Acrylate and Methacrylate Polymers’ Applications: Second Life with Inexpensive and Sustainable Recycling Approaches

Polymers are widely employed in several fields thanks to their wide versatility and the easy derivatization routes. However, a wide range of commercial polymers suffer from limited use on a large scale due to their inert nature. Nowadays, acrylate and methacrylate polymers, which are respectively derivatives of acrylic or methacrylic acid, are among the most proposed materials for their useful characteristics like good biocompatibility, capping ability toward metal clusters, low price, potentially recyclability and reusability. Here, we discuss the advantages and challenges of this class of smart polymers focusing our attention on their current technological applications in medical, electronic, food packaging and environmental remediation fields. Furthermore, we deal with the main issue of their recyclability, considering that the current commercial bioplastics are not yet able to meet the global needs as much as to totally replace fossil-fuel-based products. Finally, the most accredited strategies to reach recyclable composites based on acrylic polymers are described.

The Portuguese Model of Home Respiratory Care: Healthcare Professionals’ Perspective

Patients’ and carers’ views regarding the Portuguese model of home respiratory care were recently described, yet the complementary perspective of healthcare professionals (HCPs) is still to be investigated. Thus, this study explored HCPs experience in the management of patients needing home respiratory therapies (HRT), and their perspective about the Portuguese model. A phenomenological descriptive study, using focus groups, was carried out with 28 HCPs (median 42 y, 68% female) with distinct backgrounds (57% pulmonologists, 29% clinical physiologists, 7% physiotherapists, 7% nurses). Three focus groups were conducted in three regions of Portugal. Thematic analysis was performed by two independent researchers. HCPs have in general a positive view about the organization of the Portuguese model of home respiratory care, which was revealed in four major topics: Prescription (number of references, n = 171), Implementation and maintenance (n = 162), Carer involvement (n = 65) and Quality of healthcare (n = 247). Improvements needed were related to patients’ late referral, HRT prescription (usability of the medical electronic prescription system and renewals burden), patients’ education, access to hospital care team, lack of multidisciplinary work and articulation between hospital, primary and home care teams. This study describes the perspective of HCPs about the Portuguese model of home respiratory care and identifies specific points where improvements and reflections are needed. This knowledge may be useful to decision makers improve the current healthcare model.

A New Paradigm for Ensuring Digital Drug Care Quality Monitoring Based on Ontology Tools

Systematizing and conceptualizing of the components of the patient’s diagnosis at definite Clinical Situations are the important steps in constructing the medical electronic platforms to monitor the drug treatment quality and to realize the process of risk-management of drug care. The risk-management is a hard and expensive process for the non-profit hospitals. The Information technologies have a high potential for solving these problems. The conceptual schemes to construct the multimodal medical electronic platform were discussed. The Information Space of Clinical Practice, Information Field for formulating the detailed patient’s diagnosis at the definite Clinical Situations, Information Environment for the components of the detailed patient’s diagnosis were described.

Criterion-Related Validity of Field-Based Fitness Tests in Adults: A Systematic Review

We comprehensively assessed the criterion-related validity of existing field-based fitness tests used to indicate adult health (19–64 years, with no known pathologies). The medical electronic databases MEDLINE (via PubMed) and Web of Science (all databases) were screened for studies published up to July 2020. Each original study’s methodological quality was classified as high, low and very low, according to the number of participants, the description of the study population, statistical analysis and systematic reviews which were appraised via the AMSTAR rating scale. Three evidence levels were constructed (strong, moderate and limited evidence) according to the number of studies and the consistency of the findings. We identified 101 original studies (50 of high quality) and five systematic reviews examining the criterion-related validity of field-based fitness tests in adults. Strong evidence indicated that the 20 m shuttle run, 1.5-mile, 12 min run/walk, YMCA step, 2 km walk and 6 min walk test are valid for estimating cardiorespiratory fitness; the handgrip strength test is valid for assessing hand maximal isometric strength; and the Biering–Sørensen test to evaluate the endurance strength of hip and back muscles; however, the sit-and reach test, and its different versions, and the toe-to-touch test are not valid for assessing hamstring and lower back flexibility. We found moderate evidence supporting that the 20 m square shuttle run test is a valid test for estimating cardiorespiratory fitness. Other field-based fitness tests presented limited evidence, mainly due to few studies. We developed an evidence-based proposal of the most valid field-based fitness tests in healthy adults aged 19–64 years old.

Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields in Bone Healing: Molecular Pathways and Clinical Applications

In this article, we provide an extensive review of the recent literature of the signaling pathways modulated by Pulsed Electromagnetic Fields (PEMFs) and PEMFs clinical application. A review of the literature was performed on two medical electronic databases (PubMed and Embase) from 3 to 5 March 2021. Three authors performed the evaluation of the studies and the data extraction. All studies for this review were selected following these inclusion criteria: studies written in English, studies available in full text and studies published in peer-reviewed journal. Molecular biology, identifying cell membrane receptors and pathways involved in bone healing, and studying PEMFs target of action are giving a solid basis for clinical applications of PEMFs. However, further biology studies and clinical trials with clear and standardized parameters (intensity, frequency, dose, duration, type of coil) are required to clarify the precise dose–response relationship and to understand the real applications in clinical practice of PEMFs.

Papanicolaou-Stained Cytosmear Preparations in the Evaluation of Leucocytospermia: A Tertiary Centre Experience and Assessment of Utility

Objectives Leucocytospermia is a rare cause of infertility with a variable incidence in infertile men. In many andrology laboratories, semen analysis is primarily centered on analyzing basic parameters (sperm count, motility, and viability). We examined the role of cytomorphological analysis on Papanicolaou (PAP)-stained smears in the work up of male infertility, with special reference to leukocytospermia and assessed the morphological features of sperms in these cases. Materials and Methods All cases signed out as “leukocytospermia” between November 2017 and January 2018 were evaluated. Cases showing pus cells (≥ 1/5hpf) on cytosmear evaluation were also analyzed. Parameters obtained on modified Neubauer’s chamber, wet mount preparations, and autoanalyzer SQA-IIC-P (Medical Electronic Systems, Israel) were tabulated. PAP-stained smears were examined to assess morphological defects and other findings, if any. Results Out of 348 semen samples, 6 (1.72%) were diagnosed as leukocytospermia, all displaying pus cells on cytomorphological evaluation. Five cases having white blood cells < 1 × 10 9/L were analyzed, which displayed the presence of pus cells (≥ 1/5 hpf) on cytosmear preparations (1.43%). Nine cases (81.8%) showed reduced motile sperm concentration, functional sperm concentration, and sperm motility index. Morphological evaluation of the PAP-stained smears showed mid-piece defects in 18.1% cases. Conclusion Diligent cytomorphological evaluation of semen is essential to diagnose leukocytospermia, assess morphological defects, and serve as a quality control measure.

Recent Progress on Energy Harvesters for Biomedical Applications

Energy harvesting devices have emerged as a promising technology to not only meet global energy demands but also power biomedical electronics. The dramatic advancement in self-powered biomedical electronics used for monitoring and treatment of severe diseases is part of a paradigm shift that is on the horizon. The review paper highlights recent progress on energy harvesters for scavenging energy to realize self-powered systems. The emphasis is mainly on piezoelectric and triboelectric nanogenerators addressing the basic operating principle, electrical model, design techniques, newly developed materials and their performance as well as associated typical applications. Herein, piezoelectric devices have been compared on basis of their materials, energy conversion efficiency, piezoelectric coefficient and power harvesting circuit. In addition, the recent advances of hybrid nanogenerators in terms of its biomedical applications are also highlighted. Finally, the conclusions and future prospects towards self-powered systems for implantable and wearable medical electronic devices are discussed for effective health monitoring, bio-sensing and clinical therapy.

MO674SHORT DAILY HOME HEMODIALYSIS PROGRAM, IN NEPHROCARE HEMODIALYSIS CENTER: REPORT STUDY

Background and Aims Several studies showed that DHHD improved survival and quality of life and allowed a lower cost for health system. The aim of this study was to describe our first experience of DHHD in our dialysis center. Method We included 9 dialyzed patients trained on Nx Stage® machine (Fresenius Medical Care) from February to December 2020. Data was retrospectively obtained through review of our medical electronic records (Euclid®). Results Among 9 patients trained, 8 were installed at home, with an average follow up of 7 months. 6 patients were dialyzed in self hemodialysis facilities. The mean age was 45 years (28-71), 6 women, BMI: 24 kg/m2 (21-30), dialysis vintage: 5 years and 7 patients are on transplant list. The Charlson score was: 5 (4-8), 5 patients had a residual diuresis&gt; 500 ml/d. The average training duration was 5 weeks (4-8). Our training program targeted the self-puncture of AVF and the self-assembly of the machine by the patient. 100% of AVF were cannulated through Buttonhole technique. 6 patients were dialyzed 6 times a week and only one patient needed anticoagulants. The blood pressure improved on the first days of DHHD (↓ 50% of drugs for 50% of patients). Hemoglobin level maintained between 10-12 g/dl with ↓ EPO. The mineral metabolism status was improved for all patients, with stopping of binders in one case. DHHD reduced symptoms like fatigue, cramping and post-dialysis recovery for all patients, and allowed for patients a better socio-professional integration. A medico-economic analysis is conducted. Conclusion DHHD improved blood pressure, anemia, mineral status and quality of life. Through economy in medicaltransport and better socio-professional integration DHD provides savings for the health system

Medical Electronic Devolution

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