Machine learning prediction of mortality in Acute Myocardial Infarction.

BACKGROUND: Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) is the leading cause of death in Portugal and globally. The present investigation created a model based on machine learning for predictive analysis of mortality in patients with AMI upon admission, using different variables to analyse their impact on predictive models. METHODS: Three experiments were built for mortality in AMI in a Portuguese hospital between 2013 and 2015 using various machine learning techniques. The three experiments differed in the number and type of variables used. We used a discharged patients' episodes database, including administrative data, laboratory data, and cardiac and physiologic test results, whose primary diagnosis was AMI. RESULTS: Results show that for Experiment 1, Stochastic Gradient Descent was more suitable than the other classification models, with a classification accuracy of 80%, a recall of 77%, and a discriminatory capacity with an AUC of 79%. Adding new variables to the models increased AUC in Experiment 2 to 81% for the Support Vector Machine method. In Experiment 3, we obtained an AUC, in Stochastic Gradient Descent, of 88% and a recall of 80%. These results were obtained when applying feature selection and the SMOTE technique to overcome imbalanced data. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that the introduction of new variables, namely laboratory data, impacts the performance of the methods, reinforcing the premise that no single approach is adapted to all situations regarding AMI mortality prediction. Instead, they must be selected, considering the context and the information available. Integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning with clinical decision-making can transform care, making clinical practice more efficient, faster, personalised, and effective. AI emerges as an alternative to traditional models since it has the potential to explore large amounts of information automatically and systematically.

Fatal iatrogenic cardiac tamponade due to central venous catheterization.

Fatal adverse events caused by any health professional as consequence of malpractice are uncommon. In this work, the authors report a fatal cardiac tamponade associated with a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) by the right jugular vein that perforated the right atrium of the heart. The diagnosis of cardiac tamponade was not detected in hospital during the intrapericardial infusion of total parenteral nutrition and was only registered during the autopsy. The postmortem examination showed a milky liquid inside the pericardial cavity compatible with the total parenteral nutrition administered. The catheter in its migration in the cardiac chambers, mechanically perforated the inner wall of the endocardium between the trabeculae carneae, continued its course between the myocardial fibers until it was externalized. In conclusion, cardiac tamponade, although it is an extremely rare medical complication, has a high risk of fatality specially if peripheral rather than central veins were cannulated.

Computerized delineation of the teeth and comparison with a smiling photograph: identification of a body skeletonized by cadaverous ichthyofauna action.

Amazonian's forensic experts usually experience considerable difficulties in the identification of drowned bodies rescued from the rivers of the Amazon basin, since they are frequently found skeletonized by the action of the cadaverous ichthyofauna. In these circumstances, especially when the soft tissues are completely absent, bones and teeth may represent the unique source of information for the identification of the body. This work reports a case of positive identification of a body skeletonized by scavenger ichthyofauna. The identification was performed by comparing computerized delineation of the dental characteristics of the cadaver with those observed in a smiling photograph of the victim. This report also highlights the ferocity of Cetopsis candiru (candiru cobra), Cetopsis coecutiens (candiru-açu) and Calophysus macropterus (piracatinga).

Cadaveric ichthyofauna of the Madeira River in the Amazon basin: the myth of man-eating piranhas.

Drowned bodies rescued from the rivers of the Amazon basin exhibit several artefacts caused by the actions of the cadaveric ichthyofauna, namely, the "candiru". This study aims to review and discuss the fish species responsible for the largest number of attacks on bodies in the Madeira River (Porto Velho - Rondônia, Brazil), to describe the feeding strategies and types of lesions caused by each species, and to demystify the myth of the "man-eating piranhas". To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first that aims to provide a systematic analysis of cadaveric ichthyofauna and forensic findings in this region.

Interviews of Children in a Portuguese Special Judicial Procedure.

