Comparative analysis of the antimicrobial resistance and virulence traits in ESBL-producing-Klebsiella pneumoniae ST307 strains colonizing the gastrointestinal tract and causing a fatal bloodstream infection in a leukemia patient.

Klebsiella pneumoniae is an opportunistic pathogen that can colonize the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of humans. The mechanisms underlying the successful translocation of this pathogen to cause extra-intestinal infections remain unknown, although virulence and antimicrobial resistance traits likely play significant roles in the establishment of infections. We investigated K. pneumoniae strains isolated from GIT colonization (strains Kp_FZcol-1, Kp_FZcol-2 and Kp_FZcro-1) and from a fatal bloodstream infection (strain Kp_HM-1) in a leukemia patient. All strains belonged to ST307, carried a transferable IncF plasmid containing the blaCTX-M-15 gene (pKPN3-307 TypeA-like plasmid) and showed a multidrug-resistance phenotype. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that Kp_HM-1 was more closely related to Kp_FZcro-1 than to the other colonizing strains. The Kp_FZcol-2 genome showed 81 % coverage with the Kp_HM-1 246,730 bp plasmid (pKp_HM-1), lacking most of its putative virulence genes. Searching public genomes with similar coverage, we observed the occurrence of this deletion in K. pneumoniae ST307 strains recovered from human colonization and infection in different countries. Our findings suggest that strains lacking the putative virulence genes found in the pKPN3-307 TypeA plasmid are still able to colonize and infect humans, highlighting the need to further investigate the role of these genes for the adaptation of K. pneumoniae ST307 in distinct human body sites.

Bulky malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour of the left thigh in a pregnant woman presenting with a pathological fracture of the proximal femur.

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour (MPNST) is an aggressive soft tissue sarcoma with a poor prognosis, affecting most commonly the extremities. The lungs constitute the most frequent location for distant metastases. Half of all MPNSTs arise in patients with neurofibromatosis type 1, while approximately 10% are radiation induced and the rest are sporadic.The authors present a pregnant woman in her 40s with a sporadic MPNST of the lower limb and with lung metastases at diagnosis. Treatment consisted of interilioabdominal amputation, followed by adjuvant chemotherapy. Partial response and disease stabilisation were achieved with chemotherapy.Surgical resection with negative margins is the only potentially curative therapy, while radiation therapy and chemotherapy might be useful in the neoadjuvant or adjuvant setting, but their advantage in survival is not demonstrated. In the reported case, chemotherapy permitted the achievement of partial response and stabilisation of the disease.

Evolution of attack in handball when playing 7 vs. 6 with empty goal between 2020 and 2023: coaches' perception vs. observational results.

Introduction: Recently, several studies on the 7 vs. 6 "empty goal" (EG) in handball have produced different and even contradictory results. The aim of the present study was to investigate the behavior of teams and players in the 7 vs. 6 EG attack in the European (Euro) and World Championships (WCh) between 2020 and 2023 and characterize the coaches' perceptions. Methods: A mixed-methods approach was used, consisting of the following: (i) an observational methodology and instrument developed and validated to collect observational data on player and team behavior; and (ii) a developed and validated questionnaire to coaches on their perceptions of the 7 vs. 6 game. Observational data were collected during the Euro 2020 and 2022 games (n = 62) and the WCh 2021 and 2023 games (n = 70). A total of 132 games and 391 situations of 7 vs. 6 attacking sequences were observed. In total, 156 coaches participated (146 men), with a mean age 42.33 ± 11.87 years, 19 nationalities, and with 12.77 ± 9.45 years of experience. Results and discussion: The choice of 7 vs. 6 offensive play was mostly made in the second half (>73%). The effectiveness of 7 vs. 6 offensive sequences was higher in the top six teams than in the team's ranked 7th to 12th (Euro 2020 51.6%-50.0%; WCh 2021 52.0%-50.0%; Euro 2022 53.1%-41.7%; WCh 2023 50.0%-43.8%). Some patterns of association were found (p < 0.05 and with values >±1.96): (i) scoring a goal with a breakthrough shot was significantly associated with the effectiveness of the 7 vs. 6 attack (Euro 2020 2.61; WCh 2021 2.87; Euro 2022 2.68; WCh 2023 2.32); (ii) teams in the top six significantly used 7 vs. 6 when they were winning (Euro 2020 2.17; WCh 2021 3.52; Euro 2022 5.88; WCh 2023 2.54); and (iii) teams in the bottom six used it when they were losing by at least four goals (Euro 2020 7.56; Euro 2022 6.64; WCh 2023 4.37) or when they were winning by four goals or more (WCh 2021 2.58). Coaches that agree with the possibility of playing 7 vs. 6 (74.4%), rarely or never do so (55.6%) because it brings little or no advantage (52.6%). The results of the analysis confirmed the perception of the coaches, the low use of 7 vs. 6, the low advantage associated with it, and the influence of the result and the moment of the game on its use.

Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita and the Importance of Orthoses: A Case Report.

Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita (AMC) is a group of conditions characterized by multiple joint contractures. This rare disorder causes stiffness of joints, limiting the range of motion and negatively impacting activities of daily living (ADL). This case reports a 45-year-old male with AMC who was referred to physical medicine and rehabilitation (PMR). He had a limited range of movement in multiple joints and global muscle weakness. However, ADL were feasible, including walking. The patient had an unsteady barefoot gait, causing claudication, which improved significantly with adapted shoes. The primary goal of treatment is to improve the quality of life (QoL), and proper management should be promptly initiated. AMC requires a multidisciplinary approach to care with three mainstays of treatment: rehabilitation, orthoses, and corrective surgeries. Patients should be followed up periodically by their family doctors, and PMR evaluations and rehabilitation should be provided as needed. An orthopedic surgery consultation may be required for surgical interventions to provide optimal outcomes and augment the QoL.

Assessment of the in Vitro Antimelanoma Potential of Lippia microphylla Cham (Verbenaceae) Essential Oil.

Essential oils stand out among natural products for their complex composition, frequently described in the literature with a range of biological effects. This study evaluated the cytotoxic activity against several human cancer cell lines of essential oils extracted from the leaves of Lippia microphylla (EO-LM) Cham. (Verbenaceae). The melanoma cell line SK-MEL-28 was the most sensitive to the EO-LM, presenting an IC50 of 33.38±1.16 µg/mL. Afterward, the effects of EO-LM on the cell cycle, induction of apoptosis, and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were evaluated. We stated a significant increase in the sub-G1 population, indicating apoptosis, later confirmed by an increase of SK-MEL-28 cells labeled with Annexin V-FITC and by the formation of apoptotic bodies and membrane blebs, observed by confocal microscopy. Additionally, EO-LM reduced the production of ROS, indicating antioxidant activity. Therefore, EO-LM exhibits anti-melanoma activity in vitro, suggesting its potential as an anticancer agent.

Playing 7 vs. 6 with an empty goal: Is it really an option for coaches? A comparative analysis between Portugal and the other teams during the Men's European Handball Championship 2020.

The dynamic of changes in the rules in team games materialize from research and debate between experts and coaches before being implemented by the International Federations. In Handball, the last changes occurred in 2016, and one of them was to substitute the goalkeeper with an additional field player allowing teams to play "empty goal" while using the additional field player. This study aimed to analyze and characterize the use of the 7 vs. 6 strategical-tactical option for the attack in the 2020 Men's European Championship. We also analyzed whether the game time and partial score influenced the use of 7 vs. 6 and its efficiency. Observational methodology and a mixed ad hoc instrument combining field format and category systems validated by experts were used. Data were taken from 28 matches involving teams in the first 12 positions in the 2020 Men's European Championship. The total number of offensive sequences in an organized attack method in 7 vs. 6 with an empty goal (n = 123) were analyzed. Sequential analysis techniques with lags, prospective and retrospective, and polar coordinate analysis were used. The results showed that (a) these solutions had poor efficiency, except for the Portuguese National Team; (b) teams using the 7 vs. 6 tactic option had no negative consequences or increased risk with the opponent response; (c) partial score influenced the decision to use 7 vs. 6 strategic option, and (d) game time was associated with 7 vs. 6 play options and detected patterns.

Cultural probes for environmental education: Designing learning materials to engage children and teenagers with local biodiversity.

