1
|
Hidalgo-Triana N, Picornell A, Reyes S, Circella G, Ribeiro H, Bates AE, Rojo J, Pearman PB, Vivancos JMA, Nautiyal S, Brearley FQ, Pereña J, Ferragud M, Monroy-Colín A, Maya-Manzano JM, Ouachinou JMAS, Salvo-Tierra AE, Antunes C, Trigo-Pérez M, Navarro T, Jaramillo P, Oteros J, Charalampopoulos A, Kalantzi OI, Freitas H, Ščevková J, Zanolla M, Marrano A, Comino O, Roldán JJ, Alcántara AF, Damialis A. Perceptions of change in the environment caused by the COVID-19 pandemic: Implications for environmental policy. Environ Impact Assess Rev 2023; 99:107013. [PMID: 36532697 PMCID: PMC9744709 DOI: 10.1016/j.eiar.2022.107013] [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] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 lockdown measures have impacted the environment with both positive and negative effects. However, how human populations have perceived such changes in the natural environment and how they may have changed their daily habits have not been yet thoroughly evaluated. The objectives of this work were to investigate (1) the social perception of the environmental changes produced by the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown and the derived change in habits in relation to i) waste management, energy saving, and sustainable consumption, ii) mobility, iii) social inequalities, iv) generation of noise, v) utilization of natural spaces, and, vi) human population perception towards the future, and (2) the associations of these potential new habits with various socio-demographic variables. First, a SWOT analysis identified strengths (S), weaknesses (W), opportunities (O), and threats (T) generated by the pandemic lockdown measures. Second, a survey based on the aspects of the SWOT was administered among 2370 adults from 37 countries during the period from February to September 2021. We found that the short-term positive impacts on the natural environment were generally well recognized. In contrast, longer-term negative effects arise, but they were often not reported by the survey participants, such as greater production of plastic waste derived from health safety measures, and the increase in e-commerce use, which can displace small storefront businesses. We were able to capture a mismatch between perceptions and the reported data related to visits to natural areas, and generation of waste. We found that age and country of residence were major contributors in shaping the survey participants ´answers, which highlights the importance of government management strategies to address current and future environmental problems. Enhanced positive perceptions of the environment and ecosystems, combined with the understanding that livelihood sustainability, needs to be prioritized and would reinforce environmental protection policies to create greener cities. Moreover, new sustainable jobs in combination with more sustainable human habits represent an opportunity to reinforce environmental policy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- N Hidalgo-Triana
- University of Málaga, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Botany and Plant Physiology (Botany Area), 29010 Málaga, Spain
| | - A Picornell
- University of Málaga, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Botany and Plant Physiology (Botany Area), 29010 Málaga, Spain
| | - S Reyes
- University of Málaga, Faculty of Philosophy and Letters, Department of Geography (Geographic Analysis Research Group), 29071 Málaga, Spain
| | - G Circella
- Institute of Transportation Studies, University of California, Davis, USA
- Department of Geography, Ghent University. 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - H Ribeiro
- Department of Geosciences, Environment and Spatial Plannings, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto and Earth Sciences Institute (ICT), Pole of the Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal
| | - A E Bates
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC, Canada
| | - J Rojo
- Department of Pharmacology, Pharmacognosy and Botany, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
| | - P B Pearman
- Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, Leioa, Bizkaia 48940, Spain
- IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, Plaza Euskadi 5, 48009 Bilbao, Spain
- BC3 Basque Centre for Climate Change, Scientific Campus, University of the Basque Country, 48940 Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - J M Artes Vivancos
- Department of Chemistry, Kennedy College of Sciences, UMass Lowell, Lowell, MA 01854, USA
| | - S Nautiyal
- Centre for Ecological Economics and Natural Resources (CEENR), Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC), Nagarabhavi, Bengaluru 560 072, India
| | - F Q Brearley
- Department of Natural Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Chester Street, Manchester M1 5GD, UK
| | - J Pereña
- University of Málaga, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Botany and Plant Physiology (Botany Area), 29010 Málaga, Spain
| | - M Ferragud
- University of Valencia, Faculty of Sciences, Spain
| | - A Monroy-Colín
- University of Extremadura, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Vegetal Biology, Ecology and Earth Science (Botany Area), 06006 Badajoz, Spain
| | - J M Maya-Manzano
- University of Valencia, Faculty of Sciences, Spain
- Center of Allergy & Environment (ZAUM), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Technical University and Helmholtz Center, Munich, Germany
- University of Extremadura, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Vegetal Biology, Ecology and Earth Science (Botany Area), 06006 Badajoz, Spain
| | - J M A Sènami Ouachinou
- Laboratoire de Botanique et Ecologie Végétale, Faculté des Sciences et Techniques, Universite d'Abomey-Calavi, Benin
| | - A E Salvo-Tierra
- Technical Director Chair Climate Change on UMA, University of Málaga, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Botany and Plant Physiology (Botany Area), 29010 Málaga, Spain
| | - C Antunes
- Department of Medical and Health Sciences, School of Health and Human Development & Institute of Earth Sciences - ICT, University of Évora, Evora, Portugal
| | - M Trigo-Pérez
- University of Málaga, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Botany and Plant Physiology (Botany Area), 29010 Málaga, Spain
| | - T Navarro
- University of Málaga, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Botany and Plant Physiology (Botany Area), 29010 Málaga, Spain
| | - P Jaramillo
- Charles Darwin Research Station, Charles Darwin Foundation, Santa Cruz, Galápagos, 200102, Ecuador
| | - J Oteros
- Department of Botany, Ecology and Plant Physiology, Agrifood Campus of International Excellence CeiA3, Andalusian Inter-University Institute for Earth System IISTA, University of Cordoba, Cordoba, Spain
| | - A Charalampopoulos
- Department of Ecology, School of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - O I Kalantzi
- Department of Environment, University of the Aegean, Mytilene 81100, Greece
| | - H Freitas
- University of Coimbra, Department of Life Sciences, Centre for Functional Ecology, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - J Ščevková
- Comenius University, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Department of Botany, Révová 39, 811 02 Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - M Zanolla
