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Background: The current medical scenario is closely linked to recent progress in telecommunications, photodocumentation, and artificial intelligence (AI). Smartphone eye examination may represent a promising tool in the technological spectrum, with special interest for primary health care services. Obtaining fundus imaging with this technique has improved and democratized the teaching of fundoscopy, but in particular, it contributes greatly to screening diseases with high rates of blindness. Eye examination using smartphones essentially represents a cheap and safe method, thus contributing to public policies on population screening. This review aims to provide an update on the use of this resource and its future prospects, especially as a screening and ophthalmic diagnostic tool. Methods: In this review, we surveyed major published advances in retinal and anterior segment analysis using AI. We performed an electronic search on the Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE), EMBASE, and Cochrane Library for published literature without a deadline. We included studies that compared the diagnostic accuracy of smartphone ophthalmoscopy for detecting prevalent diseases with an accurate or commonly employed reference standard. Results: There are few databases with complete metadata, providing demographic data, and few databases with sufficient images involving current or new therapies. It should be taken into consideration that these are databases containing images captured using different systems and formats, with information often being excluded without essential detailing of the reasons for exclusion, which further distances them from real-life conditions. The safety, portability, low cost, and reproducibility of smartphone eye images are discussed in several studies, with encouraging results. Conclusions: The high level of agreement between conventional and a smartphone method shows a powerful arsenal for screening and early diagnosis of the main causes of blindness, such as cataract, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and age-related macular degeneration. In addition to streamlining the medical workflow and bringing benefits for public health policies, smartphone eye examination can make safe and quality assessment available to the population.

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Objective To investigate the long-term use of smartphones as a risk factor for the development of morbidities in the wrist and fingers. Methods The present is a descriptive, exploratory study with a quantitative approach based on injury prevalence among one hundred smartphone users of a private university in the state of Pernambuco, Northeastern Brazil. We applied a semi-structured questionnaire and the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ), as well as the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the Finkelstein, Phalen, reverse Phalen, and Tinel signal tests on the wrist. Results The average of the sample was of 22.73 years, with a prevalence of single, right-handed female participants. Most of them had been using smartphones for 5 to 10 years, and 85% reported discomfort in the wrist and fingers while using the device, with numbness as the most prevalent symptom. Most clinical tests were negative, and the Finklestein test showed greater positivity. The BCTQ is composed of a symptom severity scale (S scale) and a functional status scale (F scale): the overall score on the S scale was of 1.61, indicating mild to moderate symptoms, and the F scale revealed that the symptoms did not affect functionality. Conclusion There was a significant correlation between the length of use of smartphones and discomfort in the wrist and fingers; as such, smartphones are a risk factor for the development of morbidities.

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Abstract Objective To investigate the long-term use of smartphones as a risk factor for the development of morbidities in the wrist and fingers. Methods The present is a descriptive, exploratory study with a quantitative approach based on injury prevalence among one hundred smartphone users of a private university in the state of Pernambuco, Northeastern Brazil. We applied a semi-structured questionnaire and the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ), as well as the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the Finkelstein, Phalen, reverse Phalen, and Tinel signal tests on the wrist. Results The average of the sample was of 22.73 years, with a prevalence of single, right-handed female participants. Most of them had been using smartphones for 5 to 10 years, and 85% reported discomfort in the wrist and fingers while using the device, with numbness as the most prevalent symptom. Most clinical tests were negative, and the Finklestein test showed greater positivity. The BCTQ is composed of a symptom severity scale (S scale) and a functional status scale (F scale): the overall score on the S scale was of 1.61, indicating mild to moderate symptoms, and the F scale revealed that the symptoms did not affect functionality. Conclusion There was a significant correlation between the length of use of smartphones and discomfort in the wrist and fingers; as such, smartphones are a risk factor for the development of morbidities.

