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Lemos GAA, Santos AC, Brito DCC, Novaes MAS, Assis Neto AC. Steroidogenic activity and morphological characterization of prenatal testes and epididymis of guinea pig (Cavia porcellus). Anim Reprod Sci 2024; 261:107407. [PMID: 38217925 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2023.107407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
The present study aims to establish the morphological, morphometric, and immunostaining patterns of the steroidogenic enzymes 17β-HSD and 5α-reductase and androgen receptors (AR) during the prenatal development of the male gonad and epididymis of Cavia porcellus. Fetuses at 22, 25, 30, 40, 45, 50, and 60 days of gestation (DG) were used. Specimens were dissected and subjected to macroscopic, histological, histomorphometric, and immunohistochemical analyses. Genital and scrotal protrusions were identified in 22 DG embryos. Gonocytes were identified at 25 DG and the formation of primary testicular cords was observed at 30 DG. Through anatomical evaluation, we observed differentiation of the epididymis into the head, body, and tail at 45 DG. During development, there is a progressive decrease in the diameters of the testicular cords and epididymal ducts. 17β-HSD enzyme immunostaining was observed in Leydig cells at all ages, while 5α-reductase was observed in Leydig cell cytoplasm and gonocytes at 40, 50, and 60 DG. AR shows gonocyte labeling at 30 DG. Thus, from the second trimester of pregnancy, it is possible to observe patterns of anatomical development, such as genital and scrotal prominence (22 DG), the appearance of gonocytes in the testicular cords at 25 DG, and the beginning of the organization of primary testicular cords at 30 DG, suggesting sexual differentiation. The 17β-HSD, 5α-reductase, and ARs play an essential role in sexual development and differentiation, presenting immunostaining at different reproductive process times.
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Affiliation(s)
- G A A Lemos
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - A C Santos
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - D C C Brito
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil; Laboratory of Manipulation of Oocytes and Ovarian Pre-Antral Follicles (LAMOFOPA), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, State University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - M A S Novaes
- Laboratory of Manipulation of Oocytes and Ovarian Pre-Antral Follicles (LAMOFOPA), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, State University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - A C Assis Neto
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Pires AM, Carvalho L, Santos AC, Vilaça AM, Coelho AR, Fernandes F, Moreira L, Lima J, Vieira R, Ferraz MJ, Silva M, Silva P, Matias R, Zorro S, Costa S, Sarandão S, Barros AF. Radiotherapy skin marking with lancets versus electric marking pen - Comfort, satisfaction, effectiveness and cosmesis results from the randomized, double-blind COMFORTATTOO trial. Radiography (Lond) 2023; 29:171-177. [PMID: 36410128 DOI: 10.1016/j.radi.2022.10.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Set-up skin markings are performed, in several centers, for radiotherapy (RT) treatments. This study aimed to compare two permanent methods: lancets and an electric marking pen, the Comfort Marker 2.0® (CM). METHODS This was a prospective, unicentric, randomized study. Patients aged 18 years or older referred to our department to receive RT were recruited. Patients were randomly assigned, in a 1:1 ratio, to receive set-up markings using lancets or CM. The markings arrangement followed our departmental protocols. The coprimary endpoints were patients' comfort and effectiveness. Secondary endpoints included radiation therapists (RTTs) satisfaction and cosmesis. RESULTS Between October 2021 and January 2022, 100 patients were enrolled (50 received lancets and 50 CM) and assessed for the comfort and satisfaction outcomes. CM was significantly less painful than the lancets, with 44% and 16% of the patients, respectively, considering the tattooing process painless (RR = 2.75; 95% IC: 1.36 - 5.58). On the RTT-reported satisfaction, CM had significantly easier processes than lancets (98.0% vs. 78.0%, respectively; RR = 1.26; 95% CI: 1.08 - 1.46). For effectiveness and cosmesis assessment, 98 patients were analyzed (48 received lancets and 50 CM). Patients receiving CM had a significantly higher proportion of markings graded as good and excellent compared to those receiving lancets (98.0% and 50.0%, respectively, had ≥75% of the tattoos assessed as good/excellent, RR = 1.96; 95% CI: 1.47 - 2.61). On the cosmetic evaluation, patients receiving CM had significantly better cosmetic markings, with a median score of 4.4 (vs. 3.5 for lancets, p <0.001). CONCLUSION The trial results demonstrated that tattooing with the CM is significantly less painful, more effective, easier to apply, and cosmetically superior to tattooing with lancets. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Tattooing with CM allows for better results regarding pain, quality, ease and cosmesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Pires
- Radiation Oncology Department, Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Porto, R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida 865, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal.
| | - L Carvalho
- Radiation Oncology Department, Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Porto, R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida 865, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal
| | - A C Santos
- Radiation Oncology Department, Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Porto, R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida 865, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal
| | - A M Vilaça
- Radiation Oncology Department, Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Porto, R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida 865, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal
| | - A R Coelho
- Radiation Oncology Department, Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Porto, R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida 865, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal
| | - F Fernandes
- Radiation Oncology Department, Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Porto, R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida 865, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal
| | - L Moreira
- Radiation Oncology Department, Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Porto, R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida 865, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal
| | - J Lima
- Radiation Oncology Department, Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Porto, R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida 865, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal
| | - R Vieira
- Radiation Oncology Department, Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Porto, R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida 865, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal
| | - M J Ferraz
- Radiation Oncology Department, Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Porto, R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida 865, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal
| | - M Silva
- Radiation Oncology Department, Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Porto, R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida 865, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal
| | - P Silva
- Radiation Oncology Department, Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Porto, R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida 865, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal
| | - R Matias
- Radiation Oncology Department, Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Porto, R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida 865, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal
| | - S Zorro
- Radiation Oncology Department, Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Porto, R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida 865, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal
| | - S Costa
- Radiation Oncology Department, Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Porto, R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida 865, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal
| | - S Sarandão
- Radiation Oncology Department, Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Porto, R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida 865, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal
| | - A F Barros
- Radiation Oncology Department, Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Porto, R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida 865, 4200-072, Porto, Portugal
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Lopes P, Albuquerque F, Freitas P, Goncalves PA, Presume J, Guerreiro S, Abecasis J, Santos AC, Saraiva C, Mendes M, Marques H, Ferreira A. Influence of age on the diagnostic value of coronary artery calcium score for ruling out coronary stenosis in symptomatic patients. Eur Heart J 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehac544.189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
The 2021 Guideline for the Evaluation of Chest Pain supports the use of coronary artery calcium (CAC) score as a reasonable first-line test to identify patients with a low likelihood of obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) who may not require additional testing (class IIa, LOE B). However, a recent study from a large cohort of Northern European patients raised concerns about the added diagnostic value of CAC=0 in younger patients. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of age on the value of CAC=0 in symptomatic patients undergoing coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA).
Methods
We conducted a two-center cross-sectional study assessing symptomatic patients with suspected CAD who underwent CAC score and CCTA. Key exclusion criteria were age <30 years, known CAD, suspected acute coronary syndrome, or symptoms other than chest pain or dyspnea. Pretest probability of obstructive CAD was calculated based on age, sex and symptom typicality, according to the guideline-recommended method. Obstructive CAD was defined as any luminal stenosis ≥50% on CCTA. The diagnostic likelihood ratios and negative predictive values (NPV) were used to assess the diagnostic value of a CAC score of 0 to rule out obstructive CAD.
Results
A total of 2043 patients (mean age 60±11 years, 60% women) of whom 990 (48.5%) had a CAC score of 0 were included in the analysis. Symptom characteristics were: 38% non-anginal chest pain, 30% atypical angina, 19% dyspnea, and 13% typical chest pain. Overall, the prevalence of obstructive CAD was 12.8% (n=262). Pretest probability of obstructive CAD increased progressively with age, from 6.0% in patients young than 50 years to 20.7% in those 70 years or older. Contrariwise, the prevalence of patients with a CAC score = 0 decreased from 77% in patients younger than 50 years, to 26% in those who where 70 years or older.
The added diagnostic value of a CAC score = 0 was lower in younger patients, with negative likelihood ratios ranging from 0.36 (64% decrease in the likelihood of CAD) in patients younger than 50 years, to 0.09 and 0.10 (∼90% decrease in the likelihood of CAD) in those aged 60–69 years and 70 years or older, respectively – Figure 1.
Despite this, the prevalence of obstructive CAD among patients with a CAC score = 0 was low across all age groups: 2.4% (i.e., NPV = 97.6%) in those younger than 50 years, 3.0% (NPV = 97.0%) among those aged 50–59 years, 1.5% (NPV = 98.5%) in patients between 60 and 69 years, and 2.0% (NPV = 98.0%) among those 70 years or older.
Conclusions
In a cohort of symptomatic patients undergoing CCTA for suspected CAD, the added diagnostic value of a CAC score of zero decreases significantly at younger ages. However, this “diminishing return” of CAC in younger patients if offset by their lower pretest probabilities, yielding high negative predictive values independently of age.
Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Lopes
- Hospital Santa Cruz , Carnaxide , Portugal
| | | | - P Freitas
- Hospital Santa Cruz , Carnaxide , Portugal
| | - P A Goncalves
- UNICA – Cardiovascular CT and MR Unit, Hospital da Luz , Lisbon , Portugal
| | - J Presume
- Hospital Santa Cruz , Carnaxide , Portugal
| | | | - J Abecasis
- Hospital Santa Cruz , Carnaxide , Portugal
| | - A C Santos
- Hospital Santa Cruz , Carnaxide , Portugal
| | - C Saraiva
- Hospital Santa Cruz , Carnaxide , Portugal
| | - M Mendes
- Hospital Santa Cruz , Carnaxide , Portugal
| | - H Marques
- UNICA – Cardiovascular CT and MR Unit, Hospital da Luz , Lisbon , Portugal
| | - A Ferreira
- Hospital Santa Cruz , Carnaxide , Portugal
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Lopes P, Albuquerque F, Goncalves PA, Presume J, Freitas P, Guerreiro S, Abecasis J, Santos AC, Saraiva C, Mendes M, Marques H, Ferreira A. Implications of the North American 2021 Chest Pain guidelines in the diagnostic approach to patients with stable chest pain and low pretest probability of obstructive coronary artery disease. Eur Heart J 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehac544.188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
The North American 2021 Chest Pain Guidelines recommend not testing stable patients with low pretest likelihood of obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD), defined as pretest probability <15% using contemporary models (Class I recommendation). In selected cases among this subset of patients, coronary artery calcium (CAC) score is considered a “reasonable first-line test” (Class IIa). Despite some supporting evidence, the clinical implications of a widespread adoption of these recommendations remain unclear.
The purpose of this study was to assess the results of three different testing strategies for patients with pretest probability <15%: A) defer testing; B) perform CAC score and withhold further testing if = 0, and proceed to coronary CT angiography (CCTA) if >0; C) perform CCTA in all.
Methods
We conducted a two-center cross-sectional study assessing symptomatic patients with suspected CAD who underwent CAC score and CCTA. Patients with known CAD, suspected acute coronary syndrome, or symptoms other than chest pain or dyspnea were excluded. Pretest probability of obstructive CAD was calculated based on age, sex and symptom typicality. Obstructive CAD was defined as any luminal stenosis ≥50% on CCTA.
Results
A total of 2259 patients were screened, of which 1385 (61.3%) had pretest probability <15% and were included in the analysis (mean age 57±11 years, 79% women). Symptom characteristics were: 48% non-anginal chest pain, 26% atypical angina, 21% dyspnea, and 5% typical chest pain. Overall, the prevalence of obstructive CAD was 10.3% (n=142). In the 786 patients (56.6%) with a CAC score of 0, 8.5% (n=67) had some degree of CAD [1.9% (n=15) obstructive, and 6.6% (n=52) nonobstructive]. Among those with CAC >0 (n=599), 21.2% (n=127) had obstructive CAD. The results that would be reached with each of the 3 diagnostic strategies are presented in Figure 1. The number of patients needed to scan with strategy B (CAC as gatekeeper) vs. A (no testing) to identify one patient with obstructive CAD was 11, whereas the number needed to scan with strategy C (CCTA for all) vs. strategy B was 91.
Conclusions
Not testing patients with suspected CAD and pretest likelihood <15% would lead to missing obstructive CAD in 1 out of 10 patients. Using CAC as a gatekeeper in this subgroup would decrease the use of CCTA by more than 50%, at the cost of missing obstructive CAD in 1 out of 100 patients. These findings may be used to inform decisions on testing, which will ultimately depend on how much diagnostic uncertainty and missed diagnoses patients and their physicians are willing to accept.
Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Lopes
- Hospital Santa Cruz , Carnaxide , Portugal
| | | | - P A Goncalves
- UNICA – Cardiovascular CT and MR Unit, Hospital da Luz , Lisbon , Portugal
| | - J Presume
- Hospital Santa Cruz , Carnaxide , Portugal
| | - P Freitas
- Hospital Santa Cruz , Carnaxide , Portugal
| | | | - J Abecasis
- Hospital Santa Cruz , Carnaxide , Portugal
| | - A C Santos
- Hospital Santa Cruz , Carnaxide , Portugal
| | - C Saraiva
- Hospital Santa Cruz , Carnaxide , Portugal
| | - M Mendes
- Hospital Santa Cruz , Carnaxide , Portugal
| | - H Marques
- UNICA – Cardiovascular CT and MR Unit, Hospital da Luz , Lisbon , Portugal
| | - A Ferreira
- Hospital Santa Cruz , Carnaxide , Portugal
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Ribeiro FM, Correia PMM, Santos AC, Veloso JFCA. A guideline proposal for mice preparation and care in 18F-FDG PET imaging. EJNMMI Res 2022; 12:49. [PMID: 35962869 PMCID: PMC9375789 DOI: 10.1186/s13550-022-00921-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The experimental outcomes of small-animal positron emission tomography (PET) imaging with 18F-labelled fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) can be particularly compromised by animal preparation and care. Several works intend to improve research reporting and amplify the quality and reliability of published research. Though these works provide valuable information to plan and conduct animal studies, manuscripts describe different methodologies—standardization does not exist. Consequently, the variation in details reported can explain the difference in the experimental results found in the literature. Additionally, the resources and guidelines defining protocols for small-animal imaging are scarce, making it difficult for researchers to obtain and compare accurate and reproducible data. Considering the selection of suitable procedures key to ensure animal welfare and research improvement, this paper aims to prepare the way for a future guideline on mice preparation and care for PET imaging with 18F-FDG. For this purpose, a global standard protocol was created based on recommendations and good practices described in relevant literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- F M Ribeiro
- Institute for Nanostructures, Nanomodelling and Nanofabrication (i3N), Department of Physics, University of Aveiro (DFis-UA), 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - P M M Correia
- Institute for Nanostructures, Nanomodelling and Nanofabrication (i3N), Department of Physics, University of Aveiro (DFis-UA), 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - A C Santos
- Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Faculty of Medicine of the University of Coimbra (FMUC), Area of Environment Genetics and Oncobiology (CIMAGO), Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), 3000-548, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - J F C A Veloso
- Institute for Nanostructures, Nanomodelling and Nanofabrication (i3N), Department of Physics, University of Aveiro (DFis-UA), 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
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Maia I, Oliveira A, Severo M, Santos AC. Association between children’s food insecurity and a Healthy Eating Index in Portuguese children. Eur J Public Health 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckab164.684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Evidence on the association between children's food insecurity (FI) and a priori-defined dietary patterns is scarce, particularly in Europe. This study assessed the association between children's FI and a diet quality index in a population-based sample of children.
Methods
A cross-sectional study including 2800 children from the 10-year-old follow-up of a Portuguese birth cohort, the Generation XXI study, was performed. Data on food security status, assessed by the Self-administered Food Security Survey Module for Children (SAFSSMC), dietary intake, assessed by a validated FFQ, and socio-demographic characteristics were collected. An adaptation of the Healthy Eating Index (HEI) was used, by including 7 food groups (fruit and vegetables, dairy products, fish and eggs, meat and meat products, sweet snacks, salty snacks and soft drinks) scored from 1 to 4 according to increasing quartiles of daily consumption. For the last 4 groups, a reverse score was assigned. Scores were summed up (the highest the score, the highest diet quality). Linear and logistic regression models (HEI score and its food groups divided by the sample median) were performed.
