Aluminum and Sulphate Removal by a Highly Al-Resistant Dissimilatory Sulphate-Reducing Bacteria Community

A highly Al-resistant dissimilatory sulphatereducing bacteria community was isolated from sludge of the wetland of Urgeiriça mine (community W). This community showed excellent sulphate removal at the presence of Al3+. After 27 days of incubation, 73,86 and 81% of sulphate was removed in the presence of 0.48, 0.90 and 1.30 mM of Al3+, respectively. Moreover,Al3+ was simultaneously removed: 55,85 and 78% of metal was removed in the presence of 0.48, 0.90 and 1.30 mM of Al3+, respectively. The dissociation of aluminiumlactate soluble complexes due to lactate consumption by dissimilatory sulphate-reducing bacteria can be responsible for aluminum removal, which probably precipitates as insoluble aluminium hydroxide. Phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene showed that this community was mainly composed by bacteria closely related to Desulfovibrio desulfuricans. However, bacteria affiliated to Proteus and Ralstonia were also present in the community

Seropositivity for Coxiella burnetii in Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) and Red Deer (Cervus elaphus) in Portugal

Q fever is caused by the pathogen Coxiella burnetii and is a zoonosis that naturally infects goats, sheep, and cats, but can also infect humans, birds, reptiles, or arthropods. A survey was conducted for the detection of antibodies against C. burnetii in a sample of 617 free-ranging wild ruminants, 358 wild boar (Sus scrofa) and 259 red deer (Cervus elaphus), in east-central Portugal during the 2016-2022 hunting seasons. Only adult animals were sampled in this study. Antibodies specific to C. burnetii were detected using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA; IDVet(R), Montpellier, France) according to the manufacturer's instructions. The seroprevalence of C. burnetii infection was 1.5% (n = 9; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.7-2.8%). Antibodies against C. burnetii were detected in 4/358 wild boar (1.1%; 95% CI: CI: 0.3-2.8%) and 5/259 red deer (1.9%; 0.6-4.5%). Results of the present study indicate that antibodies against C. burnetii were present in wild boar and red deer in Portugal. These findings can help local health authorities to focus on the problem of C. burnetii in wildlife and facilitate the application of a One Health approach to its prevention and control

Cytomegalovirus Pseudotumor of the Colon in an HIV Patient

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the most common cause of severe opportunistic viral disease among patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, and colitis is the most frequent manifestation of CMV infection. Nevertheless, the development of a colonic pseudotumor is a rare benign entity that can be easily misdiagnosed as a colonic neoplasm if the radiologist is not aware of this condition. We present a case of a 42-year-old male with a CMV pseudotumor of the colon. Imaging findings on computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are illustrated. Discussion of the differential diagnoses, based on clinical and imaging findings, is performed in order to propose the right diagnosis, which was histologically confirmed.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Prevalence and Risk Factors for Hepatitis E Virus in Wild Boar and Red Deer in Portugal

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a zoonotic foodborne virus with an annual infection prevalence of 20 million human cases, which seriously affects public health and economic development in both developed and developing countries. To better understand the epidemiology of HEV in Central Portugal, a cross-sectional study was conducted from 2016 to 2023 with sera samples from wild ungulates. The seroprevalence and risk factors for HEV seropositivity were evaluated in the present study. Specifically, antibodies against HEV were determined by a commercial enzyme-linked immune-sorbent assay (ELISA). Our results show that in the 650 sera samples collected from 298 wild red deer and 352 wild boars in Portugal, 9.1% red deer and 1.7% wild boar were positive for antibodies to HEV. Regarding age, the seropositivity in juvenile wild ungulates was 1.3%, whereas it was 7.2% in adults. Logistic regression models investigated risk factors for seropositivity. The odds of being seropositive was 3.6 times higher in adults than in juveniles, and the risk was 4.2 times higher in red deer than in wild boar. Both wild ungulate species were exposed to HEV. The higher seroprevalence in red deer suggests that this species may make a major contribution to the ecology of HEV in Central Portugal. Further research is needed to understand how wildlife affects the epidemiology of HEV infections in Portugal.This research was funded by projects UIDP/00772/2020 and LA/P/0059/2020, funded by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT). Sérgio Santos-Silva would like to thank Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) for the financial support of his Ph.D. work under the scholarship 2021.09461.BD contract through the Maria de Sousa-2021 program

