Análise conjunta de regressões e planos de melhoramento

A Análise Conjunta de Regressões, ACR, é uma técnica conhecida pela sua utilização na comparação e selecção de cultivares. A sua aplicação estava geralmente condicionada a ensaios realizados num número reduzido de anos, para um conjunto fixo de ecultivares. Neste trabalho, vamos estudar a extensão do âmbito de aplicação desta técnica a planos de melhoramento. Os ensaios analisados através da ACR encontram-se divididos em blocos. A produtividade de cada bloco é medida pelo respectivo índice ambiental. A técnica da ACR, como o seu próprio nome indica, consiste no ajustamento de regressões lineares do rendimento de cada cultivar no respectivo índice ambiental. Numa primeira parte, apresentamos as técnicas estatísticas que serão utilizadas posteriormente na análise dum plano de melhoramento concreto. Mostraremos nomeadamente, como realizar os ajustamentos das regressões lineares e como proceder à comparação e selecção dos cultivares. Na segunda parte o nosso trabalho mostrará, revendo-se no Plano de Melhoramento de Trigo Mole em Portugal (1986 - 2000), como utilizar a ACR em planos de melhoramento. Apresentaremos ainda um modelo para os índices ambientais, usando variáveis dummy associadas a anos, locais e cultivares. Os coeficientes ajustados para os anos foram usados para expressar, no caso do Programa de Melhoramento do Trigo Mole em Portugal, os efeitos atribuíveis ao factor ano. Os resultados obtidos no caso Português, indicam claramente a utilidade da técnica da ACR no acompanhamento de programas de melhoramento, mais precisamente, na tomada de decisão relativa aos cultivares que devem permanecer no plano de melhoramento de um ano para o outro

Mapping atmospheric pollutants emissions in European countries

In this paper we present a methodology which enables the graphical representation, in a bi-dimensional Euclidean space, of atmospheric pollutants emissions in European countries. This approach relies on the use of Multidimensional Unfolding (MDU), an exploratory multivariate data analysis technique. This technique illustrates both the relationships between the emitted gases and the gases and their geographical origins. The main contribution of this work concerns the evaluation of MDU solutions. We use simulated data to define thresholds for the model fitting measures, allowing the MDU output quality evaluation. The quality assessment of the model adjustment is thus carried out as a step before interpretation of the gas types and geographical origins results. The MDU maps analysis generates useful insights, with an immediate substantive result and enables the formulation of hypotheses for further analysis and modeling

Laboratory biomarkers associated to death in the first three COVID-19 waves in Portugal

Funding Information: This study is inserted in the project Predictive Models of COVID-19 Outcomes for Higher Risk Patients Towards a Precision Medicine (PREMO), supported by Fundação para Publisher Copyright: © 2023 IEEE.Besides the pandemic being over, new SARS-CoV-2 lineages, and sub-lineages, still pose risks to global health. Thus, in this preliminary study, to better understand the characteristics of COVID-19 patients and the effect of certain hematologic biomarkers on their outcome, we analyzed data from 337 patients admitted to the ICU of a single-center hospital in Lisbon, Portugal, in the first three waves of the pandemic. Most patients belonged to the second (40.4%) and third (41.2%) waves. The ones from the first wave were significantly older and relied more on respiratory techniques like invasive mechanic ventilation and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. There were no significant differences between waves regarding mortality in the ICU. In general, non-survivors had worse laboratory results. Biomarkers significantly associated with death changed depending on the waves. Increased high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I results, and lower eosinophil counts were associated to death in all waves. In the second and third waves, the international normalized ratio, lymphocyte counts, and neutrophil counts were also associated to mortality. A higher risk of death was linked to increased myoglobin results in the first two waves, as well as increased creatine kinase results, and lower platelet counts in the third wave.publishersversionpublishe

