Utilização de própolis como alternativa no controlo de mastites para garantir a qualidade do leite e proteção da saúde pública.

Os antimicrobianos e antisséticos são utilizados para o controlo das mastites. Esta prática conduz a eliminação de resíduos no leite além de induzir a pressão de seleção sobre estirpes resistentes a antimicrobianos. A própolis é uma massa, utilizada para proteger as colmeias das abelhas (Apis mellifera), formada por resinas retiradas de vários vegetais, selecionadas de forma natural pelas abelhas. Este produto altamente variável, consoante os vegetais utilizados, apresenta colorações diversas e também qualidades antimicrobianas variáveis. O objetivo deste estudo foi testar a suscetibilidade, de isolados de Staphylococccus aureus provenientes de amostras de leite de cabras e ovelhas com mastite, a 16 antimicrobianos utilizados em Portugal no controlo desta doença, e analisar “in vitro” a ação antimicrobiana de extratos etanólicos de própolis (EEP).FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia no âmbito do Projecto UID/AGR/00115/2013. M. Laranjo agradece a bolsa de Pós-Doutoramento da FCT (SFRH/BPD/108802/2015)

Limited Antineutrophil Cytoplasmic Antibodies (ANCA)-Negative Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis: Successful Response to Rituximab

Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA), a systemic vasculitis, is commonly characterized by the presence of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA). However, a subset of patients with limited disease may exhibit ANCA negativity. In this article, we report the case of a 40-year-old female diagnosed with GPA with intolerance to methotrexate titration and glucocorticoid therapy, leading to the initiation of rituximab treatment. Subsequently, the patient exhibited sustained clinical, laboratory, and radiological improvement. The identification of limited GPA has important therapeutic implications as the effectiveness of the medical treatment in ANCA-negative GPA may differ. Rituximab has emerged as an optimal treatment, irrespective of ANCA status, offering prolonged responses and a favorable tolerance profile in these patients.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Nicolau Livedoid Dermatitis following intramuscular benzathine penicillin injection

We report the case of a 64-year-old male presenting with a rapidly enlarging painful violaceous plaque in the left buttock and posterior thigh, following a gluteal intramuscular injection of benzathine penicillin. Associated urinary incontinence and lower left limb paresis were consistent with sciatic and lower sacral nerve damage, as confirmed by electromyography. Additional underlying muscular damage was observed in ultrasound and computer tomodensitometry scans and supported by high serum levels of creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase. Aggressive treatment was performed with fluid expansion, intravenous steroid bolus, vasodilators and anticoagulation, resulting in slow improvement of cutaneous and muscular lesions. However, no significant effect was observed on neurologic dysfunction after 6 months of regular neuromuscular rehabilitation. Nicolau Livedoid Dermatitis is a rare and potentially fatal condition showing variable levels of tissue impairment and unpredictable course and prognosis. Specific treatment is not consensual and the efficacy of any particular treatment remains to be established

Twin parenting experience – reshaping the family web

Being a parent of twin siblings is a major challenge for parents and requires a family restructuring to adapt to a new family environment. OBJECTIVE. To understand the experiences of parents of twins and meanings attributed to them. METHODS: a qualitative study was conducted, having the symbolic interactionism as a theoretical referential and the interpretative interactionism as the methodological referential. Twenty-nine parents with children under 4 years participated in this study. A semi-structured interview was conducted for data collection. RESULTS. The twins family responses to parenting challenges are conditioned by the management and articulation of their di*culties, their strengths and personal resources. There is a clear choice in being a family with children that privileges negotiation and involvement of the couple in caring for the family, or, at least, part of the family, meaning the children and playing the parenting role. CONCLUSIONS. The family grows as a complex web, including its elements and interactions. The symbolic construction evidences the way the family adjusts to this environment of twin parenting. The health professionals should be able to anticipate the needs of families going through this process.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

CARD15 Mutations and Perianal Fistulating Crohn’s Disease: Correlation and Predictive Value of Antibiotic Response

