Anti-inflammatory effect of topiramate in a chronic model of TNBS-induced colitis

FCT_UIDB/05608/2020. FCT_UIDP/05608/2020.Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by a chronic and relapsing inflammatory response in the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in severe symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, bloody stools, and weight loss. Currently, there is no cure, and the pharmacological treatment includes drugs that induce and keep the patient in remission, not reversing the underlying pathogenic mechanism. In the long term, these therapies may cause various side effects and complications, which has increased the need to investigate new, more effective, and safer pharmacological approaches. In preclinical studies, topiramate has demonstrated a potential anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting the production of several pro-inflammatory cytokines. This study aimed to investigate the effect of topiramate in a chronic TNBS-induced colitis model in rodents. Experimental colitis was induced by four intrarectal administrations of 1% TNBS in female CD-1 mice. Topiramate 10 and 20 mg were administered intraperitoneally for 14 days. Several parameters were evaluated, such as body weight, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), fecal hemoglobin, fecal calprotectin, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and interleukin (IL)-10. Topiramate reduces TNBS-induced colonic damage in a model of chronic experimental colitis and normalizes stool consistency and anus appearance. Additionally, topiramate significantly reduced the concentration of ALP, fecal hemoglobin, fecal calprotectin, TNF-α, and IL-10, demonstrating it to be a promising pharmacological approach for treating IBD in the future.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A etiologia das perturbações da alimentação e da ingestão nos homens e as suas especificidades relavionadas com o género

Perturbações da Alimentação e da Ingestão (PAI) representam perturbações mentais graves com impacto na vida e no bem-estar do sujeito e que têm sido amplamente estudadas no sexo feminino; contudo, o mesmo não acontece com os homens, que continuam a ser negligenciados na investigação. Objetivo: Contribuir para o conhecimento das PAI nos homens e elucidar acerca dos fatores de risco (FR) específicos que os vulnerabilizam. Método: Participaram neste estudo 8 homens e 22 mulheres com diagnóstico atual de PAI. Foram-lhes administradas as entrevistas Eating Disorders Examination (Fairburn & Cooper, 2000) e Risk Factors for Eating Disorders: Interview Schedule (Fairburn & Welch, 1990). Resultados: Os FR identificados no desenvolvimento das PAI que mais se associaram ao sexo masculino foram ser fumador, a importância da boa forma e da aparência na família, a presença de comentários críticos sobre o peso/forma, o gozo associado ao peso/forma/alimentação por parte dos pares, a presença de doença crónica na família, a presença de doença crónica nos pais, a presença de doença prolongada nos pais, o excesso de peso na escola primária e as suas consequências negativas.Eating Disorders (ED) are severe mental disorders with an impact on the subject’s life and well-being. They have been extensively studied in females, but this is not the case for men, who continue to be neglected in research work. Objective: To enhance the knowledge of ED in men and to elucidate on the specific risk factors (RF) that make them more vulnerable. Method: 8 men and 22 women with a current diagnosis of ED participated in this study. The Eating Disorders Examination (Fairburn & Cooper, 2000) and the Risk Factors for Eating Disorders: Interview Schedule (Fairburn & Welch, 1990) were administrated to each one. Results: The RF identified in the development of ED that were most associated to men were smoking, the importance of fitness and appearance in the family, the presence of critical comments on weight/shape, peers’ teasing associated to weight/shape/feeding, the presence of chronic disease in the family, parents having this disease, parents having extensive disease, being overweight in primary school and its negative consequences

Smart governance's marketing mix focused on promotion

The present thesis is the result of a Management Consulting Field Lab, which took place at CAVEDIGITAL, an Information and Technology (IT) company, with a core business on Corporate Governance digital solutions. The aim of the project was to create and develop a marketing mix focused on promotion, in order to increase product’s awareness and, consequently, to enlarge CAVEDIGITAL clients’ portfolio. The final outcomes were management and communication tools such as: Business Intelligence, Use-Cases, Case Studies, Opportunity Report Card and Extra-Challenges

