, and possible causes with the aid of a multicriteria analysis in the Geographic Information System. METHODS: The unit of analysis is the traffic analysis zone of the survey named Origem-Destino, carried out in Salvador, state of Bahia, in 2013. The robberies recorded by the Department of Public Security of Bahia in 2013 were located and made compatible with the limits of the traffic analysis zones and, later, associated with the respective centroids. After determining the regions with the highest probability of robbery, we carried out a geographic analysis of the possible causes in the region with the highest robbery potential, considering the factors analyzed using a multicriteria analysis in a Geographic Information System environment. RESULTS: The execution of the two steps of this study allowed us to identify areas corresponding to the greater probability of occurrence of robberies in public transportation. In addition, the three most vulnerable road sections (Estrada da Liberdade, Rua Pero Vaz, and Avenida General San Martin) were identified in these areas. In these sections, the factors that most contribute with the potential for robbery in buses are: F1 - proximity to places that facilitate escape, F3 - great movement of persons, and F2 - absence of policing, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Indicator Kriging (geostatistical estimation) can be used to construct a spatial probability surface, which can be a useful tool for the implementation of public policies. The multicriteria analysis in the Geographic Information System environment allowed us to understand the spatial factors related to the phenomenon under analysis