Childhood obesity and reduction of hours of sleep: results from cross-sectional study

Childhood obesity is a prevalent condition in modern societies which can negatively impact people's health during life. Although there are several factors contributing to obesity, sleep duration has been pointed out as an important risk factor. This study, held in the district of Porto, Portugal, aimed to analyze the association between sleep duration and the nutritional status of school-aged children studying in Portugal. 1396 students from 35 and 3 public and private schools, respectively, were contacted, of which 829 participated in this study (9.2 +/- 0.38 years old; 50.3% male; 49.7% female). Age, sex, sleep duration, height, weight and body composition were registered trough a questionnaire. According to the obtained z-score for Body Mass Index (BMI), 22.9% of the children were overweight and 15.2% were obese. The mean of sleep duration was 9.7 +/- 1.08 hours and z-score for BMI was 0.78 +/- 1.21, demonstrating a statistically significant (p<0.01) weak negative correlation (r=-0.15) between sleep duration and z-score of BMI. Results were also stratified and analyzed by sex, and the same finding was observed. Therefore, the results suggest a negative association between sleep duration and overweight/obesity in these children. Although more studies are necessary, this finding highlights the need of a global approach which includes sleep assessment and counselling when promoting an appropriate nutritional status

Histerectomia pós-parto: revisão de 15 anos

Overview and Aims: Postpartum Hysterectomy (PPH) is considered an obstetrical emergency. Profuse bleeding, the most common indication, may jeopardize the puerperal woman. If not controlled by conservative measures, it may require PPH. Its incidence varies between 0.13 to 5.38 per 1000 births. Women with underlying conditions such as placenta previa, fi- broleiomyomas or previous cesarean section (CS) are at increased risk. We evaluated the incidence of PPH, its indications, risk factors and complications. Material and Methods: Retrospective study of PPH conducted at a tertiary care hospital in 15 years (1997-2011). Results: We found 41 cases of PPH (0.6 per 1000 births). Twenty eight occurred after CS (1.34 /1000) and 13 followed vaginal deliveries (0.27/1000), resulting in an odds ratio of 4.94 (2.56 to 9.54, p < 0.001) for CS vs vaginal delivery. Sixteen patients had a previous uterine surgery (CS and/or curettage) and 8 were nulliparous. The most common indication was uterine atony in 18 cases (43.9 %), followed by unspecified hemorrhage in 8 (19.5 %), placenta accreta in 7 (17.1%) and uterine dehiscence/rupture in 4 (9.8%). In 30 cases it was performed a total hysterectomy, being subtotal in the remaining 11 cases. The main complications were the need for red blood cell transfusion (39), disseminated intravascular coagulation (8) and febrile syndrome (6); 21 postpartum women were admitted in Intensive Care Unit. There were no maternal deaths. Pathologic examination of uterus and placenta showed normal postpartum changes in 11 (26.8 %), placenta accreta in 12 (29.3 %), changes consistent with uterine atony in 8 (19.5 %), fibroleiomyomas in 5 (12.2%) and uterine rupture in 3 (7.3%). Conclusions: hysterectomy remains a required procedure in the treatment of postpartum bleeding resistant to conservative management, being uterine atony the most frequent indication with CS accounting for a five times higher risk than vaginal delivery

Interruption of pregnancy - correlation between prenatal and “post-mortem” findings