Results
The FI prevalence was 9.4%. The median (P25;P75) HEI score was 18.0 (15.0;21.0). Children's FI was inversely associated with diet quality (β=-0.671;95%CI:-1.129;-0.213), independently of maternal education, caregivers' unemployment and child's sex. By using the SAFSSMC raw score, FI increased the odds for lower (below the median) fruit and vegetables intake (OR = 1.069;95%CI:1.002-1.139), and higher intake (above the median) of meat and meat products (OR = 1.075;95%CI:1.011-1.144) and soft drinks (OR = 1.074;95%CI:1.008-1.145), independently of maternal education, caregivers' unemployment, child's sex and the other food groups consumption.
Conclusions
Food insecure children have poorer diet quality, specifically a lower fruit and vegetables consumption, and higher intake of meat and meat products, and soft drinks.
Key messages
FI was reported by 9.4% of children, and poorer diet quality was observed among food insecure children, when compared to food secure ones. Public health interventions targeting food insecure children should be developed to promote healthy dietary habits in the context of populations vulnerable to FI.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Maia
- EPIUnit, Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Laboratório para a Investigação Integrativa e Translacional em Saúde Populacional, Porto, Portugal
| | - A Oliveira
- EPIUnit, Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Laboratório para a Investigação Integrativa e Translacional em Saúde Populacional, Porto, Portugal
- Departamento de Ciências da Saúde Pública e Forenses e Educação Médica, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - M Severo
- EPIUnit, Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Laboratório para a Investigação Integrativa e Translacional em Saúde Populacional, Porto, Portugal
| | - AC Santos
- EPIUnit, Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Laboratório para a Investigação Integrativa e Translacional em Saúde Populacional, Porto, Portugal
- Departamento de Ciências da Saúde Pública e Forenses e Educação Médica, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
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Lopes P, Presume J, Goncalves PA, Albuquerque F, Freitas P, Guerreiro S, Abecasis J, Santos AC, Saraiva C, Mendes M, Marques H, Ferreira A. Incorporating coronary calcification into pretest assessment of the likelihood of coronary artery disease: validation and recalibration of a new diagnostic tool. Eur Heart J 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehab724.0205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
A new clinical tool was recently proposed to improve the estimation of pre-test probability of obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) by incorporating coronary artery calcium score (CACS) with clinical risk factors. This new model (Clinical+CACS) showed improved prediction when compared to the method recommended by the 2019 ESC guidelines on chronic coronary syndromes, but was never tested or adjusted for use in our population. The aim of this study was to assess the performance of this new method in a Portuguese cohort of symptomatic patients referred for coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA), and to recalibrate it if necessary.
Methods
We conducted a two-center cross-sectional study assessing symptomatic patients who underwent CCTA for suspected CAD. Key exclusion criteria were age <30 years, known CAD, suspected acute coronary syndrome, or symptoms other than chest pain or dyspnea. Obstructive CAD was defined as any luminal stenosis ≥50% on CCTA. The Clinical+CACS prediction model was assessed for discrimination and calibration. A logistical recalibration of the model was conducted in a random sample of 50% of the patients and subsequently validated in the other half.
Results
A total of 1910 patients (mean age 60±11 years, 60% women) were included in the analysis. Symptom characteristics were: 39% non-anginal chest pain, 30% atypical angina, 19% dyspnea and 12% typical angina. The observed prevalence of obstructive CAD was 12.9% (n=247). Patients with obstructive CAD were more often male, were significantly older, had higher prevalence of typical angina and cardiovascular risk factors, and higher CACS values. The new Clinical+CACS tool showed greater discriminative power than the ESC 2019 prediction model, with a C-statistic of 0.83 (CI 95% 0.81–0.86) versus 0.67 (CI 95% 0.64–0.71), respectively (p-value for comparison <0.001). Before recalibration, the Clinical+CACS model underestimated the likelihood of CAD in our population across all quartiles of pretest probability (mean relative underestimation of 49%), which was subsequently corrected by the recalibration procedure - Figure.
Conclusions
In a Portuguese cohort of symptomatic patients undergoing CCTA for suspected CAD, the new Clinical+CACS model showed better discrimination power than the 2019 ESC method. The underestimation of the Clinical+CACS model was corrected by recalibrating it for our population. This new tool might prove useful for guiding decisions on the need for further testing.
Funding Acknowledgement
Type of funding sources: None.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Lopes
- Hospital Santa Cruz, Carnaxide, Portugal
| | - J Presume
- Hospital Santa Cruz, Carnaxide, Portugal
| | - P A Goncalves
- UNICA – Cardiovascular CT and MR Unit, Hospital da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | - P Freitas
- Hospital Santa Cruz, Carnaxide, Portugal
| | | | - J Abecasis
- Hospital Santa Cruz, Carnaxide, Portugal
| | - A C Santos
- Hospital Santa Cruz, Carnaxide, Portugal
| | - C Saraiva
- Hospital Santa Cruz, Carnaxide, Portugal
| | - M Mendes
- Hospital Santa Cruz, Carnaxide, Portugal
| | - H Marques
- UNICA – Cardiovascular CT and MR Unit, Hospital da Luz, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - A Ferreira
- Hospital Santa Cruz, Carnaxide, Portugal
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Ribeiro R, Santos AC, Calazans MO, De Oliveira ACP, Vieira LB. Is resveratrol a prospective therapeutic strategy in the co-association of glucose metabolism disorders and neurodegenerative diseases? Nutr Neurosci 2021; 25:2442-2457. [PMID: 34514962 DOI: 10.1080/1028415x.2021.1972514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Objectives: The mechanism behind the progression of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) to Alzheimer's disease (AD) remains poorly understood. However some evidence pointed out that the co-occurrence of metabolic conditions affecting glucose homeostasis, as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), may be an important catalyst in this context. Notably, candidate drugs which modulate common pathways in the development of MCI-to-AD mediated by T2DM may offer likely therapy for AD. Nonetheless, limited pharmacological alternatives that modulate common pathways in T2DM, MCI, and AD are available. In the recent decades, studies have shown that resveratrol may act as a neuroprotective compound, but little is known about its potential in improving cognitive and metabolic aspects associated with AD progression mediated by the co-association between TDM2-MCI.Methods: In this review, we discuss possible protective mechanisms of resveratrol on shared pathways associated with AD progression mediated by T2DM-MCI co-occurrence.Results: Some studies indicated that insulin resistance and hyperglycemia may be also a T2DM risk factor for the progression of MCI-to-AD, promoting alterations in metabolic pathways associated with neuronal plasticity, and increasing pro-inflammatory environment. Interestingly, basic research and clinical trials indicate that resveratrol may modulate those pathways, showing a potential neuroprotective effect of this polyphenol.Conclusion: Therefore, there is not enough clinical data supporting the translational therapeutic use of resveratrol in this scenario.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Ribeiro
- Departamento de Farmacologia, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - A C Santos
- Departamento de Farmacologia, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - M O Calazans
- Departamento de Farmacologia, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - A C P De Oliveira
- Departamento de Farmacologia, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - L B Vieira
- Departamento de Farmacologia, ICB, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
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Sa Mendes G, Ferreira AM, Freitas P, Abecasis J, Campante Teles R, De Araujo Goncalves P, Ribeiras R, Santos AC, Trabulo M, Silva C, Lopes P, Andrade MJ, Saraiva C, Almeida M, Mendes M. Calcium score of the aortic valve as a predictor of aortic stenosis severity. Eur Heart J Cardiovasc Imaging 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/ehjci/jeaa356.227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Funding Acknowledgements
Type of funding sources: None.
Background
The calcium score of the aortic valve (CaScAoV) is now recommended as a supporting tool to assist in the grading of aortic stenosis (AS) severity when echocardiographic assessment is inconclusive. However, the proposed CaScAoV cut-offs for considering severe AS "unlikely", "likely", or "very likely" have never been validated in Portuguese cohorts.
Aim
The purpose of this study was to assess the performance of the proposed CaScAoV cut-offs in identifying patients with severe aortic stenosis.
Methods
A total of 513 consecutive patients (median age 83 years [IQR 79–87], 38% males) evaluated at a single-centre TAVI-programme between Jan/2016 and Nov/2019 were retrospectively identified. Only patients with an ECG-gated cardiac computed tomography (CT) and a transthoracic echocardiography performed within a 6-month time-frame were included. Main exclusion criteria were left ventricular ejection fraction < 50%, indexed stroke volume < 35 ml/m2, previous valve surgery and
bicuspid aortic disease. CaScAoV was measured according to the Agatston method (Agatston units – AU). As previously reported, the likelihood of aortic stenosis as assessed by CT was categorized as: "very likely" (>3000 AU for men, >1600 AU for women); "likely" (>2000 AU for men, >1200 AU for women) ; or unlikely (<1600 AU for men, <800 AU for women). Diagnostic tests performance measures were calculated for each category. Separate analyses were performed for each gender.
Results
Severe AS (mean gradient ≥ 40 mmHg) was present in 422 patients (overall 82.3%: 83.1% in females and 80.8% in males), with a median transvalvular gradient of 49 mmHg (IQR 42 – 60).
Overall, the discriminative ability of the CaScAoV to distinguish severe from non-severe AS was higher in men when compared with women (c-statistic 0.86 [95%CI 0.80 – 0.93] vs. 0.72 [95%CI 0.64 – 0.80], p for comparison < 0.001). In males, the "very likely" cut-off had a sensitivity of 71% (95%CI 63 – 78%), a specificity of 81% (95%CI 65 – 92%), a positive predictive value (PPV) of 94% (95%CI 89 – 97%) and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 40% (95%CI 33 – 46%) for the diagnosis of severe AS. Conversely, in women the sensitivity was 75% (95%CI 69 – 80%), specificity was 57% (95%CI 43 – 71%), PPV was 90% (95%CI 86 – 92%) and NPV was 32% (95%CI 25 – 39%).
On the other end of the spectrum, the "unlikely" cut-off showed poor performance in dismissing severe AS, particularly in females – NPV of 43% (95%CI 25-63%) in women vs. 83% (95%CI 63-93%) in men.
Conclusion
In our population, the discriminative power of CaScAoV for identifying patients with severe AS was lower than in previously published cohorts, particularly in females. While very high CaScAoV is strongly supportive of severe AS, caution should be employed when interpreting low CaScAoV values in women, since the recommended cut-off value does not allow the safe exclusion of severe aortic stenosis.
Abstract Figure. Waterfall chart of individuals CaScAoV
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - P Freitas
- Hospital de Santa Cruz, Carnaxide, Portugal
| | - J Abecasis
- Hospital de Santa Cruz, Carnaxide, Portugal
| | | | | | - R Ribeiras
- Hospital de Santa Cruz, Carnaxide, Portugal
| | - AC Santos
- Hospital de Santa Cruz, Carnaxide, Portugal
| | - M Trabulo
- Hospital de Santa Cruz, Carnaxide, Portugal
| | - C Silva
- Hospital de Santa Cruz, Carnaxide, Portugal
| | - P Lopes
- Hospital de Santa Cruz, Carnaxide, Portugal
| | - MJ Andrade
- Hospital de Santa Cruz, Carnaxide, Portugal
| | - C Saraiva
- Hospital de Santa Cruz, Carnaxide, Portugal
| | - M Almeida
- Hospital de Santa Cruz, Carnaxide, Portugal
| | - M Mendes
- Hospital de Santa Cruz, Carnaxide, Portugal
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10
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Nicolucci C, Pais ML, Santos AC, Ribeiro FM, Encarnação PMCC, Silva ALM, Castro IF, Correia PMM, Veloso JFCA, Reis J, Lopes MZ, Botelho MF, Pereira FC, Priolli DG. Single Low Dose of Cocaine-Structural Brain Injury Without Metabolic and Behavioral Changes. Front Neurosci 2021; 14:589897. [PMID: 33584173 PMCID: PMC7874143 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2020.589897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic cocaine use has been shown to lead to neurotoxicity in rodents and humans, being associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. However, recreational use, which may lead to addictive behavior, is often neglected. This occurs, in part, due to the belief that exposure to low doses of cocaine comes with no brain damage risk. Cocaine addicts have shown glucose metabolism changes related to dopamine brain activity and reduced volume of striatal gray matter. This work aims to evaluate the morphological brain changes underlying metabolic and locomotor behavioral outcome, in response to a single low dose of cocaine in a pre-clinical study. In this context, a Balb-c mouse model has been chosen, and animals were injected with a single dose of cocaine (0.5 mg/kg). Control animals were injected with saline. A behavioral test, positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, and anatomopathological studies were conducted with this low dose of cocaine, to study functional, metabolic, and morphological brain changes, respectively. Animals exposed to this cocaine dose showed similar open field activity and brain metabolic activity as compared with controls. However, histological analysis showed alterations in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus of mice exposed to cocaine. For the first time, it has been demonstrated that a single low dose of cocaine, which can cause no locomotor behavioral and brain metabolic changes, can induce structural damage. These brain changes must always be considered regardless of the dosage used. It is essential to alert the population even against the consumption of low doses of cocaine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla Nicolucci
- Multidisciplinary Research Laboratory, São Francisco University Post-graduation Stricto Sensu Programme, Bragança Paulista, Brazil
| | - Mariana Lapo Pais
- Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biophysics, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Faculty of Medicine, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - A C Santos
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biophysics, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Faculty of Medicine, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Fabiana M Ribeiro
- Department of Physics, Institute for Nanostructures, Nanomodelling and Nanofabrication (i3N), University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Pedro M C C Encarnação
- Department of Physics, Institute for Nanostructures, Nanomodelling and Nanofabrication (i3N), University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Ana L M Silva
- Department of Physics, Institute for Nanostructures, Nanomodelling and Nanofabrication (i3N), University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal.,Radiation Imaging Technologies Lda, Ílhavo, Portugal
| | - I F Castro
- Radiation Imaging Technologies Lda, Ílhavo, Portugal
| | - Pedro M M Correia
- Department of Physics, Institute for Nanostructures, Nanomodelling and Nanofabrication (i3N), University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal.,Radiation Imaging Technologies Lda, Ílhavo, Portugal
| | - João F C A Veloso
- Department of Physics, Institute for Nanostructures, Nanomodelling and Nanofabrication (i3N), University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Julie Reis
- Faculty of Medicine, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Marina Z Lopes
- Multidisciplinary Research Laboratory, São Francisco University Scientific Initiation Programme, Bragança Paulista, Brazil
| | - Maria F Botelho
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Biophysics, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Faculty of Medicine, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Frederico C Pereira
- Faculty of Medicine, Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Coimbra, Portugal.,Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Denise G Priolli
- Multidisciplinary Research Laboratory, São Francisco University Post-graduation Stricto Sensu Programme, Bragança Paulista, Brazil
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11
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Santos AC, Conley AJ, Oliveira MF, Assis Neto AC. Steroidogenesis during prenatal testicular development in Spix's cavy Galea spixii. Reprod Fertil Dev 2021; 33:392-400. [PMID: 33685580 DOI: 10.1071/rd20293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Spix's cavy is a potentially good experimental model for research on reproductive biology and sexual development. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the ontogeny of the steroidogenic enzymes involved in testicular androgen synthesis during prenatal development. Testes were investigated on Days 25, 30, 40 and >50 of gestation. Immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting were used to establish the site and relative amount of androgenic enzymes, including 5α-reductase, cytosolic 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β-HSDI) and mitochondrial microsomal 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSDII), throughout prenatal development. The testicular parenchyma began to organise on Day 25 of gestation, with the development of recognisable testicular cords. The mesonephros was established after Day 25 of gestation and the ducts differentiated to form the epididymis, as testicular cords were beginning to proliferate and the interstitium to organise by Day 30 of gestation, continuing thereafter. The androgen-synthesising enzymes 5α-reductase, 17β-HSDI and 3β-HSDII were evident in Leydig cells as they differentiated at all subsequent gestational ages studied. In addition, immunoblotting showed an increase in immunoreactivity for the enzymes at Days 30 and 40 of gestation (P<0.05) and a decrease at Day 50 of gestation (P<0.05). It is concluded that the increase in androgenic enzymes in Leydig cells coincides with the functional differentiation of the testes, and with the stabilisation and differentiation of mesonephric ducts forming the epididymis.