Detection and adsorption of Triclosan on sensors based on PAH/PVS thin-films

Given the vital role of water in life it is paramount to thrive and succeed in areas that look to clean and prevent further contamination in water bodies. Triclosan (TCS) is present in most of our day-to-day products and if left unchecked it can lead to long-term significant problems due to its many inauspicious effects in both human and animal health. Thus arose the need to develop sensors to detect and possibly remove TCS for aqueous solutions. This work was rooted on this premise and sensors based on LbL polyectrolyte thin-films were developed, such as poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and poly(vinylsulfonic acid, sodium salt) (PVS), namely (PAH/PVS)(10) and (PAH/PVS)/PAH(10). The goal of this work was to analyze the amount of TCS adsorbed onto reused (PAH/PVS)(10) and (PAH/PVS)/PAH(10) LbL thin-films when immersed in TCS aqueous solutions with decreasing pH. It was demonstrated that sensors with an outer layer of PAH led to a significantly better TCS molecules adsorption (removal). Additionally, sensors composed of (PAH/PVS)(10) presented higher sensibility in discriminating TCS solutions with concentrations between 10(-5) M and 10(-8) M, using impedance spectroscopy.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Audiological biomarkers of tinnitus in an older Portuguese population

Copyright © 2022 Haider, Ribeiro, Ribeiro, Trigueiros, Caria, Borrego, Pinto, Papoila, Hoare and Paço.Tinnitus is a phantom sound perceived in the absence of external acoustic stimulation. It is described in a variety of ways (e.g., buzzing, ringing, and roaring) and can be a single sound or a combination of different sounds. Our study evaluated associations between audiological parameters and the presence or severity of tinnitus, to improve tinnitus diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis. Our sample included 122 older participants (63 women and 59 men), aged 55-75 years from the Portuguese population, with or without sensory presbycusis and with or without tinnitus. All participants underwent a clinical evaluation through a structured interview, Ear, Nose, and Throat observation, and audiological evaluation (standard and extended audiometry, psychoacoustic tinnitus evaluation, auditory brainstem responses, and distortion product otoacoustic emissions). The Tinnitus Handicap Inventory was used to measure tinnitus symptom severity. Our data confirmed that the odds of developing tinnitus were significantly higher in the presence of noise exposure and hearing loss. Also, participants who had abrupt tinnitus onset and moderate or severe hyperacusis featured higher odds of at least moderate tinnitus. However, it was in the ABR that we obtained the most exciting and promising results, namely, in wave I, which was the common denominator in all findings. The increase in wave I amplitude is a protective factor to the odds of having tinnitus. Concerning the severity of tinnitus, the logistic regression model showed that for each unit of increase in the mean ratio V/I of ABR, the likelihood of having at least moderate tinnitus was 10% higher. Advancing knowledge concerning potential tinnitus audiological biomarkers can be crucial for the adequate diagnosis and treatment of tinnitus.publishersversionpublishe

Torquetenovirus viral load is associated with anti-spike antibody response in SARS-CoV-2 mRNA BNT162b2 vaccinated kidney transplant patients

Introduction: Kidney transplant patients (KT) are at high risk for severe COVID-19 and presented attenuated antibody responses to vaccination when compared to immunocompetent individuals. Torquetenovirus (TTV) has recently gained attention as a potential surrogate marker of the net state of immunosuppression. We evaluated the association between pre-vaccination TTV viral load and anti-spike total antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in KT. Material and Methods: The 114 adult KT recipients enrolled in this prospective single-center cohort study received two doses of SARS-CoV-2 mRNA BNT162b2 vaccine. Serum samples were collected immediately before vaccination at the days when patients received both the first (T0) and the second dose (T1) and 16–45 days after the second dose (T2). Primary endpoint was the development of anti-spike total antibodies after vaccination. Demographic, clinical, and laboratorial parameters were compared between patients with and without detectable SARS-CoV-2 antibodies at T2. Results: Ninety-nine patients (86.8%) were naïve for SARS-CoV-2 before vaccination. Fifty-six (56.6%) patients developed anti-spike total antibodies at T2. The use of mTOR inhibitors was associated with a favorable response (p =.005); conversely, mycophenolic acid (MPA) was associated with a negative response (p =.006). In a multivariable model, the presence of TTV at T0 ≥ 3.36 log10 cp/ml was associated with unfavorable vaccine response (OR: 5.40; 95% CI: 1.47–19.80; p =.011), after adjusting for age and eGFR at T0. Conclusions: Higher TTV viral loads before vaccination are associated with reduced anti-spike total antibody response in SARS-CoV-2 mRNA BNT162b2 vaccinated KT patients. The association between TTV viral load and vaccine response may be an added-value in the optimization of vaccination regimens in KT.publishersversionpublishe