Resumo Objetivo Investigar o uso de smartphones em longo prazo como fator de risco para o desenvolvimento de morbidades no nível do punho e dos dedos. Métodos Realizou-se um estudo descritivo, exploratório, de abordagem quantitativa, para a obtenção de medidas de prevalência com cem acadêmicos usuários de smartphones de uma faculdade privada localizada no sertão de Pernambuco. Foram aplicados um questionário semiestruturado e o Questionário de Síndrome doTúnel do Carpo de Boston (Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire, BCTQ, na sigla em inglês), além da Escala Visual Analógica (EVA) e dos testes de Finkesltein, Phalen, Phalen reverso, e sinal de Tinel no punho. Resultados A idade média da amostra foi de 22,73 anos, com prevalência de solteiros, de destros, e do sexo feminino. O tempo de uso do smartphone indicado pela maioria dos participantes era entre 5 e 10 anos, e 85% da amostra relatou já ter sentido desconforto no punho e nos dedos durante o uso do aparelho, sendo a dormência o sintoma mais prevalente. Com relação aos testes clínicos, houve prevalência de resultados negativos, e o de Finklestein apresentou maior positividade. Quanto ao BCTQ, dividido em duas escalas, uma de gravidade dos sintomas (escala G) e uma de estado funcional (escala F), a média geral das pontuações foi de 1,61 na escala G, o que indica sintomas de leve a moderados, já a escala F revelou que os sintomas não afetavam a funcionalidade. Conclusão Foi possível observar uma correlação significativa entre o tempo de uso dos smartphones e a presença de desconforto no punho e nos dedos, o que indica que se trata de um fator de risco para o desenvolvimento de morbidades.

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The rise of consumption patterns of electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) and the generation of waste EEE (WEEE) has been strongly increasing globally. Recycling rates (RRs) are one of the main indicators for monitoring the progress towards a circular economy and establishing recovery and treatment schemes. For this reason, this study discusses the setting of recycling targets for WEEE in Ecuador, using mobile phones as a case study. Firstly, the generation of mobile phone waste from 2012 to 2018 is estimated based on literature review. The most appropriate model for estimating WEEE generation is selected according to the applicable market conditions, input requirements and available data. Then, the composition of a mobile phone is determined through an extensive literature review. Based on these results, the materials' environmental impact and potential economic value are approximated using the ReCiPe Endpoint (H, A) method and the prices of virgin materials, respectively. The estimation shows that in Ecuador an average of 2 million devices are discarded every year, which represents an interesting source of resources but currently does not have appropriate management. Ecuador has implemented regulatory frameworks in favour of the integral management of these wastes. However, mass-based collection targets still appear to be the only available measure. Therefore, national results on electronics recycling do not allow adequate monitoring of progress towards a circular economy and largely neglect environmental aspects and economic potential.

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The widespread use of mobile phones (MP) among healthcare personnel might be considered as an important source of contamination. One of the most pathogenic bacteria to humans is Staphylococcus aureus, which can be transmitted through the constant use of MP. Nevertheless, which specific type of strains are transmitted and which are their sources have not been sufficiently studied. The aim of this study is to determine the source of contamination of MP and characterize the corresponding genotypic and phenotypic properties of the strains found. Nose, pharynx, and MP samples were taken from a group of health science students. We were able to determinate the clonality of the isolated strains by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and spa gene typing (spa-type). Adhesin and toxin genes were detected, and the capacity of biofilm formation was determined. Several of the MP exhibited strains of S. aureus present in the nose and/or pharynx of their owners. methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), hospital-acquired methicillin-resistant S. aureus (HA-MRSA), and community-acquired methicillin-resistant S. aureus (CA-MRSA) strains were found, which indicated a variety of genotypes. This study concludes that MP can be contaminated with the strains of S. aureus present in the nose and/or pharynx of the owners; these strains can be of different types and there is no dominant genotype.

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Resumo Objetivo Desenvolver e analisar um aplicativo móvel para avaliação, prevenção e tratamento da lesão por pressão. Métodos Foram quatro as fases para desenvolvimento da estrutura do aplicativo denominado Lesão por Pressão-App. A primeira fase correspondeu à concepção do aplicativo e identificou a necessidade de seu desenvolvimento. A segunda fase foi a elaboração do protótipo do aplicativo, na qual seu conteúdo foi definido com base em revisão integrativa da literatura. A terceira fase foi a da construção do aplicativo, quando o fluxograma foi elaborado, o banco de dados pôde ser estruturado e o software, desenvolvido. Na quarta fase, de transição, os testes de funcionalidade do aplicativo foram realizados. A avaliação do aplicativo foi realizada por 12 enfermeiros (juízes) por meio da técnica de Delphi e com o uso do Índice de Validade de Conteúdo. Resultados A maioria dos juízes considerou o aplicativo, na primeira avaliação, entre inadequado e totalmente adequado, porém, na segunda avaliação, ele foi avaliado entre adequado e totalmente adequado. O Índice de Validade de Conteúdo dos tópicos avaliados variou de 0,83 a 1,0 na primeira avaliação. Após realizar as correções, o aplicativo foi reavaliado, e o Índice de Validade de Conteúdo foi 1,0, caracterizando um excelente conteúdo. Conclusão O aplicativo Lesão por Pressão-App foi validado por profissional com experiência na área, mostrando a concordância do conteúdo entre os juízes na segunda avaliação.