- University of Málaga, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Botany and Plant Physiology (Botany Area), 29010 Málaga, Spain
| | - A Marrano
- Phoenix Bioinformatics, Fremont, CA, USA
| | - O Comino
- Estudios de Flora y Vegetación SL (EFYVE), 29580 Cártama, Málaga, Spain
| | - J J Roldán
- University of Málaga, Faculty of Sciences, Department of Botany and Plant Physiology (Botany Area), 29010 Málaga, Spain
| | - A F Alcántara
- Centro de Cooperación del Mediterráneo de UICN, 29590 Campanillas, Málaga, Spain
| | - A Damialis
- Department of Ecology, School of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Antunes C, Chibana A, Mello C, Riechelmann R, Andrade VD, Aguiar S. P-319 How coordinated and integrated multidisciplinary work improved the return to intended oncologic treatment in colon cancer. Ann Oncol 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.annonc.2020.04.401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
|
3
|
Antunes C, Pereira M, Rodrigues L, Organista D, Cysneiros A, Paula F, Nunes B, Barbosa P, Bárbara C, Escoval A, Diniz A, Froes F. Hospitalization direct cost of adults with community-acquired pneumonia in Portugal from 2000 to 2009. Pulmonology 2020; 26:264-267. [PMID: 32482604 DOI: 10.1016/j.pulmoe.2020.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [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: 09/24/2019] [Revised: 01/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Hospitalizations due to community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in mainland Portugal from 2000 to 2009 accounted for 3.7% of all hospital admissions in population with 18 or more years of age. There is no direct-cost data regarding these admissions. METHODS In this observational descriptive study all adult hospitalizations associated with CAP diagnosis were retrospectively analyzed for the period between 2000 and 2009. Patients under 18 years old, those with pneumonia as secondary diagnosis, patients with tuberculous or obstructive pneumonia, and immunocompromised patients were excluded from the study. The direct cost of hospitalization was calculated according to the diagnosis-related groups (DRG), established for the respective year of hospitalization. RESULTS There were 294,026 hospital admissions with an average annual direct cost of 80 million Euros, which almost doubled between 2000 and 2009. The average direct hospitalization costs per admission, including wards and Intensive Care Units (ICU), amounted to €2,707, with an increasing trend. The average hospitalization cost was €2,515 for admissions resulting in live discharge, and €3,457 for the deceased. CONCLUSION The average direct cost of adult hospitalizations associated with CAP amounted to €2,707 in mainland Portugal from 2000 to 2009, showing an increase of 37.5% in hospitalization cost of living and deceased patients. The economic impact of CAP-related hospital admissions justifies the need for better implementation of preventive measures.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C Antunes
- Thoracic Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - M Pereira
- Thoracic Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - L Rodrigues
- Thoracic Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - D Organista
- Thoracic Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - A Cysneiros
- Pulmonology Department, Hospital São Bernardo, Setúbal, Portugal
| | - F Paula
- Thoracic Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - B Nunes
- Epidemiology Department, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Pública Dr. Ricardo Jorge, Lisbon, Portugal; Public Health Research Center, National School of Public Health, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - P Barbosa
- National School of Public Health, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - C Bárbara
- Thoracic Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, Lisbon, Portugal; Instituto de Saúde Ambiental (ISAMB), Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - A Escoval
- National School of Public Health, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - A Diniz
- Thoracic Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - F Froes
- Thoracic Department, Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, Lisbon, Portugal; Instituto de Saúde Ambiental (ISAMB), Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Carvalho R, Antunes C, Miragaia A, Guardado J, Morais J. P236 Pinball game over. Eur Heart J Cardiovasc Imaging 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/ehjci/jez319.101] [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
Transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) is recommended for the diagnosis of acute pulmonary embolism (PTE) only in unstable patients, as it lacks specificity and sensitivity in stable ones. However, the rare documentation of intracavitary thrombus confirms the diagnosis and is associated with right ventricular dysfunction and high mortality, up to 42%.
We report a 69year-old female patient with history of hypertension and obesity, presenting at the emergency department with hypothermia (35º C), cyanosis, tiredness and breathless to minimal efforts. At examination she had no measurable blood pressure, low peripheral perfusion, tachycardia, tachypneia and no other abnormalities. Arterial blood gases on 10L/min facemask showed an uncompensated metabolic acidosis with pCO2 27mmHg, HCO3 12mmol/L, hyperlactacidemia and hypoxemia (pO2 57mmHg). Lab results had leucocytosis and neutrophilia, CRP 30mg/L, serum creatinine 2.53mg/dL, K+ 5.1mmol/L and high sensitivity troponin I 305pg/ml. Chest X-ray showed enlargement of the right chambers with a nodular image next to the right hila.
Although sepsis complicating acute pneumonia was firstly assumed and intravenous antibiotics and fluids were rapidly started; persistent hypoxemia with hypocapnia and tachycardia lead to the suspicion of acute PTE and workup proceeded in that direction. A TTE was primarily done because of the renal injury, showing a dilated right ventricle with flattening of the interventricular septum and a large, long, mobile mass in the right atria, protruding to the right ventricle, consistent with a thrombus. As the patient was no more hemodynamic unstable, prompt anticoagulation with low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) was initiated. Lately performed thoracic angio-CT with no contrast showed mild dilation of pulmonary artery and scintigraphy confirmed extensive perfusion defects of the left lung, preserving only posterobasal segment, with normal ventilation.
Additional study revealed a deep venous thrombosis of left popliteal and right gemelar veins and a heterozygosity for two polymorphisms of methyltethahdrofolate reductase enzyme
C677T and A1298C, clinically relevant in the context of patient’s hyperhomocysteinemia.
The patient recovered initially, with compression stockings and anticoagulation. A follow-up TTE showed no remaining intracavitary mass and no signs of right side overload. In the day after, the patient evolved with sudden refractory hypotension and signs of hypoperfusion with cardiorespiratory collapse and death.
