We describe a method for user tracking and localization based on textile capacitive sensor arrays placed under the floor. The sensor array is a commercial product (SensFloor R ) that can be installed under any standard floor type (from carpet to stone) and is able to detect objects (including the user's foot) being placed on it. The challenges addressed in this paper are (1) how to map sequences of such signals onto user trajectories and (2) how to correlate the steps detected by the SensFloor system with the step detection based on a wearable accelerometer as means of user identification. Footstep detection is performed online on the devices, which are seamlessly integrated with the floor's wireless sensor network. Initial experiments performed over a week in a real life office environment show the ability to track multiple humans and to identify up to three users walking in a narrow corridor at the same time.

In a wide range of medical fields, technological advancements have led to an increase in the average collective dose in national populations worldwide. Periodic estimations of the average collective population dose due to medical exposure is, therefore of utmost importance, and is now mandatory in countries within the European Union (article 12 of EURATOM directive 97/43). Presented in this work is a report on the estimation of the collective dose in the Portuguese population due to nuclear medicine diagnostic procedures and the Top 20 diagnostic radiology examinations, which represent the 20 exams that contribute the most to the total collective dose in diagnostic radiology and interventional procedures in Europe. This work involved the collaboration of a multidisciplinary taskforce comprising representatives of all major Portuguese stakeholders (universities, research institutions, public and private healthcare providers, administrative services of the National Healthcare System, scientific and professional associations and private service providers). This allowed us to gather a comprehensive amount of data necessary for a robust estimation of the collective effective dose to the Portuguese population. The methodology used for data collection and dose estimation was based on European Commission recommendations, as this work was performed in the framework of the European wide Dose Datamed II project. This is the first study estimating the collective dose for the population in Portugal, considering such a wide national coverage and range of procedures and consisting of important baseline reference data. The taskforce intends to continue developing periodic collective dose estimations in the future. The estimated annual average effective dose for the Portuguese population was of 0.080±0.017 mSv caput(-1) for nuclear medicine exams and of 0.96±0.68 mSv caput(-1) for the Top 20 diagnostic radiology exams.

Nowadays, the optimization in digital mammography is one of the most important challenges in diagnostic radiology. The new digital technology has introduced additional elements to be considered in this scenario. A major goal of mammography is related to the detection of structures on the order of micrometers (μm) and the need to distinguish the different types of tissues, with very close density values. The diagnosis in mammography faces the difficulty that the breast tissues and pathological findings have very close linear attenuation coefficients within the energy range used in mammography. The aim of this study was to develop a methodology for optimizing exposure parameters of digital mammography based on a new Figure of Merit: FOM ≡ (IQF)/AGD, considering the image quality and dose. The study was conducted using the digital mammography Senographe DS/GE, and CDMAM and TORMAM phantoms. The characterization of clinical practice, carried out in the mammography system under study, was performed considering different breast thicknesses, the technical parameters of exposure, and processing options of images used by the equipment's automatic exposure system. The results showed a difference between the values of the optimized parameters and those ones chosen by the automatic system of the mammography unit, specifically for small breast. The optimized exposure parameters showed better results than those obtained by the automatic system of the mammography, for the image quality parameters and its impact on detection of breast structures when analyzed by radiologists.

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Purpose Transarterial chemoembolisation (TACE) using irinotecan-eluting beads is an additional treatment option for colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRLM) patients that are not eligible for curative treatment approaches. This interim analysis focuses on feasibility of the planned statistical analysis regarding data distribution and completeness, treatment intention, safety and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of the first 50 patients prospectively enrolled in the CIrse REgistry for LifePearl™ microspheres (CIREL), an observational multicentre study conducted across Europe. Methods In total, 50 patients ≥ 18 years diagnosed with CRLM and decided to be treated with irinotecan-eluting LifePearl™ microspheres TACE (LP-irinotecan TACE) by a multidisciplinary tumour board. There were no further inclusion or exclusion criteria. The primary endpoint is the categorisation of treatment intention, and secondary endpoints presented in this interim analysis are safety, treatment considerations and HRQOL. Results LP-irinotecan TACE was conducted in 42% of patients as salvage therapy, 20% as an intensification treatment, 16% as a first-line treatment, 14% a consolidation treatment and 8% combination treatment with ablation with curative intent. Grade 3 and 4 adverse events were reported by 4% of patients during procedure and by 10% within 30 days. While 38% reported a worse, 62% reported a stable or better global health score, and 54% of patients with worse global health score were treated as salvage therapy patients. Conclusion This interim analysis confirms in a prospective analysis the feasibility of the study, with an acceptable toxicity profile. More patients reported a stable or improved HRQOL than deterioration. Deterioration of HRQOL was seen especially in salvage therapy patients. Trial Registration NCT03086096.

Background: The term phyllodes tumours, which account for less than 1% of breast neoplasms, describes a spectrum of heterogenous tumours with different clinical behaviours. Less than 30% present as metastatic disease. Complete surgical resection is the standard of care so that recurrence rates are reduced. The role of adjuvant chemotherapy or radiation therapy is controversial. Patients with metastatic disease have a median overall survival of around 30 months. Case description: The authors present the case of a 57-year-old woman with an exuberant left malignant phyllodes tumour with bilateral involvement, as well as lung and axillar metastasis. The patient underwent haemostatic radiation therapy and started palliative chemotherapy with doxorubicin, achieving partial response with significant improvement in quality of life. A posterior simple mastectomy revealed a small residual tumour. Discussion: Metastatic malignant phyllodes tumours are rare, so therapeutic strategies rely on small retrospective studies and guidelines for soft tissue sarcoma. Palliative chemotherapy protocols include anthracycline-based regimens, either as monotherapy with doxorubicin or doxorubicin together with ifosfamide. With few treatment options, management of these patients must rely on a continuum of care

Objective COVID-19 vaccines have shown efficacy and safety in healthy people. However, cancer patients under active immunosuppressive treatment were not included in the clinical trials conducted to test vaccines' efficacy and safety. This study aimed to evaluate the COVID-19 vaccine acceptance in cancer patients undergoing immunosuppressive therapy. Methods A total of 200 adult cancer patients received a questionnaire between March 8 and April 2, 2021, before the beginning of cancer patients' vaccination in Portugal. The questionnaire adapted from previously conducted studies included 11 close-ended items, evaluating variables such as patient sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, and the acceptance and underlying reasons to be or not to be vaccinated. The primary outcome was the intended acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine in cancer patients. Multiple logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with intended acceptance. Results Among the 200 delivered questionnaires, only 169 were included in this study. From those, 142 (84%) patients intended to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Only 27 participants (16%) had not yet decided or were reluctant to COVID-19 vaccination. High school degree (odds ratio (OR) 0.133, 95% confidence interval (C.I.) 0.031-0.579, p = 0.007], rural residence (OR 0.282, 95% C.I. 0.081-0.984, p = 0.047), and reluctance in believing in the vaccine efficacy (OR 0.058, 95% C.I. 0.016-0.204, p < 0.001] were identified predictors factor for COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. Conclusion Most patients intended to be vaccinated against COVID-19, and specific factors such as education level, rural residence and the belief in vaccine efficacy were related to vaccine acceptance.

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