Resumen Objetivo Desarrollar y analizar una aplicación móvil para la evaluación, prevención y tratamiento de la lesión por presión. Métodos Hubo cuatro fases para el desarrollo de la estructura de la aplicación denominada Lesión por Presión-App. La primera fase correspondió a la concepción de la aplicación e identificó la necesidad de desarrollarla. La segunda fase fue la elaboración del prototipo de la aplicación en la que se definió el contenido con base a la revisión integradora de la literatura. La tercera fase fue la de la construcción de la aplicación, en la que se elaboró el diagrama de flujo, se pudo estructurar el banco de datos y el software, desarrollado. En la cuarta fase, de transición, se realizaron los ensayos de funcionalidad de la aplicación. La evaluación de la aplicación la realizaron 12 enfermeros (jueces) a través de la técnica de Delphi y con el uso del Índice de Validez de Contenido. Resultados La mayoría de los jueces consideró que, en la primera evaluación, la aplicación estaba entre inadecuada y totalmente adecuada. Sin embargo, en la segunda evaluación, fue evaluada entre adecuada y totalmente adecuada. El Índice de Validez de Contenido de los tópicos evaluados tuvo una variación de 0,83 a 1,0 en la primera evaluación. Después de realizar las correcciones, la aplicación pasó por nueva evaluación y el Índice de Validez de Contenido fue de 1,0, caracterizándolo como un excelente contenido. Conclusión La aplicación "Lesão por Pressão-App" (Lesión por Presión-App) fue evaluada por un profesional experimentado en el área, evidenciando la conformidad del contenido entre los jueces en la segunda evaluación.

Abstract Objective To develop and analyze a mobile app for pressure injury assessment, prevention, and treatment. Methods There were four phases to develop the structure of an application called Lesão por Pressão-App. The first phase corresponded to the application design and identified the need for its development. The second phase was developing the application prototype, in which its content was defined based on an integrative literature review. The third phase was the application construction, when the flowchart was elaborated, the database could be structured and the software developed. In the fourth phase, transition, application functionality tests were performed. The application was assessed by 12 nurses (judges) using the Delphi technique and using Content Validity Index. Results Most judges considered the application, in the first assessment, between inadequate and totally adequate; however, in the second assessment, it was assessed between adequate and totally adequate. The Content Validity Index of the topics assessed ranged from 0.83 to 1.0 in the first assessment. After making the corrections, the application was re-assessed, and Content Validity Index was 1.0, featuring excellent content. Conclusion The application Lesão por Pressão-App was validated by a professional with experience in the field, showing the agreement of content among judges in the second assessment.

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La hipertensión arterial es una de las enfermedades crónicas de mayor incidencia a nivel mundial, produce una importante mortalidad y discapacidad. Este trabajo tuvo por objetivo evaluar el efecto del uso de mensajes de texto en dispositivos de telefonía móvil en la adherencia al tratamiento de hipertensión arterial. Se efectuó un estudio de intervención cuasiexperimental, de antes y después, en el cual se entrevistó a pacientes que pertenecían a un programa ambulatorio de enfermedades crónicas. Se formaron 4 grupos, uno de ellos, el grupo control. A los grupos intervenidos se les remitieron mensajes de texto (educativos/motivadores), con diferentes frecuencias de envío, por un período de 2 meses. Al término de la intervención, se pidió llenar el cuestionario Martín-Bayarre-Grau para determinar su adherencia al tratamiento antihipertensivo antes y después de la intervención. Se realizó un análisis bivariado, en el cual se comparó la variable adherencia al tratamiento, antes y después de la intervención, de los cuatro grupos del estudio. Se encontró solo una diferencia significativa en el grupo 3 (p = 0,011), al cual se le enviaron 8 mensajes al mes (2 por semana). También se comparó, después de los 2 meses, a los grupos sometidos a intervención versus el grupo control; se halló una diferencia significativa en el grupo 3 (p = 0,022). La intervención ha demostrado ser útil para mejorar la adherencia en esta población de estudio. Se obtuvo una respuesta positiva en el grupo 3, que recibió 8 mensajes al mes(AU)