Since 2007, alleged victims of child sexual abuse in Portugal have provided evidence in a mandatory "Declarações para Memória Futura" (DMF; English transl. 'Statement for future use') proceeding. In order to protect children from having to testify in court, interviews conducted at the DMF can be used later as trial evidence because the hearings are conducted by judges. The present study examined 137 interviews with 3- to 17-year-olds conducted in several Portuguese criminal courts. Detailed examination of interview transcripts showed that 69% of all questions asked were option-posing questions, 16% were directive questions, 11% were suggestive questions, and only 3% were open-ended prompts. The vast majority of details provided by children were thus obtained using the risky recognition-based prompts (i.e., option posing and suggestive questions) associated with the risks of contaminating and limiting children's informativeness, both potential threats to the credibility of their testimony. There is an urgent need to address this issue and consider the implementation of a scientifically validated structured interview protocol in Portugal. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

A FT-NIR spectroscopy methodology to estimate firing distance based on the direct analysis of the bullet impact surface.

A new methodology to estimate firing distance based on the direct analysis of organic components of gunshot residues (GSRs) on the bullet impact surface using Fourier transform near-infrared (FT-NIR) spectroscopy is proposed. Mathematical models relating firing distance with spectral information were developed using data obtained from a series of shots performed with a Glock model 17C (114 mm barrel length and 9 × 19 mm cartridges) at different distances, from 20 to 90 cm, against a white 40 × 40 cm square cloth (70% polyester/30% cotton) target. The study was repeated with two different types of ammunition. Spectra were obtained around the bullet entrance hole at 4 perpendicular directions and at 5 radial distances in diffuse reflectance mode with the assistance of a fiber optic probe. Principal component analysis showed that FT-NIRS displayed sensitivity in the recognition of the differences between the GSRs from the two different types of ammunition. Partial least squares regression models allowed the estimation of firing distance for both types of ammunition. Prediction errors lower than 11 cm were obtained for shots up to 90 cm.

The Predictive Factors on Extended Hospital Length of Stay in Patients with AMI: Laboratory and Administrative Data.

The length of hospital stay (LOS) is an important measure of efficiency in the use of hospital resources. Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI), as one of the diseases with higher mortality and LOS variability in the OECD countries, has been studied with predominant use of administrative data, particularly on mortality risk adjustment, failing investigation in the resource planning and specifically in LOS. This paper presents results of a predictive model for extended LOS (LOSE - above 75th percentile of LOS) using both administrative and clinical data, namely laboratory data, in order to develop a decision support system. Laboratory and administrative data of a Portuguese hospital were included, using logistic regression to develop this predictive model. A model with three laboratory data and seven administrative data variables (six comorbidities and age ≥ 69 years), with excellent discriminative ability and a good calibration, was obtained. The model validation shows also good results. Comorbidities were relevant predictors, mainly diabetes with complications, showing the highest odds of LOSE (OR = 37,83; p = 0,001). AMI patients with comorbidities (diabetes with complications, cerebrovascular disease, shock, respiratory infections, pulmonary oedema), with pO2 above level, aged 69 years or older, with cardiac dysrhythmia, neutrophils above level, pO2 below level, and prothrombin time above level, showed increased risk of extended LOS. Our findings are consistent with studies that refer these variables as predictors of increased risk.

Biological Evidence Management for DNA Analysis in Cases of Sexual Assault.

Biological evidence with forensic interest may be found in several cases of assault, being particularly relevant if sexually related. Sexual assault cases are characterized by low rates of disclosure, reporting, prosecution, and conviction. Biological evidence is sometimes the only way to prove the occurrence of sexual contact and to identify the perpetrator. The major focus of this review is to propose practical approaches and guidelines to help health, forensic, and law enforcement professionals to deal with biological evidence for DNA analysis. Attention should be devoted to avoiding contamination, degradation, and loss of biological evidence, as well as respecting specific measures to properly handle evidence (i.e., selection, collection, packing, sealing, labeling, storage, preservation, transport, and guarantee of the chain custody). Biological evidence must be carefully managed since the relevance of any finding in Forensic Genetics is determined, in the first instance, by the integrity and quantity of the samples submitted for analysis.

Human identification using dental techniques: A case report.

