Prognostic Value of VEGF in Patients Submitted to Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

The authors gratefully acknowledge the assistance of the staff of Servico de Cardiologia, Hospital de Santa Marta, and Ms. Rute Pinheiro for the help with laboratory work. The study was financially supported by Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia, PIC/IC/82734/2007 Contract and SFRM/BPD/6308/2009 Grant, and by Liga dos Amigos do Hospital de Santa Marta.We examined the longitudinal changes of VEGF levels after percutaneous coronary intervention for predicting major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients. VEGF was measured in 94 CAD patients' serum before revascularization, 1-month and 1-year after. Independently of clinical presentation, patients had lower VEGF concentration than a cohort of healthy subjects (median, IQ: 15.9, 9.0-264 pg/mL versus 419, 212-758 pg/mL; P < 0.001) at baseline. VEGF increased to 1-month (median, IQ: 276, 167-498 pg/mL; P < 0.001) and remained steady to 1-year (median, IQ: 320, 173-497 pg/mL; P < 0.001) approaching control levels. Drug eluting stent apposition and previous medication intake produced a less steep VEGF evolution after intervention (P < 0.05). Baseline VEGF concentration <40.8 pg/mL conveyed increased risk for MACE in a 5-year follow-up. Results reflect a positive role of VEGF in recovery and support its importance in CAD prognosis.publishersversionpublishe

Oficina de Controle de Ansiedade e Enfrentamento do Estresse com Universitários

College is a context in which anxiety and stressful factors may be present. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the levels of stress and anxiety before and after the participation of university students in anxiety control and stress coping workshops. The proposal of the workshops, outlined from the principles of the analytical-behavioral clinic, counted on 8 sessions, each lasting 2 hours. After giving their written consent, the 11 participating university students (mostly young people, in their first university course) filled in the 1st session of data collection: 1) Questionnaire of sociodemographic data; 2) Inventory of Stress Symptoms for Adults (ISSL); and 3) Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI). After the participation in the workshops, the 2nd session of data collection was carried out, with ISSL and BAI application and a user satisfaction questionnaire. The results showed that 90.9% of the participants presented stress in the 1st evaluation, all in the resistance phase, and this percentage was reduced to 72.7% in the 2nd evaluation; 72.75% of the participants presented anxiety in both the 1st and 2nd evaluation, although with reduction of anxiety severity for some participants in the 2nd evaluation. The workshops were positively evaluated due to the selfknowledge and self-control developed, as well as the social support received by the participants. It discusses the implications of the results for the provision of interventions aimed at the management and self-regulation of emotions in the university population.La enseñanza superior es un contexto en el cual factores ansiogénicos y estresores pueden estar presentes. Este estudio objetivó evaluar los niveles de estrés y ansiedad antes y después de la participación de universitarios en talleres de control de ansiedad y enfrentamiento del estrés. La propuesta, delineada a partir de los principios de la clínica analítico-conductual, contó con 8 sesiones, con 2 horas de duración cada una. Después de dar su consentimiento por escrito, los 11 universitarios participantes (en su mayoría jóvenes, en su primer curso superior) llenaron, en la 1 a sesión de recolección de datos: 1) Cuestionario de datos sociodemográficos; 2) Inventario de Síntomas de Estrés para Adultos (ISSL); y 3) Inventario de Ansiedad de Beck (BAI). Después de la participación en los talleres, se realizó la 2 a sesión de recolección de datos, con aplicación del ISSL y del BAI y de un cuestionario de satisfacción del usuario. Los resultados evidenciaron que el 90,9% de los participantes presentaron estrés en la 1 a evaluación, todos en la fase de resistencia, siendo que ese porcentaje se redujo al 72,7% en la 2 a evaluación; el 72,75% presentaron ansiedad tanto en la 1 a y en la 2 a evaluación, aunque con reducción de la gravedad de la ansiedad para algunos participantes. Los talleres fueron positivamente evaluados en función del autoconocimiento y autocontrol desarrollados, así como por el apoyo social recibido. Se discuten las implicaciones de los resultados para la oferta de intervenciones dirigidas al manejo y autorregulación de las emociones en la población universitaria.O ensino superior é contexto no qual fatores ansiogênicos e estressores podem estar presentes. Assim, este estudo objetivou avaliar os níveis de estresse e de ansiedade antes e após a participação de universitários em oficinas de controle de ansiedade e de enfrentamento do estresse. A proposta das oficinas, delineada a partir dos princípios da clínica analítico-comportamental, contou com 8 sessões, com 2 horas de duração cada. Após darem seu consentimento por escrito, os 11 universitários participantes (em sua maioria jovens, em seu primeiro curso superior) preencheram, na 1a sessão de coleta de dados: 1) Questionário de dados sociodemográficos; 2) Inventário de Sintomas de Stress para Adultos (ISSL); e 3) Inventário de Ansiedade de Beck (BAI). Após a participação nas oficinas, foi realizada a 2a sessão de coleta de dados, com aplicação do ISSL e do BAI e de um questionário de satisfação do usuário. Os resultados evidenciaram que 90,9% dos participantes apresentaram estresse na 1a avaliação, todos na fase de resistência, sendo que esse percentual foi reduzido para 72,7% na 2a avaliação; 72,75% dos participantes apresentaram ansiedade tanto na 1a quanto na 2a avaliação, embora com redução da gravidade da ansiedade para alguns participantes. As oficinas foram positivamente avaliadas em função do autoconhecimento e autocontrole desenvolvidos, bem como pelo apoio social recebido pelos participantes. Discute-se as implicações dos resultados para a oferta de intervenções voltadas ao manejo e autorregulação das emoções na população universitária

