Long COVID Following Mild SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Retrospective Study in a Portuguese Primary Health Care Unit.

Introduction: Long COVID is a recent pathological entity. Its manifestations and impact on health and quality of life and, on a larger scale, at an economic and social level may be very significant, reflecting a challenge for the future. The family doctor plays a major role in the care of these patients and must be aware of this new reality.

Groundwater salinization risk assessment using combined artificial intelligence models.

Assessing the risk of groundwater contamination is of crucial importance for the management of water resources, particularly in arid regions such as Menzel Habib (south-eastern Tunisia). The aim of this research is to create and validate artificial intelligence models based on the original DRASTIC vulnerability methodology to explain groundwater salinization risk (GSR). To this end, several algorithms, such as artificial neural networks (ANN), support vector regression (SVR), and multiple linear regression (MLR), were applied to the Menzel Habib aquifer system.

Thermodynamic Guidelines for the Mechanosynthesis or Solid-State Synthesis of MnFeO at Relatively Low Temperatures.

Herein, thermodynamic assessment is proposed to screen suitable precursors for the solid-state synthesis of manganese ferrite, by mechanosynthesis at room temperature or by subsequent calcination at relatively low temperatures, and the main findings are validated by experimental results for the representative precursor mixtures MnO + FeO, MnO + FeO, and MnO +2FeCO. Thermodynamic guidelines are provided for the synthesis of manganese ferrite from (i) oxide and/or metallic precursors; (ii) carbonate + carbonate or carbonate + oxide powder mixtures; (iii) other precursors. It is also shown that synthesis from metallic precursors (Mn + 2Fe) requires a controlled oxygen supply in limited redox conditions, which is hardly achieved by reducing gases H/HO or CO/CO.

COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness among healthcare workers: a hospital-based cohort study.

Objectives: Healthcare workers (HCWs) were the first to be prioritised for COVID-19 vaccination. This study aims to estimate the COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness (VE) against SARS-CoV-2 symptomatic infection among HCWs in Portuguese hospitals.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Groundwater quality for irrigation in an arid region-application of fuzzy logic techniques.

Groundwater is the main source to answer the irrigation supply in several arid and semi-arid areas. In the present work, groundwater quality for irrigation purposes in the arid region of Menzel Habib (Tunisia) for thirty-six groundwater samples is assessed considering the application of different conventional water quality indicators, particularly, electrical conductivity (EC), sodium absorption ratio (SAR), soluble sodium percentage (SSP), magnesium adsorption ratio (MAR), Kelly ratio (KR), and permeability index (PI). The results obtained indicate a variability for EC: 3.

Long-term serological SARS-CoV-2 IgG kinetics following mRNA COVID-19 vaccine: real-world data from a large cohort of healthcare workers.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess kinetics and predictive variables of humoral immune response to mRNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccine administration.

Methods: We collected blood samples before (T0) and 15, 90, and 180 days after vaccination (T1, T2, and T3, respectively). The Quant SARS-CoV-2 Immunoglobulin (IgG) II Chemiluminescent Microparticle Immunoassay was used to determine anti-spike IgG.

A single dose of COVID-19 vaccine induces a strong T cell and B cell response in healthcare professionals recovered from SARS-CoV-2 infection.

A broad understanding on how SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination mobilize the immune system is necessary to find the best predictors of long-term protection and identify individuals that would benefit from additional vaccine doses. This study aims to understand the effect of a single dose of Pfizer-BioNTech BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine, in individuals recovered from SARS-CoV-2 infection, on circulating CD4 T follicular helper (Tfh)-cells, Spike-specific T-cells and IgG/IgA antibodies. For that, peripheral blood samples from 50 healthcare professionals, recovered from SARS-CoV-2 infection, collected immediately before (T1) and 15 days after (T2) vaccine administration, were used to analyze the frequency and numbers of Tfh-cells and their subsets, serum titers of SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies, and SARS-CoV-2-specific T-cells.

Humoral response to the SARS-CoV-2 BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine: Real-world data from a large cohort of healthcare workers.

Background: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic was responsible for the death of millions of people around the world, which accelerated the study of vaccines. The BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 is a messenger RNA vaccine that encodes the spike protein of the virus. However, the duration of the protection conferred by this vaccine and factors associated with immune responses require validation in large cohorts.

Health Care Workers not in the frontline are more frequently carriers of Coronavirus Disease 2019: The Experience of a Tertiary Portuguese Hospital.

Background: Health care workers (HCWs) have a high risk of infection with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), especially those treating patients with confirmed or suspected diagnosis (front-line).

Aim: To evaluate the incidence and prevalence of the COVID-19 infection among HCWs and to analyse the risk factors and the clinical characteristics among infected ones.

Methods: Observational, retrospective, single-center study (Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Portugal).

Dermatitis neglecta: a challenging diagnosis in psychodermatology.

Dermatitis neglecta is a condition affecting the skin caused by a lack of hygiene. It may be related to psychiatric and neurological disturbances. The appearance of skin lesions results from neglect, which helps distinguish this condition from other similar clinical entities.

Occupational allergic contact dermatitis caused by antibiotics in healthcare workers - relationship with non-immediate drug eruptions.

Background: Occupational allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) in healthcare workers (HCWs) is common, but systemic antibiotics are rarely reported as the cause.

Objectives: Characterize occupational ACD by handling systemic antibiotics.

