Disclosing Hypoalbuminemia: A Lupus Protein-Losing Enteropathy (Lupple) Report

A enteropatia perdedora de proteínas (EPP) caracteriza-se pela presença de edema generalizado e hipoalbuminemia grave, secundários à perda proteica através do trato gastrointestinal. Os autores reportam um caso de enteropatia perdedora de proteínas secundária a lupus eritematoso sistémico (LES), como a manifestação inicial desta doença. A doente relatava um quadro pautado por 4 meses de diarreia aquosa, não sanguinolenta, (com um máximo de 10 dejeções diárias), e perda ponderal significativa. Posteriormente desenvolveu marcado edema periférico e rash cutâneo malar e maculopapular ao nível do tórax e membros. Analiticamente apresentava anemia, hipoalbuminemia grave, hipocaliémia e hipomagnesémia. No decurso da investigação foram excluídas proteinúria e outras causas de hipoalbuminemia. Após resultados como a pesquisa de anticorpos anti-nucleares e anti-ribonucleoproteinas positiva foi assumido o diagnóstico de EPP secundária ao LES. A doente foi tratada com pulsos de Metilprednisolona 1000 mg/dia durante 3 dias, seguido de prednisolona 1 mg/kg/dia, com boa resposta clínica. Após 20 dias, foi adicionada Azatioprina e iniciado o desmame de corticoides. O presente caso clínico destaca uma EPP como forma de apresentação do LES, cujo diagnóstico pode passar despercebido, tendo em conta a sua raridade, e acarretar um aumento da morbilidade e mortalidade.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The Suitability for Organic Cattle Beef Production of Mixed Farming Systems in the Highlands of North East Portugal

The EC Reg. 1804/99 takes account of animal production in organic farming. However, these specifications may limit implementation and expansion of organic animal production, due to environmental and system constraints. Mixed farming, as defined by Spedding (1988) and Grigg (1996), is commonly practiced in the NE highlands of Portugal. Two farms were studied in this region in order to evaluate their suitability for organic cattle beef production, taking account of the technical specifications of the EC regulation

Actividades realizadas pelo CCPA no decorrer da XII Expedição Científica do Departamento de Biologia - Pico/2005

XII Expedição Científica do Departamento de Biologia - Pico 2005.O Centro de Conservação e Protecção do Ambiente (CCPA) do Departamento de Biologia (DB) promove acções de Educação Ambiental junto das populações. Neste âmbito, a nossa deslocação à ilha do Pico teve como principal objectivo realizar acções de sensibilização e promoção da melhoria do estado de conservação do meio ambiente. As nossas acções tiveram como público-alvo sobretudo crianças e jovens, e como tal pretendeu-se que as mesmas tivessem lugar na Ecoteca do Pico e nas Escolas Básicas e Secundárias locais

Building a Portuguese Coalition for Biodiversity Genomics

The diverse physiography of the Portuguese land and marine territory, spanning from continental Europe to the Atlantic archipelagos, has made it an important repository of biodiversity throughout the Pleistocene glacial cycles, leading to a remarkable diversity of species and ecosystems. This rich biodiversity is under threat from anthropogenic drivers, such as climate change, invasive species, land use changes, overexploitation or pathogen (re)emergence. The inventory, characterization and study of biodiversity at inter- and intra-specific levels using genomics is crucial to promote its preservation and recovery by informing biodiversity conservation policies, management measures and research. The participation of researchers from Portuguese institutions in the European Reference Genome Atlas (ERGA) initiative, and its pilot effort to generate reference genomes for European biodiversity, has reinforced the establishment of Biogenome Portugal. This nascent institutional network will connect the national community of researchers in genomics. Here, we describe the Portuguese contribution to ERGA’s pilot effort, which will generate high-quality reference genomes of six species from Portugal that are endemic, iconic and/or endangered, and include plants, insects and vertebrates (fish, birds and mammals) from mainland Portugal or the Azores islands. In addition, we outline the objectives of Biogenome Portugal, which aims to (i) promote scientific collaboration, (ii) contribute to advanced training, (iii) stimulate the participation of institutions and researchers based in Portugal in international biodiversity genomics initiatives, and (iv) contribute to the transfer of knowledge to stakeholders and engaging the public to preserve biodiversity. This initiative will strengthen biodiversity genomics research in Portugal and fuel the genomic inventory of Portuguese eukaryotic species. Such efforts will be critical to the conservation of the country’s rich biodiversity and will contribute to ERGA’s goal of generating reference genomes for European species.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The European Reference Genome Atlas: piloting a decentralised approach to equitable biodiversity genomics.

