Iguais ou diferentes? Cuidados de saúde materno-infantil a uma população de imigrantes

Os concelhos de Amadora e Sintra constituem um território de fortes características de identidade na Área Metropolitana de Lisboa que resultam, entre outros aspectos, da elevada densidade populacional (sobretudo Amadora), do marcado crescimento na última década (sobr etudo Sintra, onde a população residente aumentou cerca de 40% entre 1991 e 2001) e, principalmente, da sua diversidade social, cultural e étnica. D e facto, a proporção de imigrantes nestes concelhos atinge um dos v alores mais elevados do país. A equidade na pr estação de cuidados tem sido demonstrada como factor de r edução das disparidades na saúde que determina a morbilidade e a mortalidade decorrentes da assimetria das populações. Na Unidade de Saúde D (Hospital Fernando Fonseca e 9 Centr os de Saúde da Amadora e Sintra), não tinha ainda sido desenvolvida uma investigação científica estruturada sobre os níveis de saúde e o acesso e utilização dos serviços e que sustentem políticas ajustadas às vulnerabilidades deste grupo. Este conhecimento possibilita a reorganização dos serviços de cuidados de saúde e é fundamental para (r e)pensar processos de planeamento e modelos de inter venção que culminem numa integração de sucesso para o século XXI.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Purification and characterization of an extracellular xylanase produced by the endophytic fungus, Aspergillus terreus, grown in submerged fermentation

Aspergillus terreus produced high levels of a thermotolerant extracellular xylanase and showed low cellulase activity when cultured at 30°C for 48 h, in liquid medium supplemented with wheat bran as carbon source. Xylanase was purified 45-fold to homogeneity with a recovery yield of 67% by carboxymethyl (CM)-cellulose chromatography. The enzyme, a glycoprotein with 33% of carbohydrate content, appeared as a single protein band on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) gel with a molecular mass corresponding to 23 kDa. Optimal temperature and pH were 55°C and 4.5, respectively. The enzyme was thermotolerant at 45 and 50°C, with a half-life of 55 and 36 min, respectively. The Km was calculated as 22 mg/ml and Vmax as 625 mg/ml of protein using birchwood xylan as substrate. Metal ions, such as Ag+, Cu+2, Fe+2, Hg+ and Zn+2 strongly inhibited xylanase, whereas K+ and Mn+2 resulted in activation. Xylanase hydrolyzed birchwood xylan and oatspelt xylan, mostly yielding xylooligosaccharides, suggest that it is an endoxylanase (EC. 3.2.1.37).Keywords: Aspergillus terreus, endoxylanase, thermostabilit

Employing defined bioconjugates to generate chemically functionalised gold nanoparticles for in vitro diagnostic applications

Novel methods for introducing chemical and biological functionality to the surface of gold nanoparticles serve to increase the utility of this class of nanomaterials across a range of applications. To date, methods for functionalising gold surfaces have relied upon uncontrollable non-specific adsorption, bespoke chemical linkers, or non-generalisable protein–protein interactions. Herein we report a versatile method for introducing functionality to gold nanoparticles by exploiting the strong interaction between chemically functionalised bovine serum albumin (f-BSA) and citrate-capped gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). We establish the generalisability of the method by introducing a variety of functionalities to gold nanoparticles using cheap, commercially available chemical linkers. The utility of this approach is further demonstrated through the conjugation of the monoclonal antibody Ontruzant to f-BSA–AuNPs using inverse electron-demand Diels–Alder (iEDDA) click chemistry, a hitherto unexplored chemistry for AuNP–IgG conjugation. Finally, we show that the AuNP–Ontruzant particles generated via f-BSA–AuNPs have a greater affinity for their target in a lateral flow format when compared to conventional physisorption, highlighting the potential of this technology for producing sensitive diagnostic tests

