Abstract Introduction: At the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic, the Central Regional Health Administration recommended that all women with a positive HPV test for types non 16 or 18 (HR-HPV) and reflex cytology ASC-US/LSIL, should repeat screening after 12 months, in primary healthcare. Objective: Our main goal was to evaluate the impact of this orientation, searching for persistence or elimination of HPV infection, related risk factors, and secondarily, assessing the development of dysplasia. Design: A nested case-control was performed (cases: HPV persistence; control: HPV elimination). Setting and Participants: The initial cohort, included 215 women (HR-HPV/ASCUS or LSIL), referred to the Gynecologic department of Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Coimbra. They were screened from 27 of March 2019 to 30 March of 2020. The data were collected through medical records, in March 2022. Main outcome measures: This sample was evaluated through two rounds. In the first round, 189 were sent back to primary healthcare and 26 older women remained at the department. At the second round, 51 were readmitted, based on a second positive HPV test. For analysis purposes, we divided our sample in three groups: the first with 97 women that repeated the HPV test at primary healthcare (92 missed the retest), the second with 77 women evaluated at the department (26 at first round and 51 at second round) and the third, by 111 that repeated a second HPV test. Results: About 47% of those who repeated the HPV test at primary healthcare, cleared the infection. From the 77 evaluated at the department, only five cases had HSIL/CIN2. After 24 months of follow-up, about 50% have HR-HPV infection. Smoking habits and menopause were related with higher persistence. Conclusion: For women with HR-HPV and ASCUS or LSIL reflex cytology, repeating HPV testing at 12 months, seems to be a safety measure.

Resumo Introdução: No início da pandemia COVID-19, a Administração Regional de Saúde do Centro recomendou que todas as mulheres com teste de HPV positivo para tipos não 16 ou 18 (HR-HPV) e citologia reflexa ASC-US/LSIL deveriam repetir rastreio ao fim de 12 meses, em cuidados de saúde primários. Objetivo: O objetivo principal do trabalho é avaliar o impacto desta orientação. Primariamente pretende-se avaliar persistência e/ou eliminação da infeção por HPV, e identificar potencias fatores de risco relacionados e, secundariamente, avaliar o desenvolvimento de displasia. Desenho: Foi realizado um caso-controle aninhado (casos: persistência de infeção por HPV; controlos: eliminação da infeção). Local e participantes: A coorte inicial incluiu 215 mulheres (HR-HPV/ASCUS ou LSIL), rastreadas de 27 de março 2019 a 30 de março de 2020 e encaminhadas para o Serviço de Ginecologia do Instituto Português de Oncologia de Coimbra. Os dados foram obtidos durante o mês de Março de 2022, por consulta dos processos clínicos. Métodos: Esta amostra foi avaliada através de duas rondas. Na primeira, 189 mulheres foram devolvidas aos cuidados de saúde primários e 26 com idades superiores a 50 anos permaneceram no serviço. Na segunda ronda, 51 foram readmitidas, por segundo teste de HPV positivo. A análise da coorte foi estratificada em três grupos: o primeiro com 97 mulheres que repetiram o teste de HPV em cuidados de saúde primários (92 faltaram), o segundo com 77 mulheres avaliadas no serviço (26 na primeira ronda e 51 na segunda ronda) e o terceiro, pelas 111 mulheres que repetiram um segundo teste de HPV. Resultados: Aproximadamente 47% das mulheres que repetiram o teste de HPV nos cuidados de saúde primários eliminaram a infeção. Das 77 avaliadas no serviço, apenas cincos desenvolveram HSIL/CIN2. Ao fim de 24 meses de seguimento, aproximadamente 50% manteve infeção por HR-HPV. O hábito tabágico e as mulheres na menopausa, apresentaram maior risco de persistência. Conclusão: A reavaliação de mulheres com infeção HR-HPV e citologia reflexa ASCUS ou LSIL, ao fim de 12 meses da colheita inicial, parece ser uma medida segura.