Direct contact with nature is paramount in deepening children's and teenagers' interest in biodiversity. Learning materials chosen to convey information and engage participants during outings in nature-rich environments are varied and can support rich learning experiences. For this purpose, learning materials can be acquired "off-the-shelf" or developed for site-specific locations or projects. However, there is little guidance on potential techniques for those wishing to generate contextually relevant materials. With the view of responding to this challenge, we propose the cultural probes technique. We demonstrate that the technique, commonly used in qualitative research to generate novel insights in conversation with participants, can instigate innovative and thoughtful approaches to materials designed for children and teenagers to explore nature. We present a toolkit that draws on the literature on cultural probes, inquiry-based learning, and the value of sensory, emotional, and aesthetic experiences in environmental education for structuring interactions with participants. To test our approach, we applied a descriptive research design and mixed-methods approach for collecting questions from youths between the ages of 10 and 18, inspired by a nature walk and a set of exploratory tasks executed through the toolkit. Specifically, we tested our toolkit along a trail in the Nature Park of Terceira, situated in the Azores, a Portuguese volcanic archipelago in the North Atlantic. Here, we present and reflect on the data collected during one visit organized over two days with two groups of participants and one post-trail activity directed at both groups. Results demonstrate that the open-ended and playful nature of cultural probes offers a novel way to engage youths with nature-rich environments through questioning. This contribution further highlights the potential of cultural probes for instigating encounters that tap into the value of sensory, emotional, and aesthetic experience in nature, with positive outcomes for participants.

Bipolar Electric-Field Switching of Perpendicular Magnetic Tunnel Junctions through Voltage-Controlled Exchange Coupling.

Perpendicular magnetic tunnel junctions (p-MTJs) switched utilizing bipolar electric fields have extensive applications in energy-efficient memory and logic devices. Voltage-controlled magnetic anisotropy linearly lowers the energy barrier of the ferromagnetic layer via the electric field effect and efficiently switches p-MTJs only with a unipolar behavior. Here, we demonstrate a bipolar electric field effect switching of 100 nm p-MTJs with a synthetic antiferromagnetic free layer through voltage-controlled exchange coupling (VCEC). The switching current density, ∼1.1 × 105 A/cm2, is 1 order of magnitude lower than that of the best-reported spin-transfer torque devices. Theoretical results suggest that the electric field induces a ferromagnetic-antiferromagnetic exchange coupling transition of the synthetic antiferromagnetic free layer and generates a fieldlike interlayer exchange coupling torque, which causes the bidirectional magnetization switching of p-MTJs. These results could eliminate the major obstacle in the development of spin memory devices beyond their embedded applications.

Da psicodinâmica à psicopatologia do trabalho no Brasil: (in)definições e possibilidades / De la psicodinámica a la psicopatología del trabajo em Brasil: (in)definiciónes y posibilidades / From psychodynamics to psychopathology of work in Brazil: (in)definitions and possibilities

RESUMO. O presente artigo analisou o estado da arte da psicopatologia do trabalho no Brasil, como objeto de pesquisa e como disciplina, a partir de revisão bibliográfica sistemática integrativa. Foi realizado levantamento em bases de dados virtuais utilizando os descritores 'psicopatologia do trabalho' e 'psicopatologia' (AND) 'trabalho'. Foram incluídos artigos disponibilizados integralmente em português publicados em revistas com revisão cega de pares contendo os descritores no título, resumo, palavras-chave e/ou corpo do texto. O conjunto final dos textos analisados se constituiu de 28 artigos publicados entre 1992 e 2019 majoritariamente em periódicos da psicologia com psicodinâmica do trabalho como referencial teórico e/ou metodológico. Foram ainda identificadas três tendências no uso do termo 'psicopatologia do trabalho' nos artigos: 1) psicopatologia do trabalho como objeto de estudo; 2) como disciplina; e 3) para debater as compreensões das relações entre trabalho e patologias e suas implicações na prática. Enquanto objeto de estudo, as relações entre trabalho e doença mental são negligenciadas. Como disciplina, identificaram-se imprecisões que flexibilizam ou ignoram os limites entre psicopatologia e psicodinâmica do trabalho. Ambas as tendências da literatura podem estar relacionadas com a desconsideração de fatores históricos na determinação da construção dos campos de estudo.