Conclusion
The incidence of intracardiac thrombus in the right chambers in a patient with PTE is low (3-23%) and probably underestimated by the absence of early echocardiography in all patients. This case highlights the lability of the clinical evolution of these patients, even tough disappearance of the right atrium thrombus, which is in line with their high early mortality.
Abstract P236 Figure. Imaging study
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R Carvalho
- Hospital Santo Andre, Cardiology, Leiria, Portugal
| | - C Antunes
- Hospital Santo Andre, Internal Medicine, Leiria, Portugal
| | - A Miragaia
- Hospital Santo Andre, Internal Medicine, Leiria, Portugal
| | - J Guardado
- Hospital Santo Andre, Cardiology, Leiria, Portugal
| | - J Morais
- Hospital Santo Andre, Cardiology, Leiria, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Rodrigues V, Almeida C, Castro J, Martins D, Freitas F, Carvalho A, Raimundo F, Antunes C. O27 Health of tourists who make river cruises on the Douro river. Eur J Public Health 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckz095.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- V Rodrigues
- School of Health, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, PORTUGAL
- Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, PORTUGAL
| | - C Almeida
- School of Health, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, PORTUGAL
| | - J Castro
- School of Health, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, PORTUGAL
| | - D Martins
- School of Health, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, PORTUGAL
| | - F Freitas
- School of Health, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, PORTUGAL
| | - A Carvalho
- School of Health, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, PORTUGAL
- Research Centre on Child Studies, University of Minho, Braga, PORTUGAL
| | - F Raimundo
- School of Health, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, PORTUGAL
| | - C Antunes
- School of Health, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, PORTUGAL
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Lopes AP, Mineiro MA, Costa F, Gomes J, Santos C, Antunes C, Maia D, Melo R, Canotilho M, Magalhães E, Vicente I, Valente C, Gonçalves BG, Conde B, Guimarães C, Sousa C, Amado J, Brandão ME, Sucena M, Oliveira MJ, Seixas S, Teixeira V, Telo L. Portuguese consensus document for the management of alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency. Pulmonology 2019; 24 Suppl 1:1-21. [PMID: 30473034 DOI: 10.1016/j.pulmoe.2018.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [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: 06/18/2018] [Revised: 09/12/2018] [Accepted: 09/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) is a genetic autosomal codominant disorder caused by mutations in SERPINA1 gene. It is one of the most prevalent genetic disorders, although it remains underdiagnosed. Whereas at international level there are several areas of consensus on this disorder, in Portugal, inter-hospital heterogeneity in clinical practice and resources available have been adding difficulties in reaching a diagnosis and in making therapeutic decisions in this group of patients. This raised a need to draft a document expressing a national consensus for AATD. To this end, a group of experts in this field was created within the Portuguese Pulmonology Society - Study group on AATD, in order to elaborate the current manuscript. The authors reviewed the existing literature and provide here general guidance and extensive recommendations for the diagnosis and management of AATD that can be adopted by Portuguese clinicians from different areas of Medicine. This article is part of a supplement entitled "Portuguese consensus document for the management of alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency" which is sponsored by Sociedade Portuguesa de Pneumologia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A P Lopes
- Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra (HUC); Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency study group coordinator.
| | | | - F Costa
- Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra (HG)
| | | | | | | | - D Maia
- Centro Hospital Lisboa Central
| | - R Melo
- Hospital Prof. Doutor Fernando da Fonseca
| | | | | | | | | | | | - B Conde
- Centro Hospitalar de Trás os Montes e Alto Douro
| | | | - C Sousa
- Centro Hospitalar de São João
| | - J Amado
- Unidade Local de Saúde de Matosinhos
| | - M E Brandão
- Centro Hospitalar de Trás os Montes e Alto Douro
| | | | | | - S Seixas
- Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto (I3S); Institute of Molecular Pathology and Immunology of the University of Porto (IPATIMUP)
| | - V Teixeira
- Serviço de Saúde da Região Autónoma da Madeira (SESARAM)
| | - L Telo
- Centro Hospitalar Lisboa Norte
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Oliveira R, Amaro F, Azevedo M, Vale N, Gonçalves H, Antunes C, Rego R. New voltammetric and spectroscopic studies to quinacrine-DNA-Cdots interaction. Electrochim Acta 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2019.03.068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
|
8
|
Rodrigues SM, Almeida CMR, Silva D, Cunha J, Antunes C, Freitas V, Ramos S. Microplastic contamination in an urban estuary: Abundance and distribution of microplastics and fish larvae in the Douro estuary. Sci Total Environ 2019; 659:1071-1081. [PMID: 31096322 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.12.273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [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: 10/11/2018] [Revised: 12/17/2018] [Accepted: 12/18/2018] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Estuaries are productive environments used by many fish as nursery grounds. The initial stages of fishes are highly vulnerable to (a)biotic factors, and anthropogenic pressures, influencing fish larvae assemblages along the estuary. Microplastics (MPs < 5 mm) are particularly dangerous to early life stages of fishes because their ingestion can induce gut blockage, limiting food intake or exposing organisms to contamination due to MPs capacity to absorb pollutants. Present work aimed to investigate the contamination of an urban impacted estuary (Douro estuary, NW Portugal) by MPs, and study the abundance and distribution of MPs and fish larvae in this estuary. Monthly sampling surveys were performed from December 2016 to December 2017, in nine stations along the estuary. Sub-surface planktonic horizontal trawls were performed to collect fish larvae and MPs. Planktonic samples were sorted, and fish larvae identified. MPs density was determined using a protocol optimized in our laboratory. A total of 1498 fish larvae belonging to 32 taxa were collected, with a mean density of 11.66 fish larvae 100 m-3. During the spring-summer period, it was observed the typical increase in the density and diversity of the larval assemblage. Diversity was generally low, with the high dominance of very few taxa, namely the common goby, Pomatoschistus microps. Different types of MPs were found, namely fibers, soft/hard plastic, colorful/transparent plastic, in a total of 2152 particles, with a mean density of 17.06 MPs 100 m-3. Hard MPs and fibers were the most predominant types, representing 83% of the total MPs collected. In some months the number of MPs surpassed the number of fish larvae, with an average ratio of 1.0 fish larvae:1.5 MPs. Such results are concerning, highlighting that a higher availability of MPs may facilitate their ingestion by fish and therefore increase possible impacts in these communities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S M Rodrigues
- CIIMAR, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research University of Porto, Portugal; ICBAS, Abel Salazar Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal.
