��lcera Flebost��tica. Estudo Prospectivo de 202 Doentes

Durante um per��odo de 16 anos foram estudados, de forma prospectiva, 202 doentes portadores de insufici��ncia venosa cr��nica complicada de ��lcera de perna, totalizando 257 ��lceras. Este conjunto constitui uma s��rie homog��nea, em que foi sempre mantida a mesma orienta����o diagn��stica e terap��utica, quer m��dica, quer cir��rgica. Foi definido como objectivo a cura da ��lcera em ambulat��rio, com tratamento conservador. O tratamento cir��rgico definitivo, quando indicado, �� preferencialmente executado em diferido, ap��s a cura da ��lcera. Dos 202 doentes inclu��dos inicialmente no estudo, 166 mantiveram-se at�� �� cura ou durante um per��odo de tratamento prolongado. Nos doentes que se mantiveram no estudo foi obtida uma taxa de curas de 91%, o que est�� acima dos resultados habitualmente reportados na literatura internacional. Salienta-se a import��ncia do controlo directo de todo o tratamento pelo m��dico respons��vel.

Optimiza����o estrutural na an��lise n��o linear dos modelos de escoras e tirantes

Disserta����o para obten����o do Grau de Mestre em Engenharia Civil - Perfil Estruturas

Distribution of virulence markers in clinical and environmental Vibrio cholerae non-O1/non-O139 strains isolated in Brazil from 1991 to 2000

One hundred seventy nine Vibrio cholerae non-O1/non-O139 strains from clinical and different environmental sources isolated in Brazil from 1991 to 2000 were serogrouped and screened for the presence of four different virulence factors. The Random Amplification of Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) technique was used to evaluate the genetic relatedness among strains. Fifty-four different serogroups were identified and V. cholerae O26 was the most common (7.8%). PCR analysis for three genes (ctxA, zot, ace) located of the CTX genetic element and one gene (tcpA) located on the VPI pathogenicity island showed that 27 strains harbored one or more of these genes. Eight (4.5%) strains possessed the complete set of CTX element genes and all but one of these belonged to the O26 serogroup suggesting that V. cholerae O26 has the potential to be an epidemic strain. The RAPD profiles revealed a wide variability among strains and no genetic correlation was observed.

Development of an Unmanned Capsule for large-scale maritime search and rescue

This paper describes the development and testing of a robotic capsule for search and rescue operations at sea. This capsule is able to operate autonomously or remotely controlled, is transported and deployed by a larger USV into a determined disaster area and is used to carry a life raft and inflate it close to survivors in large-scale maritime disasters. The ultimate goal of this development is to endow search and rescue teams with tools that extend their operational capability in scenarios with adverse atmospheric or maritime conditions.

Field experiments for marine casualty detection with autonomous surface vehicles

In this paper we present a set of field tests for detection of human in the water with an unmanned surface vehicle using infrared and color cameras. These experiments aimed to contribute in the development of victim target tracking and obstacle avoidance for unmanned surface vehicles operating in marine search and rescue missions. This research is integrated in the work conducted in the European FP7 research project Icarus aiming to develop robotic tools for large scale rescue operations. The tests consisted in the use of the ROAZ unmanned surface vehicle equipped with a precision GPS system for localization and both visible spectrum and IR cameras to detect the target. In the experimental setup, the test human target was deployed in the water wearing a life vest and a diver suit (thus having lower temperature signature in the body except hands and head) and was equipped with a GPS logger. Multiple target approaches were performed in order to test the system with different sun incidence relative angles. The experimental setup, detection method and preliminary results from the field trials performed in the summer of 2013 in Sesimbra, Portugal and in La Spezia, Italy are also presented in this work.