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Affiliation(s)
- A C Santos
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Sao Paulo. Av. Prof. Dr. Orlando de Marques Paiva, 87; ZC 05508 270; São Paulo - Brazil
| | - A J Conley
- Population Health & Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, 3223 VM3B, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - M F Oliveira
- Department of Animal Science, Federal Rural University of Semiarid. Av. Francisco Mota, 572, 59625 900, Mossoro, Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil
| | - A C Assis Neto
- School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Sao Paulo. Av. Prof. Dr. Orlando de Marques Paiva, 87; ZC 05508 270; São Paulo - Brazil; and Corresponding author.
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12
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Bubach S, De Mola CL, Hardy R, Dreyfus J, Santos AC, Horta BL. Early menarche and blood pressure in adulthood: systematic review and meta-analysis. J Public Health (Oxf) 2019; 40:476-484. [PMID: 28977577 DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdx118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background It has been reported that early menarche is associated with high blood pressure and hypertension. However, some studies have failed to observe such association. We carried out a systematic review and meta-analysis on the association of early menarche with hypertension and high blood pressure in adulthood. Methods PUBMED, SciELO, Scopus and LILACS databases were searched. Studies that evaluated the association of early menarche with hypertension or high blood pressure, among women aged 20 years or more were included. Random effects models were used to pool the estimates. Meta-regression was used to evaluate the contribution of different co-variables to heterogeneity. Results We identified 17 studies with 18 estimates on the association of early menarche with hypertension and high blood pressure. The odds of hypertension/high blood pressure was higher among women with early menarche [pooled (OR):1.25; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.17-1.34; P < 0.001]. In the meta-regression analysis, studies evaluating 1500 subjects or more had a higher pooled OR [1.27; 95%CI (1.19;1.36)] than those with less participants. Although funnel plots showed some asymmetry, Egger tests were not statistically significant. Therefore, it is unlikely that the observed association was to publication bias. Conclusions Early menarche is associated with hypertension among adult woman.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Bubach
- Department of Health Sciences, Federal University of Espírito Santo, São Mateus, Brazil.,Postgraduate Programme in Epidemiology, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
| | - C Loret De Mola
- Department of Nursing, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
| | - R Hardy
- MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing at UCL, University College London, London, UK
| | - J Dreyfus
- School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - A C Santos
- EPI-Unit, Institute of Public Health, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Predictive Medicine and Public Health, University of Porto Medical School, Porto, Portugal
| | - B L Horta
- Postgraduate Programme in Epidemiology, Federal University of Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil
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13
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Peres FS, Soares S, Barros H, Santos AC, Fraga S. Early socioeconomic circumstances and adverse childhood experiences in 10-year-old children. Eur J Public Health 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckz187.186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Evidence showed that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with the development of disease later in life and premature death. Examining the occurrence of these experiences at early ages would contribute to intervene and therefore to reduce health inequalities. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of ACEs among 10-year-children and to examine its association with early socioeconomic circumstances.
Methods
At the fourth wave of the population-based birth cohort Generation XXI, from Porto, Portugal, 5153 children completed a self-report questionnaire on 9 experiences related to household dysfunction and physical and emotional abuse. Socioeconomic circumstances included household income, maternal and paternal education, and history of parental unemployment. Logistic regression was performed to calculate the Odds Ratios (OR) and 95% Confidence Intervals (95%CI).
Results
A high prevalence of physical and emotional abuse was reported by children from low socioeconomic circumstances. A graded relationship between socioeconomic circumstances and cumulative ACEs was observed, for instance, low household income was associated with increased number of ACEs (one event [OR = 1.10; 95%CI: 0.89-1.36], two events [OR = 1.41; 95%CI: 1.15-1.73], three events [OR = 1.67; 95%CI: 1.34-2.06], and four or more events [OR = 2.05; 95%CI: 1.64-2.55]). Also, living with one parent or none of them increased the likelihood of reporting multiple ACEs (OR = 5.50; 95%CI: 4.23-7.13).
Conclusions
Children from low socioeconomic circumstances were more likely to report multiple adverse experiences in the first decade of life. These findings support that children from less advantaged environments might be at a higher risk of co-occurrence of adverse experiences during their childhood.
Key messages
Prevalence of ACEs is high among 10-year-old children and is associated with low socioeconomic circumstances. Social inequalities in children should be prioritized by public health policy.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Soares Peres
- EPIUnit, Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - S Soares
- EPIUnit, Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Departamento Ciências da Saúde Pública e Forenses e Educação Médica, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - H Barros
- EPIUnit, Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Departamento Ciências da Saúde Pública e Forenses e Educação Médica, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - A C Santos
- EPIUnit, Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Departamento Ciências da Saúde Pública e Forenses e Educação Médica, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - S Fraga
- EPIUnit, Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Departamento Ciências da Saúde Pública e Forenses e Educação Médica, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
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14
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Soares S, Santos AC, Peres FS, Barros H, Fraga S. Early socioeconomic circumstances and cardiometabolic health in 10-year-old children. Eur J Public Health 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckz187.185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Social adversity is thought to become biologically embedded during sensitive periods of development, setting children on a trajectory of increased risk for later chronic diseases. Thus, social differences are expected to be expressed as biological alterations and might have their origins in early life. Therefore, we aim to estimate the association between early socioeconomic position (SEP) and cardiometabolic health during childhood.
Methods
Data from 2962 participants in the population-based birth cohort Generation XXI, from Porto, Portugal, was collected following standardized procedures at all study waves. Early SEP definition included household income, parental education and occupation at child’s birth. Cardiometabolic health was characterized at the age of 7 and 10, considering the triglycerides, cholesterol, fasting glucose, body mass index, systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Logistic regression was used to estimate the association between early SEP and a favorable cardiometabolic health profile.
Results
A favorable cardiometabolic profile was observed in almost half of participants at both ages, particularly among high SEP children who remain more frequently without alterations. For girls, higher paternal education at 7 years (OR:1.49;95%CI:1.03-2.15) and higher SEP at 10 were associated with better cardiometabolic health profile. In boys, a better cardiometabolic health profile was observed with increasing levels in maternal and paternal education and occupation, but at the age of 10, social differences were more evident according to parental education.
Conclusions
We provide evidence that children from more advantaged SEP at birth have an increased likelihood of presenting better cardiometabolic health at early ages. Social differences in cardiometabolic health biomarkers are already found in childhood, suggesting that the short-term impact of early life SEP on the physiology dysregulation takes place already in the first decade of life.
Key messages
Social differences in cardiometabolic health are already established in the first decade of life, with children from higher SEP presenting a better cardiometabolic health. Cardiovascular events are not expected to develop during childhood, however the underlying atherosclerotic process might already be in course as social differences appear to widen with age.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Soares
- EpiUnit, Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Rua das Taipas, Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Dep. Ciências da Saúde Pública e Forenses e Educação Médica, Faculdade de Medicina, Porto, Portugal
| | - A C Santos
- EpiUnit, Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Rua das Taipas, Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Dep. Ciências da Saúde Pública e Forenses e Educação Médica, Faculdade de Medicina, Porto, Portugal
| | - F Soares Peres
- EpiUnit, Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Rua das Taipas, Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - H Barros
- EpiUnit, Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Rua das Taipas, Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Dep. Ciências da Saúde Pública e Forenses e Educação Médica, Faculdade de Medicina, Porto, Portugal
| | - S Fraga
- EpiUnit, Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Rua das Taipas, Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Dep. Ciências da Saúde Pública e Forenses e Educação Médica, Faculdade de Medicina, Porto, Portugal
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15
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Nascimento Matos DJ, Ferreira AM, Freitas P, Guerreiro S, Carmo J, Abecasis J, Costa F, Santos AC, Carmo P, Saraiva C, Cavaco D, Morgado F, Mendes M, Adragao P. 1204Pericardial fat volume outperforms classic risk markers in the prediction of relapse after pulmonary vein isolation. Eur Heart J 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehz748.0034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction
Pericardial adipose tissue has been implicated in the pathophysiology of atrial fibrillation (AF), but its relevance to clinical practice remains uncertain. The aim of this study was to assess the relative importance of pericardial fat as predictor of recurrence after pulmonary vein isolation (PVI).
Methods
We assessed 453 patients (278 men, age 61±13 years, 348 paroxysmal AF) with symptomatic AF undergoing cardiac CT prior to a PVI procedure. Pericardial fat was quantified on contrast-enhanced images using a new simplified semi-automated method. The study endpoint was symptomatic and/or documented AF recurrence.
Results
Over a median follow-up of 14 months (IQR 7–23), 170 patients (38%) relapsed. Survival analysis showed significant differences in AF-free survival across tertiles of pericardial fat (Figure). Pericardial fat volume was weakly correlated to body mass index [(BMI), Pearson's R=0.34]. After adjustment for BMI and other univariate predictors of relapse, three variables emerged independently associated with time to AF recurrence: non-paroxysmal AF (HR 2.08, 95% CI: 1.51–2.87, p<0.001), indexed left atrial (LA) volume (HR 1.02 per mL/m2, 95% CI: 1.01–1.02, p<0.001), and indexed pericardial fat volume (HR 1.50 per mL/m2, 95% CI: 1.37–1.64, p<0.001). Based on the Wald test, indexed pericardial fat volume was the strongest of these predictors of relapse (X2 values of 20, 13, and 77, respectively). The population attributable risk (PAF) was higher for pericardial fat (PAF=37% for 1st vs 4th quartile) vs LA volume (PAF=11% for 1st quartile vs 4th quartile) and non-paroxysmal AF (PAF=23%). Pericardial fat volume also showed greater discriminate power than indexed LA volume, with a C-statistic of 0.80 (95% CI 0.76–0.85) vs. 0.61 (95% CI 0.55–0.66), p for difference <0.001. The method for quantifying pericardial fat showed high inter-observer reproducibility (Pearson's R=0.90) and was quick to perform (38±3 seconds).
Conclusion
Pericardial fat volume is a strong independent predictor of AF relapse after PVI, outperforming classic risk markers such as LA volume and type of AF. The underlying mechanisms of this association deserve further study. Meanwhile, this simple parameter may help select patients who are more likely to derive sustained benefit from AF ablation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - A M Ferreira
- Hospital Santa Cruz, Cardiology, Carnaxide, Portugal
| | - P Freitas
- Hospital Santa Cruz, Cardiology, Carnaxide, Portugal
| | - S Guerreiro
- Hospital Santa Cruz, Cardiology, Carnaxide, Portugal
| | - J Carmo
- Hospital Santa Cruz, Cardiology, Carnaxide, Portugal
| | - J Abecasis
- Hospital Santa Cruz, Cardiology, Carnaxide, Portugal
| | - F Costa
- Hospital Santa Cruz, Cardiology, Carnaxide, Portugal
| | - A C Santos
- Hospital Santa Cruz, Cardiology, Carnaxide, Portugal
| | - P Carmo
- Hospital Santa Cruz, Cardiology, Carnaxide, Portugal
| | - C Saraiva
- Hospital Santa Cruz, Cardiology, Carnaxide, Portugal
| | - D Cavaco
- Hospital Santa Cruz, Cardiology, Carnaxide, Portugal
| | - F Morgado
- Hospital Santa Cruz, Cardiology, Carnaxide, Portugal
| | - M Mendes
- Hospital Santa Cruz, Cardiology, Carnaxide, Portugal
| | - P Adragao
- Hospital Santa Cruz, Cardiology, Carnaxide, Portugal
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16
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Vianna AM, Santos AC, Cunha RC, de Souza Stori de Lara AP, Weege GB, Leivas Leite FP. Antigenicity assessment of the Theileria equi merozoite antigen (EMA-2) expressed in Pichia pastoris in mice and horses. Exp Parasitol 2019; 206:107757. [PMID: 31494216 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2019.107757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2019] [Revised: 09/02/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Equine theileriosis is a severe equine disease caused by the protozoan Theileria equi, which is prevalent in tropical and subtropical areas. In this study, a recombinant equi merozoite antigen-2 (rEMA-2) of T. equi was used as an immunogen. Two groups of 10 mice each were divided into control and vaccinated groups. Sixty mares seronegative for theileriosis were divided in two groups, one vaccinated and another group as a control animal. Mice and mares of the vaccinated groups were inoculated with 150 μL of the vaccine containing 50 μg of rEMA-2 and 2 mL of the vaccine containing 200 μg of rEMA-2, respectively, at days 0 and 21. The immunogenicity of rEMA-2 was evaluated by ELISA and fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) using serum from vaccinated mice, mares and antigenicity in naturally infected horse. At every point throughout the ELISA study, there were significant differences between the vaccinated and control groups (p < 0.05). The vaccine induced 3- and 4-fold IgG increases in mice at the 14th and 28th day, respectively, compared to the control group. The horses' IgG dynamics showed a significant (p < 0.05) increase in the total IgG titer as early as day 7, which increased until day 28 at which time a more significant (p < 0.001) IgG titer was observed. In evaluating the isotypes, we observed a trend similar to that of total IgG, where IgG(T) (IgG3-5) were significantly (p < 0.05) more elevated than the other isotypes analyzed, followed by IgGb (IgG4-7) and IgGa (IgG1). Positive fluorescence was detected by IFAT, suggesting that the protein is immunogenic and conserves some epitopes identical to the native T. equi antigens present in the equine blood smear. Thus, our results suggest that rEMA-2 can be a promising vaccinal antigen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Muñoz Vianna
- Laboratório de Bacteriologia, Núcleo de Biotecnologia, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, 96010-900, Brazil.
| | - Alice Correa Santos
- Laboratório de Bacteriologia, Núcleo de Biotecnologia, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, 96010-900, Brazil.
| | - Rodrigo Casquero Cunha
- Laboratório de Bacteriologia, Núcleo de Biotecnologia, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, 96010-900, Brazil.
| | | | - Guilherme Borges Weege
- Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil.
| | - Fábio Pereira Leivas Leite
- Laboratório de Bacteriologia, Núcleo de Biotecnologia, Centro de Desenvolvimento Tecnológico, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, 96010-900, Brazil; Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, RS, Brazil.