Tiragem molecular de pseudomonas aeruginosa pelo Sistema DiversiLab

The isolation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the blood of a newborn, as well as in the water of two incubators of UCIN of Oporto Hospitalar Centre, triggered the need to clarify the existence of an outbreak. Molecular typing of the three isolates was performed by Diversilab system, bioMérieux, which revealed a high degree of similarity in genomic profiles. The timely response allowed intervention measures to prevent the spread of these infections. &nbsp;O isolamento de Pseudomonas aeruginosa na hemocultura de um recém-nascido, bem como na água de duas das incubadoras da UCIN do Centro Hospitalar do Porto, despoletou a necessidade de esclarecer a existência de um surto. Foi efectuada a tipagem molecular dos três isolados pelo sistema Diversilab, bioMérieux, que revelou elevado grau de similaridade nos perfis genómicos. A resposta atempada permitiu implementar medidas para evitar a disseminação destas infecções

Avaliação do Polimorfismo de Deleção de GSTM1 na Susceptibilidade ao Diabetes Mellitus Tipo 2

Resumo: no diabetes mellitus tipo 2, há evidências de que a ausência de uma ou mais formas de GST estejam associadas à diminuição da produção de insulina e disfunção das células â?? de Langerhans. Este estudo caso-controle visou analisar a associação entre o polimorfismo de deleção dos genes GSTM1 e GSTT1 com a susceptibilidade a DM2. A análise do perfil genotípico de 120 pacientes e 147 controles permitiu inferir que não há associação da deleção de GSTM1 com a susceptibilidade a DM2, porém a deleção de GSTT1 pode levar a um risco aumentado para o desenvolvimento da doença na população analisada. Palavras-chave: Diabetes mellitus. Susceptibilidade genética. Polimorfismo. GSTM1 e GSTT1

Antimicrobial activity of calcium hydroxide and chlorhexidine on intratubular Candida albicans

This study investigated the efficacy of calcium hydroxide and chlorhexidine gel for the elimination of intratubular Candida albicans (C. albicans). Human single-rooted teeth contaminated with C. albicans were treated with calcium hydroxide, 2% chlorhexidine gel, calcium hydroxide plus 2% chlorhexidine gel, or saline (0.9% sodium chloride) as a positive control. The samples obtained at depths of 0–100 and 100–200 µm from the root canal system were analyzed for C. albicans load by counting the number of colony forming units and for the percentage of viable C. albicans using fluorescence microscopy. First, the antimicrobial activity of calcium hydroxide and the 2% chlorhexidine gel was evaluated by counting the number of colony forming units. After 14 days of intracanal medication, there was a significant decrease in the number of C. albicans colony forming units at a depth of 0–100 µm with chlorhexidine treatment either with or without calcium hydroxide compared with the calcium hydroxide only treatment. However, there were no differences in the number of colony forming units at the 100–200 µm depth for any of the medications investigated. C. albicans viability was also evaluated by vital staining techniques and fluorescence microscopy analysis. Antifungal activity against C. albicans significantly increased at both depths in the chlorhexidine groups with and without calcium hydroxide compared with the groups treated with calcium hydroxide only. Treatments with only chlorhexidine or chlorhexidine in combination with calcium hydroxide were effective for elimination of C. albicansFAPESP 2007/00306-1FAPESP 2007/003061CAPESCAPE