Oral health among athletes at the Egas Moniz Sports Dentistry Practice

Communication abstract: Proceedings of the 5th International Congress of CiiEM - Reducing inequalities in Health and Society, held at Egas Moniz’ University Campus in Monte de Caparica, Almada, from June 16th to 18th, 2021.This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.The sports dentistry consultation at the Clínica Universitária Egas Moniz is guaranteed by a multidisciplinary team of health professionals that provide a customized service to high performance athletes. Over the last year, 99 athletes were evaluated in terms of their oral health through extraoral, intraoral and radiographic exams. In this population a high prevalence of dry mouth, erosive wear, gingivitis, periodontitis and DMF index was observed, which may have a profound and negative impact on sports performance. Of the athletes, 40.4% attended follow up consultations, where restoration and scaling were the majority of the clinical procedures performed. This data highlights the importance of a dedicated sports dentistry consultations.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Perfis de doentes hospitalizados com doença cardíaca valvular : experiência de um centro terciário

© 2018 Sociedade Portuguesa de Cardiologia. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. This is an open access article under the CC-BY-NC-ND license.Introduction: Valvular heart disease (VHD) is increasing worldwide, mostly because of aging. Percutaneous valve intervention is the preferred therapeutic option in high-risk patients. Objective: To characterize the profiles of patients with VHD admitted to the cardiology ward at a tertiary referral center. Methods: On the basis of ICD-9 codes for VHD, the discharge notes of 287 patients hospitalized over a 22-month period were reviewed and analyzed. One hundred characteristics were considered. Results: Median age was 74 (23-93) years, and 145 (51%) were male. The admissions were elective (for valve intervention) in 36%. Heart failure (HF) was the reason for urgent admissions in 29.3%. Multiple comorbidities were observed in 53% of patients. Etiology of VHD was degenerative in 68%, functional in 15.3% and rheumatic (predominantly in women and younger patients) in 8.7%. Aortic valve disease was present in 63% (aortic stenosis in 56%), and was associated with HF (p=0.004), atrial fibrillation (AF) (p=0.01), and left ventricular (LV) dilatation (p=0.003) or hypertrophy (p<0.001). Mitral valve disease (51%), mostly mitral regurgitation (degenerative or functional), predominated in women, and was associated with HF, AF, LV dilatation (p<0.001) and reduced LV ejection fraction (p=0.003). Significant tricuspid regurgitation (34.8%) associated with the presence of previously implanted cardiac devices (p<0.001). Valve intervention (mostly transcatheter aortic valve implantation) was performed in 41% of patients. Mean length of hospital stay was 12±14.3 days and overall in-hospital mortality was 9.8%.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Improving the interface between orthopaedic implants and bone - a comparison between different surface treatments

Apresentação efetuada em "Junior Euromat 2022", em Coimbra, 2022Orthopedic implants for load-bearing applications are usually composed of titanium-based materials. However, insufficient bioactivity of metallic materials impairs the bonding with bone, compromising osseointegration at an early stage. The implant-bone interface may be improved by regulating some surface properties of the biomaterials, including surface chemical composition, surface energy, roughness and topography, which influence the behavior of bone cells. In the present study, commercially pure titanium and Ti6Al4V alloy were used to investigate the effect of three surface treatments, after performing two different chemical pre-treatments, on the characteristics of the obtained oxide films. Regarding the pre-treatments, no major differences were observed between performing alcohol cleaning or acidic pre-treatment, considering the surface crystallinity, roughness and wettability. However, the TiO2 layer formed upon anodic oxidation, hydrothermal treatment and anodic oxidation followed by hydrothermal treatment presented different characteristics regarding its crystallinity, roughness, thickness and wettability. This study compared specific surface treatments and the hydrothermal treatment is proposed as a simple treatment capable of improving the characteristics of the implant surface, thereby promoting osteoconductivity. In fact, the culture of human Mesenchymal Stem Cells on Ti-based materials subjected to hydrothermal treatment and consequent induction of osteogenic differentiation confirm the improved surface characteristics.This work was supported by FCT (Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia) through the grant SFRH/BD/141056/2018 and the projects PTDC/EME-EME/1442/2020, POCI-01-0145-FEDER-030498, UIDB/04436/2019 and UIDP/04436/2020. In addition, this work was developed within the scope of the project CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials, UIDB/50011/2020, UIDP/50011/2020 & LA/P/0006/2020, financed by national funds through the FCT/MEC (PIDDAC)

