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Acta Médica Portuguesa
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This is an Open Access Journal

Open Access journal
ISSN (Print) 0870-399X - ISSN (Online) 1646-0758
Published by Ordem dos Médicos

[1 journal]

Predatory Publishing: An Industry that Is Threatening Science
- Authors: Joana Revés, Bernardo Marques da Silva, José Durão, Nuno Vouga Ribeiro, Samuel Lemos, Pedro Escada
  Pages: 141 - 143
  Abstract: N/A.
  PubDate: 2018-03-29
  DOI: 10.20344/amp.9810
  Issue No: Vol. 31, No. 3 (2018)
Palliative Care in the United Kingdom: My Experience in Manchester
- Authors: André Cochofel, Ana Cardoso, Michael Tapley
  Pages: 144 - 145
  Abstract: N/A.
  PubDate: 2018-03-29
  DOI: 10.20344/amp.9497
  Issue No: Vol. 31, No. 3 (2018)
Multiple Victims of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in the Aftermath of a
Wildfire: A Case Series
- Authors: Luís Ramos dos Santos, Magna Alves-Correia, Margarida Câmara, Manuela Lélis, Carmo Caldeira, Maria da Luz Brazão, José Júlio Nóbrega
  Pages: 146 - 151
  Abstract: Introduction: Carbon monoxide poisoning may occur in several contexts.
  Material and Methods: Retrospective of 37 carbon monoxide poisoning cases that underwent hyperbaric oxygen during wildfires in Funchal in August 2016.
  Results: The studied sample included 37 patients, mean age of 38 years, 78% males. Ten were firefighters, four children and two pregnant victims. Neurological symptoms were the most reported. Median carboxyhemoglobin level was 3.7% (IQR 2.7). All received high-flow oxygen from admission to delivery of hyperbaric oxygen. Persistence of symptoms was the main indication for hyperbaric oxygen. Median time to hyperbaric oxygen was 4.8 hours (IQR 9.5), at 2.5 ATA for 90 minutes, without major complications. Discharge in less than 24 hours occurred in 92% of the cases. Thirty days follow-up: five patients presented clinical symptoms of late neurological syndrome; twelve patients were lost to follow-up. Carboxyhemoglobin levels on admission and mean time to hyperbaric oxygen were no different between those who did and did not develop the syndrome at 30 days (p = 0.44 and p = 0.58, respectively).
  Discussion: Late neurological syndrome at 30 days occurred in 20% and no new cases were reported at 12 months.
  Conclusion: Use of hyperbaric oxygen appears to have reduced the incidence of the syndrome. This seems to be the first Portuguese series reporting use of hyperbaric oxygen in carbon monoxide poisoning due to wildfires. The authors intend to alert to the importance of referral of these patients because the indications and benefits of this treatment are well documented. This is especially important given the ever-growing issue of wildfires in Portugal.
  PubDate: 2018-03-29
  DOI: 10.20344/amp.9811
  Issue No: Vol. 31, No. 3 (2018)
Association of Anger Expression-Out with NK Cell Counts in Colorectal
Cancer Patients
- Authors: Estela Kakoo-Brioso, Luís Costa, Sílvia Ouakinin
  Pages: 152 - 158
  Abstract: Introduction: There is growing evidence describing the relation between psychological factors and the progression of colorectal cancer. Several mechanisms have been proposed but the one showing more promising evidence relies on the modulation of the antitumoral immune response by psychological factors, particularly through natural killer cells. We aimed to study the relation between natural killer cell count and anxiety, depression and anger state, trait and expression in 54 pre-surgical colorectal cancer patients.
  Material and Methods: We measured peripheral blood natural killer cell count and applied the State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale to 54 pre-surgical colorectal cancer patients. We used the Mann-Whitney U test and the Kruskal-Wallis test when appropriate to compare independent groups.
  Results: Patients with higher Anger Expression-Out had lower natural killer cell numbers than patients with lower Anger Expression-Out (p value = 0.008). No relation was found between natural killer cell levels and Anger State, Anger Trait, or Anger Expression-In. No difference in natural killer cell count was found between patients with and without clinical anxiety or depression.
  Discussion: These results suggest that, in colorectal cancer patients, natural killer cell counts are influenced by Anger Expression-Out, but not by clinical anxiety or depression.