Inflammatory events during murine squamous cell carcinoma development

Background: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is one of the most common human cancers worldwide. In SCC, tumour development is accompanied by an immune response that leads to massive tumour infiltration by inflammatory cells, and consequently, local and systemic production of cytokines, chemokines and other mediators. Studies in both humans and animal models indicate that imbalances in these inflammatory mediators are associated with cancer development. Methods: We used a multistage model of SCC to examine the involvement of elastase (ELA), myeloperoxidase (MPO), nitric oxide (NO), cytokines (IL-6, IL-10, IL-13, IL-17, TGF-β and TNF-α), and neutrophils and macrophages in tumour development. ELA and MPO activity and NO, IL-10, IL −17, TNF-α and TGF-β levels were increased in the precancerous microenvironment. Results: ELA and MPO activity and NO, IL-10, IL −17, TNF-α and TGF-β levels were increased in the precancerous microenvironment. Significantly higher levels of IL-6 and lower levels of IL-10 were detected at 4 weeks following 7,12-Dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) treatment. Similar levels of IL-13 were detected in the precancerous microenvironment compared with control tissue. We identified significant increases in the number of GR-1+ neutrophils and F4/80+/GR-1- infiltrating cells in tissues at 4 and 8 weeks following treatment and a higher percentage of tumour-associated macrophages (TAM) expressing both GR-1 and F4/80, an activated phenotype, at 16 weeks. We found a significant correlation between levels of IL-10, IL-17, ELA, and activated TAMs and the lesions. Additionally, neutrophil infiltrate was positively correlated with MPO and NO levels in the lesions. Conclusion: Our results indicate an imbalance of inflammatory mediators in precancerous SCC caused by neutrophils and macrophages and culminating in pro-tumour local tissue alterations.FAPESP [2011/03195-1; 2006/01617-8; 2009/14127-7; 2009/03471-9]Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq

Brazilian adults’ attitudes and practices regarding the mandatory COVID-19 vaccination and their hesitancy towards childhood vaccination

Background: This study investigated the attitudes and practices of Brazilian adults regarding the mandatory COVID-19 vaccination and their hesitancy towards the vaccination of children. Methods: Between March and May 2022, Brazilian adults answered an online questionnaire distributed through social media. The SAGE-WG questionnaire was adapted to measure hesitancy to the vaccination of children. Results: Of the 1007 participants, 67.4% believed that adult COVID-19 vaccination should be mandatory. Just over half of the participants (51.5%) believed that parents and/or guardians should decide if their children should be vaccinated against COVID-19 or not and 9.1% were unsure. Individuals who were younger, non-religious and had higher awareness of COVID-19 risks and critics of the federal government’s performance in combating the pandemic were more likely to agree with mandatory adult vaccination. However, less agreement among parents and/or guardians concerning children’s vaccination was observed, with lower scores for hesitancy to the vaccination of children. Conclusion: In Brazil, there is still far from a consensus on mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for adults and a significant proportion of the population believes that parents and/or guardians should be free to decide on their children’s vaccination. These views are associated with age, religion, knowledge of COVID-19 risks and political inclination

SARS-CoV-2 introductions and early dynamics of the epidemic in Portugal

Genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in Portugal was rapidly implemented by the National Institute of Health in the early stages of the COVID-19 epidemic, in collaboration with more than 50 laboratories distributed nationwide. Methods By applying recent phylodynamic models that allow integration of individual-based travel history, we reconstructed and characterized the spatio-temporal dynamics of SARSCoV-2 introductions and early dissemination in Portugal. Results We detected at least 277 independent SARS-CoV-2 introductions, mostly from European countries (namely the United Kingdom, Spain, France, Italy, and Switzerland), which were consistent with the countries with the highest connectivity with Portugal. Although most introductions were estimated to have occurred during early March 2020, it is likely that SARS-CoV-2 was silently circulating in Portugal throughout February, before the first cases were confirmed. Conclusions Here we conclude that the earlier implementation of measures could have minimized the number of introductions and subsequent virus expansion in Portugal. This study lays the foundation for genomic epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in Portugal, and highlights the need for systematic and geographically-representative genomic surveillance.We gratefully acknowledge to Sara Hill and Nuno Faria (University of Oxford) and Joshua Quick and Nick Loman (University of Birmingham) for kindly providing us with the initial sets of Artic Network primers for NGS; Rafael Mamede (MRamirez team, IMM, Lisbon) for developing and sharing a bioinformatics script for sequence curation (https://github.com/rfm-targa/BioinfUtils); Philippe Lemey (KU Leuven) for providing guidance on the implementation of the phylodynamic models; Joshua L. Cherry (National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health) for providing guidance with the subsampling strategies; and all authors, originating and submitting laboratories who have contributed genome data on GISAID (https://www.gisaid.org/) on which part of this research is based. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not reflect the view of the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Health and Human Services, or the United States government. This study is co-funded by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia and Agência de Investigação Clínica e Inovação Biomédica (234_596874175) on behalf of the Research 4 COVID-19 call. Some infrastructural resources used in this study come from the GenomePT project (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-022184), supported by COMPETE 2020 - Operational Programme for Competitiveness and Internationalisation (POCI), Lisboa Portugal Regional Operational Programme (Lisboa2020), Algarve Portugal Regional Operational Programme (CRESC Algarve2020), under the PORTUGAL 2020 Partnership Agreement, through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio