Relações entre a qualidade de vida e os estilos de personalidade medidos com a adaptação Portuguesa do Índice de Estilos da Personalidade de Millon – MIPS-R (Edição Revista)

Pretendeu-se estudar as relações entre a qualidade de vida medida com a versão Portuguesa do QOLI e os estilos de personalidade medidos com a adaptação Portuguesa do MIPS-R. O estudo foi realizado com uma amostra de 43 estudantes universitários, 36 mulheres e 7 homens, com uma média de idades de 21.0 anos e um desvio padrão de 5.9 (idades entre os 18 e os 50 anos). Com base no nível global de satisfação com a vida, defi niram-se três grupos: (1) participantes com qualidade de vida baixa/muito baixa, (2) participantes com qualidade de vida média, (3) participantes com qualidade de vida elevada. Utilizou-se a Análise Fatorial Discriminante e o teste de Kruskal-Wallis para identifi car os estilos de personalidade do MIPS-R que mais diferenciavam os três grupos e para comparar cada estilo nos grupos. Procedeu-se à análise e discussão dos estilos de personalidade mais relacionados com a satisfação com a vida

The CTLA4 +49 A/G polymorphism is not associated with susceptibility to type 1 diabetes mellitus in the Portuguese population

CTLA4 genetic polymorphisms have been associated with type 1 diabetes. We genotyped 207 patients and 249 controls for the most frequently investigated polymorphism of the CTLA4 gene (+49A/G (rs231775)). No significant differences were observed, suggesting that this polymorphism is not strongly associated with type 1 diabetes in the Portuguese population

Leporids’ Emerging Diseases as a Threat to Biodiversity

Wild leporids have been gaining interest and prominence in the scientific and social community worldwide. While endangered of extinction in its native territory, the Iberian Peninsula, where it has a key role in the Mediterranean ecosystems, the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) is considered a plague in Australia, due to the great economic and ecological consequences of its presence in the territories. The impact of viral diseases on the Leporidae family’ members, namely on the European rabbit, has been largely recognized worldwide since the early 50s, due to the emergence of myxomatosis and, from the mid-80s onwards, due to the emergence of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus 1 and 2. More recently, in 2018, a recombinant myxoma virus emerged with the ability to infect and cause severe disease in the Iberian hare (Lepus ganatensis). Also, a new gammaherpesvirus was described in Iberian hares, associated with myxoma virus infections. In this chapter, we revise the main viral infectious treats to the native leporids of the Iberian Peninsula. The recovery of the European rabbit populations, as well as of other leporid species around the world, is currently a major challenge for the scientific and social communities and policy-makers. If we fail, the ripple effects on the trophic web will be so dramatic that are likely to be unrecoverable

Snapshot of viral infections in wild carnivores reveals ubiquity of parvovirus and susceptibility of Egyptian mongoose to feline panleukopenia virus

The exposure of wild carnivores to viral pathogens, with emphasis on parvovirus (CPV/FPLV), was assessed based on the molecular screening of tissue samples from 128 hunted or accidentally road-killed animals collected in Portugal from 2008 to 2011, including Egyptian mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon, n = 99), red fox (Vulpes vulpes, n = 19), stone marten (Martes foina, n = 3), common genet (Genetta genetta, n = 3) and Eurasian badger (Meles meles, n = 4). A high prevalence of parvovirus DNA (63%) was detected among all surveyed species, particularly in mongooses (58%) and red foxes (79%), along with the presence of CPV/FPLV circulating antibodies that were identified in 90% of a subset of parvovirus-DNA positive samples. Most specimens were extensively autolysed, restricting macro and microscopic investigations for lesion evaluation. Whenever possible to examine, signs of active disease were not present, supporting the hypothesis that the parvovirus vp2 gene fragments detected by real-time PCR possibly correspond to viral DNA reminiscent from previous infections. The molecular characterization of viruses, based on the analysis of the complete or partial sequence of the vp2 gene, allowed typifying three viral strains of mongoose and four red fox’s as feline panleukopenia virus (FPLV) and one stone marten’s as newCPV-2b type. The genetic similarity found between the FPLV viruses from free-ranging and captive wild species originated in Portugal and publicly available comparable sequences, suggests a closer genetic relatedness among FPLV circulating in Portugal. Although the clinical and epidemiological significance of infection could not be established, this study evidences that exposure of sympatric wild carnivores to parvovirus is common and geographically widespread, potentially carrying a risk to susceptible populations at the wildlife-domestic interface and to threatened species, such as the wildcat (Felis silvestris) and the critically endangered Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus).publishe