| | - C Marisa R Almeida
- CIIMAR, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research University of Porto, Portugal
| | - D Silva
- CIIMAR, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research University of Porto, Portugal
| | - J Cunha
- CIIMAR, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research University of Porto, Portugal
| | - C Antunes
- CIIMAR, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research University of Porto, Portugal
| | - V Freitas
- CIIMAR, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research University of Porto, Portugal
| | - S Ramos
- CIIMAR, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research University of Porto, Portugal; Institute of Estuarine and Coastal Studies, University of Hull, UK
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Buters JTM, Antunes C, Galveias A, Bergmann KC, Thibaudon M, Galán C, Schmidt-Weber C, Oteros J. Pollen and spore monitoring in the world. Clin Transl Allergy 2018; 8:9. [PMID: 29636895 PMCID: PMC5883412 DOI: 10.1186/s13601-018-0197-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [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: 11/02/2017] [Accepted: 03/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ambient air quality monitoring is a governmental duty that is widely carried out in order to detect non-biological ("chemical") components in ambient air, such as particles of < 10 µm (PM10, PM2.5), ozone, sulphur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides. These monitoring networks are publicly funded and air quality data are open to the public. The situation for biological particles that have detrimental effects on health, as is the case of pollen and fungal spores, is however very different. Most pollen and spore monitoring networks are not publicly funded and data are not freely available. The information regarding which biological particle is being monitored, where and by whom, is consequently often not known, even by aerobiologists themselves. This is a considerable problem, as local pollen data are an important tool for the prevention of allergic symptoms. Objective The aim of this study was to review pollen monitoring stations throughout the world and to create an interactive visualization of their distribution. Methods The method employed to collect information was based on: (a) a review of the recent and historical bibliography related to pollen and fungal spore monitoring, and (b) personal surveys of the managers of national and regional monitoring networks. The interactive application was developed using the R programming language. Results We have created an inventory of the active pollen and spore monitoring stations in the world. There are at least 879 active pollen monitoring stations in the world, most of which are in Europe (> 500). The prevalent monitoring method is based on the Hirst principle (> 600 stations). The inventory is visualised as an interactive and on-line map. It can be searched, its appearance can be adjusted to the users' needs and it is updated regularly, as new stations or changes to those that already exist can be submitted online. Conclusions The map shows the current situation of pollen and spore monitoring and facilitates collaboration among those individuals who are interested in pollen and spore counts. It might also help to improve the monitoring of biological particles up to the current level employed for non-biological components.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J T M Buters
- 1Center of Allergy and Environment (ZAUM), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Technische Universität München/Helmholtz Center, Biedersteinerstrasse 29, 80802 Munich, Germany
| | - C Antunes
- 2ICAAM - Institute of Mediterranean Crop and Environmental Sciences, University of Évora, Évora, Portugal
| | - A Galveias
- 2ICAAM - Institute of Mediterranean Crop and Environmental Sciences, University of Évora, Évora, Portugal
| | - K C Bergmann
- 3Allergy-Center-Charité, Charité University Hospital, Berlin, Germany
| | - M Thibaudon
- RNSA (Réseau National de Surveillance Aérobiologique), Brussieu, France
| | - C Galán
- 5Department of Botany, Ecology and Plant Physiology, University of Córdoba, International Campus of Excellence on Agrifood (ceiA3), Córdoba, Spain
| | - C Schmidt-Weber
- 1Center of Allergy and Environment (ZAUM), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Technische Universität München/Helmholtz Center, Biedersteinerstrasse 29, 80802 Munich, Germany
| | - J Oteros
- 1Center of Allergy and Environment (ZAUM), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Technische Universität München/Helmholtz Center, Biedersteinerstrasse 29, 80802 Munich, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Marinheiro AR, Parreira L, Amador P, Silvestre I, Duarte T, Sa C, Fonseca M, Farinha J, Bernardino L, Goncalves S, Antunes C, Caria R. P1205Transesophageal echocardiography clinical utility to detect cardiogenic embolism after ischemic stroke. Europace 2018. [DOI: 10.1093/europace/euy015.687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - L Parreira
- Hospital Center of Setubal, Setubal, Portugal
| | - P Amador
- Hospital Center of Setubal, Setubal, Portugal
| | - I Silvestre
- Hospital Center of Setubal, Setubal, Portugal
| | - T Duarte
- Hospital Center of Setubal, Setubal, Portugal
| | - C Sa
- Hospital Center of Setubal, Setubal, Portugal
| | - M Fonseca
- Hospital Center of Setubal, Setubal, Portugal
| | - J Farinha
- Hospital Center of Setubal, Setubal, Portugal
| | | | - S Goncalves
- Hospital Center of Setubal, Setubal, Portugal
| | - C Antunes
- Hospital Center of Setubal, Setubal, Portugal
| | - R Caria
- Hospital Center of Setubal, Setubal, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Alves DR, Cruz C, Antunes C, Gonçalves N, Aquino E, Franco S, Carvalho C, Pais Martins A. Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome in a pregnant patient: a PRESsing matter. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand 2016; 60:1473-1476. [PMID: 27666320 DOI: 10.1111/aas.12812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2016] [Revised: 07/12/2016] [Accepted: 08/31/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- D. R. Alves
- Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Ocidental; Lisbon Portugal
| | - C. Cruz
- Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Central; Lisbon Portugal
| | - C. Antunes
- Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Ocidental; Lisbon Portugal
| | - N. Gonçalves
- Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Ocidental; Lisbon Portugal
| | - E. Aquino
- Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Ocidental; Lisbon Portugal
| | - S. Franco
- Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Ocidental; Lisbon Portugal
| | - C. Carvalho
- Centro Hospitalar de Lisboa Ocidental; Lisbon Portugal
| | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Ferreira-Martins D, Coimbra J, Antunes C, Wilson JM. Effects of salinity on upstream-migrating, spawning sea lamprey, Petromyzon marinus. Conserv Physiol 2016; 4:cov064. [PMID: 27293744 PMCID: PMC4765514 DOI: 10.1093/conphys/cov064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2015] [Accepted: 11/26/2015] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
The sea lamprey, Petromyzon marinus, is an anadromous, semelparous species that is vulnerable to endangered in parts of its native range due in part to loss of spawning habitat because of man-made barriers. The ability of lampreys to return to the ocean or estuary and search out alternative spawning river systems would be limited by their osmoregulatory ability in seawater. A reduction in tolerance to salinity has been documented in migrants, although the underlying mechanisms have not been characterized. We examined the capacity for marine osmoregulation in upstream spawning migrants by characterizing the physiological effects of salinity challenge from a molecular perspective. Estuarine-captured migrants held in freshwater (FW) for ∼1 week (short-term acclimation) or 2 months (long-term acclimation) underwent an incremental salinity challenge until loss of equilibrium occurred and upper thresholds of 25 and 17.5, respectively, occurred. Regardless of salinity tolerance, all lamprey downregulated FW ion-uptake mechanisms [gill transcripts of Na(+):Cl(-) cotransporter (NCC/slc12a3) and epithelial Na(+) channel (ENaC/scnn1) and kidney Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase (NKA) protein and activity but not transcript]. At their respective salinity limits, lamprey displayed a clear osmoregulatory failure and were unable to regulate [Na(+)] and [Cl(-)] in plasma and intestinal fluid within physiological limits, becoming osmocompromised. A >90% drop in haematocrit indicated haemolysis, and higher plasma concentrations of the cytosolic enzymes alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase indicated damage to other tissues, including liver. However, >80% of short-term FW-acclimated fish were able to osmoregulate efficiently, with less haemolysis and tissue damage. This osmoregulatory ability was correlated with significant upregulation of the secretory form of Na(+):K(+):2Cl(-) cotransporter (NKCC1/slc12a2) transcript levels and the re-emergence of seawater-type ionocytes detected through immunohistochemical NKA immunoreactivity in the gill, the central ionoregulatory organ. This work sheds light on the molecular and physiological limits to the potential return to seawater for lampreys searching for alternative FW systems in which to spawn.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D. Ferreira-Martins
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas de Abel Salazar, ICBAS, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - J. Coimbra
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas de Abel Salazar, ICBAS, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - C. Antunes
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Aquamuseu do Rio Minho, Vila Nova de Cerveira, Portugal
| | - J. M. Wilson
- Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research (CIIMAR/CIMAR), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Department of Biology, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Mendes F, Antunes C, Abrantes AM, Gonçalves AC, Nobre-Gois I, Sarmento AB, Botelho MF, Rosa MS. Lung cancer: the immune system and radiation. Br J Biomed Sci 2016; 72:78-84. [DOI: 10.1080/09674845.2015.11666801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- F. Mendes
- Biophysics Unit-IBILI, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra
- Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, ESTESC-Coimbra Health School
- Center of Investigation in Environment, Genetics and Oncobiology (CIMAGO), Faculty of Medicine
| | - C. Antunes
- Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, ESTESC-Coimbra Health School
| | - A. M. Abrantes
- Biophysics Unit-IBILI, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra
- Center of Investigation in Environment, Genetics and Oncobiology (CIMAGO), Faculty of Medicine
| | - A. C. Gonçalves
- Center of Investigation in Environment, Genetics and Oncobiology (CIMAGO), Faculty of Medicine
- Applied Molecular Biology and Clinical University of Hematology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra
| | - I. Nobre-Gois
- Radiation Oncology Department, Hospital and University Center of Coimbra
| | - A. B. Sarmento
- Center of Investigation in Environment, Genetics and Oncobiology (CIMAGO), Faculty of Medicine
- Applied Molecular Biology and Clinical University of Hematology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra
| | - M. F. Botelho
- Biophysics Unit-IBILI, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra
- Center of Investigation in Environment, Genetics and Oncobiology (CIMAGO), Faculty of Medicine
| | - M. S. Rosa
- Immunology Institute, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Portugal
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Bao M, Roura A, Mota M, Nachón D, Antunes C, Cobo F, MacKenzie K, Pascual S. Macroparasites of allis shad (Alosa alosa) and twaite shad (Alosa fallax) of the Western Iberian Peninsula Rivers: ecological, phylogenetic and zoonotic insights. Parasitol Res 2015; 114:3721-39. [DOI: 10.1007/s00436-015-4601-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2015] [Accepted: 06/18/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
|
15
|