Hypertension is one of the chronic diseases with the highest incidence worldwide and a cause of considerable mortality and disability. This paper aims to evaluate the effect of mobile phone text messaging on adherence to hypertension treatment. A quasi-experimental before-after intervention was conducted based on interviews with patients from a chronic disease outpatient program. Four groups were formed, one of which was the control group. The groups intervened were sent encouraging educational text messages at varying frequencies for a period of two months. At the close of the intervention, participants were asked to fill in the Martín Bayarre Grau questionnaire to determine their adherence to antihypertensive treatment before and after the intervention. A bivariate analysis was performed comparing the variable adherence to treatment before and after the intervention in the four study groups. A significant difference was only found in Group 3 (p = 0.011). This group was sent eight messages per month (two messages per week). Additionally, a comparison between the intervention groups and the control group conducted at two months found a significant difference in Group 3 (p = 0.022). The intervention proved was useful to improve adherence in the study population. A positive response was obtained in Group 3, who received eight messages per month(AU)

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Desde la introducción de los teléfonos móviles en los años 80, el crecimiento de su uso ha sido continuo y con una tasa de crecimiento cada vez mayor. Este crecimiento ha generado preocupación a nivel mundial respecto de los efectos que sobre la salud provocan. Uno de ellos tiene que ver con los cambios adaptativos que surgen a nivel de la columna cervical, por la acción de inclinar la cabeza hacia adelante repetidas veces, con el objeto de visualizar la pantalla. Se ha descrito una estrecha relación entre la columna cervical y el completo cráneomandibular, por lo que se espera que los componentes de ambos sistemas tengan la capacidad potencial de influirse de manera recíproca. Se ha demostrado que distintas actitudes posturales derivan en características diversas de oclusión, por lo que una modificación de la posición craneocervical afectaría tanto a la oclusión dentaria de manera particular, como de forma general a la biomecánica mandibular. El propósito de este trabajo es informar sobre los efectos que las posturas inadecuadas que adopta la columna cervical al utilizar teléfonos móviles, pueden provocar a nivel del sistema estomatognático (AU)

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New technologies able to identify the sedentary behavior (SB), such as the Mobile Ecological Momentary Assessment (mEMA) still need to be investigated. The aim of this study was to describe SB in the physical, social, and environmental contexts and verify the agreement between the mEMA and accelerometry in the identification of SB in young adults. During 7 days, 123 young adults used concomitant mEMA and Actigraph wGT3xBT accelerometer. Data of 2262 mEMA prompts and respective count values in each minute (5 min previous to prompt) were included in the analyses. Descriptive and comparative statistics were used in analyses using the SPSS 20.0 software. The physical context (PC) at home was the highest occurrence of SB (46.3%) and the main activity was "watching TV/movies" (29.7%). The main social context (SC) related to SB was "staying alone" (49.6%). The main assertions related to the participants' environmental context (EC) were: "I appreciate the comfort of electronic devices when I am at home" (86.2%). mEMA identified the presence of SB in 78.1% of prompts, while accelerometry identified 70.9% (PABAK = 0.42). High values for the presence of SB were observed (sensitivity = 84%) and lower in the absence of SB (specificity = 38%). The study demonstrates the viability of mEMA use to obtain information about the occurrence of SB in contextual factors and good sensitivity to identify the presence of SB in young adults. The combined use of these methods is suggested in future studies about SB in young adults.

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BACKGROUND: Engagement in self-care behaviors that are essential to optimize diabetes care is challenging for many patients with diabetes. mHealth interventions have been shown to be effective in improving health care outcomes in diabetes. However, more research is needed on patient perceptions to support these interventions, especially in resource settings in low- and middle-income countries. OBJECTIVE: The goal of the research was to explore perceptions and acceptability of a short message service (SMS) text messaging intervention for diabetes care in underserved people with diabetes in Argentina. METHODS: A qualitative exploratory methodology was adopted as part of the evaluation of a program to strengthen diabetes services in primary care clinics located in low-resource settings. The diabetes program included a text messaging intervention for people with diabetes. A total of 24 semistructured telephone interviews were conducted with people with diabetes. RESULTS: Twenty-four middle-aged persons with diabetes were interviewed. Acceptability was considered adequate in terms of its actual use, frequency, and the role of texts as a reminder. We found that text messages could be a mediating device in the patient's learning processes. Also, being exposed to the texts seemed to help bring about changes in risk perception and care practices and to function as psychosocial support. Another relevant finding was the role of text messaging as a potential facilitator in diabetes care. In this sense, we observed a strong association between receiving text messages and having a better patient-physician relationship. Additionally, social barriers that affect diabetes care such as socioeconomic and psychosocial vulnerability were identified. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show positive contributions of a text messaging intervention for the care of people with diabetes. We consider that an SMS strategy has potential to be replicated in other contexts. However, further studies are needed to explore its sustainability and long-term impact from the perspective of patients.