Effects of a 10 km race on physiological and immunological responses

Introduction: The number of 10 km running races has been increasing in Brazil and the number of finishers almost triplicated in the last decade. However, there is limited amount of data showing the relationship between this event and the immune system response. Aim: Investigate the effects of a 10 km running race on physiological and immunological response in healthy well trained male volunteers. Methods: Fourteen male participants (32,21 ± 10,24 years old, 78,80 ± 9,30 kg) took part in this study. Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), visual analog scale (VAS), heart rate (HR) and blood samples were taken before, immediately and 24 hours after the race. Lactate, glucose, creatine kinase (CK) and C-reactive protein (CRP), as well as leukocyte number and subpopulation of T cell (CD4+ and CD8+) were analyzed. Results: Participants completed this race in 49,85 ± 7,04 min. There was a significant increase post-race compared to pre-race for HR (67 ± 9 to 159 ± 21 bpm), RPE (6 ± 0 to 15 ± 2) and lactate (3.6 to 6.6 mmol/dL). Glucose levels did not present any significant changes. CK level did not change immediately after the race, but was higher (131,21 ± 62,50 to 286,85 ± 234,35 U/L ) at the 24 h post-race time point. CRP was lower at 24 h (8,37 ± 2,23 to 4,50 ± 2,28 mg/dL). VAS values changed from 0 (before) to 5,64 ± 2,20 (immediately after) to 2,21 ± 2,86 (24 hours). The number of circulating leukocyte (5,83 ± 0,89 to 9,15 ± 1,77 103/µL), neutrophil (2,96 ± 0,49 to 4,34 ± 0,73 103/µL), lymphocyte (2,21 ± 0,57 to 3,92 ± 1,27 103/µL), monocyte (0,46 ± 0,10 to 0,64 ± 0,23 103/µL) and basophil (0,05 ± 0,02 to 0,09 ± 0,03 103/µL) increased significantly immediately after the race, returning to the basal level in 24 h. There was no difference in circulating eosinophils number. The absolute number of CD4+ (828,5 ± 215,8 to 1063,2 ± 235,3 cell/µL) and CD8+ (766,92 ± 347,79 to 1470,30 ± 782,90 cell/µL) also increased immediately after the race returning to basal in 24 h. Significant reduction of the CD4+/CD8+ lymphocyte subpopulation ratio (1,21 ± 0,45 to 0,85 ± 0,33 cell/µL) was observed post-race returning to basal level at 24 h post-race. Results are presented as mean ± SD. (p\u3c0,0001). Conclusion: These results suggest that a 10 km running race is an intense physical activity and induces physiological changes. In addition, intense running provokes a significantly, although transient, modulation of the immune system, specifically of leukocyte sub-population

Efeitos antiangiogênicos in vivo convalidam a atividade antineoplásica potencial do metiljasmonato

Molecular plant components have long been aimed at the angiogenesis and anti-angiogenesis pathways, and have been tested as sources for antineoplasic drugs with promising success. The present work deals with the anti-angiogenic effects of Methyl Jasmonate. Jasmonate derivatives were demonstrated to selectively damage the mitochondria of cancer cells. In vitro, 1-10 mM Methyl Jasmonate induced the cell death of the human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and the Murine melanoma cells (B16F10), while micromolar concentrations were ineffective. In vivo, comparable concentrations were toxic and reduced the vessel density of the Chorioallantoic Membrane of the Chicken Embryo (CAM). However, 1-10 µM concentrations produced a complex effect. There was increased capillary budding, but the new vessels were leakier and less organised than corresponding controls. It is suggested that not only direct toxicity, but also the drug effects upon angiogenesis are relevant to the antineoplasic effects of Methyl Jasmonate.Moléculas de origem vegetal são, há muito, conhecidas como substâncias ativas sobre as vias de angiogênese e antiangiogênese e foram testadas como fonte de drogas antineoplásicas com sucesso promissor. Este trabalho trata dos efeitos antiangiogênicos do Metiljasmonato, um protótipo da família dos derivados do ácido jasmônico, que danificam seletivamente a mitocôndria de células neoplásicas. In vitro, metiljasmonato 1-10 mM promoveu a morte celular de células endoteliais humanas de cordão umbilical (HUVEC) e de melanoma murino (B16F10); concentrações micromolares foram inócuas. In vivo, concentrações equivalentes foram tóxicas e reduziram a densidade de vasos em membranas corioalantoicas de embrião de galinha (CAM). Entretanto, concentrações entre 1-10 µM produziram um efeito complexo. Ocorreu aumento no brotamento capilar, mas os novos vasos apresentaram-se frágeis e menos organizados que os controles correspondentes. Sugere-se que, além da toxicidade direta contra as células tumorais, a ação do metiljasmonato sobre a angiogênese seja relevante para seu efeito antineoplásico

Stepped light-induced transient measurements of photocurrent and voltage in dye-sensitized solar cells based on ZnO and ZnO:Ga

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)In order to explain the higher short-circuit current (J(sc)) with comparable open-circuit voltage (V-oc) from dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) based on gallium-modified ZnO (ZnO:Ga) porous electrodes, the diffusion coefficient (D) and electron lifetime (tau) in DSCs with and without Ga-modified ZnO were studied by stepped light-induced transient measurements of photocurrent and voltage. In comparison to DSCs based on ZnO electrodes, the ZnO:Ga-based solar cells provided lower D and higher tau values. The results were interpreted according to the transport-limited recombination model, where the Ga modification induced a higher density of intraband charge traps. At matched electron densities, a decrease in V-oc from DSCs based on ZnO:Ga was observed, suggesting a positive shift of the ZnO:Ga conduction band edge. The higher J(sc) can be explained by the positive shift of the ZnO:Ga conduction band edge in addition to the increased roughness factor of the electrode due to the Ga modification. (C) 2009 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3226073]1066Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)RenamiConselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP

Multiplex cytokine profile from dengue patients: MIP-1beta and IFN-gamma as predictive factors for severity

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Dengue virus pathogenesis is not yet fully understood and the identification of patients at high risk for developing severe disease forms is still a great challenge in dengue patient care. During the present study, we evaluated prospectively the potential of cytokines present in plasma from patients with dengue in stratifying disease severity.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Seventeen-cytokine multiplex fluorescent microbead immunoassay was used for the simultaneous detection in 59 dengue patients. GLM models using bimodal or Gaussian family were determined in order to associate cytokines with clinical manifestations and laboratory diagnosis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>IL-1β, IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-6, IL-13, IL-7 and GM-CSF were significantly increased in patients with severe clinical manifestations (severe dengue) when compared to mild disease forms (mild dengue). In contrast, increased MIP-1β levels were observed in patients with mild dengue. MIP-1β was also associated with CD56+NK cell circulating rates. IL-1β, IL-8, TNF-α and MCP-1 were associated with marked thrombocytopenia. Increased MCP-1 and GM-CSF levels correlated with hypotension. Moreover, MIP-1β and IFN-γ were independently associated with both dengue severity and disease outcome.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our data demonstrated that the use of a multiple cytokine assay platform was suitable for identifying distinct cytokine profiles associated with the dengue clinical manifestations and severity. MIP-β is indicated for the first time as a good prognostic marker in contrast to IFN-γ that was associated with disease severity.</p

Prenatal ultrasound and postmortem histologic evaluation of tooth germs: an observational, transversal study

Introduction: Hypodontia is the most frequent developmental anomaly of the orofacial complex, and its detection in prenatal ultrasound may indicate the presence of congenital malformations, genetic syndromes and chromosomal abnormalities.To date, only a few studies have evaluated the histological relationship of human tooth germs identified by two-dimensional (2D) ultrasonography. In order to analyze whether two-dimensional ultrasonography of tooth germs may be successfully used for identifying genetic syndromes, prenatal ultrasound images of fetal tooth germs obtained from a Portuguese population sample were compared with histological images obtained from fetal autopsies.Methods: Observational, descriptive, transversal study. The study protocol followed the ethical principles outlined by the Helsinki Declaration and was approved by the Ethics Committee of the School of Dental Medicine, University of Porto (FMDUP, Porto, Portugal) and of the Centro Hospitalar de Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho (CHVNG/EPE, Porto, Portugal) as well as by the CGC Genetics Embryofetal Pathology Laboratory. Eighty-five fetuses examined by prenatal ultrasound screening from May 2011 to August 2012 had an indication for autopsy following spontaneous fetal death or medical termination of pregnancy. Of the 85 fetuses, 37 (43.5%) were randomly selected for tooth germ evaluation by routine histopathological analysis. Fetuses who were up to 30 weeks of gestation, and whose histological pieces were not representative of all maxillary tooth germs was excluded. Twenty four fetus between the 13th and 30th weeks of gestation fulfilled the parameters to autopsy.Results: Twenty four fetuses were submitted to histological evaluation and were determined the exact number, morphology, and mineralization of their tooth germs. All tooth germs were identifiable with ultrasonography as early as the 13th week of gestation. Of the fetuses autopsied, 41.7% had hypodontia (29.1% maxillary hypodontia and 20.9% mandibular hypodontia).Conclusions: This results indicateinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Inequities in access to mammographic screening in Brazil

Our objectives with this study were to describe the spatial distribution of mammographic screening coverage across small geographical areas (micro-regions) in Brazil, and to analyze whether the observed differences were associated with spatial inequities in socioeconomic conditions, provision of health care, and healthcare services utilization. We performed an area-based ecological study on mammographic screening coverage in the period of 2010-2011 regarding socioeconomic and healthcare variables. The units of analysis were the 438 health micro-regions in Brazil. Spatial regression models were used to study these relationships. There was marked variability in mammographic coverage across micro-regions (median = 21.6%; interquartile range: 8.1%-37.9%). Multivariable analyses identified high household income inequality, low number of radiologists/100,000 inhabitants, low number of mammography machines/10,000 inhabitants, and low number of mammograms performed by each machine as independent correlates of poor mammographic coverage at the micro-region level. There was evidence of strong spatial dependence of these associations, with changes in one micro-region affecting neighboring micro-regions, and also of geographical heterogeneities. There were substantial inequities in access to mammographic screening across micro-regions in Brazil, in 2010-2011, with coverage being higher in those with smaller wealth inequities and better access to health care