Rethinking life and predicting its origin.

The definition, origin and recreation of life remain elusive. As others have suggested, only once we put life into reductionist physical terms will we be able to solve those questions. To that end, this work proposes the phenomenon of life to be the product of two dissipative mechanisms. From them, one characterises extant biological life and deduces a testable scenario for its origin. The proposed theory of life allows its replication, reinterprets ecological evolution and creates new constraints on the search for life.

A deep learning approach based on graphs to detect plantation lines.

Identifying plantation lines in aerial images of agricultural landscapes is re-quired for many automatic farming processes. Deep learning-based networks are among the most prominent methods to learn such patterns and extract this type of information from diverse imagery conditions. However, even state-of-the-art methods may stumble in complex plantation patterns. Here, we propose a deep learning approach based on graphs to detect plantation lines in UAV-based RGB imagery, presenting a challenging scenario containing spaced plants. The first module of our method extracts a feature map throughout the backbone, which consists of the initial layers of the VGG16. This feature map is used as an input to the Knowledge Estimation Module (KEM), organized in three concatenated branches for detecting 1) the plant positions, 2) the plantation lines, and 3) the displacement vectors between the plants. A graph modeling is applied considering each plant position on the image as vertices, and edges are formed between two vertices (i.e. plants). Finally, the edge is classified as pertaining to a certain plantation line based on three probabilities (higher than 0.5): i) in visual features obtained from the backbone; ii) a chance that the edge pixels belong to a line, from the KEM step; and iii) an alignment of the displacement vectors with the edge, also from the KEM step. Experiments were conducted initially in corn plantations with different growth stages and patterns with aerial RGB imagery to present the advantages of adopting each module. We assessed the generalization capability in the other two cultures (orange and eucalyptus) datasets. The proposed method was compared against state-of-the-art deep learning methods and achieved superior performance with a significant margin considering all three datasets. This approach is useful in extracting lines with spaced plantation patterns and could be implemented in scenarios where plantation gaps occur, generating lines with few-to-no interruptions.

The association between probable post-COVID-19 condition and sleep-related parameters: a longitudinal study of non-hospitalised patients.

The long-term effects of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection on sleep remain poorly known. We evaluated the association between probable post-COVID-19 condition and changes in sleep quality and quantity before and after SARS-CoV-2 infection in a consecutive sample of non-hospitalized adults. Individuals were identified with SARS-CoV-2 infection in 2020 at the central laboratory of a tertiary hospital in Porto and followed as outpatients. We included patients diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection ≥3 months before this evaluation, with no missing data on key variables (n = 2445). Participants completed a questionnaire that included sociodemographic, clinical, and infection-related questions. We computed changes in sleep-related parameters referred to 1 month before diagnosis and 1 week before the questionnaire. Multinomial logistic regression models were fitted to compute crude and adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). Compared to the pre-infection period, those with probable post-COVID-19 condition reported a greater decrease in hours of sleep, had a 2.60 (95% CI 2.02-3.34) higher adjusted odds of perceiving their sleep quality as worsened and experienced a significant increase in number of days with sleeping disturbances as defined according to multiple items. The association between post-COVID-19 condition and indicators of poor sleep health requires special attention from healthcare professionals and services. It is essential that appropriate multidisciplinary care is provided to mitigate the physical, psychological, social, and professional impact of sleeping problems in these already burdened patients.

Marine litter weight estimation from UAV imagery: Three potential methodologies to advance macrolitter reports.

In the context of marine litter monitoring, reporting the weight of beached litter can contribute to a better understanding of pollution sources and support clean-up activities. However, the litter scaling task requires considerable effort and specific equipment. This experimental study proposes and evaluates three methods to estimate beached litter weight from aerial images, employing different levels of litter categorization. The most promising approach (accuracy of 80 %) combined the outcomes of manual image screening with a generalized litter mean weight (14 g) derived from studies in the literature. Although the other two methods returned values of the same magnitude as the ground-truth, they were found less feasible for the aim. This study represents the first attempt to assess marine litter weight using remote sensing technology. Considering the exploratory nature of this study, further research is needed to enhance the reliability and robustness of the methods.

Project BHTRM: new strategy of monitoring and acting in spinal cord injuries in the city of Belo Horizonte / Projeto BHTRM: nova estratégia de monitoramento e atuação no trauma raquimedular da cidade de Belo Horizonte / Proyecto BHTRM: nueva estrategia de monitoreo y actuación en las lesiones de la médula espinal en la ciudad de Belo Horizonte

Objective: The BHTRM Project aims at studying the epidemiology of TRM in the city of Belo Horizonte and providing the means to monitor these patients. Method: To assess the efficacy and solvability of the project, two groups of patients treated at the João XXIII Hospital were compared in two distinct periods. Group 1 - from May 1, 2011 to July 31, 2011, months of project initiation and Group 2 - from December 1, 2012 to February 28, 2013. Results: Despite the 34% increase in the number of assisted patients, there is a 30% drop in the average number of days of hospitalization, as well as a decrease in the average days waiting for surgery of patients requiring surgical treatment, from 10.9 to 4.84, a drop of 56%. Conclusion: BHTRM Project is a useful tool in public health management. It optimizes the treatment of patients with spinal trauma by decreasing the time between admission and surgery. Also provides active monitoring of patient care and ensures better integration of rehabilitation care. .