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INTRODUCTION: It is recognized that mobile phones may play a role in microorganism transmission and that hand hygiene, is considered the most important action for preventing infections and the spread of pathogens. The objective of this study was to determine presence and circulation bacteria on hands and mobile phones capable of causing infections in people and also determine if disinfection with gel-alcohol is useful to reduce the bacterial colonization. METHODS: The bacterial evaluation included 596 hands of participants and 256 mobile phones. Isolated colonies were identified by biochemical test and confirmed by gene 16S rRNA sequencing. Antimicrobial susceptibility was performed using the automated instrument Vitek®2-Compact and disk-diffusionmethod. RESULTS: In total, 92.9% of mobile phones and 98.3% of participants in study demonstrated evidence of bacterial contamination with different types of bacteria. Surprisingly, we observed that 18.6% plaques inoculated with disinfected fingers showed bacterial growth. In general, Gram negative isolates showed resistance to a higher number of antibiotics tested than Gram positive isolates. CONCLUSIONS: Our results could help to raise awareness in our society about the importance of hand hygiene, as well as frequently used devices, reducing bacterial contamination and limiting the possibility of transmission of resistant multi-drug bacteria.

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ABSTRACT Objective: To identify in the literature studies on mobile technologies in Nursing. Method: Integrative literature review in which was used the Population, Interest and Context (PICo) strategy, the tool of the National Library of Medicine for formulation of the research question, and search without a determined period of time in the following bibliographic databases: Medical Literature and Retrieval System onLine/PubMed®), Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), SCOPUS (Elsevier), Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences (LILACS) and Nursing Database (BDENF). Data collection period was from January to March 2017. Results: Fifteen articles were selected, in which were addressed mobile technologies in Nursing for nurses, undergraduate students and patients. Conclusion: Mobile technologies in Nursing are a recent theme and enable care data sharing, experience acquisition by undergraduate students and patient empowerment.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Identificar en la literatura estudios sobre tecnologías móviles en el área de Enfermería. Método: Revisión de la literatura en que se utilizó la estrategia Población, Interés y Contexto (PICo), herramienta de la National Library of Medicine para la formulación de la cuestión de la investigación y la búsqueda sin recorte temporal en las siguientes bases de datos bibliográficos: Medical Literature and Retrieval System onLine (MEDLINE/PubMed®), Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), SCOPUS (Elsevier), Literatura Latinoamericana y del Caribe en Ciencias de la Salud (LILACS) y Base de Datos en Enfermería (BDENF). El período de la recolección de datos fue de enero a marzo de 2017. Resultados: Se seleccionaron 15 artículos, que abordaron tecnologías móviles en el área de Enfermería para enfermeros, estudiantes y pacientes. Conclusión: Las tecnologías móviles en el área de Enfermería son tema reciente y posibilitan compartir datos en la asistencia, adquisición de experiencia por estudiantes y empoderamiento del paciente.

RESUMO Objetivo: Identificar na literatura estudos sobre tecnologias móveis na área de enfermagem. Método: Revisão integrativa da literatura, utilizando a estratégia População, Interesse e Contexto (PICo), ferramenta da National Library of Medicine para formulação da questão de pesquisa e busca sem recorte temporal nas bases de dados bibliográficas: Medical Literature and Retrieval System onLine (MEDLINE/PubMed®), Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), SCOPUS (Elsevier), Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde (LILACS) e Base de Dados em Enfermagem (BDENF). A coleta de dados ocorreu no período de janeiro a março de 2017. Resultados: Foram selecionados 15 artigos, que abordaram tecnologias móveis na área da enfermagem para enfermeiros, graduandos e pacientes. Conclusão: As tecnologias móveis na área da enfermagem são tema recente e possibilitam compartilhamento de dados na assistência, aquisição de experiência por graduandos e empoderamento do paciente.