Public spending on drugs for the treatment of osteoporosis in post-menopause

OBJECTIVE: To analyze expenditure on treatment for postmenopausal osteoporosis and associated factors on mean per capita expenditure. METHODS: A probabilistic-deterministic linkage between the database of Authorizations for Highly Complex Procedures and the mortality information system was constructed, resulting in a historical cohort of patients using high-cost medications for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis, between 2000-2006. Mean monthly spending on medicines was stratified by age group and described according to demographic and clinical characteristics and the type of drug used. A linear regression model was used to assess the impact of demographic and clinical characteristics on per capita mean monthly expenditure on medicines. RESULTS: We identified 72,265 women who received drugs for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis. The average monthly expenditure per capita in the first year of treatment was $54.02 (sd$ 86.72). The population was predominantly composed of women aged 60-69 years old, who had started treatment in 2000, resident in the Southeast of Brazil, who had previously suffered osteoporotic fractures, and Alendronate sodium was the drug most commonly used at baseline. For most of the patients, the same active ingredient remained in use throughout the treatment period. During the program, 6,429 deaths were identified among participants. More than a third of women remained in treatment for up to 12 months. Raloxifen and calcitonin were the therapeutic alternatives with the greatest impact on the average monthly expenditure on medicine using alendronate sodium as a reference standard. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the high impact of the type of drug used on expenditure on medication, it is recommended that criteria for prescribing and dispensing be established by prioritizing those with lower costs and greater effectiveness in order to optimize the process of pharmaceutical care and provide the population with a greater number of pharmaceutical units.OBJETIVO: Analisar os gastos com medicamentos para o tratamento da osteoporose na pós-menopausa e os fatores associados ao gasto médio per capita . MÉTODOS: Pareamento probabilístico-determinístico a partir das bases das Autorizações de Procedimentos de Alta Complexidade com o Sistema de Informação sobre Mortalidade, resultando em coorte histórica de pacientes que utilizaram medicamentos de alto custo para o tratamento da osteoporose na pós-menopausa de 2000 a 2006. O gasto médio mensal com medicamentos foi estratificado por faixas etárias e descrito de acordo com as características demográficas, clínicas e tipo de medicamento utilizado. Foi utilizado modelo de regressão linear para avaliar o impacto de características demográficas e clínicas sobre o gasto médio mensal per capita com os medicamentos. RESULTADOS: Foram identificadas 72.265 mulheres que receberam medicamentos para o tratamento da osteoporose na pós-menopausa. O gasto médio mensal per capita no primeiro ano de tratamento foi de R$90,00 (dp R$ 144,49). A maioria das mulheres tinha de 60 a 69 anos de idade, iniciaram tratamento em 2000, eram residentes na região Sudeste, tinham fraturas osteoporóticas prévias e o alendronato de sódio foi o medicamento mais utilizado no início do tratamento. A maioria das pacientes permaneceu em uso do mesmo princípio ativo durante o tratamento. Foram identificados 6.429 óbitos entre as participantes. Mais de um terço das mulheres permaneceram no programa por até 12 meses. Raloxifeno e calcitonina sintética foram as alternativas com maior impacto sobre o gasto médio mensal com medicamentos, tendo como padrão de referência o alendronato de sódio. CONCLUSÕES: Dado o alto impacto do tipo de medicamento utilizado no gasto com medicação, recomenda-se estabelecer critérios para prescrição e dispensação, com prioridade para aqueles com menores custos e maior efetividade. Isso pode otimizar o processo de assistência farmacêutica e a provisão de maior número de unidades farmacêuticas à população.OBJETIVO: Analizar los gastos con medicamentos para el tratamiento de la osteoporosis en la post-menopausia y los factores asociados al gasto promedio per cápita. MÉTODOS: Pareamiento probabilístico-deterministico a partir de las bases de las Autorizaciones de Procedimientos de Alta Complejidad con el Sistema de Información sobre Mortalidad, resultando en cohorte histórica de pacientes que utilizaron medicamentos de alto costo para el tratamiento de la osteoporosis en la post-menopausia de 2000 a 2006. El gasto promedio mensual con medicamentos fue estratificado por grupos etarios y descrito de acuerdo con las características demográficas, clínicas y tipo de medicamento usado. Se utilizó modelo de regresión linear para evaluar el impacto de las características socio demográficas y clínicas sobre el gasto promedio mensual per cápita con los medicamentos. RESULTADOS: Se identificaron 72.265 mujeres que recibieron medicamentos para el tratamiento de la osteoporosis en la post-menopausia. El gasto promedio mensual per cápita en el primer año de tratamiento fue de R$90,00 (de R$ 144,49). La mayoría de las mujeres tenía de 60 a 69 años de edad, iniciaron tratamiento en 2000, eran residentes en la región Sureste, tenían fracturas osteoporóticas previas, y el alendronato de sodio fue el medicamento más utilizado en el inicio del tratamiento. La mayoría de los pacientes permaneció en uso del mismo principio activo durante el tratamiento. Se identificaron 6.429 óbitos entre las participantes. Más de un tercio de las mujeres permanecieron en el programa por 12 meses. Raloxifeno y calcitonina sintética fueron las alternativas con mayor impacto sobre el gasto promedio mensual con medicamentos, teniendo como patrón de referencia el alendronato de sodio. CONCLUSIONES: Dado el alto impacto del tipo de medicamento utilizado en el gasto por parte del SUS, se recomienda establecer criterios para prescripción y dispensación, priorizando aquellos con menores costos y mayor efectividad. Esto puede optimizar el proceso de asistencia farmacéutica y la provisión de mayor número de unidades farmacéuticas para la población