Method: A retrospective analysis was performed of ACD caused by systemic antibiotics among HCWs patch tested between 2010 and 2016 with a series of systemic antibiotics.

Breech Presentation: Vaginal Versus Cesarean Delivery, Which Intervention Leads to the Best Outcomes?

Introduction: The best route of delivery for the term breech fetus is still controversial. We aim to compare maternal and neonatal outcomes between vaginal and cesarean term breech deliveries.

Material And Methods: Multicentric retrospective cohort study of singleton term breech fetuses delivered vaginally or by elective cesarean section from January 2012 - October 2014.

[Visceral Leishmaniasis in HIV-Infected Patients: The Challenge of Relapse and Treatment Failure].

Introduction: Visceral leishmaniasis is an endemic disseminated infection, considered to be the third most frequent opportunistic parasitic infection in Europe. It is especially prevalent in patients co-infected with human immunodeficiency virus, in whom it poses a great therapeutic challenge due to increased risk of relapse. The goal of this study is to characterize a population of co-infected patients, as well as the efficiency of the adopted treatment strategies.

Structure and Electrical-Transport Relations in Ba(Zr,Pr)O Perovskites.

Members of the perovskite solid solution BaZrPrO (0.2 ≤ x ≤ 0.8) with potential high-temperature electrochemical applications were synthesized via mechanical activation and high-temperature annealing at 1250 °C.

[Main Causes of Occupational Allergic Contact Dermatitis: A Three Year Study in the Center of Portugal].

Introduction: Allergic contact dermatitis, along with irritant contact dermatitis and immediate contact reactions, contact urticarial, are the most frequent dermatological occupational disease, but seldom reported to the National authorities.

Material And Methods: We performed a 3-year retrospective study at the allergology section in the Dermatology Clinic of the University Hospital of Coimbra to evaluate the main occupations diagnosed as occupational allergic contact dermatitis, most common allergens and the effect of the modification of the work station in the evolution of the disease.

Results: During 2012 - 2014 among the 941 patch tested patients, 77 (8.

Site Redistribution, Partial Frozen-in Defect Chemistry, and Electrical Properties of Ba1-x(Zr,Pr)O3-δ.

Changes in nominal composition of the perovskite (ABO3) solid solution Ba1-x(Zr,Pr)O3-δ and adjusted firing conditions at very high temperatures were used to induce structural changes involving site redistribution and frozen-in point defects, as revealed by Raman and photoluminescence spectroscopies. Complementary magnetic measurements allowed quantification of the reduced content of Pr. Weak dependence of oxygen stoichiometry with temperature was obtained by coulometric titration at temperatures below 1000 °C, consistent with a somewhat complex partial frozen-in defect chemistry.

Durability of first antiretroviral treatment in HIV chronically infected patients: why change and what are the outcomes?

Introduction: First antiretroviral therapy (ART) is often switched to simpler, more potent or better tolerated regimens (1, 2). Although discontinuation rates are frequently studied, the durability of regimens is rarely approached.

Materials And Methods: Retrospective study with the following objectives: analyze first ART schemes and their durability in naive patients with chronic HIV-1 and 2 infections, evaluate factors influencing ART change, second-line ART and consequent virologic and immunologic responses.

Analysis of hepatitis non-treatment causes in a cohort of HCV and HCV/HIV infected patients.

Introduction: The decision to start hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment and its timing remains controversial. As new treatment regimens are approved, it is essential to identify patients eligible for each regimen in a timed and tailored approach. This study aims to identify the reasons to defer treatment of chronic hepatitis C infection in both HCV and HCV/HIV infected patients.

Risk of liver decompensation assessed in HIV/HCV co-infected individuals with advanced liver fibrosis: a faster countdown experience.

Introduction: Cirrhosis secondary to HCV infection is expected to peak in the next decade, particularly in the HIV co-infected subgroup and has become a leading cause of morbidity among these individuals. Efforts must be done to estimate the risk of liver decompensation (LD) in the short term, in order to define the appropriate time for HCV treatment.

Materials And Methods: Retrospective observational cohort study aimed to assess the risk of LD among a group of HIV/HCV co-infected patients diagnosed in the past 23 years in a central hospital of Lisbon.

Improve screening of HCV infection by targeting high prevalence aged groups: analysis of a cohort of HCV and HIV co-infected patients.

Introduction: Hepatitis C constitutes a major public health burden. In Portugal, the prevalence is estimated at 1-1.5% (1).

Acute hemorrhagic edema of childhood after H1N1 immunization.

Acute hemorrhagic edema (AHE) is an uncommon self-limited disorder affecting young children triggered by infection, drugs, or immunization. A 2-year-old boy was observed due to sudden onset of painful and edematous purpuric papular and plaque lesions of the face and upper extremities that started 2 weeks after H1N1 immunization. The patient also developed exuberant edema on the face and dorsum of the hands.

[Post-malaria neurologic syndrome].

The neurologic symptoms in malaria are usually associated with a severe infection by Plasmodium falciparum. Less frequently, the presence of impaired consciousness, seizures and visual and auditory deficits is related with hypoglycemia (by malaria or quinine) or with the toxicity of anti-malarial drugs. In the last years, it was recognized a rare neurologic complication after the efficient treatment of Plasmodium falciparum malaria - post-malaria neurologic syndrome (PMNS).