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BACKGROUND: Mobile phone usage has been rapidly increasing worldwide. mHealth could efficiently deliver high-quality health care, but the evidence supporting its current effectiveness is still mixed. OBJECTIVE: We performed a systematic review of systematic reviews to assess the impact or effectiveness of mobile health (mHealth) interventions in different health conditions and in the processes of health care service delivery. METHODS: We used a common search strategy of five major scientific databases, restricting the search by publication date, language, and parameters in methodology and content. Methodological quality was evaluated using the Measurement Tool to Assess Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) checklist. RESULTS: The searches resulted in a total of 10,689 articles. Of these, 23 systematic reviews (371 studies; more than 79,665 patients) were included. Seventeen reviews included studies performed in low- and middle-income countries. The studies used diverse mHealth interventions, most frequently text messaging (short message service, SMS) applied to different purposes (reminder, alert, education, motivation, prevention). Ten reviews were rated as low quality (AMSTAR score 0-4), seven were rated as moderate quality (AMSTAR score 5-8), and six were categorized as high quality (AMSTAR score 9-11). A beneficial impact of mHealth was observed in chronic disease management, showing improvement in symptoms and peak flow variability in asthma patients, reducing hospitalizations and improving forced expiratory volume in 1 second; improving chronic pulmonary diseases symptoms; improving heart failure symptoms, reducing deaths and hospitalization; improving glycemic control in diabetes patients; improving blood pressure in hypertensive patients; and reducing weight in overweight and obese patients. Studies also showed a positive impact of SMS reminders in improving attendance rates, with a similar impact to phone call reminders at reduced cost, and improved adherence to tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus therapy in some scenarios, with evidence of decrease of viral load. CONCLUSIONS: Although mHealth is growing in popularity, the evidence for efficacy is still limited. In general, the methodological quality of the studies included in the systematic reviews is low. For some fields, its impact is not evident, the results are mixed, or no long-term studies exist. Exceptions include the moderate quality evidence of improvement in asthma patients, attendance rates, and increased smoking abstinence rates. Most studies were performed in high-income countries, implying that mHealth is still at an early stage of development in low-income countries.

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In this work, chitin (CTN), chitosan (CTS) and activated carbon (AC) were used as adsorbents to recover valuable metals from leachates of mobile phone wastes. The mobile phone wastes (contactors) were collected and characterized. The valuable metals were extracted by thiourea leaching. The adsorption of valuable metals from leachates was studied according to the kinetic and equilibrium viewpoints. It was found that the contactors were composed by Au, Ni, Cu and Sn. The thiourea leaching provided extraction percentages of 68.6% for Au, 22.1% for Ni and 2.8% for Cu. Sn was not extracted. The leachate presented 17.5 mg L-1 of Au, 324.9 mg L-1 of Ni and 573.1 mg L-1 of Cu. The adsorption was fast, being the equilibrium attained within 120 min. The adsorption of Au, Ni and Cu onto CTN and AC followed the Langmuir model, while, the adsorption of these metals onto CTS, followed the Freundlich model. Removal percentages higher than 95% were obtained for all metals, depending of the type and amount of adsorbent. It was demonstrated that the adsorption onto chitin, chitosan and activated carbon can be an alternative to recover valuable metals from leachates of mobile phone wastes.

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El objetivo principal del presente trabajo ha sido analizar el uso que los adolescentes realizan de Internet y los teléfonos móviles. Se utilizó un diseño descriptivo, para la muestra se seleccionaron aleatoriamente 10 centros educativos, registrando 874 encuestas. Los adolescentes utilizan masivamente la Red, accediendo a la misma cada vez más a través del teléfono móvil, no aparecen casos llamativos de dependencia en el empleo del teléfono móvil. Otro de los problemas detectados ha sido el del tiempo de conexión a Internet, que aumenta de manera significativa al igual que destacan otros estudios similares. Es fundamental potenciar el papel de familias y centros educativos para dotar a los jóvenes de estrategias que les permitan realizar unos usos adecuados.

The main objective of this study was to analyze the use made of the teenagers Internet and mobile phones. A descriptive design was used, for the sample were randomly selected 10 schools, registering 874 surveys. Teens use Internet massively, increasingly accessed via mobile phone, although do not show a lot of cases of dependency on the use of mobile phone. Another of the problems identified was the Internet connection time, which increases significantly as others similar studies indicates. It is essential to enhance the role of families and schools to equip young people with strategies to do adequate use.

O principal objetivo deste estudo foi analisar o uso da Internet e de celulares pelos adolescentes. Utilizou-se um modelo descritivo. Para a amostra, a seleção ocorreu de forma aleatória em 10 centros educativos, registrando 874 respostas. Os adolescentes utilizam massivamente a Internet e a acessam cada vez mais por meio dos smartphones. Não constam, nesta pesquisa, casos marcantes de dependência no emprego do smartphone. Outro dos problemas detectados tem sido o do tempo de conexão à Internet, que aumenta de maneira significativa, conforme destacam outros estudos similares. É fundamental reforçar o papel das famílias e das escolas na hora de adotar estratégias que permitam aos jovens utilizar a internet de modo adequado, visando a potencialização de suas capacidades cognitivas.