Bao M, Mota M, Nachón DJ, Antunes C, Cobo F, Garci ME, Pierce GJ, Pascual S. Anisakis infection in allis shad, Alosa alosa (Linnaeus, 1758), and twaite shad, Alosa fallax (Lacépède, 1803), from Western Iberian Peninsula Rivers: zoonotic and ecological implications. Parasitol Res 2015; 114:2143-54. [PMID: 25810220 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-015-4403-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2014] [Accepted: 02/27/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Spawning individuals of allis shad, Alosa alosa (Linnaeus, 1758), and twaite shad, Alosa fallax (Lacépède, 1803), were sampled from three rivers on the Atlantic coast of the Iberian Peninsula (Ulla, Minho, Mondego) during 2008 to 2013 to assess the presence of the zoonotic marine parasite Anisakis spp. larvae. The results revealed that both shad species were infected by third-larval stage Anisakis simplex s.s. and Anisakis pegreffii. The latter is reported in mixed infections in both shad species of Western Iberian Peninsula for the first time. In A. alosa, the prevalence of Anisakis infection can reach 100%, while in A. fallax, prevalence was up to 83%. Infected individuals of the former species also often contain much higher number of parasites in theirs internal organs and flesh: from 1 to 1138 Anisakis spp. larvae as compared to 1 to 121 larvae, respectively. In general, numbers of A. pegreffii were higher than those of A. simplex s.s. Our results suggest that in the marine environment of the Western Iberian Peninsula, both anadromous shad species act as paratenic hosts for A. simplex s.s. and A. pegreffii, thus widening the distribution of the infective nematode larvae from the marine to the freshwater ecosystem. This finding is of great epidemiological relevance for wildlife managers and consumers, considering the zoonotic and gastroallergic threats posed of these parasites.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Bao
- ECOBIOMAR, Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas (CSIC), Eduardo Cabello 6, 36208, Vigo, Spain,
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Monteiro A, Abreu C, Pereira R, Antunes C, Francisco A. Minority Voices – Mental Health Representations in Roma Portuguese Communities. Eur Psychiatry 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/s0924-9338(15)31003-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
|
17
|
Castro M, Toledo D, Horie L, Antunes C, Seiji Kawamura K, Tepedino J. PP016-MON: Knowledge of Different Medical Specialties in Nutritional Therapy. Clin Nutr 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/s0261-5614(14)50351-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
|
18
|
Galan C, Antunes C, Brandao R, Torres C, Garcia-Mozo H, Caeiro E, Ferro R, Prank M, Sofiev M, Albertini R, Berger U, Cecchi L, Celenk S, Grewling Ł, Jackowiak B, Jäger S, Kennedy R, Rantio-Lehtimäki A, Reese G, Sauliene I, Smith M, Thibaudon M, Weber B, Weichenmeier I, Pusch G, Buters JTM. Airborne olive pollen counts are not representative of exposure to the major olive allergen Ole e 1. Allergy 2013; 68:809-12. [PMID: 23647633 DOI: 10.1111/all.12144] [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: 10/07/2012] [Accepted: 02/09/2013] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Pollen is routinely monitored, but it is unknown whether pollen counts represent allergen exposure. We therefore simultaneously determined olive pollen and Ole e 1 in ambient air in Córdoba, Spain, and Évora, Portugal, using Hirst-type traps for pollen and high-volume cascade impactors for allergen. Pollen from different days released 12-fold different amounts of Ole e 1 per pollen (both locations P < 0.001). Average allergen release from pollen (pollen potency) was much higher in Córdoba (3.9 pg Ole e 1/pollen) than in Évora (0.8 pg Ole e 1/pollen, P = 0.004). Indeed, yearly olive pollen counts in Córdoba were 2.4 times higher than in Évora, but Ole e 1 concentrations were 7.6 times higher. When modeling the origin of the pollen, >40% of Ole e 1 exposure in Évora was explained by high-potency pollen originating from the south of Spain. Thus, olive pollen can vary substantially in allergen release, even though they are morphologically identical.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C. Galan
- Department of Botany, Ecology and Plant Physiology; University of Córdoba; CeiA3, Córdoba; Spain
| | | | - R. Brandao
- ICAAM - Institute of Mediterranean Crop and Environmental Sciences; University of Évora; Évora; Portugal
| | - C. Torres
- Department of Botany, Ecology and Plant Physiology; University of Córdoba; CeiA3, Córdoba; Spain
| | - H. Garcia-Mozo
- Department of Botany, Ecology and Plant Physiology; University of Córdoba; CeiA3, Córdoba; Spain
| | - E. Caeiro
- ICAAM - Institute of Mediterranean Crop and Environmental Sciences; University of Évora; Évora; Portugal
| | - R. Ferro
- ICAAM - Institute of Mediterranean Crop and Environmental Sciences; University of Évora; Évora; Portugal
| | - M. Prank
- Finnish Meteorological Institute; Helsinki; Finland
| | - M. Sofiev
- Finnish Meteorological Institute; Helsinki; Finland
| | - R. Albertini
- Laboratory of Allergology; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine; University of Parma; U.O. Medical Immunology; University Hospital of Parma; Parma; Italy
| | - U. Berger
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology; Research Unit Aerobiology and Pollen Information; Medical University of Vienna; Vienna; Austria
| | - L. Cecchi
- Interdepartmental Centre of Bioclimatology; University of Florence; Florence; Italy
| | - S. Celenk
- Aerobiology Laboratory; Biology Department, Science and Arts Faculty; Uludag University; Gorukle-Bursa; Turkey
| | - Ł. Grewling
- Laboratory of Aeropalynology; Faculty of Biology; Adam Mickiewicz University; Poznań; Poland
| | - B. Jackowiak
- Laboratory of Aeropalynology; Faculty of Biology; Adam Mickiewicz University; Poznań; Poland
| | - S. Jäger
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology; Research Unit Aerobiology and Pollen Information; Medical University of Vienna; Vienna; Austria
| | - R. Kennedy
- National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit; University of Worcester; Worcester; UK
| | | | - G. Reese
- Allergopharma Joachim Ganzer KG; Reinbek; Germany
| | - I. Sauliene
- Department of Environmental Research; Siauliai University; Siauliai; Lithuania
| | - M. Smith
- Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology; Research Unit Aerobiology and Pollen Information; Medical University of Vienna; Vienna; Austria
| | - M. Thibaudon
- RNSA (Réseau National de Surveillance Aérobiologique); Brussieu; France
| | - B. Weber
- Allergopharma Joachim Ganzer KG; Reinbek; Germany
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
Monteiro A, Francisco I, Antunes C, Pereira R. 2690 – Promotion of mental health in roma people - social representations of mental health and well being in a roma community. Eur Psychiatry 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/s0924-9338(13)77307-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
|
20
|