Oral health in pregnancy

Descriptive study with an analytic component, on pregnant women that went for consultation to Maternidade Daniel de Matos (Coimbra, Portugal) during the second week of July 1997. 80 women were randomly selected and asked to answer a questionnaire, concerning level of knowledge towards oral health as well as dietary and oral hygiene habits before and during pregnancy. It was also quantified the dental plaque indicator by using a plaque staining method. The knowledge about oral health is globally speaking, insufficient; dietary habits are mainly cariogenic although pregnant women tend to lower their sugar intake. During pregnancy women rarely go to see the dentist, especially the less educated ones. The dental plaque levels are globally high, indicating oral hygiene habits of low quality

Glycemic control and treatments in type 1 diabetes in childhood and adolescence in Portugal

OBJECTIVE: The Pediatric Portuguese Society of Endocrinology and Diabetology established in 2001 a Study Group with the aim of investigate glycemic control, prevalence of microvascular complications and modalities of treatments in type1 diabetic patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The cases for registration were those who were born between June 1, 1979 and June 1, 2001 (until 22 yr of age). A front sheet was constructed to record, age at diabetes diagnosis, diabetes duration, presence or absence of diabetes microvascular complications, HbA1c, number of capillary glycemic tests per week and type of insulin treatment. RESULTS: Twenty-two Hospitals participated and a total of 1009 patients were registered. The mean age was 13.6 yr+/-4.7, mean age at diabetes diagnosis 8.4 yr+/-4.4, and diabetes duration 5.2 yr+/-3.95. Diagnosis of diabetes was done in 22.8% by the age group 0-4 yr, in 36.4% by the age group 5-9 yr, in 32.4% by the age group 10-14, in 6.7% by the age group 15-19, and in 1.5% by the age group 20-22. Retinopathy was present in 1.4% and nephropathy in 6.4%. Values of HbA1c <7.5% were achieved in 12.5%, > or =7.5 and < 8% in 11.3%, > or =8 and <9.5 in 33.5% and > or =9.5 in 40.9%. Insulin treatment with one daily injection was used in 1.5%, with two daily injections in 35.4%, with three daily injections in 35% and with four or more in 26.4%. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that this large cohort of type1 diabetic patients had a bad metabolic control and the goal of near normoglycemia was achieved in only a few patients

Friedreich Ataxia and Diabetes Mellitus: family study

Friedreich's ataxia (FA) is one of the genetic syndromes sometimes associated with diabetes and the most common hereditary ataxia. It is a autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disease, caused by a mutation in the FRDA gene, which originates decreased expression of frataxin, a mitochondrial protein involved in iron metabolism. The disorder is usually manifest in childhood and is characterised by ataxia, dysarthria, scoliosis and feet deformity. About two thirds of patients have hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, 10% have diabetes and 20% have another glucose homeostasis disorder. Both insulin resistance and beta-cell dysfunction are implicated in this patients' diabetes pathophysiology. The mean half-life is 35 years. Cause of death is usually related to cardiomyopathy or diabetes' complications. We report the case study of two twin sisters with 28 years old, in whom FA was diagnosed in the first decade, both of them with diabetes since their early twenties. A third sister with FA is reported, with no glucose homeostasis disorder. They also have two healthy male brothers. Based in this cases, the FA associated diabetes pathophysiology is discussed, concerning the therapeutic approach to these patients and to their diabetic relatives without neurologic symptoms. The role of molecular genetic testing and genetic counselling are also debated

Noninvasive analysis of hepatic glycogen kinetics before and after breakfast with deuterated water and acetaminophen

The contributions of hepatic glycogenolysis to fasting glucose production and direct pathway to hepatic glycogen synthesis were quantified in eight type 1 diabetic patients and nine healthy control subjects by ingestion of (2)H(2)O and acetaminophen before breakfast followed by analysis of urinary water and acetaminophen glucuronide. After overnight fasting, enrichment of glucuronide position 5 relative to body water (G5/body water) was significantly higher in type 1 diabetic patients compared with control subjects, indicating a reduced contribution of glycogenolysis to glucose production (38 +/- 3 vs. 46 +/- 2%). Following breakfast, G5/body water was significantly higher in type 1 diabetic patients, indicating a smaller direct pathway contribution to glycogen synthesis (47 +/- 2 vs. 59 +/- 2%). Glucuronide hydrogen 2 enrichment (G2) was equivalent to body water during fasting (G2/body water 0.94 +/- 0.03 and 1.02 +/- 0.06 for control and type 1 diabetic subjects, respectively) but was significantly lower after breakfast (G2/body water 0.78 +/- 0.03 and 0.82 +/- 0.05 for control and type 1 diabetic subjects, respectively). The reduced postprandial G2 levels reflect incomplete glucose-6-phosphate-fructose-6-phosphate exchange or glycogen synthesis from dietary galactose. Unlike current measurements of human hepatic glycogen metabolism, the (2)H(2)O/acetaminophen assay does not require specialized on-site clinical equipment or personne