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17
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Santos S, Voerman E, Amiano P, Barros H, Beilin LJ, Bergström A, Charles MA, Chatzi L, Chevrier C, Chrousos GP, Corpeleijn E, Costa O, Costet N, Crozier S, Devereux G, Doyon M, Eggesbø M, Fantini MP, Farchi S, Forastiere F, Georgiu V, Godfrey KM, Gori D, Grote V, Hanke W, Hertz-Picciotto I, Heude B, Hivert MF, Hryhorczuk D, Huang RC, Inskip H, Karvonen AM, Kenny LC, Koletzko B, Küpers LK, Lagström H, Lehmann I, Magnus P, Majewska R, Mäkelä J, Manios Y, McAuliffe FM, McDonald SW, Mehegan J, Melén E, Mommers M, Morgen CS, Moschonis G, Murray D, Ní Chaoimh C, Nohr EA, Nybo Andersen AM, Oken E, Oostvogels A, Pac A, Papadopoulou E, Pekkanen J, Pizzi C, Polanska K, Porta D, Richiardi L, Rifas-Shiman SL, Roeleveld N, Ronfani L, Santos AC, Standl M, Stigum H, Stoltenberg C, Thiering E, Thijs C, Torrent M, Tough SC, Trnovec T, Turner S, van Gelder M, van Rossem L, von Berg A, Vrijheid M, Vrijkotte T, West J, Wijga AH, Wright J, Zvinchuk O, Sørensen T, Lawlor DA, Gaillard R, Jaddoe V. Impact of maternal body mass index and gestational weight gain on pregnancy complications: an individual participant data meta-analysis of European, North American and Australian cohorts. BJOG 2019; 126:984-995. [PMID: 30786138 DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.15661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 207] [Impact Index Per Article: 41.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the separate and combined associations of maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and gestational weight gain with the risks of pregnancy complications and their population impact. DESIGN Individual participant data meta-analysis of 39 cohorts. SETTING Europe, North America, and Oceania. POPULATION 265 270 births. METHODS Information on maternal pre-pregnancy BMI, gestational weight gain, and pregnancy complications was obtained. Multilevel binary logistic regression models were used. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, preterm birth, small and large for gestational age at birth. RESULTS Higher maternal pre-pregnancy BMI and gestational weight gain were, across their full ranges, associated with higher risks of gestational hypertensive disorders, gestational diabetes, and large for gestational age at birth. Preterm birth risk was higher at lower and higher BMI and weight gain. Compared with normal weight mothers with medium gestational weight gain, obese mothers with high gestational weight gain had the highest risk of any pregnancy complication (odds ratio 2.51, 95% CI 2.31- 2.74). We estimated that 23.9% of any pregnancy complication was attributable to maternal overweight/obesity and 31.6% of large for gestational age infants was attributable to excessive gestational weight gain. CONCLUSIONS Maternal pre-pregnancy BMI and gestational weight gain are, across their full ranges, associated with risks of pregnancy complications. Obese mothers with high gestational weight gain are at the highest risk of pregnancy complications. Promoting a healthy pre-pregnancy BMI and gestational weight gain may reduce the burden of pregnancy complications and ultimately the risk of maternal and neonatal morbidity. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT Promoting a healthy body mass index and gestational weight gain might reduce the population burden of pregnancy complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Santos
- The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.,Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - E Voerman
- The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.,Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - P Amiano
- Public Health Division of Gipuzkoa, San Sebastián, Spain.,BioDonostia Research Institute, San Sebastián, Spain.,CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - H Barros
- EPIUnit - Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Department of Public Health and Forensic Sciences and Medical Education, Unit of Clinical Epidemiology, Predictive Medicine and Public Health, University of Porto Medical School, Porto, Portugal
| | - L J Beilin
- Medical School, Royal Perth Hospital Unit, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - A Bergström
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Centre for Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Stockholm County Council, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - M-A Charles
- INSERM, UMR1153 Epidemiology and Biostatistics Sorbonne Paris Cité Center (CRESS), ORCHAD Team, Villejuif, France.,Paris Descartes University, Villejuif, France
| | - L Chatzi
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.,Faculty of Medicine, Department of Social Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece.,Department of Genetics and Cell Biology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - C Chevrier
- Inserm UMR 1085, Irset - Research Institute for Environmental and Occupational Health, Rennes, France
| | - G P Chrousos
- First Department of Pediatrics, Athens University Medical School, 'Aghia Sophia' Children's Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - E Corpeleijn
- Department of Epidemiology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - O Costa
- Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - N Costet
- Inserm UMR 1085, Irset - Research Institute for Environmental and Occupational Health, Rennes, France
| | - S Crozier
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - G Devereux
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, UK
| | - M Doyon
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Universite de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - M Eggesbø
- Department of Exposure and Environmental Epidemiology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - M P Fantini
- The Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - S Farchi
- Department of Epidemiology, Lazio Regional Health Service, Rome, Italy
| | - F Forastiere
- Department of Epidemiology, Lazio Regional Health Service, Rome, Italy
| | - V Georgiu
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Social Medicine, University of Crete, Heraklion, Greece
| | - K M Godfrey
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.,NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
| | - D Gori
- The Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - V Grote
- Division of Metabolic and Nutritional Medicine, Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilian-Universität Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - W Hanke
- Department of Environmental Epidemiology, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Lodz, Poland
| | - I Hertz-Picciotto
- Department of Public Health Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - B Heude
- INSERM, UMR1153 Epidemiology and Biostatistics Sorbonne Paris Cité Center (CRESS), ORCHAD Team, Villejuif, France.,Paris Descartes University, Villejuif, France
| | - M-F Hivert
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier de l'Universite de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada.,Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA, USA.,Diabetes Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - D Hryhorczuk
- Center for Global Health, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - R-C Huang
- Telethon Kids Institute, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - H Inskip
- MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.,NIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University of Southampton and University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, UK
| | - A M Karvonen
- Department of Health Security, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Kuopio, Finland
| | - L C Kenny
- Irish Centre for Fetal and Neonatal Translational Research, Cork University Maternity Hospital, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Cork University Maternity Hospital, Cork, Ireland
| | - B Koletzko
- Division of Metabolic and Nutritional Medicine, Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilian-Universität Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - L K Küpers
- Department of Epidemiology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.,MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.,Population Health Science, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.,Division of Human Nutrition and Health, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - H Lagström
- Department of Public Health, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - I Lehmann
- Department of Environmental Immunology/Core Facility Studies, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Leipzig, Germany
| | - P Magnus
- Division of Health Data and Digitalization, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - R Majewska
- Department of Epidemiology, Chair of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
| | - J Mäkelä
- Turku Centre for Biotechnology, University of Turku and Abo Akademi University, Turku, Finland
| | - Y Manios
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Science and Education, Harokopio University, Athens, Greece
| | - F M McAuliffe
- UCD Perinatal Research Centre, Obstetrics& Gynaecology, School of Medicine, National Maternity Hospital, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - S W McDonald
- Department of Pediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - J Mehegan
- UCD Perinatal Research Centre, School of Public Health and Physiotherapy and Sports Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - E Melén
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Sach's Children Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - M Mommers
- Department of Epidemiology, Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - C S Morgen
- National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Public Health, Section of Epidemiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - G Moschonis
- Department of Rehabilitation, Nutrition and Sport, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Vic, Australia
| | - D Murray
- Irish Centre for Fetal and Neonatal Translational Research, Cork University Maternity Hospital, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,Paediatrics & Child Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - C Ní Chaoimh
- Irish Centre for Fetal and Neonatal Translational Research, Cork University Maternity Hospital, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,Cork Centre for Vitamin D and Nutrition Research, School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - E A Nohr
- Research Unit for Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Institute for Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
| | - A-M Nybo Andersen
- Department of Public Health, Section of Epidemiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - E Oken
- Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ajjm Oostvogels
- Department of Public Health, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - A Pac
- Department of Epidemiology, Chair of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Krakow, Poland
| | - E Papadopoulou
- Department of Environmental Exposures and Epidemiology, Domain of Infection Control and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - J Pekkanen
- Department of Health Security, National Institute for Health and Welfare, Kuopio, Finland.,Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - C Pizzi
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - K Polanska
- Department of Environmental Epidemiology, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Lodz, Poland
| | - D Porta
- Department of Epidemiology, Lazio Regional Health Service, Rome, Italy
| | - L Richiardi
- Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - S L Rifas-Shiman
- Department of Population Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute, Boston, MA, USA
| | - N Roeleveld
- Department for Health Evidence, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - L Ronfani
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health - IRCCS 'Burlo Garofolo', Trieste, Italy
| | - A C Santos
- EPIUnit - Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Department of Public Health and Forensic Sciences and Medical Education, Unit of Clinical Epidemiology, Predictive Medicine and Public Health, University of Porto Medical School, Porto, Portugal
| | - M Standl
- Institute of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum München-German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - H Stigum
- Department of Non-communicable Diseases, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - C Stoltenberg
- Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.,Department of Global Public Health and Primary Care, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - E Thiering
- Institute of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum München-German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany.,Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - C Thijs
- Department of Epidemiology, Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - M Torrent
- Ib-salut, Area de Salut de Menorca, Menorca, Spain
| | - S C Tough
- Department of Pediatrics, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.,Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - T Trnovec
- Department of Environmental Medicine, Slovak Medical University, Bratislava, Slovak Republic
| | - S Turner
- Child Health, Royal Aberdeen Children's Hospital, Aberdeen, UK
| | - Mmhj van Gelder
- Department for Health Evidence, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.,Radboud REshape Innovation Center, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - L van Rossem
- Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - A von Berg
- Department of Pediatrics, Research Institute, Marien-Hospital Wesel, Wesel, Germany
| | - M Vrijheid
- CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain.,ISGlobal, Institute for Global Health, Barcelona, Spain.,Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Tgm Vrijkotte
- Department of Public Health, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - J West
- Bradford Institute for Health Research, Bradford Royal Infirmary, Bradford, UK
| | - A H Wijga
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, the Netherlands
| | - J Wright
- Bradford Institute for Health Research, Bradford Royal Infirmary, Bradford, UK
| | - O Zvinchuk
- Department of Medical and Social Problems of Family Health, Institute of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kyiv, Ukraine
| | - Tia Sørensen
- Department of Public Health, Section of Epidemiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Section of Metabolic Genetics, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - D A Lawlor
- MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit, Oakfield House, Oakfield Grove, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK.,Population Health Science, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK
| | - R Gaillard
- The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.,Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Vwv Jaddoe
- The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.,Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.,Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
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18
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Angulo A, Santos AC, López M, Langeani F, Mcmahan CD. A new species of Astyanax (Characiformes: Characidae) from Costa Rica and Panama, with a key to the lower Central American species of the genus. J Fish Biol 2018; 92:1866-1887. [PMID: 29624681 DOI: 10.1111/jfb.13626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2017] [Accepted: 03/27/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Astyanax anai, a new species of characid fish, is described from the Sixaola River basin, eastern Costa Rica-western Panama, Central America. The new species can be distinguished from all other congeners by the following combination of characters: premaxillary teeth 4-5 at the inner series and 4-6 at the outer series; maxillary teeth tricuspid, 2-4; predorsal scale series irregular and incomplete, with an unscaled space behind tip of supraoccipital process and 12-14 scales; lateral line scales 34-39; humeral region with a conspicuous black and rounded to horizontally ovate spot and two diffuse brown and vertically elongate bars (the first through the rounded to horizontally ovate spot, the second 2-4 scales behind the first); body depth 36·6-42·3% of standard length (LS ); midlateral stripe formed by a series of 10-14 anteriorly-directed dermal herringbone, or chevron-shaped, marks, most apparent in juveniles and in preserved specimens, extending above the lateral line from the black humeral spot or just behind it (from the second vertical bar) to the caudal peduncle; scale rows from lateral line to base of first dorsal-fin ray 8-9; scale rows from lateral line to base of pelvic fin 7-8; pre-anal distance 53·9-61·9% of LS ; total anal-fin elements 29-33; caudal spot elongated, rhomboid or rectangular, with its anterior margin surpassing the middle of the caudal peduncle, usually reaching the anal-fin insertion, posteriorly covering 4-7 principal caudal-fin rays and not extending onto the ventral and dorsal margins of the caudal peduncle, covering 3-5 horizontal scale rows. In order to test the phylogenetic relationships of the new taxon in relation to the other North and Central American species of the genus, a new phylogenetic hypothesis based on a reanalysis of the morphological matrix by Schmitter-Soto (2016) is proposed. A key to the lower Central American (southern Nicaragua to eastern Panama) species of Astyanax is also provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Angulo
- Museo de Zoología and Centro de Investigación en Ciencias del Mar y Limnologia (CIMAR), Universidad de Costa Rica, 11501-2060, San Pedro de Montes de Oca, San José, Costa Rica
- UNESP, Universidade Estadual Paulista 'Júlio de Mesquita Filho', Laboratório de Ictiologia, Departamento de Zoologia e Botânica, Rua Cristóvão Colombo, 2265, 15054-000, São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - A C Santos
- UNESP, Universidade Estadual Paulista 'Júlio de Mesquita Filho', Laboratório de Ictiologia, Departamento de Zoologia e Botânica, Rua Cristóvão Colombo, 2265, 15054-000, São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - M López
- Museo de Zoología and Centro de Investigación en Ciencias del Mar y Limnologia (CIMAR), Universidad de Costa Rica, 11501-2060, San Pedro de Montes de Oca, San José, Costa Rica
| | - F Langeani
- UNESP, Universidade Estadual Paulista 'Júlio de Mesquita Filho', Laboratório de Ictiologia, Departamento de Zoologia e Botânica, Rua Cristóvão Colombo, 2265, 15054-000, São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - C D Mcmahan
- The Field Museum of Natural History, 1400 S, Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, Illinois, 60605, U.S.A
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19
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Grangeia A, Alves S, Gonçalves L, Gregório I, Santos AC, Barros H, Barros A, Carvalho F, Moura C. Spectrum of CFTR gene sequence variants in a northern Portugal population. Pulmonology 2018; 24:3-9. [PMID: 29589582 DOI: 10.1016/j.pulmoe.2017.12.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2017] [Revised: 10/25/2017] [Accepted: 12/03/2017] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In Portugal, the spectrum of Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (CFTR) gene variants is not known. The main objective of this work was to determine the type and frequency of CFTR variants in a sample from northern Portugal by the complete analysis of the CFTR coding sequencing performed in 512 Portuguese children. A total of 30 different CFTR sequence variants, already reported as cystic fibrosis (CF) or CFTR related disorders variants, were detected. Ninety-two children (18.0%; 95%CI: 14.7-21.6) were found to be carriers of one sequence variant and 8 (1.6%; 95%CI: 0.7-3.1) had two sequence variants. Taking into consideration only variants that may cause CF when combined with a pathogenic CF variant, the CF pathogenic variant carrier frequency was 3.3% (95%CI: 1.9-5.3). One (0.2%; 95%CI: 0.01-0.7) child presented two CF pathogenic variants. CONCLUSIONS The majority of CFTR variants detected have been associated with a less severe CF phenotype. A wide spectrum of CFTR variants was identified, confirming the highest CFTR allelic heterogeneity previously reported in Mediterranean country. Additionally, better knowledge about the CFTR sequence variation spectrum may contribute to more efficient genetic testing in the Portuguese population.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Grangeia
- Genetics Service, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal; Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
| | - S Alves
- Genetics Service, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
| | - L Gonçalves
- Genetics Service, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
| | - I Gregório
- Genetics Service, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
| | - A C Santos
- Public Health and Forensic Sciences and Medical Education Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal; EPIUnit - Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - H Barros
- Public Health and Forensic Sciences and Medical Education Department, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal; EPIUnit - Instituto de Saúde Pública, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - A Barros
- Genetics Service, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal; Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - F Carvalho
- Genetics Service, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal; Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - C Moura
- Genetics Service, Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal; Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal; São João Hospital Centre, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
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20
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Dias A, Faria I, Santos AC, Bárbara C. Thinking outside the thorax for patients difficult to wean from non-invasive ventilation: amyotrophic lateral sclerosis diagnosis and management in a Respiratory Intermediate Care Unit. Pulmonology 2017; 24:S2173-5115(17)30161-6. [PMID: 29290577 DOI: 10.1016/j.rppnen.2017.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2017] [Revised: 10/20/2017] [Accepted: 11/05/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- A Dias
- Chest Department, Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Norte, Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - I Faria
- Chest Department, Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Norte, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - A C Santos
- Chest Department, Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Norte, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - C Bárbara
- Chest Department, Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Norte, Lisboa, Portugal; Institute of Environmental Health (ISAMB), Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, Portugal
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21
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Tochetto C, Lima DA, Varela APM, Loiko MR, Paim WP, Scheffer CM, Herpich JI, Cerva C, Schmitd C, Cibulski SP, Santos AC, Mayer FQ, Roehe PM. Full-Genome Sequence of Porcine Circovirus type 3 recovered from serum of sows with stillbirths in Brazil. Transbound Emerg Dis 2017; 65:5-9. [PMID: 29027372 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.12735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2017] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Two full-genome sequences of porcine circovirus type 3 (PCV3) are reported. The genomes were recovered from pooled serum samples from sows who had just delivered litters with variable numbers of stillbirths. The two circular genomes (PCV3-BR/RS/6 and PCV3-BR/RS/8) are 2,000 nucleotides long and contain two open reading frames (ORFs) oriented in opposite directions that encode the putative capsid (Cap) and replicase (Rep) proteins. The intergenic region contains a stem-loop motif, as reported for other circoviruses. Rolling circle replication motifs and putative helicase domains were identified in the Rep coding region. The degree of overall nucleotide similarity between the genomes reported here and those available at GenBank was higher than 97%. No PCV3 sequence was detected in pooled serum samples from sows which had no stillbirths on the same farms. However, further studies are necessary to confirm the association between PCV3 and the occurrence of stillbirths.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Tochetto
- Laboratório de Virologia, Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - D A Lima
- Laboratório de Virologia, Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - A P M Varela
- Laboratório de Virologia, Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - M R Loiko
- Laboratório de Virologia, Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - W P Paim
- Laboratório de Virologia, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - C M Scheffer
- Laboratório de Virologia, Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - J I Herpich
- Laboratório de Virologia, Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - C Cerva
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Pesquisas Veterinárias Desidério Finamor (IPVDF), Eldorado do Sul, Brazil
| | - C Schmitd
- Laboratório de Virologia, Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - S P Cibulski
- Laboratório de Virologia, Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - A C Santos
- Laboratório de Virologia, Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - F Q Mayer
- Laboratório de Biologia Molecular, Instituto de Pesquisas Veterinárias Desidério Finamor (IPVDF), Eldorado do Sul, Brazil
| | - P M Roehe
- Laboratório de Virologia, Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Instituto de Ciências Básicas da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
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22
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Fernandes AR, Ferreira NR, Fangueiro JF, Santos AC, Veiga FJ, Cabral C, Silva AM, Souto EB. Ibuprofen nanocrystals developed by 2 2 factorial design experiment: A new approach for poorly water-soluble drugs. Saudi Pharm J 2017; 25:1117-1124. [PMID: 30166898 PMCID: PMC6111112 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsps.2017.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2017] [Accepted: 07/09/2017] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The reduction of the particle size of drugs of pharmaceutical interest down to the nano-sized range has dramatically changed their physicochemical properties. The greatest disadvantage of nanocrystals is their inherent instability, due to the risk of crystal growth. Thus, the selection of an appropriate stabilizer is crucial to obtain long-term physicochemically stable nanocrystals. High pressure homogenization has enormous advantages, including the possibility of scaling up, lack of organic solvents and the production of small particles diameter with low polydispersity index. The sequential use of high shear homogenization followed by high pressure homogenization, can modulate nanoparticles’ size for different administration routes. The present study focuses on the optimization of the production process of two formulations composed of different surfactants produced by High Shear Homogenization followed by hot High Pressure Homogenization. To build up the surface response charts, a 22 full factorial design experiment, based on 2 independent variables, was used to develop optimized formulations. The effects of the production process on the mean particle size and polydispersity index were evaluated. The best ibuprofen nanocrystal formulations were obtained using 0.20% Tween 80 and 1.20% PVP K30 (F1) and 0.20% Tween 80 and 1.20% Span 80 (F2). The estimation of the long-term stability of the aqueous suspensions of ibuprofen nanocrystals was studied using the LUMISizer. The calculated instability index suggests that F1 was more stable when stored at 4 °C and 22 °C, whereas F2 was shown to be more stable when freshly prepared.