Schmidt AP, Böhmer AE, Schallenberger C, Antunes C, Tavares RG, Wofchuk ST, Elisabetsky E, Souza DO. Mechanisms involved in the antinociception induced by systemic administration of guanosine in mice. Br J Pharmacol 2010; 159:1247-63. [PMID: 20132210 DOI: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.2009.00597.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE It is well known that adenine-based purines exert multiple effects on pain transmission. However, less attention has been given to the potential effects of guanine-based purines on pain transmission. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of intraperitoneal (i.p.) and oral (p.o.) administration of guanosine on mice pain models. Additionally, investigation into the mechanisms of action of guanosine, its potential toxicity and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) purine levels were also assessed. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Mice received an i.p. or p.o. administration of vehicle (0.1 mM NaOH) or guanosine (up to 240 mg x kg(-1)) and were evaluated in several pain models. KEY RESULTS Guanosine produced dose-dependent antinociceptive effects in the hot-plate, glutamate, capsaicin, formalin and acetic acid models, but it was ineffective in the tail-flick test. Additionally, guanosine produced a significant inhibition of biting behaviour induced by i.t. injection of glutamate, AMPA, kainate and trans-ACPD, but not against NMDA, substance P or capsaicin. The antinociceptive effects of guanosine were prevented by selective and non-selective adenosine receptor antagonists. Systemic administration of guanosine (120 mg x kg(-1)) induced an approximately sevenfold increase on CSF guanosine levels. Guanosine prevented the increase on spinal cord glutamate uptake induced by intraplantar capsaicin. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS This study provides new evidence on the mechanism of action of the antinociceptive effects after systemic administration of guanosine. These effects seem to be related to the modulation of adenosine A(1) and A(2A) receptors and non-NMDA glutamate receptors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A P Schmidt
- Department of Biochemistry, ICBS, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
21
|
Feliciano RP, Antunes C, Ramos A, Serra AT, Figueira M, Duarte CM, Carvalho AD, Bronze MR. Characterization of traditional and exotic apple varieties from Portugal. Part 1 – Nutritional, phytochemical and sensory evaluation. J Funct Foods 2010. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jff.2009.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
|
22
|
Schmidt AP, Böhmer AE, Antunes C, Schallenberger C, Porciúncula LO, Elisabetsky E, Lara DR, Souza DO. Anti-nociceptive properties of the xanthine oxidase inhibitor allopurinol in mice: role of A1 adenosine receptors. Br J Pharmacol 2009; 156:163-72. [PMID: 19133997 PMCID: PMC2697763 DOI: 10.1111/j.1476-5381.2008.00025.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [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: 05/22/2008] [Revised: 07/25/2008] [Accepted: 09/02/2008] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Allopurinol is a potent inhibitor of the enzyme xanthine oxidase, used primarily in the treatment of hyperuricemia and gout. It is well known that purines exert multiple effects on pain transmission. We hypothesized that the inhibition of xanthine oxidase by allopurinol, thereby reducing purine degradation, could be a valid strategy to enhance purinergic activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-nociceptive profile of allopurinol on chemical and thermal pain models in mice. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH Mice received an intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of vehicle (Tween 10%) or allopurinol (10-400 mg kg(-1)). Anti-nociceptive effects were measured with intraplantar capsaicin, intraplantar glutamate, tail-flick or hot-plate tests. KEY RESULTS Allopurinol presented dose-dependent anti-nociceptive effects in all models. The opioid antagonist naloxone did not affect these anti-nociceptive effects. The non-selective adenosine-receptor antagonist caffeine and the selective A(1) adenosine-receptor antagonist, DPCPX, but not the selective A(2A) adenosine-receptor antagonist, SCH58261, completely prevented allopurinol-induced anti-nociception. No obvious motor deficits were produced by allopurinol, at doses up to 200 mg kg(-1). Allopurinol also caused an increase in cerebrospinal fluid levels of purines, including the nucleosides adenosine and guanosine, and decreased cerebrospinal fluid concentration of uric acid. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS Allopurinol-induced anti-nociception may be related to adenosine accumulation. Allopurinol is an old and extensively used compound and seems to be well tolerated with no obvious central nervous system toxic effects at high doses. This drug may be useful to treat pain syndromes in humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A P Schmidt
- Department of Biochemistry, ICBS, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
23
|
Elumalai M, Antunes C, Guilhermino L. Enzymatic biomarkers in the crab Carcinus maenas from the Minho River estuary (NW Portugal) exposed to zinc and mercury. Chemosphere 2007; 66:1249-55. [PMID: 16949639 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2006.07.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2006] [Revised: 06/15/2006] [Accepted: 07/10/2006] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Zinc and mercury are common contaminants of estuaries and coastal ecosystems where they may induce adverse effects on the biota. Carcinus maenas is a key-species in several European estuaries, living in close association with the sediment where a considerable number of environmental contaminants, including zinc and mercury may accumulate. In the present study, the acute effects of zinc and mercury on C. maenas from the Minho River Estuary (NW Portugal) were investigated by using the activity of the enzymes cholinesterase (ChE), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and glutathione S-transferases (GST) as effects' criteria. Crabs were exposed for 96h to several concentrations of Zn(2+) (0, 1.84, 3.71, 7.39 and 14.79mg/l) or Hg(2+) (0, 0.09, 0.19, 0.37 and 0.74mg/l). The choice of Zn(2+) test concentrations was based on the LC50 value (14.86mg/l) determined in a first part of the study, while the choice of Hg(2+) concentrations was based on values from the literature. At the end of the bioassays, eye, muscle and hepatopancreas tissues were isolated and used for ChE, LDH and GST determinations, respectively. Zinc significantly inhibited ChE activity (p<0.05, EC50=14.68mg/l), caused significant alterations of GST activity (p<0.05) and induced LDH activity (p<0.05) at the exposure of 14.79mg/l. Mercury significantly inhibited ChE activity (p<0.001, LOEC=0.09mg/l, EC50=0.235mg/l) and increased both GST (p<0.05, LOEC=0.774mg/l) and LDH activities (p<0.05, LOEC=0.119mg/l). These results suggest that both metals interfere with cholinergic neurotransmission in C. maenas by inhibiting ChE activity. In addition, they also interfere with GST activity and this may reduce the capacity of detoxification of some chemicals and/or to increase the probability of oxidative stress to occur. Furthermore, both metals increase LDH activity, suggesting an interference with energy production pathways. Therefore, the presence of zinc and mercury in estuaries at concentrations in the mg/l or mug/l range, respectively, may have a negative impact on C. maenas.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Elumalai