Robust gap repair in the contractile ring ensures timely completion of cytokinesis

Cytokinesis in animal cells requires the constriction of an actomyosin contractile ring, whose architecture and mechanism remain poorly understood. We use laser microsurgery to explore the biophysical properties of constricting rings in Caenorhabditis elegans embryos. Laser cutting causes rings to snap open. However, instead of disintegrating, ring topology recovers and constriction proceeds. In response to severing, a finite gap forms and is repaired by recruitment of new material in an actin polymerization-dependent manner. An open ring is able to constrict, and rings repair from successive cuts. After gap repair, an increase in constriction velocity allows cytokinesis to complete at the same time as controls. Our analysis demonstrates that tension in the ring increases while net cortical tension at the site of ingression decreases throughout constriction and suggests that cytokinesis is accomplished by contractile modules that assemble and contract autonomously, enabling local repair of the actomyosin network. Consequently, cytokinesis is a highly robust process impervious to discontinuities in contractile ring structure.European Research Council grant: (640553); Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional (FEDER) funds: (Operational Competitiveness Program - COMPETE); Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia grant:(NORTE-07-0124-FEDER-000003); Fundação Luso-Americana para o Desenvolvimento (Life Science 2020); Louis-Jeantet Young Investigator Award; European Social Fund (Programa Operacional Temático Potencial Type 4.2); Programa Operacional Regional do Norte (Quadro de Referência Estratégico Nacional - FEDER).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

a randomized comparative effectiveness trial

Funding Information: The author(s) declare financial support was received for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article. This work was sponsored by CUF and Pingo Doce, as part of the Menos Sal Portugal project, and with support from the Centro de Medicina Laboratorial Germano de Sousa. The sponsors did not play a role in the study design or the interpretation of the results. The study was also promoted by the CINTESIS@RISE (UIDB/4255/2020 and UIDP/4255/2020), NOVA Medical School of Universidade NOVA de Lisboa and supported by national funds through FCT Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P., within the scope of the project “RISE-LA/P/0053/2020”. Publisher Copyright: Copyright © 2023 Moreira-Rosário, Ismael, Barreiros-Mota, Morais, Rodrigues, Castela, Mendes, Soares, da Costa, Oliveira, Henriques, Pinto, Pita, de Oliveira, Maciel, Serafim, Araújo, Rocha, Pestana, Silvestre, Marques, Faria, Polonia and Calhau.Introduction: Empowerment lifestyle programs are needed to reduce the risk of hypertension. Our study compared the effectiveness of two empowerment-based approaches toward blood pressure (BP) reduction: salt reduction-specific program vs. healthy lifestyle general program. Methods: Three hundred and eleven adults (median age of 44 years, IQR 34–54 years) were randomly assigned to a salt reduction (n = 147) or a healthy lifestyle program (n = 164). The outcome measures were urinary sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+) excretion, systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure, weight, and waist circumference. Results: There were no significant differences in primary and secondary outcomes between the two program groups. When comparing each program to baseline, the program focused on salt reduction was effective in lowering BP following a 12-week intervention with a mean change of −2.5 mm Hg in SBP (95% CI, −4.1 to −0.8) and − 2.7 mm Hg in DBP (95% CI, −3.8 to −1.5) in the intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis. In the complete-case (CC) analysis, the mean change was −2.1 mm Hg in SBP (95% CI, −3.7 to −0.5) and − 2.3 mm Hg in DBP (95% CI, −3.4 to −1.1). This effect increases in subjects with high-normal BP or hypertension [SBP − 7.9 mm Hg (95% CI, −12.5 to −3.3); DBP − 7.3 mm Hg (95% CI, −10.2 to −4.4)]. The healthy lifestyle group also exhibited BP improvements after 12 weeks; however, the changes were less pronounced compared to the salt reduction group and were observed only for DBP [mean change of −1.5 mm Hg (95% CI, −2.6 to −0.4) in ITT analysis and − 1.4 mm Hg (95% CI, −2.4 to −0.3) in CC analysis, relative to baseline]. Overall, improvements in Na+/K+ ratio, weight, and Mediterranean diet adherence resulted in clinically significant SBP decreases. Importantly, BP reduction is attributed to improved dietary quality, rather than being solely linked to changes in the Na+/K+ ratio. Conclusion: Salt-focused programs are effective public health tools mainly in managing individuals at high risk of hypertension. Nevertheless, in general, empowerment-based approaches are important strategies for lowering BP, by promoting health literacy that culminates in adherence to the Mediterranean diet and weight reduction.publishersversionpublishe