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Affiliation(s)
- A R Fernandes
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra (FFUC), Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal.,REQUIMTE/LAQV, Group of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - N R Ferreira
- CQ Pharna, (FFUC), Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - J F Fangueiro
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra (FFUC), Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal.,Centre for Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, CITAB, UTAD, Quinta de Prados, P-5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - A C Santos
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra (FFUC), Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal.,Institute for Innovation and Health Research, Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, Portugal
| | - F J Veiga
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra (FFUC), Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal.,REQUIMTE/LAQV, Group of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - C Cabral
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra (FFUC), Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal.,Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology & Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Life Sciences (CNC-IBILI), University of Coimbra, Po'lo das Ciências da Sau'de, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - A M Silva
- Centre for Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, CITAB, UTAD, Quinta de Prados, P-5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal.,Department of Biology and Environment, University of Tras-os Montes e Alto Douro, UTAD, Quinta de Prados, P-5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - E B Souto
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra (FFUC), Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal.,REQUIMTE/LAQV, Group of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
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23
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Sousa C, Pereira I, Santos AC, Carbone C, Kovačević AB, Silva AM, Souto EB. Targeting dendritic cells for the treatment of autoimmune disorders. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2017; 158:237-248. [PMID: 28697439 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2017.06.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2017] [Revised: 06/28/2017] [Accepted: 06/29/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
In the last decades, it has been recognized that extracellular vesicles (EVs) are not only cell debris with no biological role, but instead they play a key role in information exchange between cells either in health and disease conditions. EVs exhibit indeed their biological role in a pleiotropic manner. They can modulate immune responses through the activation, transfer or removal of surface receptors on target cells, the removal of cytolytic components such as membrane attack complexes, and the transfer of signaling molecules/effectors, such as nucleic acid species, infectious particles, and oncogenes. Among the naturally-derived nanoparticles that have been developed in the last years, stimuli responsive exosomes drew special attention since they intrinsically possess many attributes of a desirable drug delivery system. Their small size allows them to bypass the mononuclear phagocytic system (MPS) clearance, thereby prolonging their circulation time for passive targeting to inflammatory tissues. Moreover, they can deliver their cargo directly into the cytosol, avoiding the lysosomal/endosomal pathway and thus, increasing the transfection efficiency when they are used as gene delivery systems. of This review offers the state of the art knowledge on the physiology and properties of EVs, namely, apoptotic vesicles, microvesicles and exosomes as innovative drug delivery systems for gene therapy, with a special focus on targeting dendritic cells for the treatment of autoimmune disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Sousa
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra (FFUC), Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - I Pereira
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra (FFUC), Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; REQUIMTE/LAQV, Group of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - A C Santos
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra (FFUC), Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; Institute for Innovation and Health Research, Group Genetics of Cognitive Dysfunction, Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, Rua do Campo Alegre, 823, 4150-180 Porto, Portugal
| | - C Carbone
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra (FFUC), Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; Laboratory of Drug Delivery Technology, Dept. of Drug Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - A B Kovačević
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra (FFUC), Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - A M Silva
- Department of Biology and Environment, University of Tras-os Montes e Alto Douro, UTAD, Quinta de Prados, P-5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal; Centre for Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences, CITAB, UTAD, Quinta de Prados, P-5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - E B Souto
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra (FFUC), Pólo das Ciências da Saúde, Azinhaga de Santa Comba, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal; REQUIMTE/LAQV, Group of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
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24
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Abstract
Enteroliths are intestinal mineral calculi predominantly composed of struvite. In horses this material accumulates concentrically around a core, causing total or partial obstruction of the higher and lower colon, and can lead to death by rupture. The enterolithiasis has worldwide distribution, and occurs frequently in Rio Grande do Sul, especially in Crioulo Horses. The aim of this work is to report a sequence of cases of Crioulo Horses with enterolithiasis, linking risk factors through historical analysis, clinical presentation and management employed by the breeding farms. Case: Between the years 2012 and 2015, 16 Crioulo Horses with colic syndrome caused by enteroliths were treated at the Hospital de Clínicas Veterinária of Universidade Federal de Pelotas (UFPel), RS, Brazil and Clínica Hípica, in Porto Alegre, RS. The group was formed predominantly by males, weighted 430 kg in average and the average age was eight years old. All horses underwent general and specific clinical examination, laboratory tests and surgical procedure to remove the enterolith. After discharge, there was an epidemiological questionnaire seeking information about the history, food and environmental management that could be related to the development of enterolithiasis. In relationship to the history of previous episodes of colic, the results were: 4 horses (25%) had no previous episodes of colic, while 12 horses (75%) had experienced previous colic. Regarding the horses’ bedding, 70% use sawdust and 30% rice husk, and about behavior, ten (62.5%) of the 16 horses attended had no stereotypies. Related to food and water supply, it was observed that nine horses (56.25%) had alfalfa as the only roughage source in the diet, and all animals (100%) were fed commercial food and water ad libitum. According to the number of hours the patients remained stabled, the rearing system was classified as intensive (over 12 h/stable/day), extensive (0 h, at the field) or semi-extensive (up to 12 h/stable/day). The frequencies observed were: intensive (9 animals - 56.25%), semi-intensive (6 animals - 37.5%) and extensive (1 animal - 6.25%). The average time of stabling was 17.2 h/day. Discussion: The alfalfa consumption as the only forage observed in our study is the main risk factor described for the formation of enteroliths. This is because in digestion, alfalfa tends to alkalize the intestinal pH, hindering the metabolism of some minerals and thus forming the enterolith. Another important risk factor observed in this work is the intensive rearing, with long periods of stabling. This explains why confinement leads to decreased intestinal motility, due to reduced or absent grazing. Furthermore, reduced physical activity is another contributing factor to the reduction of motility, because the exercise influence the intestinal peristalsis. The rearing of horses intensively is usual with the Crioulo, especially in training and morphological preparation. Based on this case study, we can’t say that there is a racial predisposition to enterolithiasis of the Crioulo Horse, since it would require more studies on the physiology and a standard feeding of these horses. However, we can attribute the considerable volume of enteroliths observed in Crioulo Horses in Rio Grande do Sul to the increase in the number of referrals to the reference hospitals, feeding alfalfa as the only roughage source in the diet and to intensive management of the farms, with long periods of daily stabling.
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25
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Nascimento LS, Santos AC, Lucena JMS, Silva LGO, Almeida AEM, Brasileiro-Santos MS. Acute and chronic effects of aerobic exercise on blood pressure in resistant hypertension: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials 2017; 18:250. [PMID: 28578691 PMCID: PMC5457580 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-017-1985-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2016] [Accepted: 05/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Resistant hypertension is a specific condition that affects approximately 10% of subjects with hypertension, and is characterized by persistently high blood pressure levels even using therapy of three or more antihypertensive agents or with blood pressure control using therapy with four or more antihypertensive agents. Changes in lifestyle, such as physical exercise, are indicated for controlling blood pressure. However, investigating studies about this therapy in individuals with resistant hypertension are few. METHODS/DESIGN This is a randomized controlled clinical trial. Forty-eight patients with resistant hypertension will be submitted to perform four short-term interventions: aerobic exercise sessions (mild-, moderate- and high-intensity) and control session, in random order and on separate days. After the short-term sessions, the patients will be randomly allocated into four groups for 8 weeks of follow-up: mild-, moderate- and high-intensity aerobic exercise, and a control group. The primary outcome is the occurrence of blood pressure reduction (office and ambulatory analysis, and acute and chronic effects). Secondary outcomes are autonomic and hemodynamic mechanisms: cardiac and vasomotor autonomic modulation, spontaneous baroreflex sensitivity, forearm blood flow and vascular resistance. DISCUSSION The importance of exercise for hypertension has been known for decades, but little is known about the effects on patients with resistant hypertension. This study will help to understand whether different aerobic exercise intensities can induce different responses, as well as by what mechanisms adjustments in blood pressure levels may occur. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov, ID: NCT02670681 . Registered on 28 January 2016 (first version); Brazilian Registry Platform Clinical Trials: protocol RBR-5q24zh . Registered on 24 June 2015.
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Affiliation(s)
- LS Nascimento
- Laboratório de Estudos do Treinamento Físico Aplicado a Saúde, Departamento de Educação Física, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Castelo Branco I, CEP 58051-900 João Pessoa, Paraíba Brasil
- Programa Associado de Pós-Graduação em Educação Física UPE/UFPB, João Pessoa, Paraíba Brasil
| | - AC Santos
- Laboratório de Estudos do Treinamento Físico Aplicado a Saúde, Departamento de Educação Física, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Castelo Branco I, CEP 58051-900 João Pessoa, Paraíba Brasil
- Programa Associado de Pós-Graduação em Educação Física UPE/UFPB, João Pessoa, Paraíba Brasil
| | - JMS Lucena
- Universidade Federal do Tocantins, Campus Universitário de Tocantinópolis, Centro, CEP 77900-000 Tocantinópolis, Tocantins Brasil
| | - LGO Silva
- Laboratório de Estudos do Treinamento Físico Aplicado a Saúde, Departamento de Educação Física, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Castelo Branco I, CEP 58051-900 João Pessoa, Paraíba Brasil
| | - AEM Almeida
- Laboratório de Estudos do Treinamento Físico Aplicado a Saúde, Departamento de Educação Física, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Castelo Branco I, CEP 58051-900 João Pessoa, Paraíba Brasil
| | - MS Brasileiro-Santos
- Laboratório de Estudos do Treinamento Físico Aplicado a Saúde, Departamento de Educação Física, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Castelo Branco I, CEP 58051-900 João Pessoa, Paraíba Brasil
- Programa Associado de Pós-Graduação em Educação Física UPE/UFPB, João Pessoa, Paraíba Brasil
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26
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Leoni RF, Oliveira IAF, Pontes-Neto OM, Santos AC, Leite JP. Cerebral blood flow and vasoreactivity in aging: an arterial spin labeling study. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017; 50:e5670. [PMID: 28355354 PMCID: PMC5423749 DOI: 10.1590/1414-431x20175670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2016] [Accepted: 01/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Regional cerebral blood flow (CBF) and cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) in young and elderly participants were assessed using pulsed arterial spin labeling (ASL) and blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques in combination with inhalation of CO2. Pulsed ASL and BOLD-MRI were acquired in seventeen asymptomatic volunteers (10 young adults, age: 30±7 years; 7 elderly adults, age: 64±8 years) with no history of diabetes, hypertension, and neurological diseases. Data from one elderly participant was excluded due to the incorrigible head motion. Average baseline CBF in gray matter was significantly reduced in elderly (46±9 mL·100 g-1·min-1) compared to young adults (57±8 mL·100 g-1·min-1; P=0.02). Decreased pulsed ASL-CVR and BOLD-CVR in gray matter were also observed in elderly (2.12±1.30 and 0.13±0.06 %/mmHg, respectively) compared to young adults (3.28±1.43 and 0.28±0.11 %/mmHg, respectively; P<0.05), suggesting some degree of vascular impairment with aging. Moreover, age-related decrease in baseline CBF was observed in different brain regions (inferior, middle and superior frontal gyri; precentral and postcentral gyri; superior temporal gyrus; cingulate gyri; insula, putamen, caudate, and supramarginal gyrus). In conclusion, CBF and CVR were successfully investigated using a protocol that causes minimal or no discomfort for the participants. Age-related decreases in baseline CBF and CVR were observed in the cerebral cortex, which may be related to the vulnerability for neurological disorders in aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- R F Leoni
- Departamento de Física, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil
| | - I A F Oliveira
- Departamento de Física, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil
| | - O M Pontes-Neto
- Departamento de Neurociências e Ciências do Comportamento, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil
| | - A C Santos
- Divisão de Radiologia, Departamento de Clínica Médica, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil
| | - J P Leite
- Departamento de Neurociências e Ciências do Comportamento, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil
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Santos S, Severo M, Gaillard R, Santos AC, Barros H, Oliveira A. The role of prenatal exposures on body fat patterns at 7 years: Intrauterine programming or birthweight effects? Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis 2016; 26:1004-1010. [PMID: 27461861 DOI: 10.1016/j.numecd.2016.06.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2016] [Revised: 06/03/2016] [Accepted: 06/21/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS It remains unknown whether the effects of prenatal exposures on child's adiposity reflect entirely intrauterine programming. We aimed to assess the effects of maternal gestational weight gain, diabetes and smoking on the child's body fat patterns, disentangling the direct (through intrauterine programming) and indirect (through birthweight) effects. METHODS AND RESULTS We included 4747 singleton 7-year-old children from the Generation XXI birth cohort (Porto, Portugal). At birth, maternal and newborn's characteristics were obtained. Anthropometrics were measured at age 7 years and body fat patterns were identified by principal component analysis. Path analysis was used to quantify direct, indirect and total effects of gestational weight gain, diabetes and smoking on body fat patterns. Pattern 1 was characterized by strong factor loadings with body mass index, fat mass index and waist-to-height ratio (fat quantity) and pattern 2 with waist-to-hip ratio, waist-to-thigh ratio, and waist-to-weight ratio (fat distribution). The positive total effect of maternal gestational weight gain and diabetes on the child's fat quantity was mainly through a direct pathway, responsible for 91.7% and 83.7% of total effects, respectively (β = 0.022; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.017, 0.027; β = 0.041; 95% CI: -0.011, 0.093). No effects on fat distribution were found. Maternal prenatal smoking had a positive direct effect on patterns 1 and 2, explaining 94.9% and 76.1% of total effects, respectively. CONCLUSION The effects of maternal gestational weight gain, diabetes and smoking on a child's fat quantity seem to be mainly through intrauterine programming. Maternal smoking also showed a positive direct effect on child's fat distribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Santos
- EPI-Unit, Institute of Public Health, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - M Severo
- EPI-Unit, Institute of Public Health, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Predictive Medicine and Public Health, University of Porto Medical School, Porto, Portugal
| | - R Gaillard
- The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Department of Epidemiology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - A C Santos
- EPI-Unit, Institute of Public Health, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Predictive Medicine and Public Health, University of Porto Medical School, Porto, Portugal
| | - H Barros
- EPI-Unit, Institute of Public Health, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Predictive Medicine and Public Health, University of Porto Medical School, Porto, Portugal
| | - A Oliveira
- EPI-Unit, Institute of Public Health, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Predictive Medicine and Public Health, University of Porto Medical School, Porto, Portugal.