Virulence factors of uropathogenic Escherichia coli from a University Hospital in Ribeir��o Preto, S��o Paulo, Brazil

The aim of the study was to determine the occurrence of virulence genes expressing fimbriae, production of hemolysin, colicin and aerobactin among a hundred Escherichia coli isolates obtained from in-and outpatients of a tertiary-care teaching hospital, between July and August 2000, showing clinical and laboratory signs of urinary tract infection (UTI). The presence of genes (pap, afa, sfa) for fimbriae expression was assayed using specific primers in a polymerase chain reaction. Among the isolates studied, the prevalence of the virulence factors was 96.0%, 76.0%, 24.0%, for hemolysin, aerobactin and colicin, respectively; the prevalence of genes coding for fimbrial adhesive systems was 32.0%, 19.0% and 11.0% for pap, sfa and afa respectively. The strains isolated from the outpatients displayed a greater number of virulence factors compared to those from hospitalized subjects, emphasizing the difference between these two kinds of patients.

Monitoriza����o e Avalia����o Din��mica do Potencial para a Efici��ncia Energ��tica de Lares de Idosos

Atualmente a situa����o econ��mica do pa��s �� delicada, como tal, a redu����o dos consumos energ��ticos �� uma mais-valia tanto para os consumidores como para o meio ambiente. A evolu����o tecnol��gica nos ��ltimos anos possibilita a realiza����o de solu����es para resolver esse problema. A monitoriza����o constante dos consumos de energia el��trica pode fazer com que esta redu����o seja concretizada. Relativamente ao caso concreto do edificado, o consumo de energia nos edif��cios Europeus �� muito significativo, quer ao n��vel das solu����es construtivas, dos sistemas e dos equipamentos. Como tal, podem ser tomadas medidas que podem ter um impacto significativo para a redu����o dos consumos. O presente trabalho passa pelo estudo do potencial para a efici��ncia energ��tica de tr��s lares de idosos situados no Porto. A auditoria efetuada revelou um enorme potencial de poupan��a energ��tica, nomeadamente de energia el��trica e g��s natural. As medidas a adotar para reduzir os consumos energ��ticos do edif��cio passam pela substitui����o da ilumina����o existente por uma mais eficiente e de menor pot��ncia, a instala����o de pain��is solares para reduzir o consumo destinado ��s ��guas quentes sanit��rias (nos dois lares que ainda n��o possuem este tipo de sistema), a substitui����o das caldeiras a g��s natural por biomassa, a instala����o de equipamentos para monitoriza����o de consumos, entre outros. Atrav��s da recolha e tratamento de dados com um analisador de energia foi poss��vel verificar que a implementa����o de uma solu����o de monitoriza����o de consumos energ��ticos nos lares poder�� permitir baixar os custos da fatura energ��tica.

Impacto da Introdu����o de Baterias de armazenamento de Energia em Smart Grids

De forma a n��o comprometer o conforto ou a qualidade de vida, nos dias de hoje, �� obrigat��rio que a energia el��trica esteja presente. Sendo indispens��vel, torna-se necess��rio assegurar que a sua distribui����o seja feita da forma mais qualitativa poss��vel. Uma resposta r��pida e eficaz a poss��veis falhas que ocorram na rede, ir�� garantir a tal qualidade de servi��o desejada. Para isso, a automatiza����o dos processos �� uma grande evolu����o e objetivo de concretiza����o do setor el��trico. Neste contexto surge o conceito de Smart Grid, que tem como principal objetivo a combina����o entre o setor el��trico e a evolu����o da tecnologia. A par desta caracter��stica, estes tipos de redes v��m tamb��m trazer evolu����es no ��mbito ambiental, pois a produ����o de energia el��trica �� feita, maioritariamente, por fontes de energia renov��vel. Este projeto incide na an��lise das vantagens t��cnicas e econ��micas da inclus��o de equipamentos que det��m capacidades de armazenamento de energia, as Baterias de Armazenamento de Energia (BAE), neste tipo de redes. Para tal, procedeu-se �� utiliza����o do m��todo do Despacho Econ��mico, que tem como principal objetivo a determina����o dos n��veis de produ����o de todas as unidades geradoras do sistema, satisfazendo a carga, ao mais baixo custo de produ����o. Com este m��todo, foram criados v��rios cen��rios de estudo com vista a validar todo o prop��sito deste projeto. Nesta disserta����o, �� tamb��m realizado um estudo de viabilidade econ��mica destes equipamentos de armazenamento de energia.