  Conclusion: The unregulated emotional expression might be a conditioning factor of innate immunity. Additional studies are needed to further investigate this relation and to ascertain the clinical impact of therapeutic interventions regarding emotional regulation on the anti-tumoral immune response.
  PubDate: 2018-03-29
  DOI: 10.20344/amp.9573
  Issue No: Vol. 31, No. 3 (2018)
Prevalence of Abdominal Obesity and Excess Weight among Portuguese
Children and Why Abdominal Obesity Should Be Included in Clinical Practice
- Authors: Daniela Rodrigues, Cristina Padez, Aristides M. Machado-Rodrigues
  Pages: 159 - 164
  Abstract: Introduction: Central adiposity in children has increased to a higher degree than general adiposity however it is not a routine measurement in clinical practice. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of overweight, obesity, and abdominal fat distribution and observe the prevalence of abdominal obesity among non-obese 6-10-year-old children.
  Material and Methods: Weight, height, and waist circumference were measured in a sample of 793 children (408 girls). International Obesity Task Force cut-offs were used to define overweight and obesity. Abdominal obesity was defined as waist-to-height ratio ≥ 0.50. Chi-square tests were used to observe the prevalence of the obesity indicators among boys and girls, and the relation between International Obesity Task Force cut-offs and abdominal obesity.
  Results: The prevalence of overweight, including obesity among children was 21.9% (18.9 – 25.0), 6.1% (4.2 – 8.0) were obese and 21.9% (18.6 – 25.0) had a waist-to-height ratio ≥ 0.50. Girls had significantly higher prevalence of overweight, including obesity compared to boys (χ2 = 4.59, p = 0.03), but no differences were found for abdominal obesity according to children’s gender (χ2 = 3.32, p = 0.07). A proportion of normal (8.2%; 5.9 – 10.6) and overweight children (59.5%; 50.9 – 69.0) were abdominally obese.
  Discussion: The prevalence of general and abdominal obesity in children living in central Portugal is of concern. Many children with abdominal obesity would not be considered obese with the International Obesity Task Force cut-off points.
  Conclusion: A high proportion of abdominal obesity was observed in children with normal weight or overweight, suggesting that waist-to-height ratio should be included in routine clinical practice and might be particularly useful to assess the health status of the child.
  PubDate: 2018-03-29
  DOI: 10.20344/amp.9000
  Issue No: Vol. 31, No. 3 (2018)
Polysaccharide of Escherichia coli in the Prevention of Recurrent Urinary
Tract Infection: An Evidence-Based Review
- Authors: Manuel Tinoco, Mélody Santos, Conceição Reitor, Andreia Rodrigues, João Monteiro
  Pages: 165 - 169
  Abstract: Introduction: Recurrent urinary tract infection is frequent and it is related to morbidity, costs and growing antibiotic resistance. OM 8930 vaccine is composed by Escherichia coli polysaccharide and it is a possible prophylactic measure, but there is doubt as to its effectiveness.
  Material and Methods: We performed a systematic review in evidence-based medicine databases with rigorous bibliography selection.
  Results: We found an effective decrease of recurrences in test groups.
  Discussion: We recommend the administration of the vaccine as prophylaxis of recurrent cystitis.
  Conclusion: The vaccine has impact on the recurrent cystitis relapse rate. We suggest that more studies be carried out to evaluate the vaccine cost-benefit and its effectiveness in complicated urinary infections.
  PubDate: 2018-03-29
  DOI: 10.20344/amp.9367
  Issue No: Vol. 31, No. 3 (2018)
Intraventricular Ganglioglioma Presenting with Spontaneous Hemorrhage
- Authors: Alexandre Rainha Campos, Luisa Biscoito, Maria Gabriela Gasparinho
  Pages: 170 - 175
  Abstract: Intraventricular gangliogliomas presenting with spontaneous hemorrhage are rare. Due to high density of important tracts lateral to the ventricular atrium, the intraparietal trans sulcal approach is a good option to remove lesions in this location. These tracts are displaced and sometimes destroyed by the presence of large masses. A 33-year-old male presented with a sudden headache and a generalized seizure. He had a left visual field hemianopia and left visual field neglect. Brain computer tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a hemorrhagic tumor located in his right atrium. With the help of tractography an optimal corridor to the tumor through the intraparietal sulcus was planned. Gross total removal of a ganglioglioma was possible with recovery of visual impairment and control of epilepsy. The efficacy in using tractography as a planning tool for safe tumor removal is demonstrated with clinical, imagiological and histological data, and a surgical video.