Can Biofluids Metabolic Profiling Help to Improve Healthcare during Pregnancy?

This paper describes a metabonomics study of 2nd trimester biofluids (amniotic fluid, maternal urine, and blood plasma), in an attempt to correlate biofluid metabolic changes with suspected/diagnosed fetal malformations (FM) and chromosomal disorders as well as with later occurring gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), preterm delivery (PTD), and premature rupture of membranes (PROM). The global biochemical picture given by the threesome of biofluids should enable the definition of potential disease signatures and unveil potential metabolite markers for clinical use in predictive prenatal diagnostics. Results show that relatively strong metabolic disturbances accompany FM, reflected in all three biofluids and thus suggesting the involvement of both fetal and maternal metabolisms. Regarding GDM, amniotic fluid and maternal urine seem potential good media to detect early metabolic changes, and PTD subjects show small metabolite changes in the same biofluids, undergoing work being focused on plasma composition. Chromosomal disorders show an interestingly marked effect on maternal urine, whereas no statistically relevant early changes have been observed for PROM subjects. Interestingly, in the case of FM and chromosomal disorders, maternal biofluids show some sensitivity to disorder type, for example, for central nervous system malformations and trisomy 21, respectively. These results show the usefulness of biofluid metabonomics to probe overall metabolic disturbances in relation to prenatal disorders