Objetivo: O Projeto BHTRM tem como objetivo estudar a epidemiologia do trauma raquimedular (TRM) na cidade de Belo Horizonte e fornecer meios de monitoramento desses pacientes. Método: Para avaliação da eficácia e resolubilidade do projeto, comparamos dois grupos de pacientes atendidos no Hospital João XXIII, em dois períodos distintos. Grupo 1: de 1o de maio de 2011 a 31 de julho de 2011, meses de início do projeto e Grupo 2: de 1º de dezembro de 2012 a 28 de fevereiro de 2013. Resultados: Apesar do aumento de 34% no número de pacientes atendidos, observa-se uma queda de 30% na média de dias de internação, assim como a diminuição na média de dias de espera para cirurgia dos pacientes que necessitavam tratamento cirúrgico, de 10,9 para 4,84, uma queda de 56%. Conclusão: O Projeto BHTRM é uma ferramenta útil em gestão de saúde pública. Otimiza o tratamento do paciente com trauma raquimedular, diminuindo o tempo entre internação e cirurgia. Oferece acompanhamento ativo do paciente assegurando melhor atendimento e inserção dos cuidados de reabilitação. .

Objetivo: El Proyecto BHTRM fue creado con el objetivo de estudiar la epidemiología de la TRM en la ciudad de Belo Horizonte y proporcionar medios para monitorear estos pacientes. Método: Para evaluar la eficacia y la solvencia del proyecto, se compararon dos grupos de pacientes tratados en el Hospital João XXIII, en dos períodos distintos. Grupo 1 - 01 de mayo de 2011 al 31 de julio de 2011, los meses del inicio del proyecto y Grupo 2 â€" 01 de diciembre de 2012 al 28 de febrero de 2013. Resultado: A pesar del aumento del 34% en el número de pacientes atendidos, hay una caída de 30% en el promedio de días de hospitalización, así como una disminución en el promedio de días en espera para cirugía de los pacientes que requieren tratamiento quirúrgico, 10,9 a 4,84, una disminución del 56%. Conclusión: El proyecto BHTRM es una herramienta útil en la gestión de la salud pública. Optimiza el tratamiento de pacientes con trauma espinal, disminuyendo el tiempo entre la admisión y la cirugía. Proporciona vigilancia activa de la atención al paciente y garantiza la mejor integración de los servicios de rehabilitación .

IgG4-related Hashimoto’s thyroiditis – A new variant of a well known disease / Tireoidite de Hashimoto associada a IgG4 – Uma nova variante de uma doença bem conhecida

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) has been characterized for many years as a well-defined clinicopathologic entity, but is now considered a heterogeneous disease. IgG4-related HT is a new subtype characterized by thyroid inflammation rich in IgG4-positive plasma cells and marked fibrosis. It may be part of the systemic IgG4-related disease. We report a case of a 56-year-old Portuguese man who presented with a one-month history of progressive neck swelling and dysphagia. Laboratory testing revealed increased inflammatory parameters, subclinical hypothyroidism and very high levels of thyroid autoantibodies. Cervical ultrasound (US) demonstrated an enlarged and heterogeneous thyroid gland and two hypoechoic nodules. US-guided fine needle aspiration cytology was consistent with lymphocytic thyroiditis. The patient was submitted to total thyroidectomy and microscopic examination identified typical findings of HT, marked fibrosis limited within the thyroid capsule and lymphoplasmacytic infiltration, with >50 IgG4-positive plasma cells per high-power field and an IgG4/IgG ratio of >40%. After surgery, serum IgG4 concentration was high-normal. Symptoms relief and reduction in laboratory inflammatory parameters were noticed. Thyroid function is controlled with levothyroxine. To our knowledge we report the first case of IgG4-related HT in a non-Asian patient. We also perform a review of the literature regarding IgG4-related disease and IgG4-related HT. Our case highlights this new variant of the well known HT, and helps physicians in recognizing its main clinical features, allowing for proper diagnosis and treatment.

A tireoidite de Hashimoto (TH) foi caracterizada durante muitos anos como uma entidade clinicopatológica bem definida, mas é atualmente considerada uma patologia heterogênea. A TH associada a IgG4 apresenta-se como um novo subtipo, sendo caracterizada por inflamação da tireoide com numerosos plasmócitos IgG4-positivos e fibrose extensa. É possível que pertença ao espectro da doença sistêmica associada a IgG4. Relatamos o caso de um homem português de 56 anos que se apresentou com aumento progressivo do volume cervical e disfagia, com um mês de evolução. A avaliação laboratorial revelou elevação dos parâmetros inflamatórios, hipotireoidismo subclínico e níveis muito elevados de autoanticorpos tireoidianos. Por ultrassonografia cervical demonstrou-se tireoide aumentada, heterogênea, com dois nódulos hipoecoicos. Foi realizada citologia aspirativa com agulha fina guiada por ultrassom, compatível com tireoidite linfocítica. O doente foi submetido à tireoidectomia total e o exame histológico revelou achados típicos de TH, extensa fibrose localizada dentro da cápsula tireoidiana e infiltrado linfoplasmocitário, com >50 plasmócitos IgG4-positivos por campo de grande ampliação e uma relação IgG4/IgG >40%. Após cirurgia, a concentração sérica de IgG4 encontrava-se no limite superior do normal. Ocorreu melhoria sintomática e redução dos parâmetros inflamatórios. A função tireoidiana foi controlada com levotiroxina. Relatamos o primeiro caso de TH associada a IgG4 num indivíduo não asiático. Além disso, realizamos uma revisão da literatura sobre doença associada a IgG4 e TH associada a IgG4. Este caso destaca uma nova variante da TH e permite aos médicos reconhecerem suas principais características clínicas, proporcionando diagnóstico e tratamento adequados.