BACKGROUND: CARD15 mutations alter bowel immunity and increase susceptibility to Crohn's disease (CD). However, the relation between these mutations and Crohn's perianal fistulas has not been fully clarified. AIMS: To assess whether CARD15 mutations are associated with risk of developing Crohn's perianal fistulas and whether these mutations are predictors of the response of perianal fistulas to antibiotics. METHODS: CARD15 mutations were investigated in 203 consecutive CD patients. Presence/absence of history of perianal fistula was recorded. Patients with history of perianal fistula were divided into two groups (with/without CARD15 mutations), and response to antibiotics was evaluated in both groups. RESULTS: Of the 203 patients, 60 (29.6%) showed at least one CARD15 mutation and 55 (27.1%) had history of perianal fistula. History of perianal fistula was identified in 13 (21.7%) patients with mutations and in 42 (29.4%) patients without mutations (P = 0.260). Mean age at diagnosis of first perianal fistula was similar in patients with/without CARD15 mutations (28.7 +/- 9.8 versus 29.7 +/- 10.1 years, P = 0.758). Average time between disease onset and diagnosis of first perianal fistula was also similar in the two groups (4.6 +/- 5.1 versus 5.0 +/- 5.9 years, P = 0.816). Response of perianal fistulas to antibiotics (metronidazole alone or combined with ciprofloxacin) was significantly higher in patients without CARD15 mutations (7.7% versus 40.5%, P = 0.041). CONCLUSIONS: In CD, CARD15 mutations are not associated with risk of developing perianal fistulas or with time of their outbreak. Nevertheless, patients with perianal fistulas and CARD15 mutations showed worse response to antibiotics

Propolis components accountable for bactericidal accomplishment and antibiofilm activity

This study aimed at evaluating antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity of phenolic compounds present in propolis ethanol extracts (PEE). Seventy per cent ethanol extracts from seven types of propolis, one Green, two Red and four Brown collected in four Brazilian States were prepared and total phenolics, flavonoids, tannins and anthocyanins were assessed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) and inhibitor effect on Staphylococcus aureus biofilm formation and capacity to disrupt established biofilms were assessed towards eight S. aureus isolates from milk of small ruminants with mastitis, one methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and S. aureus ATCC 25923. To evaluate different propolis components accountability for bactericidal accomplishment and antibiofilm activity, the results were analysed by the non-parametric Spearman coefficient. Results of phenolic compounds were 216,21 to 312,08 gallic acid milligram equivalent per extract gram (mg EGA/g) of total phenolics, 55,08 to 140,6 quercetin milligram equivalent per extract gram (mg EQ/g) of flavonoids, 118,51 to 3766,16 catechin milligram equivalent per extract gram (mg EC/g) of tannins and 1,03 to 8,39 milligram per extract gram (mg/g) of anthocyanins. Red1 and Red2 showed higher tannin contents, while Red2 exhibited superior amount of anthocyanins and total phenolics. Brown3 presented higher flavonoid quantity. Green, Red1 and Red2 PEE showed the lowest levels of flavonoids, but the higher antimicrobial activity. Most PEE exhibit bactericidal activity at a concentration of 1.6 mg/mL. Brown4 PEE showed the worst capacity to inhibit S. aureus. Green PEE showed to be the most efficient in both preventing and disrupting biofilm. All PEE studied exhibited a better inhibitory activity prior-to than post-biofilm formation. According to non-parametric Spearman correlation analysis, there seems to be a significant negative correlation between the ability to disrupt biofilm and both tannins and anthocyanins contents

Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 Resistance and Cross-Decreased Susceptibility to Oseltamivir and Zanamivir Antiviral Drugs