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28
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Quaresma PGF, Weissmann L, Zanotto TM, Santos AC, de Matos AHB, Furigo IC, Simabuco FM, Donato J, Bittencourt JC, Lopes-Cendes I, Prada PO. Cdc2-like kinase 2 in the hypothalamus is necessary to maintain energy homeostasis. Int J Obes (Lond) 2016; 41:268-278. [PMID: 27733761 DOI: 10.1038/ijo.2016.174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2016] [Revised: 08/21/2016] [Accepted: 09/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate whether the Cdc2-like kinase 2 (CLK2) is expressed in hypothalamic neurons and if it is, whether the hypothalamic CLK2 has a role in the regulation of energy balance. SUBJECTS Swiss mice on chow or high-fat diet (HFD) and db/db mice on chow diet were used to address the role of CLK2 in the hypothalamus. RESULTS Hypothalamic CLK2Thr343 phosphorylation, which induces CLK2 activity, is regulated in vivo by refeeding, insulin and leptin, in a PI3K (phosphoinositide 3-kinase)-dependent manner. The reduction of CLK2 expression in the hypothalamus, by chronic pharmacological inhibition with TG003 or by chronic knockdown with small interfering RNA was sufficient to abolish the anorexigenic effect of insulin and leptin, to increase body weight, fat mass, food intake and to decrease energy expenditure in mice on chow. In contrast, CLK2Thr343 phosphorylation in the hypothalamus in response to insulin, leptin or refeeding was impaired in mice on HFD or in db/db mice. Chronic CLK2 inhibition in the hypothalamus was associated with a slight increase in the fasting blood glucose levels, reduction in PEPCK (phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase) expression in the liver and enhanced glucose production from pyruvate, suggesting a regulation of hepatic glucose production. Further, overexpressing CLK2 in the mediobasal hypothalami of mice on HFD or in db/db mice by adenovirus partially reversed the obese phenotype. CONCLUSIONS Thus, our results suggest that protein CLK2 integrates some important hypothalamic pathways, and may be a promising molecule for new therapeutic approaches for obesity and diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- P G F Quaresma
- Department of Internal Medicine, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.,Department of Medical Clinics, Obesity and Comorbidities Research Center (OCRC), State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - L Weissmann
- Department of Internal Medicine, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.,Department of Medical Clinics, Obesity and Comorbidities Research Center (OCRC), State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - T M Zanotto
- Department of Internal Medicine, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.,Department of Medical Clinics, Obesity and Comorbidities Research Center (OCRC), State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - A C Santos
- Department of Medical Clinics, Obesity and Comorbidities Research Center (OCRC), State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - A H B de Matos
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - I C Furigo
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - F M Simabuco
- School of Applied Sciences, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Limeira, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - J Donato
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - J C Bittencourt
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - I Lopes-Cendes
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - P O Prada
- Department of Internal Medicine, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.,Department of Medical Clinics, Obesity and Comorbidities Research Center (OCRC), State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.,School of Applied Sciences, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Limeira, São Paulo, Brazil
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29
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Marques LH, Castro BA, Rossetto J, Silva OABN, Moscardini VF, Zobiole LHS, Santos AC, Valverde-Garcia P, Babcock JM, Rule DM, Fernandes OA. Efficacy of Soybean's Event DAS-81419-2 Expressing Cry1F and Cry1Ac to Manage Key Tropical Lepidopteran Pests Under Field Conditions in Brazil. J Econ Entomol 2016; 109:1922-8. [PMID: 27401112 PMCID: PMC5892136 DOI: 10.1093/jee/tow153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2016] [Accepted: 06/09/2016] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) event DAS-81419-2 (Conkesta technology) in soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merrill, expresses Cry1F and Cry1Ac proteins to provide protection from feeding by several lepidopteran pests. A total of 27 field experiments across nine locations were conducted from 2011 to 2015 in southern and central Brazil to characterize the efficacy of DAS-81419-2 soybean infested with Anticarsia gemmatalis Hübner (Lepidoptera: Erebidae), Chrysodeixis includens (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), Heliothis virescens (F.) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), and Spodoptera cosmioides (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) during vegetative (V4) and reproductive (R2 and R4) crop developmental stages. The efficacy of DAS-81419-2 was compared to that of a non-Bt isogenic variety managed with or without applications of commercial foliar insecticides for lepidopteran control. DAS-81419-2 soybean consistently experienced defoliation levels of 0.5% or less (compared with 20.05-56.74% in the non-Bt, nonsprayed treatment) and larval survival of < 0.1% in all four species across the vegetative and reproductive plant stages evaluated. The efficacy of DAS-81419-2 was significantly higher than commercial foliar insecticides applied to the non-Bt variety. DAS-81419-2 soybeans containing two highly effective Bt proteins are expected to be a more robust IRM tool compared to single-trait Bt technologies. The consistent efficacy of DAS-81419-2 soybeans across years, locations, and crop stages suggests that it will be a valuable product for management of hard-to-control key lepidopteran pests in South American soybean production.
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Affiliation(s)
- L H Marques
- Dow AgroSciences Industrial Ltda, Av. Nações Unidas 14.171 - Diamond Tower, São Paulo, SP 04794-000, Brazil (; ; ; ; ; ) Corresponding author, e-mail:
| | - B A Castro
- Dow AgroSciences LLC, 9330 Zionsville Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46268 (; ; ; )
| | - J Rossetto
- Dow AgroSciences Industrial Ltda, Av. Nações Unidas 14.171 - Diamond Tower, São Paulo, SP 04794-000, Brazil (; ; ; ; ; )
| | - O A B N Silva
- Dow AgroSciences Industrial Ltda, Av. Nações Unidas 14.171 - Diamond Tower, São Paulo, SP 04794-000, Brazil (; ; ; ; ; )
| | - V F Moscardini
- Dow AgroSciences Industrial Ltda, Av. Nações Unidas 14.171 - Diamond Tower, São Paulo, SP 04794-000, Brazil (; ; ; ; ; )
| | - L H S Zobiole
- Dow AgroSciences Industrial Ltda, Av. Nações Unidas 14.171 - Diamond Tower, São Paulo, SP 04794-000, Brazil (; ; ; ; ; )
| | - A C Santos
- Dow AgroSciences Industrial Ltda, Av. Nações Unidas 14.171 - Diamond Tower, São Paulo, SP 04794-000, Brazil (; ; ; ; ; )
| | - P Valverde-Garcia
- Dow AgroSciences LLC, 9330 Zionsville Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46268 (; ; ; )
| | - J M Babcock
- Dow AgroSciences LLC, 9330 Zionsville Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46268 (; ; ; )
| | - D M Rule
- Dow AgroSciences LLC, 9330 Zionsville Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46268 (; ; ; )
| | - O A Fernandes
- Departamento de Fitossanidade, FCAV/UNESP, Jaboticabal, SP 14884-900, Brazil
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Leitão MJ, Baldeiras I, Almeida MR, Ribeiro MH, Santos AC, Ribeiro M, Tomás J, Rocha S, Santana I, Oliveira CR. Sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease diagnostic accuracy is improved by a new CSF ELISA 14-3-3γ assay. Neuroscience 2016; 322:398-407. [PMID: 26940479 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2016.02.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2016] [Revised: 02/22/2016] [Accepted: 02/23/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Protein 14-3-3 is a reliable marker of rapid neuronal damage, specifically increased in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (sCJD) patients. Its detection is usually performed by Western Blot (WB), prone to methodological issues. Our aim was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of a recently developed quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent (ELISA) assay for 14-3-3γ, in comparison with WB and other neurodegeneration markers. CSF samples from 145 patients with suspicion of prion disease, later classified as definite sCJD (n=72) or Non-prion diseases (Non-CJD; n=73) comprised our population. 14-3-3 protein was determined by WB and ELISA. Total Tau (t-Tau) and phosphorylated Tau (p-Tau) were also evaluated. Apolipoprotein E gene (ApoE) and prionic protein gene (PRNP) genotyping was assessed. ELISA 14-3-3γ levels were significantly increased in sCJD compared to Non-CJD patients (p<0.001), showing very good accuracy (AUC=0.982; sensitivity=97%; specificity=94%), and matching WB results in 81% of all cases. It strongly correlated with t-Tau and p-Tau (p<0.0001), showing slightly higher specificity (14-3-3 WB - 63%; Tau - 90%; p-Tau/t-Tau ratio - 88%). From WB inconclusive results (n=44), ELISA 14-3-3γ correctly classified 41 patients. Additionally, logistic regression analysis selected ELISA 14-3-3γ as the best single predictive marker for sCJD (overall accuracy=93%). ApoE and PRNP genotypes did not influence ELISA 14-3-3γ levels. Despite specificity for 14-3-3γ isoform, ELISA results not only match WB evaluation but also help discrimination of inconclusive results. Our results therefore reinforce this assay as a single screening test, allowing higher sample throughput and unequivocal results.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Leitão
- Neurochemistry Laboratory, Neurology Department, University Hospital Coimbra, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Praceta Mota Pinto, 3000-075 Coimbra, Portugal; Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Portugal; CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, Faculty of Medicine, Pólo I, 1st Floor, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - I Baldeiras
- Neurochemistry Laboratory, Neurology Department, University Hospital Coimbra, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Praceta Mota Pinto, 3000-075 Coimbra, Portugal; Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Portugal; CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, Faculty of Medicine, Pólo I, 1st Floor, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - M R Almeida
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, Faculty of Medicine, Pólo I, 1st Floor, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - M H Ribeiro
- Neurochemistry Laboratory, Neurology Department, University Hospital Coimbra, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Praceta Mota Pinto, 3000-075 Coimbra, Portugal; Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Portugal
| | - A C Santos
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, Faculty of Medicine, Pólo I, 1st Floor, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - M Ribeiro
- CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, Faculty of Medicine, Pólo I, 1st Floor, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - J Tomás
- Neurology Department, University Hospital Coimbra, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Praceta Mota Pinto, 3000-075 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - S Rocha
- Neurology Department, St Marcos Hospital, Braga, Portugal
| | - I Santana
- Neurology Department, University Hospital Coimbra, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Praceta Mota Pinto, 3000-075 Coimbra, Portugal; Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Portugal; CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, Faculty of Medicine, Pólo I, 1st Floor, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - C R Oliveira
- Neurochemistry Laboratory, Neurology Department, University Hospital Coimbra, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Praceta Mota Pinto, 3000-075 Coimbra, Portugal; Neurology Department, University Hospital Coimbra, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Praceta Mota Pinto, 3000-075 Coimbra, Portugal; Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Portugal; CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, Faculty of Medicine, Pólo I, 1st Floor, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
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Santos AC, Pazinato FM, Vieira PS, De Araújo LO, De Oliveira LC, Raffi MB, Curcio BDR, Nogueira CEW. Aneurysm in the Distal Portion of the Extern Jugular Vein in a Horse. ACTA SCI VET 2016. [DOI: 10.22456/1679-9216.84471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Background: Aneurysm is a vascular disease that causes the partial rupture of arteries and veins and subsequent blood leakage due to the weakening of the vessels elastic middle layer. Venous aneurysms in horses are rare, but the arterial aneurysms are commonly reported. The aim of this paper is to report a rare occurrence of jugular external aneurysm in a horse and propose the inclusion this disease as a differential diagnosis, both because it is rare in this specie and invariably fatal. The medical examination showed a firm well-defined mass, painless, nonpulsatile on palpation and with no changed in the local temperature.Case: The horse was referred to the Veterinarian Hospital of the Federal University of Pelotas (UFPel, RS-Brazil. It was a male, Crioulo breed, 10 years old, used as stallion. The owner reported a swelling in the pectoral region that occurred after a trauma episode that had gradually grown for two years. The patient was clinically stable, and would undergo surgery extirpation for aesthetic matters. Clinical examination showed the swelling was circumscribed and centralized and it presented about 20 centimeters in diameter. The ultrasound of the pectoral area showed an anechoic structure with hyperechoic spots inside limited by an hyperechoic layer similar to a fibrous capsule. Presumptive diagnostics were of: hematoma, subcutaneous abscess, neoplasia, and possible vascular involvement. The use of conventional ultrasound was not enough to set the diagnosis, and the patient was referred to surgical exploration, where the procedures of isolation and anastomosis were performed, however rupture occurred and the patient died. Necropsy revealed sacculation of the ventral region of the neck next to the entrance of the thorax, and the involvement of the external right jugular vein, being the adjacent muscle tissue not involved. Histopathological evaluation showed intense proliferation of sub-endothelial fibrous tissue which infiltrated the tunica media and adventitia and a mild inflammatory infiltrate of lymphocytes and histiocytes, which was diagnosed as an aneurysm of the right external jugular vein.Discussion: The reported patient had a venous aneurysm located superficially, which may have contributed to the absence of symptoms. The ultrasound is a diagnostic method available to most veterinarians nowadays, mainly in the countryside. However, when it is used in the diagnosis of an aneurysm it displays a dilatation with anechoic content, which is common to several other skin diseases. A similar ultrasound image was observed in the case reported, but the diagnosis was difficult because the aneurysm presented intense proliferation of fibrous tissue infiltrated in the media and adventitia of the vascular wall, similar to a capsule of fibrous tissue, which lead to the presumptive diagnostics of hematoma, abscess and neoplasia, with possible vascular involvement. The options for the treatment of the aneurysms consider the location, size and extent of them and it determines the choice between clinical observation and surgery. In veterinary medicine it is difficult to keep the animals still and in the case of a horse, any movement can lead to the spontaneous rupture of the aneurism. Considering the risk of spontaneous rupture and hemorrhage, the surgical resolution, even if risky, emerges as the most suitable treatment. Venous aneurysms although rare, need to be included as a differential diagnosis in skin diseases along with increased volume, as hematomas, abscesses and tumors. The prognosis, however, is poor because of the surgical limitations and risks of imminent rupture in the clinical treatment.Keywords: venous aneurysm, differential diagnosis, equine.
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Fonseca MJ, Severo M, Santos AC. A new approach to estimating weight change and its reference intervals during the first 96 hours of life. Acta Paediatr 2015; 104:1028-34. [PMID: 25488548 DOI: 10.1111/apa.12894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2014] [Accepted: 12/05/2014] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
AIM We aimed to apply a novel model to estimate weight change and its reference intervals during the first 96 h of life and the time of weight nadir. METHODS This study involved 1288 full-term singletons, from the Generation XXI birth cohort. Recruitment occurred between 2005 and 2006 in all five public units providing obstetrical and neonatal care in Porto, Portugal. Birthweight was abstracted from clinical records, and the subsequent newborn anthropometrics were obtained by trained examiners. Longitudinal models to estimate postnatal weight were tested and the weight ratio was calculated as the weight during 96 h of life divided by birthweight. RESULTS The chosen model was (weight(t)~ 3241.442 + (-9.378) × t + 0.119 × t(2) + 0.000 × t(3) + b0i + b1i × t, where t represented the newborn infant's age in hours and bi represented the random coefficients. The curve inflection point (nadir) was achieved at 52.3 h of life, corresponding to a loss of 218 g and a weight ratio of 0.933. We estimated that at six, 12, 24 and 36 h of life the mean weight ratio and 10th-90th percentiles were 0.978 (0.968-0.988), 0.968 (0.953-0.983), 0.951 (0.928-0.974) and 0.939 (0.909-0.969), respectively. CONCLUSION This model allows a more accurate estimate of newborn weight change and its reference intervals, and estimated the nadir at 52.3 h of life, corresponding to a weight ratio of 0.933.