Sea urchin granuloma

Injuries caused by venomous and poisonous aquatic animals may provoke important morbidity in humans. The phylum Echinoderma include more than 6000 species of starfish, sea urchins, sand dollars, and sea cucumbers some of which have been found responsible for injuries to humans. Initial injuries by sea urchins are associated with trauma and envenomation, but later effects can be observed. Sea urchin granuloma is a chronic granulomatous skin disease caused by frequent and successive penetration of sea urchin spines which have not been removed from wounds. The authors report a typical case of sea urchin granuloma in a fisherman and its therapeutic implications.

Autoconsumo: Um Elemento de Efici��ncia Energ��tica

Nos ��ltimos anos assistiu-se ao crescente aumento do custo da Energia El��trica (EE), com grande impacto ap��s o ano 2012 devido �� altera����o no escal��o da taxa de IVA aplic��vel. Por outro lado tem-se ainda vindo a verificar o aumento do d��fice tarif��rio devido a um conjunto de medidas e decis��es estrat��gicas que atualmente est��o a ser pagas por todos os consumidores de energia. A introdu����o dos programas da microprodu����o seguida da miniprodu����o, por parte da Dire����o Geral de Energia e Geologia (DGEG), permitiu aos pequenos e grandes consumidores de EE, efetuar localmente produ����o de EE por intermedio de fontes renov��veis. Contudo, segundo as ���limita����es��� por parte destes programas, apenas era permitido aos novos pequenos produtores injetar toda a eletricidade produzida na rede el��trica, n��o proporcionando qualquer benef��cio ao n��vel do consumo de energia local. Ano ap��s ano, tem-se verificado uma revis��o negativa, por parte da DGEG, sobre as tarifas de remunera����o da energia produzida por estes sistemas, o que abalou significativamente um setor que at�� aqui tinha vindo a crescer a passos largos. Tendo em conta esta nova realidade surge a necessidade de procurar alternativas mais vi��veis. A alternativa proposta, n��o �� nada mais do que uma ���revis��o eficiente��� dos atuais sistemas em vigor, permitindo assim aos pequenos produtores, atenuar os consumos energ��ticos e injetar na rede os excedentes de energia. O Autoconsumo revoluciona assim os atuais mecanismos existentes, garantindo deste modo que os consumidores de EE possam reduzir a sua fatura de eletricidade atrav��s da gera����o local de energia.

Effects of Environmental Organochlorine Pesticides on Human Breast Cancer: Putative Involvement on Invasive Cell Ability

Human exposure to persistent organic pollutants (POPs) is a certainty, even to long banned pesticides like o,p���-dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (o,p���-DDT), and its metabolites p,p���-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p���-DDE), and p,p���-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (p,p���-DDD). POPs are known to be particularly toxic and have been associated with endocrine-disrupting effects in several mammals, including humans even at very low doses. As environmental estrogens, they could play a critical role in carcinogenesis, such as in breast cancer. With the purpose of evaluating their effect on breast cancer biology, o,p���-DDT, p,p���-DDE, and p,p���-DDD (50���1000 nM) were tested on two human breast adenocarcinoma cell lines: MCF-7 expressing estrogen receptor (ER) �� and MDA-MB-231 negative for ER��, regarding cell proliferation and viability in addition to their invasive potential. Cell proliferation and viability were not equally affected by these compounds. In MCF-7 cells, the compounds were able to decrease cell proliferation and viability. On the other hand, no evident response was observed in treated MDA-MB-231 cells. Concerning the invasive potential, the less invasive cell line, MCF-7, had its invasion potential significantly induced, while the more invasive cell line MDA-MB-231, had its invasion potential dramatically reduced in the presence of the tested compounds. Altogether, the results showed that these compounds were able to modulate several cancer-related processes, namely in breast cancer cell lines, and underline the relevance of POP exposure to the risk of cancer development and progression, unraveling distinct pathways of action of these compounds on tumor cell biology.