Abstract The aim of this study is to investigate the application of ultrasound in the extraction of betanin from beets (Beta vulgaris) using Deep eutectic solvents (DES). The extraction process was optimized using response surface methodology. The time variable was found to be correlated with the extraction performance. Three DES (choline chloride: urea (CC:U), choline chloride: glycerol (CC:G), and choline chloride: citric acid (CC:Ac)) were studied. The concentration of betanin extracted with CC:U, CC:G, and CC:Ac was 41.27-67.51, 82.46-104.45, and 50.06-111.93 mg/100 g. The maximum betanin extraction of 111.193 mg/100 g was achieved with CC:Ac in 38 min using 44% DES in water in an ultrasonic bath. These results demonstrate that DESs are excellent solvents for the extraction of betanin with superior efficiency to conventional extraction solvents. Ultrasound significantly improved the efficiency of betanin extraction from beets. However, a higher betanin content in the extracts did not translate into greater active antioxidant capacity, which may be related to the synergistic effects of other compounds present in the beet extracts. This study is the first attempt to optimize the parameters for ultrasound extraction of betanin from B. vulgaris using eutectic solvents.

Resumo Introdução: Dados oficiais revelam que a mortalidade por todas as causas, em Portugal, em 2020 é superior à de 2019. O receio dos doentes de contágio por SARS-CoV-2 condicionou o protelar de avaliações médicas por opção ou imposição e o recurso aos Serviços de Urgência (SU) não foi exceção. O objetivo foi comparar as características demográficas, clínicas e analíticas dos doentes falecidos num SU dedicado à COVID-19, com igual período do ano pregresso. Material e Métodos: Estudo retrospetivo, no qual foram analisadas as notas de alta dos doentes que faleceram durante a permanência no SU entre os dias 18 de março e 22 de junho de 2019 e 2020. A análise estatística foi realizada com recurso ao programa IBM SPSS. Resultados: Durante o período analisado faleceram no SU 33 doentes no ano de 2019 e 99 doentes em 2020, o que equivale a uma taxa de mortalidade de 0,34% e 1,89%, respetivamente. Destaca-se que, em 2020, apenas 4,04% (n = 4) dos óbitos eram de doentes com zaragatoas SARS-CoV-2 positivas ainda que todos os falecidos apresentassem infeções respiratórias graves. Houve uma diferença estatisticamente significativa no que concerne ao tempo de permanência no SU (p < 0,01), alectuamento (p = 0,04), demência (p = 0,03) e presença de insuficiência respiratória à admissão (p = 0,001). Não se verificaram diferenças no que diz respeito aos dados demográficos, maioria das comorbilidades e parâmetros analíticos. Conclusão: Em relação a 2019, os óbitos verificados em 2020 no SU ocorreram em doentes mais vulneráveis e com doença mais grave. Foi a procura mais tardia dos cuidados hospitalares, particularmente na agudização de doenças crónicas, que condicionou, de forma irreversível, este desfecho. O número de mortes passível de ser atribuído à COVID-19 é ínfimo, merecendo reflexão e readaptação de boas práticas que assegurem que os doentes sejam admitidos nos SU dentro das janelas temporais preconizadas e de acordo com as patologias suspeitas.

Abstract Introduction: Official data shows increased excess all-cause mortality in 2020 compared to 2019. Fear of expo-sure constrained medical evaluations which were delayed by either choice or imposition. Going to the emergency department (ED) was no exception. Our objective was to compare demographic, clinical and analytical characteristics of pa-tients who died in a COVID-19 dedicated ED with the same period of 2019. Material and Methods: Retrospective study analysing patient discharge notes who have died during ED permanence between March 18th and June 22nd of 2019 and in the same period of 2020. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS software. Results: A total of 33 patients died in 2019 whereas 99 died in 2020 during the analysed period, representing a mortality rate of 0.34% and 1.89%, respectively. Only 4.04% (n = 4) of deceased patients tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 in 2020, while all showed severe respiratory infections. There was a statistically significant difference concerning length of stay in ED (p < 0.01), being bedridden (p = 0.04), dementia (p = 0.03) and presence of respiratory failure at admission (p = 0.001). There were no differences regarding demographic data, comorbidities, and other analytical parameters. Conclusion: In 2020, deaths in the ED occurred among more vulnerable patients and with more severe disease. It was the later demand for hospital care, particularly in the worsening of chronic diseases, that irreversibly conditioned this outcome, especially in the context of chronic diseases exacerbation. Furthermore, the number of deaths that can be attributed to COVID-19 is negligible, deserving reflection and readaptation of good practices ensuring that patients are admitted to the ED within the recommended time and in accordance with the suspected pathologies.

Abstract Vulvar malignant melanoma (VMM) is a rare type of tumor, accounting for 5% of all vulvar malignancies, with an incidence of 1.36 cases per million women per year. Patients usually present a pigmented lesion or nodule, but VMM can be macroscopically amelanotic in 30% of cases. The authors report the case of a 64-year-old woman presenting a nodular unpigmented vulvar lesion, whose histology revealed a vulvar malignant melanoma.

