A Serious Complication of Uterine Artery Embolisation

Uterine artery embolisation has been used as a therapeutic alternative for symptomatic uterine myomas. It is considered a safe and effective procedure, with very few cases published involving complications. The authors present a case of a 35-year-old nulliparous woman with an intramural myoma with 161x143x85mm, submitted to an uterine artery embolisation complicated by uterine necrosis. A hysterectomy was performed. This casereport reinforces the idea that artery embolization is not a riskfree procedure and serious complications may occur. Therefore, patients should be carefully selected

Association of fall risk in older adults between gender, fear of falling and autonomy

Aging is a natural process of the individual and is associated with a decline in physical and mental function. Given the high prevalence of older adults worldwide, it becomes ppropriated to identify the consequences of this reduction. The falls appear as a consequence more common in this specific population, which triggers the need to identify the different risk factors, in order to prevent them and create intervention programs in that way.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

In vitro assessment of inter-kingdom biofilm formation by bacteria and filamentous fungi isolated from a drinking water distribution system

The main focus so far in the study of biofilm formation in drinking water has been bacteria. Studies on biofilm formation involving filamentous fungi are, therefore, scarce. This study aimed to assess and characterize the ability of these microorganisms to interact with bacteria whilst forming inter-kingdom biofilms. Biofilms were analysed in terms of total biomass, metabolic activity, bacterial colony forming units and morphology by epifluorescence microscopy. The quantitative methods revealed that biofilm mass increased over time for both single and inter-kingdom biofilms, while specific metabolic activity decreased, in general, along the time points evaluated. Microscopic data visually confirmed the biofilm mass increase over time. This study shows that fungal stage development is important in the first 24?h of biofilm formation. Inter-kingdom biofilm formation is microorganism dependent and inter-kingdom biofilms may provide an advantage to the opportunistic bacterium Acinetobacter calcoaceticus to replicate and proliferate when compared with Methylobacterium oryzae.Tiago B. Afonso acknowledges the grant provided by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under grant no. PD/BD/128033/2016. This study was also supported by FCT under the scope of the strategic funding of UID/BIO/04469/2019 unit and BioTecNorte operation (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000004) funded by the European Regional Development Fund under the scope of Norte2020 – Programa Operacional Regional do Norte. Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Effect of quorum sensing and quenching molecules on inter-kingdom biofilm formation by Penicillium expansum and bacteria

The ecology of a biofilm is a complex function of different factors, including the presence of microbial metabolites excreted by the inhabitants of the biofilm. This study aimed to assess the effect of patulin, and N-(3-oxododecanoyl)-L-homoserine lactone (3-oxo-C12-HSL) on inter-kingdom biofilm formation between a filamentous fungus and bacteria isolated from drinking water. The filamentous fungus Penicillium expansum and the bacteria Acinetobacter calcoaceticus and Methylobacterium oryzae were used as model species. M. oryzae biofilm formation and development was more susceptible to the presence of the quenching molecules than A. calcoaceticus biofilms. Patulin reduced M. oryzae biofilm growth while 3-oxo-C12-HSL caused an increase after 48?h. The presence of P. expansum had a detrimental effect on M. oryzae cell numbers, while an advantageous effect was observed with A. calcoaceticus. The overall results reveal that quorum sensing and quenching molecules have a significant effect on inter-kingdom biofilm formation, especially on bacterial numbers.Tiago B. Afonso acknowledges the grant provided by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under grant no. PD/BD/128033/2016. Furthermore, this study was also supported by FCT under the scope of the strategic funding of UIDB/04469/2020 unit and BioTecNorte operation (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000004) funded by the European Regional Development Fund under the scope of Norte2020 - Programa Operacional Regional do Norte.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Methylobacterium oryzae influences isoepoxydon dehydrogenase gene expression and patulin production by Penicillium expansum

Biofilms can be considered the main source of microorganisms in drinking water distribution systems (DWDS). The ecology of a biofilm is dependent on a variety of factors, including the presence of microbial metabolites excreted by its inhabitants. This study reports the effect of the Gram-negative bacteria Methylobacterium oryzae on the idh gene expression levels and patulin production of Penicillium expansum mature biofilms. For this purpose, a RT-qPCR method to quantify idh mRNA levels was applied. In addition, the idh expression levels were compared with the patulin production. The results obtained revealed that the effect of the bacterium on pre-established P. expansum biofilms is dependent on the time of interaction. More mature P. expansum biofilms appear to be more resistant to the inhibitory effect that M. oryzae causes towards idh gene expression and patulin production. A positive trend was observed between the idh expression and patulin production values. The results indicate that M. oryzae affects patulin production by acting at the transcriptional level of the idh gene.Tiago B. Afonso acknowledges the grant provided by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under grant no. PD/BD/128033/2016. Furthermore, this study was also supported by FCT under the scope of the strategic funding of UIDB/04469/2020 unit and BioTecNorte operation (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000004) funded by the European Regional Development Fund under the scope of Norte2020—Programa Operacional Regional do Norte.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Rapariga de 7 Anos com Queimadura Vaginal por Exposição a Pilhas Alcalinas