RESUMEN. El presente artículo analizó el estado del arte de la Psicopatología del Trabajo en Brasil, como objeto de investigación y como disciplina, a partir de revisión bibliográfica sistemática integrativa. Se realizó un levantamiento en bases de datos virtuales utilizando los descriptores 'psicopatología del trabajo' y 'psicopatología' (AND) 'trabajo'. Se incluyeron artículos disponibles integralmente en portugués publicados en revistas con revisión ciega de pares conteniendo los descriptores en el título, resumen, palabras clave y/o cuerpo del texto. El conjunto final de textos analizados se constituyó de 28 artículos publicados entre 1992 y 2019 mayoritariamente en periódicos de Psicología con Psicodinámica del Trabajo como referencial teórico y/o metodológico. Se identificaron tres tendencias en el uso del término 'psicopatología del trabajo' en los artículos: 1) psicopatología del trabajo como objeto de estudio; 2) como disciplina; y 3) para debatir las comprensiones de las relaciones entre trabajo y patologías y sus implicaciones en la práctica. En cuanto objeto de estudio, las relaciones entre el trabajo y la enfermedad mental son poco estudiadas. Como disciplina, se identificaron imprecisiones que flexibilizan o ignoran los límites entre Psicopatología y Psicodinámica del Trabajo. Ambas tendencias de la literatura pueden estar relacionadas con la desconsideración de factores históricos en la determinación de la construcción de los campos de estudio.

ABSTRACT. This article analyzed the state of the art of psychopathology of work in Brazil, as an object of study and as a subject, by performing an integrative systematic literature review. A search was conducted in virtual databases using the descriptors 'psychopathology of work' and 'psychopathology' (AND) 'work'. We included articles available in full in Portuguese, published in blind peer-reviewed journals containing the descriptors in the title, abstract, keywords and/or body of the text. The final set of texts consisted of 28 articles published between 1992 and 2019, mostly in psychology journals using psychodynamics of work as theoretical and/or methodological reference. Three trends were also identified in the use of the term 'psychopathology of work' in the articles: 1) psychopathology of work as an object of study; 2) as a subject; and 3) to discuss the understandings of the relationships between work and pathologies and their practical implications. As an object of study, the relationship between work and mental illness is neglected. As a subject, inaccuracies that flexibilize or ignore the limits between psychopathology of work and psychodynamics of work were identified. Both trends in the literature may be related to the lack of reflections that consider the Brazilian context to understand the relations between work and pathology.

Characterization of an emergent high-risk KPC-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae lineage causing a fatal wound infection after spine surgery.

Surgical site infections in instrumented posterior lumbar interbody fusion surgery are normally due to gram-positive bacteria, but gram-negative bacteria can cause infections in cases involving lower lumbar interventions as its closer to the perianal area. Here we report an uncommon fatal wound infection caused by a multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae after an elective spine surgery. In silico analysis revealed that LWI_ST16 belonged to ST16, an emergent international clone notable for its increased virulence potential. We also observed that this strain carried a conjugative IncF plasmid encoding resistance genes to beta-lactams (blaKPC-2 and blaOXA-1), tetracycline (tetA), aminoglycosides and fluoroquinolones (aac(6')-Ib-cr). The carbapenemase encoding gene blaKPC-2 was located on a Tn4401e transposon previously characterized to increase blaKPC expression. LWI_ST16 is a strong biofilm producer on polystyrene and capable of forming tower-like structures on a titanium device like the one inserted in the patient's spine. Our findings strengthen the valuable contribution of continuous surveillance of multidrug-resistant and high-risk K. pneumoniae clones to avoid unfavourable clinical outcomes.

Subacromial resurfacing with fascia lata autograft for irreparable cuff tears : JEO 2021 expert opinion short report & surgical technique with video.

Massive and irreparable rotator cuff tears remain a major challenge for orthopaedic surgeons and several surgical options have been accepted for different patterns of irreparable cuff tears. However, the high-cost and technical complexity of some surgeries and the inconsistent clinical results of others, leave room for the search for surgical options that can offer a good balance between technical simplicity, a lower cost and an acceptable clinical result.The rationale behind some available techniques includes lowering the humeral head, which enables a more efficient balance of the force couples around the shoulder during rehabilitation. The interpositional arthroplasty with a biodegradable balloon, the Superior Capsule Reconstruction and, more recently, subacromial resurfacing with a dermal allograft have been presented as valid options to address that purpose.This technical note presents Subacromial Resurfacing with fascia lata as an option for the treatment of irreparable rotator cuff tears in the elderly population. Its low-cost and reasonable technical demand, along with the need for further elucidation of the ideal indications and technical optimization of other available techniques may open up room for the success of this option.

Giant Anomalous Hall Effect due to Double-Degenerate Quasiflat Bands.