Abstract Synchronous tumors are rare. Endometrial and ovarian cancer presents with different clinical characteristics compared to patients with isolated tumors. The authors present a case of a 49 years old woman with synchronous endometrial and ovarian cancer (SEOC) identified by clinical and imagiologic exams. The patient underwent an exploratory laparotomy. SEOC were diagnosis and treated in early stage for both type of cancer with a good prognosis and survival. This article aims to draw attention to the need to distinguish of a diagnosis of a primary endometrial cancer with ovarian metastasis or primary ovarian cancer with endometrial metastasis.

Introdução: O angioedema isolado é um efeito adverso raro, mas potencialmente fatal, da toma de fármacos inibidores do eixo renina-angiotensina-aldosterona (iRAA). Objetivos: Caracterizar os episódios de angioedema localizados à face e via aérea superior relacionados com a toma destes fármacos nos doentes referenciados ao Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Ocidental. Métodos: Análise retrospetiva observacional dos doentes com diagnóstico de angioedema da região da face e via aérea superior relacionados com a toma de iRAA. Critérios de inclusão: episódios únicos ou recorrentes de angioedema sob terapêutica com iRAA. Foram excluídos doentes com angioedema associado a urticária e hipersensibilidade a anti-inflamatórios não esteroides. Resultados: Amostra constituída por 49 doentes: 23 do sexo feminino, média de idades 67 anos (min=28;máx=93). Os inibidores da enzima de conversão da angiotensina (IECA) foram a classe relacionada com o desenvolvimento de angioedema em 77,55% (n = 38), os antagonistas dos recetores da aldosterona (ARA II) em 18,37% (n=9) e a associação dos dois foi encontrada em 4,08% dos casos (n=2). Os locais envolvidos foram: face 44,9% (n=22), via aérea 34,7% (n=17), envolvimento da face e via área 20,4% (n= 10). A taxa de recorrência ao serviço de urgência hospitalar foi de 63,3% (n=31). Foi realizada traqueotomia em um doente. Conclusões: O diagnóstico e a abordagem do angioedema relacionado com os fármacos iRAA representa um desafio. Embora os IECA estejam mais frequentemente associados, os ARA II não podem ser considerados uma alternativa segura aos primeiros.

Introduction: Although rare, angioedema is an adverse event of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors (RAAi) that can be fatal due to airway obstruction. Objective: The aim of this study was to describe these episodes in patients referred to a tertiary care hospital in Lisbon, Portugal. Methods: Retrospective observational study. Inclusion criteria: patients diagnosed with angioedema of the face and upper airway, under treatment with RAAi; exclusion criteria: patients diagnosed with angioedema associated to urticaria or hypersensitivity to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Results 49 patients were reviewed, 23 of which were female, median age of 67 years old (min=28; máx=93). Angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) were related to the event in 77.55% of the cases (n = 38), angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) in 18.37% (n=9) and a combination of the two drugs in 4.08%(n=2). The episodes were located to the face region in 44.9% of the cases (n=22); to the airway in 34.7% (n=17); and a combination of the two in 20.4% (n= 10). Patients resort to an emergency department in 63.3% of the cases (n=31). Tracheotomy was necessary in one patient. Conclusions: The diagnosis and management of angioedema related to the RAAi represents a challenge. Although ACEi are more frequently associated with the episodes, ARBs cannot be considered as a safe alternative.