Neuraminidase inhibitors (NAIs) oseltamivir and zanamivir are currently the only effective antiviral drugs available worldwide for the management of influenza. The potential development of resistance is continually threatening their use, rationalizing and highlighting the need for a close and sustained evaluation of virus susceptibility. This study aimed to analyze and characterize the phenotypic and genotypic NAIs susceptibility profiles of A(H1N1)pdm09 viruses circulating in Portugal from 2009 to 2010/2011. A total of 144 cases of A(H1N1)pdm09 virus infection from community and hospitalized patients were studied, including three suspected cases of clinical resistance to oseltamivir. Oseltamivir resistance was confirmed for two of the suspected cases. Neuraminidase (NA) H275Y resistant marker was found in viruses from both cases but for one it was only present in 26.2% of virus population, raising questions about the minimal percentage of resistant virus that should be considered relevant. Cross-decreased susceptibility to oseltamivir and zanamivir (2-4 IC50 fold-change) was detected on viruses from two potentially linked community patients from 2009. Both viruses harbored the NA I223V mutation. NA Y155H mutation was found in 18 statistical non-outlier viruses from 2009, having no impact on virus susceptibility. The mutations at NA N369K and V241I may have contributed to the significantly higher baseline IC50 value obtained to oseltamivir for 2010/2011 viruses, compared to viruses from the pandemic period. These results may contribute to a better understanding of the relationship between phenotype and genotype, which is currently challenging, and to the global assessment of A(H1N1)pdm09 virus susceptibility profile and baseline level to NAIs

A Gemelaridade na Família

Introdução: O conceito de parentalidade pela abrangência que incorpora, torna-se quase que abstrato, uma vez que atravessa todas as fases de desenvolvimento da relação pais/ filhos. Assume-se como uma experiência complexa e exigente influenciada por fatores individuais, familiares e sociais e tem repercussões em todos os que nela participam (1). Objetivo: Identificar as preocupações que os pais de gémeos consideram prioritárias. Desenho: Desenvolveu-se um estudo quantitativo, transversal, como instrumento de recolha de dados utilizamos uma check-list adaptada de Brotherson. Participantes: a amostra incluiu pais com um filho por conceção (N=100) e pais de gémeos (N=100), os filhos de ambos possuíam idades entre os 6 meses e os 18 anos e encontravam-se inscritos no Agrupamento de Centros de Saúde Ave III. Resultados: Os resultados permitiram priorizar as preocupações parentais que em ambos os grupos foi semelhante para as quatro preocupações mais selecionadas. Identificaram-se ainda diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre os grupos na seleção de preocupações relacionadas com o stress da exigência do papel, o humor e a perda de tempo livre. A priorização para o próprio e para o cônjuge também foram objeto de análise nos pais de gémeos e observaram-se diferenças consideráveis na perceção que cada um tem das suas preocupações e das do cônjuge. Conclusões: as preocupações parentais percecionadas pelos pais com filhos gémeos variam conforme o género, bem como a priorização que estabelecem relativamente às preocupações do cônjuge. É nosso entendimento que devemos considerar as preocupações parentais como ponto de partida para uma intervenção mais eficaz e ajustada às famílias. Face aos resultados considera-se haver necessidade de desenvolver outros estudos nesta área, pois os existentes são escassos, para um melhor entendimento desta problemática.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

An Efficient Local Search for Partial Latin Square Extension Problem

A partial Latin square (PLS) is a partial assignment of n symbols to an nxn grid such that, in each row and in each column, each symbol appears at most once. The partial Latin square extension problem is an NP-hard problem that asks for a largest extension of a given PLS. In this paper we propose an efficient local search for this problem. We focus on the local search such that the neighborhood is defined by (p,q)-swap, i.e., removing exactly p symbols and then assigning symbols to at most q empty cells. For p in {1,2,3}, our neighborhood search algorithm finds an improved solution or concludes that no such solution exists in O(n^{p+1}) time. We also propose a novel swap operation, Trellis-swap, which is a generalization of (1,q)-swap and (2,q)-swap. Our Trellis-neighborhood search algorithm takes O(n^{3.5}) time to do the same thing. Using these neighborhood search algorithms, we design a prototype iterated local search algorithm and show its effectiveness in comparison with state-of-the-art optimization solvers such as IBM ILOG CPLEX and LocalSolver.Comment: 17 pages, 2 figure