We propose a novel approach to achieve a giant anomalous Hall effect (AHE) in materials with flat bands (FBs). FBs are accompanied by small electronic bandwidths, which consequently increases the momentum separation (K) within pair of Weyl points and, thus, the integrated Berry curvature. Starting from a simple model with a single pair of Weyl nodes, we demonstrated the increase of K and the AHE by decreasing the bandwidth. It is further expanded to a realistic pyrochlore lattice model with characteristic double-degenerated FBs, where we discovered a giant AHE while maximizing the K with nearly vanishing band dispersion of FBs. We identify that such a model system can be realized and modulated through strain engineering in both pyrochlore and spinel compounds based on first-principles calculations, validating our theoretical model and providing a feasible platform for experimental exploration.

Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Activity of Lys-[Trp6]hy-a1 Combined with Ciprofloxacin Against Gram-Negative Bacteria.

BACKGROUND: Ciprofloxacin (Cip) is the most commonly used quinolone in clinical practice; however large-scale use has favored the increase of multiresistant pathogenic microorganisms. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) appear to be a promising alternative in potentiating these conventional drugs. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the peptide Lys-[Trp6]hy-a1 (lys-a1) on the antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity of ciprofloxacin against clinically relevant gram-negative bacteria. METHODS: The antimicrobial effects of Cip and lys-a1 were assessed by determining the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs). The synergistic action of Cip and lys-a1 was determined by checkerboard assay. The time-kill curve was constructed for the Cip/lys-a1 combination against Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 9027. The antibiofilm activity of this combination was analyzed by crystal violet, colony-forming unit count and atomic force microscopy (AFM). RESULTS: The data demonstrated that lys-a1 was able to inhibit planktonic growth of strains of P. aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae both at 125 µg/mL. The fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICi) showed a synergistic effect between Cip and lys-a1 against P. aeruginosa, decreasing the MICs of the individual antimicrobial agents by 4- and 8-fold, respectively. This effect was also observed for the death kinetics and antibiofilm activity. Analysis of the early biofilms (6 h) as well as isolated cells by AFM images evidenced the cell perturbation caused by Cip/lys-a1 treatment. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that lys-a1 has biotechnological potential as a therapeutic tool for the treatment of infections caused by clinically relevant microorganisms, especially P. aeruginosa.

Horizontal and Vertical Distance Perception in Altered Gravity.

The perception of the horizontal and vertical distances of a visual target to an observer was investigated in parabolic flight during alternating short periods of normal gravity (1 g). microgravity (0 g), and hypergravity (1.8 g). The methods used for obtaining absolute judgments of egocentric distance included verbal reports and visually directed motion toward a memorized visual target by pulling on a rope with the arms (blind pulling). The results showed that, for all gravity levels, the verbal reports of distance judgments were accurate for targets located between 0.6 and 6.0 m. During blind pulling, subjects underestimated horizontal distances as distances increased, and this underestimation decreased in 0 g. Vertical distances for up targets were overestimated and vertical distances for down targets were underestimated in both 1 g and 1.8 g. This vertical asymmetry was absent in 0 g. The results of the present study confirm that blind pulling and verbal reports are independently influenced by gravity. The changes in distance judgments during blind pulling in 0 g compared to 1 g support the view that, during an action-based task, subjects base their perception of distance on the estimated motor effort of navigating to the perceived object.

Analysis of the Influence of the Numerical Relation in Handball During an Organized Attack, Specifically the Tactical Behavior of the Center Back.

In the last decades, observational methodology has been widely used in scientific research in sport, namely in the study of team games like handball, due to its characteristics. Handball, in addition to being a collective, complex, dynamic, and interactive sport, has its own characteristics and demands a performance analysis that takes into account the context and interaction between different factors and variables. The present study analyzes how the different numerical relations in an attack can change the center back's patterns of tactical behavior. Observational methodology and a mixed ad hoc instrument combining field format and category systems appropriately validated by experts were used. Data were taken from 20 matches involving teams classified in the first four places in the 2017 Men's World Championship. These were recorded from TV broadcasts, and the total number of offensive sequences carried out in an organized attack game method (n = 990) was analyzed. In each of the sequences carried out in an organized attack, the numerical relation in attack or defense was observed and recorded. In addition to this, it was verified whether the attacking team maintained or replaced the goalkeeper by a field player in the attack. Both sequential analysis techniques with lags, prospective, and retrospective, as well as polar coordinate analysis, were used. Results have shown that there are different behavioral patterns of the center back in the three different situations of numerical relation. Another element that stood out was that in numerical equality with the defense and no goalkeeper at the goal, the center back opted for greater security and less risk of loss of the ball.