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Affiliation(s)
- MJ Fonseca
- EPIUnit - Institute of Public Health; University of Porto; Porto Portugal
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology; Predictive Medicine and Public Health; University of Porto Medical School; Porto Portugal
| | - M Severo
- EPIUnit - Institute of Public Health; University of Porto; Porto Portugal
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology; Predictive Medicine and Public Health; University of Porto Medical School; Porto Portugal
| | - AC Santos
- EPIUnit - Institute of Public Health; University of Porto; Porto Portugal
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology; Predictive Medicine and Public Health; University of Porto Medical School; Porto Portugal
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Quaresma PGF, Reencober N, Zanotto TM, Santos AC, Weissmann L, de Matos AHB, Lopes-Cendes I, Folli F, Saad MJA, Prada PO. Pioglitazone treatment increases food intake and decreases energy expenditure partially via hypothalamic adiponectin/adipoR1/AMPK pathway. Int J Obes (Lond) 2015; 40:138-46. [PMID: 26228462 DOI: 10.1038/ijo.2015.134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2015] [Revised: 06/20/2015] [Accepted: 06/28/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) enhanced body weight (BW) partially by increased adipogenesis and hyperphagia. Neuronal PPARγ knockout mice on high-fat diet (HFD) are leaner because of enhanced leptin response, although it could be secondary to their leanness. Thus, it still is an open question how TZDs may alter energy balance. Multiple factors regulate food intake (FI) and energy expenditure (EE), including anorexigenic hormones as insulin and leptin. Nonetheless, elevated hypothalamic AMPK activity increases FI and TZDs increase AMPK activity in muscle cells. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate whether Pioglitazone (PIO) treatment alters hypothalamic insulin and leptin action/signaling, AMPK phosphorylation, and whether these alterations may be implicated in the regulation of FI and EE. METHODS Swiss mice on HFD (2 months) received PIO (25 mg kg(-1) per day-gavage) or vehicle for 14 days. AMPK and AdipoR1 were inhibited via Intracerebroventricular injections using Compound C (CompC) and small interference RNA (siRNA), respectively. Western blot, real-time PCR and CLAMS were done. RESULTS PIO treatment increased BW, adiposity, FI, NPY mRNA and decreased POMC mRNA expression and EE in HFD mice. Despite higher adiposity, PIO treatment improved insulin sensitivity, glucose tolerance, decreased insulin and increased adiponectin serum levels. This result was associated with, improved insulin and leptin action/signaling, decreased α2AMPK(Ser491) phosphorylation and elevated Acetyl-CoA carboxylase and AMPK(Thr172) phosphorylation in hypothalamus. The inhibition of hypothalamic AMPK with CompC was associated with decreased adiposity, FI, NPY mRNA and EE in PIO-treated mice. The reduced expression of hypothalamic AdipoR1 with siRNA concomitantly with PIO treatment reverted PIO induced obesity development, suggesting that adiponectin may be involved in this effect. CONCLUSIONS These results demonstrated that PIO, despite improving insulin/leptin action in hypothalamus, increases FI and decreases EE, partially, by activating hypothalamic adiponectin/AdipoR1/AMPK axis. Suggesting a novel mechanism in the hypothalamus by which TZDs increase BW.
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Affiliation(s)
- P G F Quaresma
- Department of Internal Medicine, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - N Reencober
- School of Applied Sciences, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Limeira, SP, Brazil
| | - T M Zanotto
- Department of Internal Medicine, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - A C Santos
- Department of Internal Medicine, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - L Weissmann
- Department of Internal Medicine, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - A H B de Matos
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - I Lopes-Cendes
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - F Folli
- Department of Medicine, Division of Diabetes, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Texas, USA.,Departament of Medical Clinics, Obesity and Comorbidities Research Center (O.C.R.C.), State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - M J A Saad
- Department of Internal Medicine, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - P O Prada
- Department of Internal Medicine, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil.,School of Applied Sciences, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Limeira, SP, Brazil
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Belo S, Santos AC, Madureira A, Pereira J, Sarmento A, Carvalho D, Freitas P. IL-4 and IL-6 levels and adipose tissue distribution in HIV-1 patients under antiretroviral therapy. J Endocrinol Invest 2015; 38:779-84. [PMID: 25722225 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-015-0256-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2014] [Accepted: 02/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) for the treatment of HIV-1 infection has been associated with complications, including lipodystrophy. Several interleukins have been implicated in the pathology and physiology of lipodystrophy. The present study aimed to compare the levels of IL-4 and IL-6 in HIV-1 patients under cART with and without, clinically and fat mass ratio defined, lipodystrophy and in four different groups of fat distribution: (1) no lipodystrophy; (2) isolated central fat accumulation; (3) isolated lipoatrophy and (4) mixed forms of lipodystrophy. METHODS In the present cross-sectional study we evaluated IL-4 and IL-6 levels, insulin resistance and insulin sensitivity indexes in 86 HIV-infected adults under cART. RESULTS No significant differences in IL-4 and IL-6 levels between the four groups of body composition were observed. Patients with HOMA-IR >4 presented higher levels of IL-6 and lower levels of IL-4, although without statistical significance. No correlation between IL-6, or IL-4, HOMA-IR and quantitative body fat mass distribution was found. CONCLUSION Although there was a tendency for patients with isolated lipoatrophy and isolated fat accumulation to present higher IL-6 levels, these differences were not statistically significant. No differences were found relating IL-4 levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Belo
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Centro Hospitalar de São João, Alameda Prof. Hernani Monteiro, Porto, 4200, Portugal.
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
| | - A C Santos
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
| | - A Madureira
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
- Department of Radiology, Centro Hospitalar de São João, Porto, Portugal.
| | - J Pereira
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Centro Hospitalar de São João, Porto, Portugal.
| | - A Sarmento
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Centro Hospitalar de São João, Porto, Portugal.
| | - D Carvalho
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Centro Hospitalar de São João, Alameda Prof. Hernani Monteiro, Porto, 4200, Portugal.
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
| | - P Freitas
- Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism, Centro Hospitalar de São João, Alameda Prof. Hernani Monteiro, Porto, 4200, Portugal.
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal.
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Linares IMP, Jackowski AP, Trzesniak CMF, Arrais KC, Chagas MHN, Sato JR, Santos AC, Hallak JEC, Zuardi AW, Nardi AE, Coimbra NC, Crippa JAS. Cortical thinning of the right anterior cingulate cortex in spider phobia: a magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy study. Brain Res 2014; 1576:35-42. [PMID: 24892191 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2014.05.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2014] [Revised: 05/21/2014] [Accepted: 05/26/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
There a lack of consistent neuroimaging data on specific phobia (SP) and a need to assess volumetric and metabolic differences in structures implicated in this condition. The aim of this study is investigate possible metabolic (via (1)H MRS) and cortical thickness abnormalities in spider-phobic patients compared to healthy volunteers. Participants were recruited via public advertisement and underwent clinical evaluations and MRI scans. The study started in 2010 and the investigators involved were not blind in respect to patient groupings. The study was conducted at the Ribeirão Preto Medical School University Hospital of the University of São Paulo, Brazil. Patients with spider phobia (n=19) were matched to 17 healthy volunteers with respect to age, education and socio-economic status. The spider SP group fulfilled the diagnostic criteria for spider phobia according to the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV. None of the participants had a history of neurological, psychiatric or other relevant organic diseases, use of prescribed psychotropic medication or substance abuse. All imaging and spectroscopy data were collected with a 3 T MRI scanner equipped with 25 mT gradient coils in 30-minute scans. The Freesurfer image analysis package and LC Model software were used to analyze data. The hypothesis being tested was formulated before the data collection (neural correlates of SP would include the amygdala, insula, anterior cingulate gyrus and others). The results indicated the absence of metabolic alterations, but thinning of the right anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) in the SP group when compared to the healthy control group (mean cortical thickness±SD: SP=2.11±0.45 mm; HC=2.16±0.42 mm; t (34)=3.19, p=0.001 [-35.45, 71.00, -23.82]). In spectroscopy, the ratios between N-acetylaspartate and creatine and choline levels were measured. No significant effect or correlation was found between MRS metabolites and scores in the Spider Phobia Questionnaire and Beck Anxiety Inventory (p>0.05). The ACC is known to be related to the cognitive processing of fear and anxiety and to be linked with the conditioning circuit. The MRS findings are preliminary and need more studies. The finding of reduced ACC thickness in SP is in agreement with evidence from previous functional neuroimaging studies and highlights the importance of this brain area in the pathophysiology of SP.
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Affiliation(s)
- I M P Linares
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavior, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, National Institute for Translational Medicine (INCT, CNPq), Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - A P Jackowski
- Laboratory of Interdisciplinary Neurosciences (LINC), Department of Psychiatry, Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - C M F Trzesniak
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavior, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, National Institute for Translational Medicine (INCT, CNPq), Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - K C Arrais
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavior, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, National Institute for Translational Medicine (INCT, CNPq), Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - M H N Chagas
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavior, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, National Institute for Translational Medicine (INCT, CNPq), Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - J R Sato
- Center of Mathematics, Computation and Cognition, Universidade Federal do ABC, Santo André, Brazil
| | - A C Santos
- Department of Medical Clinic Department, Division of Radiology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - J E C Hallak
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavior, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, National Institute for Translational Medicine (INCT, CNPq), Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - A W Zuardi
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavior, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, National Institute for Translational Medicine (INCT, CNPq), Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - A E Nardi
- Laboratory of Panic and Respiration, Institute of Psychiatry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - N C Coimbra
- Laboratory of Neuroanatomy & Neuropsychobiology, Department of Pharmacology, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - J A S Crippa
- Department of Neuroscience and Behavior, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, National Institute for Translational Medicine (INCT, CNPq), Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil
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Calisto KL, Camacho ACAP, Mittestainer FC, Mendes MCS, Santos AC, Saad MJA. Probiotic pretreatment improves survival and prevents gut mucosal barrier dysfunction in sepsis. Crit Care 2014. [PMCID: PMC4273910 DOI: 10.1186/cc14072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
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Barros Silva R, Santos NAG, Martins NM, Ferreira DAS, Barbosa F, Oliveira Souza VC, Kinoshita A, Baffa O, Del-Bel E, Santos AC. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester protects against the dopaminergic neuronal loss induced by 6-hydroxydopamine in rats. Neuroscience 2013; 233:86-94. [PMID: 23291456 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2012.12.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2012] [Revised: 12/20/2012] [Accepted: 12/22/2012] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) is a botanical compound abundant in honeybees' propolis. It has anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant, immunomodulatory and antitumor properties. Its beneficial effects against neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease, have also been suggested and some mechanisms have been proposed. Mitochondrial damage and oxidative stress are critical events in neurodegeneration. Release of cytochrome c from mitochondria to cytosol and the downstream activation of caspase-3 have been suggested as targets of the protective mechanism of CAPE. Most of the studies addressing the protective effect of CAPE have been performed in cell culture. This is the first study to demonstrate the protective effect of CAPE against the dopaminergic neuronal loss induced by 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) in rats. It also demonstrates, for the first time, the inhibitory effect of CAPE on mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT), a mediator of neuronal death that triggers cytochrome c release and caspase-3 activation. Scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and metal chelation was demonstrated in the brain-affected areas of the rats treated with 6-OHDA and CAPE. Additionally, we demonstrated that CAPE does not affect brain mitochondrial function. Based on these findings and on its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, CAPE is a promising compound to treat Parkinson's and other neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Barros Silva
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto-USP, Avenida do Café s/n, 14040-903 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
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Freitas P, Carvalho D, Santos AC, Matos MJ, Madureira AJ, Marques R, Martinez E, Sarmento A, Medina JL. Prevalence of obesity and its relationship to clinical lipodystrophy in HIV-infected adults on anti-retroviral therapy. J Endocrinol Invest 2012; 35:964-70. [PMID: 22186163 DOI: 10.3275/8187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) is associated with lipodystrophy (lipoatrophy and lipoaccumulation) and several metabolic abnormalities that together can contribute to an increased cardiovascular risk. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of obesity in patients on cART according to the presence of clinical lipodystrophy (CL) and to analyze factors associated with obesity. METHODS We evaluated 368 HIV-infected adults on cART. RESULTS CL was present in 59.0%. Independently of gender, patients with CL were more frequently underweight [5.7% (21/368)] and of normal weight [47.3% (174/368)], and less frequently overweight [33.2% (122/368)] or obese [13.9% (51/368)]. Mean body mass index was higher in patients with abdominal prominence regardless of the presence of clinical lipoatrophy. Patients with CL had lower waist circumference, higher waist/hip and fat mass ratio and lower total and subcutaneous fat, without significant difference in visceral fat but with a higher visceral/subcutaneous fat ratio, as evaluated by CT at abdominal level. CL was significantly less frequent in overweight [odds ratio (OR)=0.21, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.05-0.92] and obese (OR=0.05, 95%CI: 0.01-0.26) patients, when compared to underweight ones, independent of age, gender, duration of infection, cART regimen, virological suppression, and HIV-infection risk factor. CONCLUSIONS Being overweight or obese is highly prevalent in HIV-infected patients on cART. Patients with CL were more frequently under- or normal weight, and less frequently overweight or obese. Obesity is a condition that should be considered in HIV patients on cART.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Freitas
- Department of Endocrinology, Hospital de São João and University of Porto Medical School, Alameda Hernâni Monteiro, Porto, Portugal.
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Videira MA, Santos AC, Botelho MF. Biodistribution of lipid nanoparticles: a comparative study of pulmonary versus intravenous administration in rats. Curr Radiopharm 2012; 5:158-65. [PMID: 22280113 DOI: 10.2174/1874471011205020158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2010] [Revised: 02/07/2011] [Accepted: 07/07/2011] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
The advent of nanomedicine and increase knowledge on cellular and molecular biology has opened new opportunities on the clinical field. Selective drug targeting and protection of healthy tissues rules the rising interest that is being devoted to drug delivery system strategies, considering that the accurate choice of the carrier molecule will determine the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of drugs, yielding higher therapeutic efficacy. Despite the improvements in surgery and immunological approaches, tumor staging and cancer therapy remains a challenge, typically because they are ineffective in advanced stages of the disease, but also due to the conventional administration route (intravenous), and consequently the non-specificity of the potentially toxic drugs. The issue currently under the spotlight in drug targeting is the concept of drug delivery systems (DDS) and the impact that is inherent to their selectivity. Moreover, these particulate systems bring forth the possibility of using alternative routes to the conventional intravenous administration. This article reviews the applications of gamma-scintigraphic image technique to evaluate the advances and research on DDS engineering to the pulmonary administration, and the dependency of lung particle removal mechanism on both the administration route and the particulate system characteristic, based on literature data, as well as through the experimental studies performed in our group.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Videira
- Research Institute for Medicines and Pharmaceutical Sciences (iMed.UL), Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Lisbon. Av. Prof. Gama Pinto, 1649-003 Lisbon, Portugal.
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Gonçalves JP, Oliveira A, Severo M, Santos AC, Lopes C. Cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between serum uric acid and metabolic syndrome. Endocrine 2012; 41:450-7. [PMID: 22350659 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-012-9629-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2011] [Accepted: 02/03/2012] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Research on the importance of serum uric acid (SUA) as a contributing metabolic factor to cardiovascular diseases has conducted to conflicting results, with most studies assuming a cross-sectional design. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of SUA and metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its features. A representative sample of 2,485 individuals aged ≥18 years was randomly selected from the non-institutionalized resident population of Porto, Portugal. A total of 1,054 eligible subjects were included for the longitudinal analyses. Hyperuricemia was defined as SUA ≥70 mg/L in men and ≥60 mg/L in women. MetS was defined according the Joint Interim (2009) criteria. Associations were estimated using Poison regression and binomial models. In the cross-sectional analysis, subjects with hyperuricemia had a 2.10-fold increased risk of MetS as compared with normouricemic subjects (PR = 2.10, 95% CI: 1.68-2.63). Among MetS features, high triglycerides presented the strongest association with hyperuricemia (PR = 2.32, 95% CI: 1.84-2.91). The MetS crude incidence rate was 4.5/100 person-year (95% CI: 3.9-5.2) in normal uricemic and 13.0/100 person-year (95% CI: 8.5-20.0) in hyperuricemic participants. Using a multivariate longitudinal approach, hyperuricemia was positively associated with MetS incidence rate ratios (IRR = 1.73, 95% CI: 1.08-2.76). One standard deviation increase of SUA concentration was associated with a 1.22-fold increase in MetS risk (IRR = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.05-1.42). Elevated SUA presented the strongest association with high-triglycerides concentration (IRR = 1.44, 95%: 1.22-1.71) and waist circumference (IRR = 1.25, 95%: 1.05-1.49). The independent positive association between SUA and MetS suggested by this longitudinal study supports that SUA might be a risk factor for MetS.
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Affiliation(s)
- J P Gonçalves
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Predictive Medicine and Public Health and Cardiovascular Research & Development Unit, University of Porto Medical School, Alameda Professor Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319, Porto, Portugal.