Dental identification of skeletal remains frequently relies on data comparison. Comparative dental identification is used to establish with a high degree of certainty that the remains of a corpse and a person represented by ante-mortem dental records are the same individual. There is no minimum number of concordant points necessary to perform a positive identification; rather, each case is unique and should be treated as such. In this paper, we present a report of a case in which positive identification was made by a paramolar tubercle in both upper first deciduous molars.

Clinical and forensic signs related to ethanol abuse: a mechanistic approach.

For good performance in clinical and forensic toxicology, it is important to be aware of the signs and symptoms related to xenobiotic exposure since they will assist clinicians to reach a useful and rapid diagnosis. This manuscript highlights and critically analyses clinical and forensic imaging related to ethanol abuse. Here, signs that may lead to suspected ethanol abuse, but that are not necessarily related to liver disease are thoroughly discussed regarding its underlying mechanisms. This includes flushing and disulfiram reactions, urticaria, palmar erythema, spider telangiectasias, porphyria cutanea tarda, "paper money skin", psoriasis, rhinophyma, Dupuytren's contracture, multiple symmetrical lipomatosis (lipomatosis Lanois-Bensaude, Madelung's disease), pancreatitis-related signs, black hairy tongue, gout, nail changes, fetal alcohol syndrome, seborrheic dermatitis, sialosis and cancer.

Forensic evaluation in alleged sibling incest against children.

Sibling incest is a serious form of intrafamilial sexual abuse with health, social, and legal relevance. A retrospective study was conducted through the analysis of forensic medical reports of the alleged sibling incest of victims under 18 years old (n = 68) from 2004 to 2011 as well as the respective judicial outcomes. Results demonstrated that sibling's sexual abuse is associated with several circumstances that might exacerbate its severity such as vaginal, anal, and/or oral penetration. Moreover, the victim's young age, the proximity between victim and abuser, and the fact that it is committed at the victim's and/or abuser's home and by using physical violence and verbal threats justify a late detection of these cases.

Sexual offenses against elderly people: forensic evaluation and judicial outcome.

Forensic evaluation reports and judicial outcomes regarding older victims of suspected sexual offenses were retrospectively reviewed. During this period, a total of 14 cases were registered, corresponding to 0.3% of nonfatal crimes against elderly and 0.6% of the total of sexual crimes reported. All the victims were female. The majority lived alone and did not have limitations in communication, orientation, ambulation, or autonomy. The offenders were all male (17 to 81 years old); most were known to the victims and had history of previous disruptive behaviors. The majority of the sexual offenses occurred in the victims' homes, and the offenders tended to use physical violence. Forensic evaluation was crucial for the identification of physical and biological evidence, and forensic conclusions were positively correlated with the judicial outcome of each case. High prosecution and conviction rates were also observed.

Machine learning methods, applications and economic analysis to predict heart failure hospitalisation risk: a scoping review protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Machine learning (ML) has emerged as a powerful tool for uncovering patterns and generating new information. In cardiology, it has shown promising results in predictive outcomes risk assessment of heart failure (HF) patients, a chronic condition affecting over 64 million individuals globally.This scoping review aims to synthesise the evidence on ML methods, applications and economic analysis to predict the HF hospitalisation risk. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This scoping review will use the approach described by Arksey and O'Malley. This protocol will use the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) Protocol, and the PRISMA extension for scoping reviews will be used to present the results. PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science are the databases that will be searched. Two reviewers will independently screen the full-text studies for inclusion and extract the data. All the studies focusing on ML models to predict the risk of hospitalisation from HF adult patients will be included. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval is not required for this review. The dissemination strategy includes peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations and dissemination to relevant stakeholders.

The Integration of Information Technology in the Management and Organization of Nursing Care in a Hospital Environment: A Scoping Review.