A interrupção voluntária da gravidez (IVG) é uma situação de elevada complexidade a vários níveis, implicando um diagnóstico pré-natal preciso e uma corroboração post-mortem do mesmo, com eventual acréscimo de informação que contribua para um adequado aconselhamento genético aos casais. Os autores pretenderam avaliar a qualidade de diagnóstico pré-natal efectuado no seu centro, estudando a população submetida a IVG, nomeadamente identificando as suas indicações/causas e avaliando os exames feto-patológicos para estabelecer uma concordância entre os achados pré-natal e post-mortem. Foram analisados retrospectivamente 84 casos, no período de Janeiro de 2012 a Junho de 2016. A idade média materna foi de 32 anos, sendo maior no grupo das IVG’s por cromossomopatias, com significado estatístico. A mediana da idade gestacional na IVG foi de 18 semanas, sendo que apenas 5% se realizaram após as 24 semanas. A distribuição das causas de IVG foi feita por 4 grupos: cromossomopatias 47,5%, malformações fetais 35,5%, outras causas fetais 12% e causas maternas 6%. Foi estabelecida uma concordância entre os achados pré-natais e os post-mortem no grupo das malformações fetais e outras causas fetais de 66%. Estes resultados estão de acordo com publicações nesta área, corroborando a importância da complementaridade dos achados ecográficos pré-natais com a avaliação minuciosa anatomo-patológica, nomeadamente nas situações de malformações fetais não associadas a cromossomopatia, de modo a obter diagnósticos mais precisos e melhor aconselhamento genético.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Current State of Canine Heartworm in Portugal

The favourable geo-climatic conditions in Portugal have made it highly conducive to the development of Dirofilaria immitis in dogs, leading to its identification as an endemic region. This nematode is rapidly spreading across Europe, particularly in northeastern countries. The objective of this study was to provide an updated assessment of the prevalence of this disease in Portuguese dogs, analysing the results in relation to epidemiological and geo-environmental factors, and to identify potential risk factors. A total of 1367 dogs from all continental and insular districts were included in the study and tested for D. immitis antigens. The overall prevalence was found to be 5.9%. It was observed that the disease is spreading northward, with previously unaffected districts now reporting cases, and that the prevalence in coastal districts exceeded that of inland ones. Notably, the Aveiro district exhibited a significant increase in D. immitis prevalence, while in certain districts such as Setúbal, Santarém, Madeira, or Faro, a stabilisation or decrease in prevalence was noted. Furthermore, outdoor and older dogs were found to be at a higher risk of infection. No positive cases were detected in the Azores. Most of the infected dogs were located in areas of high and medium risk of infection. This study underscores the importance of implementing pharmacological prophylaxis, vector control strategies, and public awareness programs to control the spread of this zoonotic disease. © 2024 by the authors.The presented study was supported by ELANCO SPAIN S.L (CN-240/030/162). J.I.M. was supported by the “Grants for the financing of predoctoral contracts” programme of the Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (PIFULPGC-2017-CCSALUD-3). I.R.-E. was supported by the University of Salamanca-Banco Santander predoctoral scholarship. A.P.F.-S. and A.C.S.-F. were supported by the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia through grants UIDB/04308/2020 and UIDB/00772/2020 (doi:10.54499/UIDB/00772/2020), respectively

Liposomes as a model for the biological membrane : studies on daunorubicin bilayer interaction

In this study the interaction of the antitumoral drug daunorubicin with egg phosphatidylcholine (EPC) liposomes, used as a cell membrane model, was quantified by determination of the partition coefficient (Kp). The liposome/aqueous-phase Kp of daunorubicin was determined by derivative spectrophotometry and measurement of the zeta-potential. Mathematical models were used to fit the experimental data, enabling determination of Kp. In the partition of daunorubicin within the membrane both superficial electrostatic and inner hydrophobic interactions seem to be involved. The results are affected by the two types of interaction since spectrophotometry measures mainly hydrophobic interactions, while zeta-potential is affected by both interpenetration of amphiphilic charged molecules in the bilayer and superficial electrostatic interaction. Moreover, the degree of the partition of daunorubicin with the membrane changes with the drug concentration, due mainly to saturation factors. Derivative spectrophotometry and zeta-potential variation results, together with the broad range of concentrations studied, revealed the different types of interactions involved. The mathematical formalism applied also allowed quantification of the number of lipid molecules associated with one drug molecule