Giardia lamblia and other intestinal parasitic infections and their relationships with nutritional status in children in Brazilian Amazon

The objective of this survey was to assess the relationships between intestinal parasitism, nutritional status and hemoglobin level in children with Indian ascendancy living in an urban area in Brazilian Amazon. We carried out a cross-sectional survey obtaining anthropometric, parasitological and socioeconomic data, and hemoglobin measurements of children aged six to 84 months. Anthropometric data were expressed as z-scores for weight for age (WAZ), height for age (HAZ), weight for height (WHZ) and mid upper circumference for age (MUACZ) parameters. Parasitological examinations were performed through Ritchie (n = 307), Kato-Katz (n = 278), Baermann-Moraes (n = 238) and Safranin-methylene blue methods (n = 307). Hemoglobin measurements were obtained with a Hemocue�� photometer (n = 282). Socioeconomic data were used in order to classify children in three family income strata (n = 242). Multiple linear regression analysis showed independent interactions between Giardia lamblia and WAZ (beta = -0.195, SE = 0.138, p = 0.003), WHZ (beta = -0.161, SE = 0.133, p = 0.018) and MUACZ (beta = -0.197, SE = 0.143, p = 0.011), controlling for age, sex, family income, Ascaris lumbricoides, and hookworm infection. Also, the multivariate model showed that the only variable associated with hemoglobin levels was age. Intestinal parasitism control should increase children's possibilities of full development in the studied area.

Unidade Coordenadora Funcional da Maternidade Dr. Alfredo da Costa. Alguns N��meros

A Maternidade Dr. Alfredo da Costa mant��m uma interac����o com os Centros de Sa��de da sua ��rea de refer��ncia e que constituem a Unidade Coordenadora Funcional. S��o analisados alguns aspectos do movimento assistencial no ano de 2003, no que diz respeito a alguns dados perinatais, idade materna, tipo de parto, patologia da gravidez e dos rec��m-nascidos. �� tamb��m analisada a mortalidade perinatal na componente fetal e neonatal. Conclui-se da import��ncia que esta an��lise pode ter na defini����o de estrat��gias para melhoria da qualidade.

Viol��ncia anticlerical na I Rep��blica (1910-1917): perspectivas antropol��gicas e historiogr��ficas

Disserta����o apresentada para cumprimento dos requisitos necess��rios �� obten����o do grau de Mestre em Antropologia ��� Cultura Material e Consumos,

Inflammatory and Cardiometabolic Risk on Obesity: Role of Environmental Xenoestrogens

Context: Some chemicals used in consumer products or manufacturing (eg, plastics, pesticides) have estrogenic activities; these xenoestrogens (XEs) may affect immune responses and have recently emerged as a new risk factors for obesity and cardiovascular disease. However, the extent and impact on health of chronic exposure of the general population to XEs are still unknown. Objective: The objective of the study was to investigate the levels of XEs in plasma and adipose tissue (AT) depots in a sample of pre- and postmenopausal obese women undergoing bariatric surgery and their cardiometabolic impact in an obese state. Design and Participants: We evaluated XE levels in plasma and visceral and subcutaneous AT samples of Portuguese obese (body mass index ��� 35 kg/m2) women undergoing bariatric surgery. Association with metabolic parameters and 10-year cardiovascular disease risk was assessed, according to menopausal status (73 pre- and 48 postmenopausal). Levels of XEs were determined by gas chromatography with electron-capture detection. Anthropometric and biochemical data were collected prior to surgery. Adipocyte size was determined on tissue sections obtained during surgery. Results: Our data show that XEs are pervasive in this obese population. Distribution of individual and concentration of total XEs differed between plasma, visceral AT, and subcutaneous AT, and the pattern of accumulation was different between pre- and postmenopausal women. Significant associations between XE levels and metabolic and inflammatory parameters were found. In premenopausal women, XEs in plasma seem to be a predictor of 10-year cardiovascular disease risk. Conclusions: Our findings point toward a different distribution of XE between plasma and AT in pre- and postmenopausal women, and reveal the association between XEs on the development of metabolic abnormalities in obese premenopausal women