The adoption of health technologies is occurring on an unprecedented scale, with enormous potential to improve the health of populations. In this context, information technology (IT) in nursing has emerged with a focus on quality and safety of care for the benefit of the patient. There is insufficient reliable evidence demonstrating how the integration of IT in nursing care influences methodologies for managing and organizing care in terms of structure and care practice, justifying a scoping review that synthesizes the knowledge produced so far. Online databases were used to identify papers published in 2012-2023, from which we selected nine publications that used information technology in the nursing care processes. The participants were hospital nurses and nurse managers. The results show that the integration of IT in healthcare organizations impacts the management and organization of nursing care, and changes in structure, process reorganization, management, training, and the development of nurses' skills. To minimize this impact, the organizational structure must be prepared for a cultural change, with well-defined and communicated policies and procedures, and strong leadership. Within the teams, the importance of process reorganization, continuous training, and skill development emerges, thus enhancing the integration of IT into practice environments in conjunction with care.

What about adolescents' mental health after the pandemics? An analyses of a grade II hospital.

OBJECTIVES: Suicidal ideation and suicide are serious situations that affect children and adolescents. The restrictions imposed by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic have had a significant negative impact, due to social isolation, prolonged screen exposure and reduced outdoor activities. This study aims to compare the access to the Pediatric Emergency Department due to suicidal ideation and suicide attempts before and during the pandemic. METHODS: This descriptive and retrospective study analyzed clinical records of children/adolescents who attended a Level II Pediatric Emergency Department of a hospital due to suicidal ideation and/or suicide attempts, between March 2018 and March 2020 (pre-pandemic period) and April 2020 to March 2022 (pandemic period). Demographic (age and sex) and clinical (psychopharmacological therapy, discharge destination and follow-up psychiatric/psychological consultations) variables were collected. Statistical analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel 2022® and SPSS v20.0®, considering statistical significance at p<0.05. RESULTS: A total of 71 children/adolescents were admitted for suicidal ideation, with a median age of 15 years (minimum: 10 years, maximum: 17 years), 27 in pre-pandemic period and 44 in pandemic period (p<0.001). The majority were girls, with a significant increase in pandemic period (pre-pandemic: 55.6 %, pandemic: 79.6 %; p<0.05). The age group with the highest increase in admissions was 15 years. There was a significant increase in suicidal attempts among girls (p<0.05) as well as self-harm behaviors (p<0.01). There was also a significant increase in the number of psychology/child psychiatry follow-up consultations in pandemic period (p<0.05). Most patients were referred to another hospital in both periods (pre-pandemic: 55.6 %, pandemic: 68.2 %) at discharge. CONCLUSIONS: During the pandemic period, there was an increase in the number of suicidal ideation cases, particularly among females, as well as in suicide attempts cases, which appears to be correlated with the pandemic restrictions. Larger-scale studies are needed to draw more accurate conclusions.

Forensic toxicology in drug-facilitated sexual assault.

The low rates of reporting, prosecution and conviction that characterize sexual assault, is likely even more evident in drug-facilitated cases. Typically, in these crimes, victims are incapacitated and left unable to resist sexual advances, unconscious, unable to fight off the abuser or to say "no" and unable to clearly remember the circumstances surrounding the events due to anterograde amnesia. The consequence is the delay in performing toxicological analysis aggravated by the reluctance of the victim to disclose the crime. Moreover since "date rape drugs" are often consumed with ethanol and exhibit similar toxicodynamic effects, the diagnosis is erroneously performed as being classical ethanol intoxication. Therefore, it is imperative to rapidly consider toxicological analysis in drug-facilitated sexual assaults. The major focus of this review is to harmonize practical approaches and guidelines to rapidly uncover drug-facilitated sexual assault, namely issues related to when to perform toxicological analysis, toxicological requests, samples to be collected, storage, preservation and transport precautions and xenobiotics or endobiotics to be analyzed.

Decision-making support systems on extended hospital length of stay: Validation and recalibration of a model for patients with AMI.