  PubDate: 2018-03-29
  DOI: 10.20344/amp.8943
  Issue No: Vol. 31, No. 3 (2018)
Hidradenocarcinoma of the Scrotum with Lymph Node Metastasis
- Authors: Maria Inês Simões, Isabel Marcão, Mário Toscano, Luís Borges
  Pages: 176 - 179
  Abstract: Hidradenocarcinoma is a rare neoplasm of the eccrine cells of the sweat glands, usually asymptomatic with slow growing and higher incidence between 50 and 80 years, occurring in both sexes and preferentially located in the palmar, plantar, frontal, axillary and nuchal regions. It has an aggressive behavior, with high rate of local recurrence and distance metastasis, associated with a poor prognosis. We present a case of hidradenocarcinoma of the scrotum manifested by lymph node metastasis through an exercise of clinical and histological differential diagnosis of an inguinal adenopathy in a young adult.
  PubDate: 2018-03-29
  DOI: 10.20344/amp.9017
  Issue No: Vol. 31, No. 3 (2018)
Multiple Familial Trichoepithelioma
- Authors: Ana Filipe Monteiro, Margarida Rato, Pedro Luís, Ermelindo Tavares
  Pages: 180 - 180
  Abstract: N/A.
  PubDate: 2018-03-29
  DOI: 10.20344/amp.10383
  Issue No: Vol. 31, No. 3 (2018)
Letter to the Editor: Happy Birthday Acta Médica Portuguesa! Almost 40
Years of Indexation at PubMed… (But When Will We Have a Portuguese
Journal of Psychiatry Indexed at PubMed')
- Authors: João Gama Marques
  Pages: 181 - 182
  Abstract: N/A.
  PubDate: 2018-03-29
  DOI: 10.20344/amp.10273
  Issue No: Vol. 31, No. 3 (2018)
Letter to the Editor Re: “Limited Health Literacy in Portugal Assessed
with the Newest Vital Sign” by Dagmara Paiva and Colleagues. Acta Med
Port. 2017;30(12):861-869.
- Authors: Teresa M Salgado, Fernando Fernandez-Llimos
  Pages: 182 - 183
  Abstract: N/A.
  PubDate: 2018-03-29
  DOI: 10.20344/amp.10292
  Issue No: Vol. 31, No. 3 (2018)
Reply to the Letter to the Editor: “Limited Health Literacy in Portugal
Assessed with the Newest Vital Sign”
- Authors: Dagmara Paiva, Susana Silva, Milton Severo, Pedro Moura-Ferreira, Nuno Lunet, Ana Azevedo
  Pages: 183 - 184
  Abstract: N/A.
  PubDate: 2018-03-29
  DOI: 10.20344/amp.10442
  Issue No: Vol. 31, No. 3 (2018)
Letter to the Editor - Predatory Journals: Bad for All But Especially
Authors from Low and Middle Income Countries
- Authors: Jocalyn Clark
  Pages: 184 - 185
  Abstract: N/A.
  PubDate: 2018-03-29
  DOI: 10.20344/amp.10489
  Issue No: Vol. 31, No. 3 (2018)
Erratum to “Translation and Validation of the FOUR Scale for Children
and its Use as Outcome Predictor: A Pilot Study”
- Authors: Sofia Simões Ferreira, Daniel Meireles, Alexandra Pinto, Francisco Abecasis
  Pages: 186 - 186
  Abstract: The article “Translation and Validation of the FOUR Scale for Children and its Use as Outcome Predictor: A Pilot Study”, published by Acta Médica Portuguesa on September 2017 [Acta Med Port 2017 Sep;30(9):599-607] exhibited the mistake detailed here below:On page 600, paragrapah 4, where it reads:“(...) only the last two are assessed by the GCS and depth of coma may not be accurately detected.4”It should read:“(…) GCS does not include important indicators for an adequate evaluation of coma severity, that is, it only evaluates the cortical function, not including brainstem function evaluation parameters such as respiratory pattern, pupil size and reflexes, nor eye movements; as such it may not detect the coma depth properly.4” Article published with the error: https://www.actamedicaportuguesa.com/revista/index.php/amp/article/view/8052
  PubDate: 2018-03-29
  DOI: 10.20344/amp.10496
  Issue No: Vol. 31, No. 3 (2018)