- CIIMAR - Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental, Rua dos Bragas, 177, 4050-123 Porto, Portugal
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
24
|
Hengstler JG, Bockamp EO, Hermes M, Brulport M, Bauer A, Schormann W, Schiffer IB, Hausherr C, Eshkind L, Antunes C, Franzen A, Krishnamurthi K, Lausch E, Lessig R, Chakrabarti T, Prawitt D, Zabel B, Spangenberg C. Oncogene-blocking therapies: new insights from conditional mouse tumor models. Curr Cancer Drug Targets 2006; 6:603-12. [PMID: 17100566 DOI: 10.2174/156800906778742488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Identification of oncogene dependent signaling pathways controlling aggressive tumor growth has led to the emergence of a new era of oncogene-blocking therapies, including Herceptin and Gleevec. In the recent years conditional mouse tumor models have been established that allow switching-off the expression of specific oncogenes controlling tumor growth. The results may have two important implications for oncogene-blocking therapies: (i) downregulation of oncogenes, for instance HER2, MYC, RAS, RAF, BCR-ABL or WNT1, usually leads to a rapid tumor remission. However, it was observed that the initial remission was followed by recurrent tumor growth in most studies. Interestingly, different oncogenes controlled tumor growth in the recurrent than in the primary tumors. This could explain the astonishing clinical observation that inhibitors of a broader spectrum of protein kinases (so-called: "dirty inhibitors") may be superior over highly specific substances. Due to their additional "unspecific" inhibition of a broader spectrum of kinases, they may hamper the escape mechanisms by antagonizing also the pathways controlling recurrent tumor growth. (ii) Experiments with cell systems that allow switching-on oncogene expression point to a so far possibly underestimated cancer drug target: the dormant tumor cell. Oncogene expression (for instance: NeuT or RAS) led to a phenomenon named oncogene-induced senescence or dormancy. Dormant cells are unresponsive to mitogenic stimuli. Importantly, such cells are not at all ready to die, but can remain viable for extended periods of time. Recently, dormant tumor cells have been shown to be more resistant to stresses such as hypoxia or exposure to cytostatic drugs. It still is a matter of debate if and under which conditions dormant tumor cells can be "kissed to life". If these cells contribute to carcinogenesis, it will be important to identify substances specifically killing senescent cells. This review will focus on the possible relevance of senescence both as a pre-oncogenic condition and also for therapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J G Hengstler
- Center for Toxicology, Institute of Legal Medicine, University of Leipzig, Germany.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
25
|
Dittmar M, Höhler T, Schneider PM, Adams P, Antunes C, Weber M, Kahaly GJ. Cytokine gene promoter polymorphisms in polyglandular autoimmunity. Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2004. [DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-819098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
|
26
|
Verdelho A, Ferro JM, Palmeiro A, Antunes C. [Cerebral venous thrombosis and familial prothrombin gene G20210a mutation]. Rev Neurol 2001; 33:335-8. [PMID: 11588727] [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] [Indexed: 02/21/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The prothrombin gene variant G20210A was first described as a risk factor for deep vein thrombosis, and recently for cerebral venous thrombosis, although reported cases had other concomitant risk factors. CLINICAL CASES A 33 years old woman, with no previous vascular nor thrombotic risk factors, was admitted with thrombosis of superior longitudinal, lateral and sigmoid right sinus. The father had deep venous thrombosis 3 years before. One year later, the 29 year old sister of the proband, developed massive deep venous thrombosis, when she was 8 months pregnant. Laboratory investigations showed elevated anticardiolipin antibodies titer in the proband. Prothrombin activity was in the normal range in the 3 patients. Prothrombin gene mutation G 20210A was detected in the 3 patients. CONCLUSION As the presence of more than one thrombophilic factor (in the reported case, prothrombin G20210A mutation and anticardiolipin antibodies) increases the likehood of a thrombotic event, it is useful to screen for thrombotic genetic conditions, even when other vascular risks are present, and vice versa.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- A Verdelho
- Serviço de Neurologia; Hospital de Santa María.Centro de Estudios Egas Moniz, Lisboa, 1649-035, Portugal.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
27
|
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate our experience with thoracoscopy with small mediastinoscope in complicated parapneumonic effusion in children.METHODS: From July 1995 to June 1997, seven children with complicated parapneumonic pleural effusion underwent thoracoscopy with mediastinoscope at Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre. The procedure was carried out with a small mediastinoscope built in our hospital.RESULTS: There were six girls and one boy. The procedure was preformed under general anesthesia, without selective intubation. Six patients had previous intercostal tube drainage; one underwent thoracoscopy as a primary procedure. No complication was observed after the procedure. During follow-up, two children underwent pleurotomy due to residual pleural effusion with persistent fever; two others presented asymptomatic small pleural effusion.CONCLUSION: Thoracoscopy with small mediastinoscope is safe, efficient and without severe complications. It is very useful to remove loculated complicated parapneumonic effusion at fibrinopurulent stage and to enable lung expansion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J C Fraga
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
28
|
Bersch P, Antunes C. [Most frequently occurring skin diseases in pediatrics and their treatment with a new preparation]. Hospital (Rio J) 1967; 71:523-42. [PMID: 4233675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
|