Background: Cardiovascular diseases are still a significant cause of death and hospitalization. In 2019, circulatory diseases were responsible for 29.9% of deaths in Portugal. These diseases have a significant impact on the hospital length of stay. Length of stay predictive models is an efficient way to aid decision-making in health. This study aimed to validate a predictive model on the extended length of stay in patients with acute myocardial infarction at the time of admission. Methods: An analysis was conducted to test and recalibrate a previously developed model in the prediction of prolonged length of stay, for a new set of population. The study was conducted based on administrative and laboratory data of patients admitted for acute myocardial infarction events from a public hospital in Portugal from 2013 to 2015. Results: Comparable performance measures were observed upon the validation and recalibration of the predictive model of extended length of stay. Comorbidities such as shock, diabetes with complications, dysrhythmia, pulmonary edema, and respiratory infections were the common variables found between the previous model and the validated and recalibrated model for acute myocardial infarction. Conclusion: Predictive models for the extended length of stay can be applied in clinical practice since they are recalibrated and modeled to the relevant population characteristics.

Importance of Genetic Diagnosis in Global Developmental Delay: A Case of Cabezas Syndrome Caused by CUL4B Gene Deletion and Not Identified by Array-CHG.

Global developmental delay (GDD) and intellectual disability (ID) are common reasons for referral to neurodevelopmental assessment. The etiology of GDD and ID can be genetic, acquired, or multifactorial. We report a case of a 10-year-old boy with ID and GDD who was diagnosed with Cabezas syndrome, a rare genetic disorder caused by a deletion of the CUL4B gene. Despite normal results from previous testing, exome sequencing with copy number variation analysis led to the identification of the deletion. Early diagnosis of GDD and ID is crucial for effective patient management, including planning interventions and providing support, therapy, and genetic counseling for families.

Buried Penis: A Rare Cause of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in the Pediatric Population.

A buried penis is a probably underdiagnosed entity. It is defined as a penis of normal size that appears to be smaller than expected due to concealment within the pubic tissue. This case report explores the presentation of a 12-month-old male infant with exuberant ballooning of the prepuce during micturition, requiring manual expression of urine for the duration of two months prior to presentation. The penis was not visible above the skin level, with only the glands covered by prepuce protruding. However, the penis could be exposed when holding the base of the penis, revealing a regular-sized penis. The clinical diagnosis of a buried penis with megaprepuce was assumed, and the patient was referred to the pediatric surgery department for further management. Corrective surgery was performed nine months later with excellent cosmetic and functional results. The buried penis has a typical appearance with a partially visible or completely invisible penis, with only the glans covered by prepuce protruding, and it can be completely asymptomatic or cause micturition difficulties, sexual dysfunction, and recurrent urinary tract infections or balanitis. The diagnosis is clinical and the treatment is surgical, although the surgical approach is controversial.

Children's outcomes in road traffic accidents: challenges for personal injury assessment.

Children represent a specific group of road traffic accident (RTA) victims. Performing a personal injury assessment (PIA) on a child presents a significant challenge, especially when assessing permanent disabilities and needs. However, medico-legal recommendations for PIA in such cases are lacking. The main objective of this study was to analyse the differences between children and a young- and middle-aged adult population of RTA victims to contribute to the development of relevant guidelines. Secondary objectives were to identify and characterize specifics of children's posttraumatic damages regarding: (i) temporary and permanent outcomes; and (ii) medico-legal damage parameters in the Portuguese context. We performed a retrospective study of RTA victims by comparing two groups (n = 114 each) matched for acute injury severity (SD = 0.01): G1 (children) and G2 (young- and middle-aged adults). Logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratios. G1 presented a greater chance of evolving without or with less severe body, functional and situational outcomes (three-dimensional assessment methodology), and with lower permanent functional disability values than G2. Our findings suggest that childhood trauma generally has a better prognosis than trauma in young- and middle-aged adults. This study generated evidence on the subject and highlighted the most significant difficulties encountered by medico-legal experts when performing PIA in children. Key points: This retrospective study of PIA in child victims of RTA in Portugal considered outcomes in victims' real-life situations.Several significant differences between children and young- and middle-aged adults were observed.Children's cases presented better results in terms of the severity of body, functional and situational outcomes, and permanent damage parameters.The average time between the RTA and final PIA date and the consolidation time were longer for children because of the need to wait for the Children's next growth phase or final pubertal period (as applicable), which increased the time for PIA conclusion.There were several difficulties in the medical-legal evaluation of children's cases, which was a complex process because the trauma affected them in their growth phase.