Background: Vaginal burns resulting from alkaline batteries are a rare and potential serious complication which require a prompt intervention. Case: A 7-year-old girl presented to the emergency department with lower abdominal pain, dysuria and brownish vaginal discharge. Clinical history suggested a foreign body. Abdominal radiography showed two alkaline batteries inside the vagina that were removed. Vaginoscopy revealed severe vaginal burns with necrosis of a large area of posterior cul de sac. Two months after the girl was asymptomatic. Discussion: Vaginal foreign bodies should be considered in pre-pubertal girls presenting with vaginal bleeding. Its removal and assessment of direct effects should be immediately performed.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Fertility Care Provided by a Public Health Hospital to Viral-Infected Couples: A Case-Control Study

Objective: To evaluate the results of ART (clinical pregnancies and baby home rates) in couples infected with HBV, HCV, HIV or mixed in a Referral center. Patients: The study is a retrospective case-control study comprising 1587 cycles/1064 couples in the control group and 237 cycles/164 couples in the infected group, submitted to in vitro fertilization, intracytoplasmic sperm injection and embryo transfer. Two branches from the infected group were created: the HIV subgroup, comprising couples with one or both partners infected with HIV-1 (84 cycles/67 couples), and the HCV subgroup, including at least one partner infected with HCV (45 cycles/29 couples). Results: The infected group presented higher infertility duration (P < 0.001) and so did the HCV subgroup (P < 0.001). Tubal infertility was increased in the infected group (P < 0.001), and in the HIV (P < 0.001) and HCV (P = 0.01) subgroups. Oocytes and oocytes in metaphase II numbers were lower in the infected group, but not in the HIV and HCV subgroups. Clinical pregnancy rate was lower in the infected group (25.74%) when compared to the control (34.66%), probably due to the contribution of HCV individuals (17.78%), but not of HIV (28.57%). Baby home rate was lower in the infected group (21.52%) relative to the control group (28.42%), but no differences were found in the HIV (27.38%) and HCV (15.56%) subgroups. Conclusions: Despite the low clinical pregnancy rate in the HCV subgroup, baby home rates did not change from control. These data seem promising for couples with viral infections who wish to conceive.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Single Fetal Death in Twin Pregnancy. What Will Be the Problems to the Surviving Co-Sib?

Na gravidez bigemelar, a morte de um dos fetos no segundo e terceiro trimestre é uma complicação rara, variando a taxa de incidência entre 2,6 e 6,8%. Este acontecimento determina um aumento das taxas de morbilidade e mortalidade perinatal para o gémeo sobrevivente, especialmente em gravidezes monocoriónicas, quando a morte fetal é devida à síndroma de tranfusão feto-fetal. Para alguns autores o atraso de crescimento intrauterino e a prematuridade são os principais factores de risco para o aumento da morbilidade e mortalidade do gémeo sobrevivente. A patofisiologia de instalação dos distúrbios cerebrais no gémeo sobrevivente após a morte do feto irmão não está definida, nem o intervalo de tempo que medeia entre a morte e o estabelecimento das lesões. Também não existe um protocolo definitivo de seguimento destas gravidezes e, posteriormente, do gémeo sobrevivente. No período de 1 de Setembro de 1994 a 31 de Dezembro de 1998, foram seguidas, na consulta de Gravidez Múltipla da Maternidade Dr. Alfredo da Costa, 235 gravidezes bigemelares. Em nove casos (3,8%) ocorreu morte de um dos fetos com idade gestacional acima das 13 semanas. Em cinco das nove gravidezes foi conhecida a causa de morte, quatro das quais foram atribuídas à síndroma de tranfusão feto-fetal. A taxa de prematuridade do gémeo sobrevivente foi de 44,4% (4/9) e a de mortalidade de 11,1%(1/9). A taxa de morbilidade neonatal foi de 62,5% (5/8), na maioria dos casos por complicações inerentes à prematuridade. A taxa de morbilidade neurológica foi de 37,5% (3/8). A taxa de lesões neurológicas major foi de 25% (2/8) e ocorreu em recém-nascidos de termo. A síndroma de transfusão feto-fetal, como causa de morte fetal, associou-se aos casos com pior prognóstico no que se referiu ao gémeo sobrevivente.O crescimento do gémeo sobrevivente parece depender das lesões provocadas pela morte do feto irmão. Os autores finalizam com uma proposta de atitudes obstétricas e pediátricas em relação ao gémeo sobrevivente

Correlation in the velocity of a Brownian particle induced by frictional anisotropy and magnetic field

We study the motion of charged Brownian particles in an external magnetic field. It is found that a correlation appears between the components of particle velocity in the case of anisotropic friction, approaching asymptotically zero in the stationary limit. If magnetic field is smaller compared to the critical value, determined by frictional anisotropy, the relaxation of the correlation is non-oscillating in time. However, in a larger magnetic field this relaxation becomes oscillating. The phenomenon is related to the statistical dependence of the components of transformed random force caused by the simultaneous influence of magnetic field and anisotropic dissipation.Comment: 7 pages, 2 figure

Adnexal Torsion

Adnexal torsion is a rare event whose diagnosis requires a high degree of suspicion since its presentation is clinical and laboratory nonspecific. Ultrasound constitute the first-line exam in the imaging evaluation and timely surgical treatment, with detorsion, is mandatory to allow the preservation of the structures involved. The effectiveness of preventive measures of recurrence is yet to be determined. In this paper, in addition to a literature review, the authors present a new imaging finding and propose a flowchart for therapeutic decision