Laboratório Edol (Portugal)

β‐Ga 2 O 3 nanomembranes obtained by ion‐beam‐assisted exfoliation are used in the fabrication of simple metal–semiconductor–metal (MSM) structures, that are tested as photodetectors (PD) and field‐effect transistors (FET). Ti/Au contacts to the membrane are found to be rectifying. However, through thermal treatment in a nitrogen atmosphere for one minute at 500 °C, it is possible to modify this junction to have an ohmic behavior. An MSM PD is studied, reaching a high responsivity of 2.6 × 10 4 A W −1 and a detectivity of 2.4 × 10 14 Jones, under 245 nm wavelength illumination, and an applied voltage of 40 V. To better understand the behavior of the two junctions, in particular the iono/photocurrent mechanisms, an ion microprobe system is used to assess the response of these PD when excitation is localized in the different regions of the device. Finally, a depletion‐mode FET is obtained, with an ON/OFF current ratio of 7.7 × 10 7 in the linear regime, at a drain‐to‐source voltage of 5 V, and with a threshold voltage around −3 V. The success in obtaining FET, and most notably, MSM PD, while using a simple device structure, indicates a great potential of the nanomembranes produced by ion‐beam‐assisted exfoliation for the development of high‐performance devices.

Prolonged use of Personal Protective Equipment, like surgical masks, can cause skin issues such as acne ("maskne") and rosacea flare-ups due to pressure and moisture. While dressings can protect the skin, they often reduce mask effectiveness and lack pharmaceuticals to treat common skin lesions. This study introduces an innovative dual-function gelatin/tannic acid-based hydrogel patch incorporating metronidazole (1% w/w) or salicylic acid (2% w/w) to offer both skin protection and treatment. The hydrogels were characterized for gelation temperature, burst strength, extensibility, adhesivity, and tribological properties to assess the effects of the active ingredients on their mechanical performance. In vitro release studies using Franz diffusion cells under occlusive conditions evaluated the drug release profile from the patches. Results showed that gelatin/tannic acid and gelatin/tannic acid-metronidazole hydrogels had similar gelation temperatures (41.65±1.95°C), while the salicylic acid formulation exhibited a lower gelation temperature (33.24±0.40°C). Adhesivity improved with the addition of active ingredients, increasing by about 0.5N, and burst strength significantly increased with metronidazole (about 6N). Both formulations demonstrated enhanced extensibility and were suitable for all skin types in tribological studies. The in vitro release studies showed an initial burst release followed by controlled release, unaffected by mask placement. These findings suggest that dual-function hydrogel patches could provide effective skin protection and improve skin health during prolonged mask use, offering a promising solution for conditions like "maskne" and rosacea.

Library of Congress Control Number: 2023930568 The Deutsche Nationalbibliothek lists this publication in the Deutsche Nationalbibliografie; detailed bibliographic data are available on the internet at http://dnb.dnb.de.

Radiation-Hard Semiconductors GaN is a promising radiation-hard semiconductor. In article number 2102235, Miguel C. Sequeira and co-workers clarify its ion-solid dynamics in the strongly ionizing regime. Atomistic simulations and microscopy techniques revealed several sub-nanosecond interaction stages, including a hot sputtering phase and a relaxed ion track with distinct morphologies near and far from the surface.

Introdução: As solicitações de fornecimento de medicamentos não selecionados pelo SUS estão cada vez mais frequentes. A provisão desses medicamentos, alguns sem evidência científica suficiente e, em sua maioria, com elevado custo, gera questionamentos acerca da efetividade do direito à saúde individual e coletiva. Objetivo: Demonstrar os benefícios da criação, no âmbito da Assistência Farmacêutica Municipal, de um setor para o atendimento, por via administrativa, de demandas de fornecimento de medicamentos não selecionados pelo SUS, e da instituição da avaliação técnica farmacêutica para o seu fornecimento. Método: Estudo de caso a partir de análise de dados coletados em processos administrativos no âmbito do Programa de Medicamentos Excepcionais, no município de Camaçari, Bahia, região Nordeste do Brasil. Resultados: O estabelecimento de critérios técnicos para o fornecimento de medicamentos não selecionados, incluindo a avaliação farmacêutica, com emissão de parecer farmacêutico, levou a um decréscimo de 48,2% no número de pacientes cadastrados no Programa de Medicamentos Excepcionais e à redução dos gastos correspondentes, sem provocar aumento na judicialização. Conclusão: A instituição de serviço para atendimento, por via administrativa, de demandas de medicamentos não selecionados pelo SUS, incluindo a avaliação técnica do farmacêutico, contribuiu para uma aplicação mais eficaz, eficiente e justa dos recursos públicos.

AimsThe arrival of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapies represented a treatment shift for several ophthalmological disorders and led to an increasing number of patients undergoing intravitreal injections. The aims of this observational study were to assess the expansion of anti-VEGF intravitreal injections in the Portuguese National Health System (NHS) and to identify factors correlated with geographical variations in episode rates.MethodsAdministrative database on discharge from Portuguese NHS hospitals was analysed for annual values and rates of intravitreal anti-VEGF injections at a national and regional level, between 2013 and 2018.ResultsThe number of episodes of anti-VEGF treatment and patients treated increased 16% and 9% per year, respectively, between 2013 and 2018. During the study period around 72% of patients were treated in the Metropolitan areas of Lisbon and Porto and in the Central region. Intravitreal anti-VEGF treatment rates in 2018 were 560 per 100 000 population and presented high variability between municipalities. Higher anti-VEGF treatment rates at the municipality level were associated with shorter distances between their residence and the hospital. At the hospital level, higher ratio of ophthalmologists and higher organisational level were associated with higher anti-VEGF treatment rates.ConclusionThe number of episodes and patients treated with anti-VEGF injections has been growing in recent years. Proximity to healthcare, more access to ophthalmologists and hospitals with higher organisational levels are associated with higher anti-VEGF treatment rates. Improving access is crucial to reduce regional discrepancies and ensure optimal treatment frequency, which may improve health outcomes.