Considerations on the treatment for aortoiliac aneurysmal disease with concomitant ectopic kidney

INTRODUCTION: Ectopic kidneys with concomitant aortoiliac aneurysmal disease have been previously reported in the literature, however its exact prevalence is unknown. The objective of this review is to summarize current knowledge on the treatment this special group of patients. METHODS: A non-systematic literature research was performed on the treatment of aortoiliac aneurysmal disease in patients with ectopic kidneys. RESULTS: Literature on the management of patients with aorto-iliac aneurysms and concomitant ectopic kidneys is limited to case reports and very small series. Treatment modalities which include open, endovascular or hybrid techniques, should preserve the variable vasculature of the ectopic kidney. Several different surgical solutions have been proposed, highlighting the uncertainty on the optimal management strategy. However, a growing number of reports suggest safety and efficacy with adapted endovascular techniques. CONCLUSION: In parallel to the general trend in the management of abdominal aortic aneurysm, it is expected that a growing number of patients will concomitant aorto-iliac aneurysm and ectopic kidneys will be treated with endovascular techniques

A Cross-Sectional Study

Publisher Copyright: © 2022 The Author(s). Published by S. Karger AG, Basel. This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC). Usage and distribution for commercial purposes requires written permission.Background: Listing patients with alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD) for liver transplant (LT) remains challenging especially due to the risk of alcohol resumption post-LT. We aimed to evaluate post-LT alcohol consumption at a Portuguese transplant center. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study including LT recipients from 2019 at Curry Cabral Hospital, Lisbon, Portugal. A pretested survey and a validated Portuguese translation of the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT) were applied via a telephone call. Alcohol consumption was defined by patients' self-reports or a positive AUDIT. Results: In 2019, 122 patients underwent LT, and 99 patients answered the survey (June 2021). The mean (SD) age was 57 (10) years, 70 patients (70.7%) were males, and 49 (49.5%) underwent ALD-related LT. During a median (IQR) follow-up of 24 (20-26) months post-index LT, 22 (22.2%) recipients consumed any amount of alcohol: 14 had a drink monthly or less and 8 drank 2-4 times/month. On drinking days, 18 patients usually consumed 1-2 drinks and the remainder no more than 3-4 drinks. One patient reported having drunk ≥6 drinks on one occasion. All post-LT drinking recipients were considered low risk (score <8) as per the AUDIT score (median [IQR] of 1 [1-2]). No patient reported alcohol-related problems, whether self-inflicted or toward others. Drinking recipients were younger (53 vs. 59 years, p = 0.020), had more non-ALD-related LT (72.7 vs. 44.2%, p = 0.018) and active smoking (31.8 vs. 10.4%, p = 0.037) than abstinent ones. Conclusion: In our cohort, about a quarter of LT recipients consumed alcohol early posttransplant, all with a low-risk pattern according to the AUDIT score.publishersversionepub_ahead_of_prin