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El uso de teléfonos móviles se ha generalizado en las instituciones de salud, inclusive en áreas con riesgos microbiológicos definidos, como los laboratorios clínicos. En el presente estudio, se investigó la presencia de bacterias potencialmente patógenas, en los teléfonos móviles del personal de laboratorio de cuatro instituciones hospitalarias de Maracaibo, Venezuela. Se realizó el cultivo microbiológico cualitativo de hisopados de la superficie de 200 teléfonos. Mediante un cuestionario se indagó la adherencia del personal a las prácticas higiénicas estándar durante la jornada laboral. En 83% de los teléfonos se evidenció contaminación bacteriana y en 29% se identificó agentes con potencial patogénico definido, predominando Enterococcus spp., anaerobios estrictos, Staphylococcus aureus y enterobacterias. Algunas cepas patógenas presentaron patrones de resistencia sugestivos de gérmenes nosocomiales. Un elevado porcentaje del personal abordado admitió no aplicar medidas higiénicas mínimas al utilizar sus teléfonos en el ambiente laboral. Los resultados microbiológicos obtenidos, aunados al bajo nivel de compromiso del personal de laboratorio con las prácticas higiénicas estándar, permiten atribuirle un importante riego microbiológico al uso de teléfonos móviles en los laboratorios clínicos, que podría afectar no sólo a los dueños y manipuladores habituales de tales dispositivos, sino también extenderse a sus manipuladores ocasionales a nivel extrahospitalario.

The use of mobile phones is widespread in health institutions, including areas with defined microbiological risk as clinical laboratories. In this study, the presence of potentially pathogenic bacteria was investigated in mobile phones of laboratory personnel of four hospitals of Maracaibo, Venezuela. Qualitative microbiological culture of swabs from the surface of 200 mobile phones was performed. A questionnaire was applied, to evaluate adherence of staff to standard hygiene practices during the workday. In 83% of phones bacterial contamination was evidenced, and 29% had bacteria with defined pathogenic potential, predominantly Enterococcus spp., strict anaerobes bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus and enterobacteria. Some pathogenic strains showed resistance patterns suggestive of nosocomial bacteria. A high percentage of staff refused to apply minimal hygiene measures to manipulate their phones during the workday. Microbiological results, analyzed together with the low level of adherence of personnel to the standard hygienic practices, allow attributing an important hazard to mobiles phone use in clinical laboratories, which could involve not only owners of such devices and usual manipulators, but also could extend to his occasional manipulators in the community.

RESUMO

Because of their short life span and high production and consumption rates, mobile phones are one of the contributors to WEEE (waste electrical and electronic equipment) growth in many countries. If incorrectly managed, the hazardous materials used in the assembly of these devices can pollute the environment and pose dangers for workers involved in the recycling of these materials. In this study, 144 polymer fragments originating from 50 broken or obsolete mobile phones were analyzed via laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) without previous treatment. The coated polymers were mainly characterized by the presence of Ag, whereas the uncoated polymers were related to the presence of Al, K, Na, Si and Ti. Classification models were proposed using black and white polymers separately in order to identify the manufacturer and origin using KNN (K-nearest neighbor), SIMCA (Soft Independent Modeling of Class Analogy) and PLS-DA (Partial Least Squares for Discriminant Analysis). For the black polymers the percentage of correct predictions was, in average, 58% taking into consideration the models for manufacturer and origin identification. In the case of white polymers, the percentage of correct predictions ranged from 72.8% (PLS-DA) to 100% (KNN).

RESUMO

In this study, laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) was combined with chemometric strategies (PCA, Principal Component Analysis) and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) to investigate the metal composition of a printed circuit board (PCB) sample from a mobile phone. Scanning electron microscopy-EDS was used for two main reasons: it was possible at the same time to visualize the sample surface, craters (made by the laser pulses) and also the chemical composition of the samples. A 30 mm×40 mm area of the mobile phone PCB sample, which was manufactured in 2011, was investigated. In this case, a matrix with 30 rows and 40 columns (1200 points) was analyzed, and 10 pulses were performed at each point. A total of 12,000 emission spectra were recorded in the wavelength range from 186 to 1040 nm. After an initial exploratory investigation using PCA, 18 emission lines were selected (representing the elements Al, Au, Ba, Ca, Co, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Sb, Si, Sn, Ti and Zn) and then normalized by the relative intensities, and a new PCA was calculated with the autoscaled data. For example, Au and Si were mainly observed in the superficial electrical contacts and in the bulk of the PCB, respectively. A second sample (a mouse PCB) was also analyzed and Pb (emission lines 357.273, 363.956, 368.346, 373.994 and 405.780 nm) was identified in the solders. In addition, this element was determined using FAAS (flame atomic absorption spectrometry) and the Pb concentration was around 25% (w/w). This study opens the possibility for improved recycling processes and the chemical investigation of solid samples measuring a few millimeters in dimension without sample preparation.