Hyaluronic Acid.

In recent times, the field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine (TERM) has considerably increased the extent of therapeutic strategies for clinical application in orthopedics. However, TERM approaches have its rules and requirements, in the respect of the biologic response of each tissue and bioactive agents which need to be considered, respected, and subject of ongoing studies. Different medical devices/products have been prematurely available on the market and used in clinics with limited success. However, other therapeutics, when used in a serious and evidence-based approach, have achieved considerable success, considering the respect for solid expectations from doctors and patients (when properly informed).Orthobiologics has appeared as a recent technological trend in orthopedics. This includes the improvement or regeneration of different musculoskeletal tissues by means of using biomaterials (e.g., hyaluronic acid), stem cells, and growth factors (e.g., platelet-rich plasma). The potential symbiotic relationship between biologic therapies and surgery makes these strategies suitable to be used in one single intervention.However, herein, the recent clinical studies using hyaluronic acid (HA) in the treatment of orthopedic conditions will mainly be overviewed (e.g., osteochondral lesions, tendinopathies). The possibilities to combine different orthobiologic agents as TERM clinical strategies for treatment of orthopedic problems will also be briefly discussed.

Perception of Egocentric Distance during Gravitational Changes in Parabolic Flight.

We explored the effect of gravity on the perceived representation of the absolute distance of objects to the observers within the range from 1.5-6 m. Experiments were performed on board the CNES Airbus Zero-G during parabolic flights eliciting repeated exposures to short periods of microgravity (0 g), hypergravity (1.8 g), and normal gravity (1 g). Two methods for obtaining estimates of perceived egocentric distance were used: verbal reports and visually directed motion toward a memorized visual target. For the latter method, because normal walking is not possible in 0 g, blindfolded subjects translated toward the visual target by pulling on a rope with their arms. The results showed that distance estimates using both verbal reports and blind pulling were significantly different between normal gravity, microgravity, and hypergravity. Compared to the 1 g measurements, the estimates of perceived distance using blind pulling were shorter for all distances in 1.8 g, whereas in 0 g they were longer for distances up to 4 m and shorter for distances beyond. These findings suggest that gravity plays a role in both the sensorimotor system and the perceptual/cognitive system for estimating egocentric distance.

Oral cancer awareness and knowledge among residents in the Oporto city, Portugal.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the awareness and knowledge on oral cancer in a general population of Oporto city, in Portugal. METHODS: Face-to-face interviews were performed with 1116 individuals, resident in the city of Oporto. Participants' socio-demographic information, lifestyle habits and awareness, knowledge and beliefs on oral cancer were ascertained. RESULTS: Breast cancer was the most mentioned being as heard of (69.8%), while oral cancer was one of the least heard of (23.7%). Tobacco was identified as a risk factor by 54.8% of individuals and this knowledge was associated with their education level (P < 0.001), dentist visits (P = 0.026), and tobacco consumption (P < 0.001). Fewer subjects (24.6%) referred to alcohol as a risk factor, and this knowledge was associated with their education level (P = 0.020) and dentist visits (P = 0.002). More than half the subjects (58.8%) could not identify any sign or symptom of oral cancer. CONCLUSION: There is a general lack of awareness on oral cancer among this Oporto population. Higher education level and better oral health care were significant factors that identified individuals with a better awareness and knowledge of oral cancer, suggesting that educational measures could be useful for the prevention and early diagnosis of oral cancer in the Portuguese population.

Desktop fast-field cycling nuclear magnetic resonance relaxometer.

In this paper a new type of Fast Field Cycling (FFC) Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) relaxometer with low power consumption (200W) and cycle to cycle field stability better than 10(-4) is described. The new high-permeability magnet was designed to allow for good magnetic field homogeneity and allows for the sample rotation around an axis perpendicular to magnetic field, operating with magnetic fields between 0 and 0.21T. The power supply of the new relaxometer was specially developed in order to have steady state accurate currents and allow for magnetic field switching times less than 3ms. Additional control circuits were developed and included to compensate the Earth magnetic field component parallel to the field axis and to compensate for parasitic currents. The main aspects of the developed circuits together with some calibrating experimental results using the liquid crystal compounds 5CB and 8CB are presented and discussed.