Abstract Two types of Epstein Barr virus (EBV1/EBV2) have been shown to infect humans. Although their genomes are similar, the regions containing the EBNA genes differ. This study aimed to characterize the EBV genotypes of infectious mononucleosis (IM) cases in the metropolitan region of Belém, Brazil, from 2005 to 2016. A total of 8295 suspected cases with symptoms/signs of IM were investigated by infectious disease physicians at Evandro Chagas Institute, Health Care Service, from January 2005 to December 2016. Out of the total, 1645 (19.8%) samples had positive results for EBV by enzyme immunoassay and 251 (15.3%) were submitted to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique, using the EBNA3C region, in order to determine the type of EBV. Biochemical testing involving aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and gamma-glutamyl transferase were also performed. EBV type was identified by PCR in 30.3% (76/251) of individuals; of those, 71.1% (54/76) were classified as EBV1, 17.1% (13/76) as EBV2, and 11.8% (9/76) as EBV1+EBV2. The main symptoms/signs observed with EBV1 infection were cervical lymphadenopathy (64.8%, 35/54), fever (63%, 34/54), headache (20.4%, 11/54), arthralgia (20.4%, 11/54), and exanthema (18.5%, 10/54). EBV2 infection was detected in all but two age groups, with an average age of 24 years. The most common signs/symptoms of EBV2 were fever (76.9%, 10/13), average duration of 18 days, and lymphadenopathy (69.2%, 9/13). In contrast, EBV1+EBV2 coinfections were more frequent in those aged five years or less (20.0%, 2/10). The symptoms of EBV1+EBV2 coinfection included fever (66.7%, 6/9), and cervical lymphadenopathy and headache (33.3%, 3/9) each. The mean values of hepatic enzymes according to type of EBV was significantly different (p<0.05) in those EBV1 infected over 14 years of age. Thus, this pioneering study, using molecular methods, identified the EBV genotypes in 30.3% of the samples, with circulation of EBV1, EBV2, and EBV1+EBV2 co-infection in cases of infectious mononucleosis in the northern region of Brazil.

Mesonephric hyperplasia (MH) is a very rare condition. There are few cases in the literature. Mesonephric remnants (MR) or MH can be a rare source of abnormal Papanicolaou smears. The most common, often difficult, in the differential diagnosis of MH is mesonephric carcinoma that has a poor prognosis. We report a case of a 29-years-old with a routine Papanicolaou smear reported as atypical glandular cells. The patient underwent to a loop electrosurgical excision procedure and because it is a benign condition and a strong desire to preserve fertility, we opted for clinical surveillance.

Introduction: The goal of this work is to validate tools to assess clinical competences of undergraduate medical students in the workplace. One of the most well-known scales is the Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise (Mini-CEX). This scale has been vastly studied, however, its validity is very variable amongst studies and it has never been validated to the EU-Portuguese language and context. Subjects and methods: The translation process of the Mini-CEX was conducted by 2 bilingual individuals and overseen by four physicians specialized in medical education. We performed methods of both qualitative (translation, assessment of the translation, back translation) and quantitative nature (internal consistency, construct and content validity analysis). The scale was applied to 3rd year medical students in a simulated assessment environment with a final sample size of 818 assessments. Results: The results show that the Portuguese version of the Mini-CEX is a valid scale and fit its purpose for the assessment of clinical competencies. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient (0.927), confirmed the internal consistency of the scale. Additionally, the validity analysis also proved to be satisfactory, with confirmatory results for all domains of the analysis. Conclusions: This work intends to provide a scale, translated, adapted and validated to Portuguese that is focused on clinical competencies. Given the confirmatory results of the scale's validity, supporting its feasibility and applicability, we believe this tool is ready to be implemented as a complement to clinical skills assessment.

Introducción: El objetivo de este trabajo es validar herramientas para evaluar las competencias clínicas de los estudiantes de medicina de pregrado en el lugar de trabajo. Una de las escalas más conocidas es el Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise (Mini-CEX). Esta escala se ha estudiado ampliamente, pero su validez es muy variable entre los estudios y nunca se ha validado para el idioma y el contexto portugués europeo. Sujetos y métodos: El proceso de traducción del Mini-CEX fue realizado por dos personas bilingües y supervisado por cuatro médicos especializados en educación médica. Se llevaron a cabo métodos de naturaleza cualitativa (traducción, evaluación de la traducción, traducción inversa) y cuantitativa (consistencia interna, construcción y análisis de validez de contenido). La escala se aplicó a estudiantes de medicina de tercer año en un entorno de evaluación simulada, con un tamaño final de la muestra de 818 evaluaciones. Resultados: Los resultados muestran que la versión portuguesa del Mini-CEX es una escala válida y se ajusta a su propósito para la evaluación de las competencias clínicas. El coeficiente alfa de Cronbach (0,927) confirmó la consistencia interna de la escala. Además, el análisis de validez también demostró ser satisfactorio, con resultados confirmatorios para todos los dominios del análisis. Conclusiones: Este trabajo pretende proporcionar una escala, traducida, adaptada y validada al portugués, que se centre en las competencias clínicas. Dados los resultados confirmatorios de la validez de la escala, que respaldan su viabilidad y aplicabilidad, creemos que esta herramienta está lista para implementarse como complemento de la evaluación de habilidades clínicas.

Resumo Embora o teratoma cístico maduro (MCT) seja benigno, a transformação maligna (MT) ocorre em cerca de 1% a 2% dos casos, e geralmente apresenta-se sob a forma de carcinoma espinocelular (CEC), responsável por cerca de 80% dos casos. O carcinoma (sarcomatoide) de células fusiformes (CSCF) é um tipo incomum de CEC, compreendendo até 3% de todos os casos. A falta de sintomas característicos e achados imagiológicos específicos pode levar a erros diagnósticos pré-operatórios. Além disso, as características clinico-patológicas, o tratamento, os fatores prognósticos e o mecanismo da MT ainda não são bem compreendidos devido à raridade de tais tumores, principalmente em mulheres em idade reprodutiva. Os autores apresentam um caso de uma paciente de 34 anos com 14 semanas de gestação que foi diagnosticada comumamassa anexial sugestiva de teratoma do ovário. A anexectomia laparoscópica foi realizada após 6 meses do parto, e o exame histológico revelou um CEC sarcomatoide tendo como origem um MCT.

Abstract Although mature cystic teratoma (MCT) is benign, malignant transformation (MT) occurs in ~ 1% to 2% of all cases, and usually consists of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), which accounts for ~ 80% of the cases. Spindle-cell (sarcomatoid) carcinoma (SCSC) is an uncommon type of SCC, comprising up to 3% of all cases. The lack of characteristic symptoms and specific imaging findings may lead to preoperative misdiagnosis. Moreover, the clinicopathologic characteristics, the treatment, the prognostic factors and the mechanism of MT have not yet been well understood due to the rarity of such tumors, especially in women of reproductive age. The authors present a case of a 34- year-old patient with 14 weeks of gestation who was diagnosed with an adnexal mass suggestive of ovarian teratoma. A laparoscopy salpingo-oophorectomy was performed after 6 months of delivery, and the histological exam revealed a sarcomatoid SCC in the MCT.

Although endometrial cancer is primarily a postmenopausal disease, around 4 percent of patients are younger than 40 years and may desire fertility, requiring conservative treatment options. We describe a clinical case of a 34-year-old nulligesta diagnosed with early stage endometrial carcinoma who achieved a term pregnancy with live birth after conservative fertility sparing treatment with progestins. At two-year follow up, after childbearing and still preserving fertility, she remains in complete remission of the disease. An insight on conservative approaches is provided and potential risks are discussed.

ABSTRACT The aim of this work was to evaluate the roots influence on the shear strength of a clay soil and a sandy soil. Soil samples with and without roots were collected from experimental plantations of Atlantic Forest native species. The soil samples were then physically characterized and their shear strength tested in a laboratory. The results indicated that the soils’ shear strength and compressive strength were increased by the roots. In the sandy soil, roots influenced the shear strength by increasing the cohesion value (234%), while in the clay soil they influenced the shear strength mainly by increasing the cohesion value (32%) and the internal friction angle (14.4%). This information can ultimately be part of the technical justifications that ratify the use of plants in erosion control and slope stabilization works.

ABSTRACT Vegetative propagation by live cuttings is an alternative to reproduce native plants with the potential to be used in restoration of riparian forests and degraded areas. This propagation capacity is intrinsic to each species and is influenced by several factors, particularly the time of the year when cuttings are collected. The aim of this work was to investigate the influence of the season of the year on the vegetative propagation of live cuttings for the species Allamanda cathartica, Cephalanthus glabratus, Escallonia bifida, Ludwigia elegans, Sambucus australis, Sesbania virgata and Terminalia australis . The experiment was conducted at the Soil Bioengineering Laboratory of the Federal University of Santa Maria during two periods of the year (autumn/winter and late winter/spring). All species presented vegetative propagation capacity ranging from 23.3% to 100%, and the species generally showed better results in late winter/spring.

ABSTRACT The aim of this work was to evaluate the development of shrub live cuttings and their effect on slope stability. Vertical in situ pullout tests and measurements of Phyllanthus sellowianus shoots and roots of 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 14 months old were conducted. Stability analyses were conducted for slopes with planar and curved rupture surfaces and for soils with and without plants. The results showed that seasons affected plants growth and their ability to provide soil strength. Soil shear strength values ranged from 4.5 kPa (2 months old) to 47.6 kPa (14 months old). The critical factors of safety (FS) for slopes for both planar and curved rupture surfaces were found in the absence of plants and reached the stability condition (FS>2) with plants at 4 (planar) and 6 (curved) months old.