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Santos AC, Matos CM, Oliveiros B, Almeida T, Gano L, Neves M, Ferreira N. Thermolabile liposomes: a controlled release delivery tool in diagnosis/therapy in experimental pulmonary ɶdema. Curr Radiopharm 2012; 5:166-174. [PMID: 22280109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2010] [Revised: 02/07/2011] [Accepted: 07/07/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Liposomes, usually assembled from organic/synthetic lipidic compounds, are biocompatible, biodegradable, non-toxic, and do not induce immune response. Due to their structural versatility in terms of size, composition, surface charge, bilayer fluidity and ability to encapsulate drugs regardless of their solubility, liposomes enable the production of a vast number and type of formulations with potential clinical use. They can be administered through several routes of administration (e.g. i.v., i.m., oral, nasal, etc.). The use of liposomes enables the variation and control retention of drugs in biologic fluids, enhancing blood circulation and specific compartments residence. They can be tailored to target specific tissues and cells. They can play a very important role for imaging diagnosis and/or therapy. After an extensive literature review of the subject, we selected a particular area of potential clinical application: pulmonary ɶdema. This clinical entity has a variety of possible etiologies, conducing to two main types of edema: cardiogenic and non-cardiogenic. At the moment a dedicated technique for the early diagnosis/therapy of this pathology is lacking. We propose a new methodology using a specially designed GUV formulation, encapsulating chosen radiotracers labeled with 99mTc. The aim of the work has been successfully achieved in an experimental animal model of cardiogenic pulmonary oedema. Experiments using an animal model of non-cardiogenic pulmonary oedema are in course (simultaneous study with two different drugs), using the same GUV methodology. Preliminary results are very promising.
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Affiliation(s)
- A C Santos
- Biophysics/Biomathematics Institute, Medical School, Coimbra University, Azinhaga de Sta Comba, Celas, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal.
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Carvalho Rodrigues MA, Gobe G, Santos NAG, Santos AC. Carvedilol protects against apoptotic cell death induced by cisplatin in renal tubular epithelial cells. J Toxicol Environ Health A 2012; 75:981-990. [PMID: 22852848 DOI: 10.1080/15287394.2012.696512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Cisplatin is a highly effective chemotherapeutic drug; however, its use is limited by nephrotoxicity. Studies showed that the renal injury produced by cisplatin involves oxidative stress and cell death mediated by apoptosis and necrosis in proximal tubular cells. The use of antioxidants to decrease cisplatin-induced renal cell death was suggested as a potential therapeutic measure. In this study the possible protective effects of carvedilol, a beta blocker with antioxidant activity, was examined against cisplatin-induced apoptosis in HK-2 human kidney proximal tubular cells. The mitochondrial events involved in this protection were also investigated. Four groups were used: controls (C), cisplatin alone at 25 μM (CIS), cisplatin 25 μM plus carvedilol 50 μM (CV + CIS), and carvedilol alone 50 μM (CV). Cell viability, apoptosis, caspase-9, and caspase-3 were determined. Data demonstrated that carvedilol effectively increased cell viability and minimized caspase activation and apoptosis in HK-2 cells, indicating this may be a promising drug to reduce nephrotoxicity induced by cisplatin.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A Carvalho Rodrigues
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto-USP, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brasil
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Caetano Mota P, Morais Cardoso S, Drummond M, Santos AC, Almeida J, Winck JC. Prevalence of new-onset insomnia in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome treated with nocturnal ventilatory support. Rev Port Pneumol 2011; 18:15-21. [PMID: 22129574 DOI: 10.1016/j.rppneu.2011.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2010] [Accepted: 06/15/2011] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION New-onset insomnia (NOI) associated with nocturnal ventilatory support (NVS) is becoming a reality in clinical practice; however there is a lack of data about its prevalence. Our aim was to determine the prevalence of NOI in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) under NVS and its associated risk factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS Descriptive cross-sectional study of 80 patients with OSAS under NVS. We compared two groups, with and without NOI, considering demographic characteristics, disease features, and personality. Patients under anxiolytic and/or antidepressant medication, with a weight loss of 10% or greater, and with restless legs symptoms were excluded. RESULTS Median age of patients was 60.0 (interquartile range (IQR) 10.0) years; 82.5% were male. Median initial Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI) were 12.5 (IQR 9.0) and 44.1 (IQR 22.4)/hr, respectively. The majority of patients (91.3%) were under auto-adjusting positive airway pressure (APAP). Insomnia at baseline was present in 30% of patients (n=24). Prevalence of NOI was 21.4% (12/56). Initial and/or intermediate insomnia were the most frequent subtypes (n=11). We found a statistically significant negative relation between NOI and pressure on 90% night-time (P(90)) (p=0.040). CONCLUSIONS OSAS patients under NVS presented a high prevalence of NOI. Patients with NOI presented lower levels of pressure using NVS, compared to the others.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Caetano Mota
- Serviço de Pneumologia, Hospital de São João, Porto, Portugal.
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Freitas P, Carvalho D, Santos AC, Mesquita J, Correia F, Xerinda S, Marques R, Martinez E, Sarmento A, Medina JL. Assessment of body fat composition disturbances by bioimpedance analysis in HIV-infected adults. J Endocrinol Invest 2011; 34:e321-9. [PMID: 21737998 DOI: 10.3275/7841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
HIV-lipodystrophy syndrome is characterized by different patterns of body fat distribution (BFD) which are identified by clinical and body composition (BC) assessment, including bioimpedance analysis (BIA). Our aim was to compare BC in HIV-infected patients on combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) according to 4 distinct phenotypes of BFD (G1-no lipodystrophy, G2-isolated central fat accumulation, G3-lipoatrophy, G4-mixed forms of lipodystrophy) and assessed factors associated with them. Anthropometry and BIA were performed in 344 HIV-1 patients. G2 and G4 phenotype patients had significantly higher fat mass (FM) but no differences were observed in fat-free mass (FFM) and total body water among the 4 phenotypes. Significant negative associations were found between the presence of lipoatrophy and female gender, body mass index (BMI), waist (WC), hip (HC) and thigh circumferences, and total body FM estimated by BIA. After adjustment for gender, cART duration and BMI, G3 had significant lower WC [odds ratio (OR)=0.84; 0.78- 0.90] and HC (OR=0.88; 0.81-0.96) mean. Independently of gender, cART duration and BMI, G2 remained significantly associated with higher WC (OR=1.11; 1.05-1.18) and HC (OR=1.15; 1.07-1.23) mean, and with FM estimated by BIA [FM as %, OR=1.17 (1.09-1.26); and FM as kg, OR=1.15 (1.06- 1.25)]. There was a significant positive association between G4 and female gender (OR=1.66; 1.01-2.75), BMI (OR=1.10; 1.04-1.17) and WC (OR=1.15; 1.09-1.21). The similar FFM along the BFD spectrum describes the actual BC of these patients without sarcopenia. In a clinical setting, BIA is an easy and useful tool to evaluate fat mass and FFM and gives us a picture of BC that was not possible with anthropometry.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Freitas
- Endocrinology Department, Hospital de São João and University of Porto Medical School, Alameda Hernâni Monteiro, 4200 Porto, Portugal.
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Diniz PRB, Velasco TR, Salmon CEG, Sakamoto AC, Leite JP, Santos AC. Extratemporal damage in temporal lobe epilepsy: magnetization transfer adds information to volumetric MR imaging. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2011; 32:1857-61. [PMID: 21885719 DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.a2639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE MTS is characterized by gliosis and atrophy of the hippocampus and related limbic structures. However, the damage is not limited to those structures with atrophy and has been reported in extratemporal regions. Because volumetric studies are nonspecific, the pathophysiology of the brain damage remains to be solved. MTI is an MR imaging technique more sensitive to subtle neuropathologic changes than conventional MR imaging. Here we combined MTI with VBM analysis to evaluate extratemporal damage in patients with TLE. MATERIALS AND METHODS We studied 23 healthy controls and 21 patients with TLE with mean ages, respectively, of 37.6 ± 10.9 and 38.6 ± 9.02 years. All subjects had a full clinical follow-up and MR imaging. We processed the images with VBM for volumetric analysis of WM and GM, as well as with voxel-based analysis of MTR for macromolecular integrity analysis. RESULTS In addition to MTR decrease in the temporal lobes, we found a significant decrease in GM and WM volumes. In the WM, the MTR decrease was correlated to volume loss detected by VBM, indicating that brain atrophy may explain part of the MTR decrease. We also found areas in which the MTR decrease was not associated with volume loss, suggesting an additional pathophysiologic process other than neuronal loss and atrophy underlying the MTR changes. CONCLUSIONS Our results support the hypothesis that there are widespread lesions in the brain, including the corpus callosum and the frontal lobe, affecting both GM and WM.
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Affiliation(s)
- P R B Diniz
- Department of Neuroscience, Ribeirão Preto School of Medicine, University of São Paulo, Brazil
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Viana GMC, Nascimento MDSB, Diniz Neto JA, Rabelo EMF, Binda Júnior JR, Santos Júnior OM, Santos AC, Galvão CS, Guimarães RS. Anti-Leishmania titers and positive skin tests in patients cured of kala-azar. Braz J Med Biol Res 2010; 44:62-5. [PMID: 21103789 DOI: 10.1590/s0100-879x2010007500134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2010] [Accepted: 10/29/2010] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), also known as kala-azar, is an important public health problem. If not treated, virtually all clinically symptomatic patients die within months. The diagnosis is based on the Montenegro skin test (MST) and anti-Leishmania titers. Nevertheless, the time required for cured individuals living in a leishmaniasis-endemic area to present a positive skin test and negative anti-Leishmania serology is known. To determine the cellular and humoral immune response profile in relation to different times post-VL cure, a cross-sectional study was conducted on subjects from a kala-azar endemic area in Paço do Lumiar, MA, Brazil, on the basis of 1995-2005 notifications reported by the National Health Foundation/Regional Coordination of Maranhão. We visited cured individuals with a history of VL within the last 10 years. Seventy-four subjects (30 females) ranging in age from 1 to 44 years were included, all of them symptom free at the time of the study. A cellular immune response was observed in 73 (98.6%) subjects, whereas no significant antibody titers were detected by indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) in the sera of 69 (93.2%) cases. Ten years post-cure, 39 (52%) subjects had a positive MST and negative IIF reaction, while in one subject the skin and anti-Leishmania serology tests were negative. Two other subjects were positive in both tests 1 year after cure. These data suggest that a cellular immune response may still be present in subjects cured of VL regardless of post-cure time, and that the parasite persists in the host after clinical cure of the disease. This would explain the persistence of significant Leishmania sp antibody titers in some subjects after treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- G M C Viana
- Departamento de Patologia, Universidade Federal do Maranhão, São Luís, MA, Brasil.
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Gonçalves C, Ferreira MFM, Santos AC, Prata MIM, Geraldes CFGC, Martins JA, Gama FM. Studies on the biodistribution of dextrin nanoparticles. Nanotechnology 2010; 21:295103. [PMID: 20601764 DOI: 10.1088/0957-4484/21/29/295103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
The characterization of biodistribution is a central requirement in the development of biomedical applications based on the use of nanoparticles, in particular for controlled drug delivery. The blood circulation time, organ biodistribution and rate of excretion must be well characterized in the process of product development. In this work, the biodistribution of recently developed self-assembled dextrin nanoparticles is addressed. Functionalization of the dextrin nanoparticles with a DOTA-monoamide-type metal chelator, via click chemistry, is described. The metal chelator functionalized nanoparticles were labelled with a gamma-emitting (153)Sm(3+) radioisotope and the blood clearance rate and organ biodistribution of the nanoparticles were obtained. The effect of PEG surface coating on the blood clearance rate and organ biodistribution of the nanoparticles was also studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Gonçalves
- IBB-Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Centre for Biological Engineering, Minho University, Campus de Gualtar, 4710-057 Braga, Portugal
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Pinto S, Alves P, Matos CM, Santos AC, Rodrigues LR, Teixeira JA, Gil MH. Poly(dimethyl siloxane) surface modification by low pressure plasma to improve its characteristics towards biomedical applications. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2010; 81:20-6. [PMID: 20638249 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2010.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 93] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2010] [Revised: 06/16/2010] [Accepted: 06/17/2010] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Poly(dimethyl siloxane) elastomer, (PDMS) is widely used as a biomaterial. However, PDMS is very hydrophobic and easily colonized by several bacteria and yeasts. Consequently, surface modification has been used to improve its wettability and reduce bacterial adhesion. The aim of this work was to modify the PDMS surface in order to improve its hydrophilicity and bacterial cell repulsion to be used as a biomaterial. Plasma was used to activate the PDMS surface and sequentially promote the attachment of a synthetic surfactant, Pluronic F-68, or a polymer, Poly(ethylene glycol) methyl methacrylate, PEGMA. Bare PDMS, PDMS argon plasma activated, PDMS coated with Pluronic F-68 and PEGMA-grafted PDMS were characterized by contact angle measurements, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The influence of the surface modifications on blood compatibility of the materials was evaluated by thrombosis and haemolysis assays. The cytotoxicity of these materials was tested for mouse macrophages. After modification, AFM results suggest the presence of a distinct layer at the surface and by the contact angle measures it was observed an increase of hydrophilicity. XPS analysis indicates an increase of the oxygen content at the surface as a result of the modification. All the studied materials revealed no toxicity and were found to be non-haemolytic or in some cases slightly haemolytic. Therefore, plasma was found to be an effective technique for the PDMS surface modification.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Pinto
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Coimbra, Polo II, Pinhal de Marrocos, Rua Sílvio Lima, 3030-790 Coimbra, Portugal.
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Martins NM, Ferreira DAS, Carvalho Rodrigues MA, Cintra ACO, Santos NAG, Sampaio SV, Santos AC. Low-molecular-mass peptides from the venom of the Amazonian viper Bothrops atrox protect against brain mitochondrial swelling in rat: potential for neuroprotection. Toxicon 2010; 56:86-92. [PMID: 20338188 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2010.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2009] [Revised: 03/12/2010] [Accepted: 03/17/2010] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The neurodegenerative diseases are important causes of morbidity and mortality in Western countries. Common mechanisms of toxicity involving mitochondrial damage have been suggested; however, a definitive treatment has not yet been found. Therefore, there has been great interest in the development of mitochondria-targeted protective compounds for the treatment of neuropathies. Animal toxins represent a promising source of new molecules with neuroprotective activity and potential to originate new drugs. We present here the effects of a low-molecular-mass peptides fraction (Ba-V) from Bothrops atrox snake venom, on rat brain mitochondrial function. Ba-V did not induce the mitochondrial swelling and moreover, was as effective as cyclosporin A (CsA) to inhibit the calcium/phosphate-induced swelling, which indicates its potential to prevent the mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT). The membrane electrochemical potential, the oxygen consumption during states-3 and -4 respirations as well as the respiratory control ratio (RCR) were not affected by Ba-V. Additionally, Ba-V did not induce reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Interestingly, Ba-V did not protect against the generation of ROS induced by t-BOH, which suggests a protection mechanism other than ROS scavenging. Given the important role of the mitochondrial damage and, more specifically, of MPT, in the development of neuropathies, Ba-V might be useful in the future strategies for the treatment of these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- N M Martins
- Departamento de Análises Clínicas, Toxicológicas e Bromatológicas, Faculdade de Ciências Farmacêuticas de Ribeirão Preto-USP, Av. do Café s/n, 14040-903 Ribeirão Preto SP, Brazil
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Santos AC, Ramos Silva M, Monsanto PV, Matos Beja A, Sobral AJFN. 1,5-Bis(2,5-dimethyl-1H-pyrrol-1-yl)naphthalene. Acta Crystallogr Sect E Struct Rep Online 2009; 65:o2618. [PMID: 21578234 PMCID: PMC2971233 DOI: 10.1107/s1600536809038999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2009] [Accepted: 09/25/2009] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
In the title compound, C22H22N2, the asymmetric unit contains one half-molecule. A crystallographic inversion centre is located at the mid-point of the bond common to both rings, in the central naphthalene unit. Quantum-mechanical ab initio calculations on the isolated molecule showed that the minimum energy configuration occurs when the naphthalene ring system and the pyrrolyl groups deviate only slightly from perpendicularity. In the crystal, due to the effects of crystal packing, the molecule deviates by approximately 4° from the a priori expected ideal value of 90° [C—C—N—C torsion angle = 86.11 (15)°].
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