RESUMO

Análise microbiológica que objetivou determinar as principais espécies bacterianas e fúngicas presentes nos aparelhos celulares e nas cavidades bucal e nasal da equipe de saúde, de um hospital de uma cidade do interior de Minas Gerais. Foram aplicados questionários e coletadas amostras de secreção da cavidade oral, nasal e do aparelho celular em uso. Os microrganismos foram identificados, e a susceptibilidade a antimicrobianos foi avaliada. Em 60 amostras coletadas, 40% dos profissionais foram portadores de Staphylococcus aureus, e 6,7% apresentaram esta bactéria no celular. Todos os isolados foram classificados como resistentes à penicilina e 3,57% à oxacilina. Não foram isolados fungos. Os aparelhos celulares utilizados em estabelecimentos de saúde são passíveis de veicular agentes infecciosos e constituir fômites potenciais na transmissão de infecções, se não descontaminados após o uso.

This is a bacteriological analysis that aimed to determine the most common bacterial and fungal species on the mobile phones, and the oral and nasal cavities of the healthcare team of a hospital in Minas Gerais state. Questionnaires were applied and samples of secretions from the oral and nasal cavity, and used mobile phones were collected. The microorganisms were identified and the susceptibility to antimicrobials was analyzed. In 60 samples, Staphylococcus aureus was found in 40% of the professionals and 6.7% of this bacterium was present on the mobile phones. All isolates were classified as resistant to penicillin and 3.57% to oxacillin. Fungi were not isolated. The mobile phones used in health centers can become vehicles for infectious agents and be potential vectors for transmission of infections, in case they are not decontaminated after being used.

Análisis microbiológico que tuvo el objetivo de determinar las principales especies bacterianas y fúngicas presentes en los teléfonos móviles y en las cavidades bucal y nasal del equipo de salud de un hospital de una ciudad del interior de Minas Gerais. Se aplicaron cuestionarios y se recogieron muestras de secreción de la cavidad oral, nasal y del teléfono móvil en uso. Los microorganismos fueron identificados y la susceptibilidad a antimicrobianos fue evaluada. En 60 muestras recogidas, el 40% de los profesionales fueron portadores de Staphylococcus aureus y el 6,7% presentaron esta bacteria en el móvil. Todos los aislados fueron clasificados como resistentes a la penicilina y el 3,57% a la oxacilina. No fueron aislados hongos. Los teléfonos móviles utilizados en los centros de salud son pasibles de conducir agentes infecciosos y constituir fómites potenciales en la transmisión de infecciones, si no descontaminados después del uso.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Over the last decade, mobile phone use increased to almost 100 percent prevalence in many countries. Evidence for potential health hazards accumulated in parallel by epidemiologic investigations has raised controversies about the appropriate interpretation and the degree of bias and confounding responsible for reduced or increased risk estimates. Overall, 33 epidemiologic studies were identified in the peer-reviewed literature, mostly (25) about brain tumors. Methodologic considerations revealed that three important conditions for epidemiologic studies to detect an increased risk are not met:no evidence-based exposure metric is available; the observed duration of mobile phone use is generally still too low; no evidence-based selection of end points among the grossly different types of neoplasias is possible because of lack of etiologic hypotheses. The overall evidence speaks in favor of an increased risk, but its magnitude cannot be assessed at present because of insufficient information on long-term use.

Na última década, a prevalência do uso do telefone celular aumentou cerca de 100 por cento em muitos países. Evidências de potenciais riscos acumulados para saúde em paralelo por pesquisas epidemiológicas levantam controvérsias sobre a interpretação apropriada e o grau de influência e desordem responsável pela redução ou aumento das estimativas de risco. Ao todo, 33 estudos epidemiológicos foram revistos por pares, sendo a maioria (25) sobre tumores cerebrais. Considerações metodológicas revelaram que não foram atendidas três importantes condições de estudos epidemiológicos para detectar um aumento de risco: não há nenhuma métrica de exposição baseada em evidências; a duração do uso de telefone celular observada é geralmente ainda muito baixa; não é possível a seleção de parâmetros com base em evidências entre os tipos de neoplasias totalmente diferentes, devido à falta de hipóteses etiológicas. As evidências no geral expressam um risco aumentado, mas sua magnitude não pode ser avaliada no momento graças à informação insuficiente sobre o uso a longo prazo.

Assuntos