ABSTRACT: A global genome database of all of Earth’s species diversity could be a treasure trove of scientific discoveries. However, regardless of the major advances in genome sequencing technologies, only a tiny fraction of species have genomic information available. To contribute to a more complete planetary genomic database, scientists and institutions across the world have united under the Earth BioGenome Project (EBP), which plans to sequence and assemble high-quality reference genomes for all ∼1.5 million recognized eukaryotic species through a stepwise phased approach. As the initiative transitions into Phase II, where 150,000 species are to be sequenced in just four years, worldwide participation in the project will be fundamental to success. As the European node of the EBP, the European Reference Genome Atlas (ERGA) seeks to implement a new decentralised, accessible, equitable and inclusive model for producing high-quality reference genomes, which will inform EBP as it scales. To embark on this mission, ERGA launched a Pilot Project to establish a network across Europe to develop and test the first infrastructure of its kind for the coordinated and distributed reference genome production on 98 European eukaryotic species from sample providers across 33 European countries. Here we outline the process and challenges faced during the development of a pilot infrastructure for the production of reference genome resources, and explore the effectiveness of this approach in terms of high-quality reference genome production, considering also equity and inclusion. The outcomes and lessons learned during this pilot provide a solid foundation for ERGA while offering key learnings to other transnational and national genomic resource projects.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A Dynamic Scheme to Assess Habitability of Exoplanets

In the next few years, the number of catalogued exoplanets will be counted in the thousands and with it the need will arise to prioritize them in regard to habitability and the potential presence of life. Here, we suggest a first attempt of a dynamic scheme for classification based on our current understanding of parameters that are consistent and beneficial for the presence of life. These parameters include the presence of (1) a terrestrial planet or moon, which (2) is endowed with a significant atmosphere; the presence of (3) a magnetic field enveloping the exoplanet; (4) internal differentiation and plate tectonics; (5) detectable surface liquids, preferably water, on the surface of the planetary body; and (6) the detection of geoindicators; and (7) bioindicators. We propose to calculate a habitability index (HI) based on these parameters, but realize the assumptions that go into this value and the very bias introduced by the limitations of the detection methods. However, in order to account for the assumptions and limitations of this method, the HI index is an open scheme that can be updated as technology and our knowledge about habitable planets advances

Safety and efficacy of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce ileus after colorectal surgery

Background: Ileus is common after elective colorectal surgery, and is associated with increased adverse events and prolonged hospital stay. The aim was to assess the role of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for reducing ileus after surgery. Methods: A prospective multicentre cohort study was delivered by an international, student- and trainee-led collaborative group. Adult patients undergoing elective colorectal resection between January and April 2018 were included. The primary outcome was time to gastrointestinal recovery, measured using a composite measure of bowel function and tolerance to oral intake. The impact of NSAIDs was explored using Cox regression analyses, including the results of a centre-specific survey of compliance to enhanced recovery principles. Secondary safety outcomes included anastomotic leak rate and acute kidney injury. Results: A total of 4164 patients were included, with a median age of 68 (i.q.r. 57\u201375) years (54\ub79 per cent men). Some 1153 (27\ub77 per cent) received NSAIDs on postoperative days 1\u20133, of whom 1061 (92\ub70 per cent) received non-selective cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors. After adjustment for baseline differences, the mean time to gastrointestinal recovery did not differ significantly between patients who received NSAIDs and those who did not (4\ub76 versus 4\ub78 days; hazard ratio 1\ub704, 95 per cent c.i. 0\ub796 to 1\ub712; P = 0\ub7360). There were no significant differences in anastomotic leak rate (5\ub74 versus 4\ub76 per cent; P = 0\ub7349) or acute kidney injury (14\ub73 versus 13\ub78 per cent; P = 0\ub7666) between the groups. Significantly fewer patients receiving NSAIDs required strong opioid analgesia (35\ub73 versus 56\ub77 per cent; P < 0\ub7001). Conclusion: NSAIDs did not reduce the time for gastrointestinal recovery after colorectal surgery, but they were safe and associated with reduced postoperative opioid requirement

Safety of hospital discharge before return of bowel function after elective colorectal surgery

Background: Ileus is common after colorectal surgery and is associated with an increased risk of postoperative complications. Identifying features of normal bowel recovery and the appropriateness for hospital discharge is challenging. This study explored the safety of hospital discharge before the return of bowel function. Methods: A prospective, multicentre cohort study was undertaken across an international collaborative network. Adult patients undergoing elective colorectal resection between January and April 2018 were included. The main outcome of interest was readmission to hospital within 30 days of surgery. The impact of discharge timing according to the return of bowel function was explored using multivariable regression analysis. Other outcomes were postoperative complications within 30 days of surgery, measured using the Clavien–Dindo classification system. Results: A total of 3288 patients were included in the analysis, of whom 301 (9·2 per cent) were discharged before the return of bowel function. The median duration of hospital stay for patients discharged before and after return of bowel function was 5 (i.q.r. 4–7) and 7 (6–8) days respectively (P < 0·001). There were no significant differences in rates of readmission between these groups (6·6 versus 8·0 per cent; P = 0·499), and this remained the case after multivariable adjustment for baseline differences (odds ratio 0·90, 95 per cent c.i. 0·55 to 1·46; P = 0·659). Rates of postoperative complications were also similar in those discharged before versus after return of bowel function (minor: 34·7 versus 39·5 per cent; major 3·3 versus 3·4 per cent; P = 0·110). Conclusion: Discharge before return of bowel function after elective colorectal surgery appears to be safe in appropriately selected patients