A quantitative proteomic approach to highlight Phragmites sp. adaptation mechanisms to chemical stress induced by a textile dyeing pollutant

Phragmites sp. is present worldwide in treatment wetlands though the mechanisms involved in the phytoremediation remain unclear. In this study a quantitative proteomic approach was used to study the prompt response and adaptation of Phragmites to the textile dyeing pollutant, Acid Orange 7 (AO7). Previously, it was demonstrated that AO7 could be successfully removed from wastewater and mineralized in a constructed wetland planted with Phragmites sp. This azo dye is readily taken up by roots and transported to the plant aerial part by the xylem. Phragmites leaf samples were collected from a pilot scale vertical flow constructed wetland after 0.25, 3.25 and 24.25h exposure to AO7 (400mgL-1) immediately after a watering cycle used as control. Leaf soluble protein extraction yielded an average of 1560 proteins in a broad pI range (pH3-10) by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. A time course comparative analysis of leaf proteome revealed that 40 proteins had a differential abundance compared to control (p<0.05) within a 3.25h period. After 24.25h in contact with AO7, leaf proteome was similar to control. Adaptation to AO7 involved proteins related with cellular signalling (calreticulin, Ras-related protein Rab11D and 20S proteasome), energy production and conversion (adenosine triphosphate synthase beta subunit) carbohydrate transport and metabolism (phosphoglucose isomerase, fructose-bisphosphate aldolase, monodehydroascorbate reductase, frutockinase-1 and Hypothetical protein POPTR_0003s12000g and the Uncharacterized protein LOC100272772) and photosynthesis (sedoheptulose-1,7-bisphosphatase and ferredoxin-NADP+ reductase). Therefore, the quantitative proteomic approach used in this work indicates that mechanisms associated with stress cell signalling, energy production, carbohydrate transport and metabolism as well as proteins related with photosynthesis are key players in the initial chemical stress response in the phytoremediation process of AO7

Consenso Português para a Identificação Precoce de Esclerose Múltipla Secundária Progressiva: Painel Delphi

Introduction: Multiple sclerosis is a disease with a heterogeneous evolution. The early identification of secondary progressive multiple sclerosis is a clinical challenge, which would benefit from the definition of biomarkers and diagnostic tools applicable in the transition phase from relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis to secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. We aimed to reach a Portuguese national consensus on the monitoring of patients with multiple sclerosis and on the more relevant clinical variables for the early identification of its progression. Material and methods: A Delphi panel which included eleven Portuguese Neurologists participated in two rounds of questions between July and August of 2021. In the first round, 39 questions which belonged to the functional, cognitive, imaging, biomarkers and additional evaluations were included. Questions for which no consensus was obtained in the first round (less than 80% of agreement), were appraised by the panel during the second round. Results: The response rate was 100% in both rounds and consensus was reached for a total of 33 questions (84.6%). Consensus was reached for monitoring time, evaluation scales and clinical variables such as the degree of brain atrophy and mobility reduction, changes suggestive of secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. Additionally, digital devices were considered tools with potential to identify disease progression. Most questions for which no consensus was obtained referred to the cognitive assessment and the remaining referred to both functional and imaging domains. Conclusion: Consensus was obtained for the determination of the monitorization interval and for most of the clinical variables. Most questions that did not reach consensus were related with the confirmation of progression taking into account only one test/domain, reinforcing the multifactorial nature of multiple sclerosis.Introdução: A esclerose múltipla é uma doença de evolução heterogénea. A identificação precoce da forma secundária progressiva é um desafio clínico, carecendo da definição de biomarcadores e ferramentas de diagnóstico aplicáveis na fase de transição da forma surto-remissão para a forma secundária progressiva. Este trabalho teve como objetivo estabelecer um consenso nacional português sobre a monitorização dos doentes e das variáveis clínicas mais relevantes para a identificação precoce da progressão da esclerose múltipla. Material e Métodos: Um painel Delphi constituído por 11 neurologistas portugueses respondeu a duas rondas de perguntas entre julho e agosto de 2021. Na primeira ronda foram incluídas 39 questões relacionadas com a avaliação funcional, cognitiva, imagiológica, de biomarcadores e outras, e na segunda, as questões para as quais não foi atingido consenso (menos de 80% de concordância) na primeira ronda voltaram a ser submetidas a avaliação pelo painel. Resultados: A taxa de resposta foi de 100% em ambas as rondas e 33 das 39 questões (84,6%) atingiram concordância. Foi atingido consenso relativamente ao tempo de monitorização dos doentes, às escalas de avaliação a empregar e a variáveis clínicas tais como o grau de atrofia cerebral ou redução da mobilidade, cuja alteração é sugestiva de esclerose múltipla secundária progressiva. Adicionalmente, os dispositivos digitais foram considerados ferramentas com potencial para identificar a progressão da doença. A maioria das questões para as quais não foi obtido consenso dizem respeito à avaliação cognitiva, estando as restantes inseridas nos domínios funcional e imagiológico. Conclusão: Foi obtido consenso para a determinação do intervalo de monitorização e para a maioria das variáveis clínicas. A maioria das questões sem consenso estavam relacionadas com a confirmação do diagnóstico de progressão tendo em conta apenas um teste/domínio, realçando a natureza multifatorial da esclerose múltipla.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

evolução do perfil, atividade e formação no setor público entre 1971 e 2019

Auxiliares de saúde são trabalhadores com funções de suporte a profissionais mais qualificados na prestação de cuidados. Constituem parte considerável e desconhe-cida dos recursos humanos da saúde em Portugal.Publicados em 2010, o perfil profissional e o referencial de formação de técnico auxiliar de saúde introduziram mudanças ainda por estudar. Integrado numa investigação sobre qualificação da força de trabalho da saúde numa perspetiva de análise de políticas, este estudo visa contribuir para a compreensão dos contextos nacional e internacional de definição e implementação destas medidas. Através de entrevistas e análise documental, procedeu-se à análise da evolução do perfil, atividade e formação dos auxiliares de saúde do setor público entre 1971 até 2019, um percurso de três etapas pontuadas por alterações na sua categoria profissional, designação e funções.Alinhado com as estratégias nacionais e europeias de qualificação, o perfil de técnico auxiliar de saúde, além de um descritivo de atividade claro, impulsionou uma oferta formativa de base até aí inexistente. Contrariamente ao verificado noutros países, não deu origem a mecanismos legais para regulação da atividade ou acesso ao mercado de trabalho, nem teve reflexos diretos no estatuto dos auxiliares do setor público. Healthcare assistants have a supporting role of more qualified professionals. They are a considerable and unknow part of the Portuguese health workforce. The professional profile and the Technical Healthcare Assistant course, published in 2010, brought changes that have not yet been studied. part of an investigation that analyses these policies, this study aims to contribute to the understanding of the national and international contexts of definition and implementation of these measures. Through interviews and documentary analysis, a description and analysis of the evolution of the profile, activity and training of Health Assistants in the public sector from 1971 to 2019 was carried out, a three-stage course punctuated by changes in their professional categories, designation and functions. Aligned with national and European qualification strategies, the profile of Health Assistant Technician, in addition to a clear activity description, boosted a basic training offer that did not exist until then. Contrary to what was seen in other countries, it did not give rise to legal mechanisms to regulate activity or access the labor market, nor did it have a direct impact on the status of healthcare assistants in the public sector.publishersversionpublishe

Late Onset Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders (LONMOSD) from a Nationwide Portuguese Study: Anti-AQP4 Positive, Anti-MOG Positive and Seronegative Subgroups

Introduction: Several neuroimmunological disorders have distinct phenotypes according to the age of onset, as in multiple sclerosis or myasthenia gravis. It is also described that late onset NMOSD (LONMOSD) has a different phenotype. Objective: To describe the clinical/demographic characteristics of the LONMOSD and distinguish them from those with early onset (EONMOSD). Methods: From a nationwide Portuguese NMOSD study we analyzed the clinical/demographic characteristics of the LONMOSD. Results: From the 180 Portuguese patients 45 had disease onset after 50 years old, 80% were female. 23 had anti-AQP4 antibodies (51.1%), 13 anti-MOG antibodies (28.9%) and 9 were double seronegative (20.0%). The most common presenting phenotypes in LONMOSD were transverse myelitis (53.3%) and optic neuritis (26.7%), without difference from EONMOSD (p = 0.074). The mean EDSS for LONMOSD was 6.0 (SD=2.8), after a mean follow-up time of 4.58 (SD=4.47) years, which was significantly greater than the mean EDSS of EONMOSD (3.25, SD=1.80)(p = 0.022). Anti-AQP4 antibodies positive LONMOSD patients had increased disability compared to anti-MOG antibodies positive LONMOSD (p = 0.022). The survival analysis showed a reduced time to use a cane for LONMOSD, irrespective of serostatus (p<0.001). Conclusions: LONMOSD has increased disability and faster progression, despite no differences in the presenting clinical phenotype were seen in our cohort.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Dissolvable Carboxymethylcellulose Microneedles for Noninvasive and Rapid Administration of Diclofenac Sodium

The aim of this study is to prepare dissolvable biopolymeric microneedle (MN) patches composed solely of sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), a water-soluble cellulose derivative with good film-forming ability, by micromolding technology for the transdermal delivery of diclofenac sodium salt (DCF). The MNs with ≈456 µm in height displayed adequate morphology, thermal stability up to 200 °C, and the required mechanical strength for skin insertion (>0.15 N needle−1). Experiments in ex vivo abdominal human skin demonstrate the insertion capability of the CMC_DCF MNs up to 401 µm in depth. The dissolution of the patches in saline buffer results in a maximum cumulative release of 98% of diclofenac after 40 min, and insertion in a skin simulant reveals that all MNs completely dissolve within 10 min. Moreover, the MN patches are noncytotoxic toward human keratinocytes. These results suggest that the MN patches produced with CMC are promising biopolymeric systems for the rapid administration of DCF in a minimally invasive manner.publishe

Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorders: a Nationwide Portuguese Clinical Epidemiological Study

Introduction: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is a rare disorder in which astrocyte damage and/or demyelination often cause severe neurological deficits. Objective: To identify Portuguese patients with NMOSD and assess their epidemiological/clinical characteristics. Methods: This was a nationwide multicenter study. Twenty-four Portuguese adult and 3 neuropediatric centers following NMOSD patients were included. Results: A total of 180 patients met the 2015 Wingerchuk NMOSD criteria, 77 were AQP4-antibody positive (Abs+), 67 MOG-Abs+, and 36 seronegative. Point prevalence on December 31, 2018 was 1.71/100,000 for NMOSD, 0.71/100,000 for AQP4-Abs+, 0.65/100,000 for MOG-Abs+, and 0.35/100,000 for seronegative NMOSD. A total of 44 new NMOSD cases were identified during the two-year study period (11 AQP4-Abs+, 27 MOG-Abs+, and 6 seronegative). The annual incidence rate in that period was 0.21/100,000 person-years for NMOSD, 0.05/100,000 for AQP4-Abs+, 0.13/100,000 for MOG-Abs+, and 0.03/100,000 for seronegative NMOSD. AQP4-Abs+ predominated in females and was associated with autoimmune disorders. Frequently presented with myelitis. Area postrema syndrome was exclusive of this subtype, and associated with higher morbidity/mortality than other forms of NMOSD. MOG-Ab+ more often presented with optic neuritis, required less immunosuppression, and had better outcome. Conclusion: Epidemiological/clinical NMOSD profiles in the Portuguese population are similar to other European countries.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The modified patient enablement instrument: a Portuguese cross-cultural adaptation, validity and reliability study

"Article number: 16087"Enabling patients with asthma to obtain the knowledge, confidence and skills they need in order to assume a major role in the management of their disease is cost effective. It should be an integral part of any plan for long-term control of asthma. The modified Patient Enablement Instrument (mPEI) is an easily administered questionnaire that was adapted in the United Kingdom to measure patient enablement in asthma, but its applicability in Portugal is not known. Validity and reliability of questionnaires should be tested before use in settings different from those of the original version. The purpose of this study was to test the applicability of the mPEI to Portuguese asthma patients after translation and cross-cultural adaptation, and to verify the structural validity, internal consistency and reproducibility of the instrument. The mPEI was translated to Portuguese and back translated to English. Its content validity was assessed by a debriefing interview with 10 asthma patients. The translated instrument was then administered to a random sample of 142 patients with persistent asthma. Structural validity and internal consistency were assessed. For reproducibility analysis, 86 patients completed the instrument again 7 days later. Item-scale correlations and exploratory factor analysis were used to assess structural validity. Cronbach's alpha was used to test internal consistency, and the intra-class correlation coefficient was used for the analysis of reproducibility. All items of the Portuguese version of the mPEI were found to be equivalent to the original English version. There were strong item-scale correlations that confirmed construct validity, with a one component structure and good internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha >0.8) as well as high test-retest reliability (ICC=0.85). The mPEI showed sound psychometric properties for the evaluation of enablement in patients with asthma making it a reliable instrument for use in research and clinical practice in Portugal. Further studies are needed to confirm its responsiveness.Financial support for this work was provided by FEDER funds through the Operational Programme Competitiveness Factors-COMPETE and National Funds through FCT-Foundation for Science and Technology under the project POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007038, and by the project NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000013, supported by Norte Portugal Regional Operational Programme (NORTE 2020), under the PORTUGAL 2020 Partnership Agreement, through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Subsídios técnicos para a indicação geográfica de procedência do Vale do Submédio São Francisco: uva de mesa e manga.

bitstream/CPATSA-2010/42261/1/SDC222.pd

Adipose tissue dysfunction as a central mechanism leading to dysmetabolic obesity triggered by chronic exposure to p,p'-DDE

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as p,p'-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p'-DDE), are bioaccumulated in the adipose tissue (AT) and have been implicated in the obesity and diabetes epidemic. Thus, it is hypothesized that p,p'-DDE exposure could aggravate the harm of an obesogenic context. We explored the effects of 12 weeks exposure in male Wistar rats' metabolism and AT biology, assessing a range of metabolic, biochemical and histological parameters. p,p'-DDE -treatment exacerbated several of the metabolic syndrome-accompanying features induced by high-fat diet (HF), such as dyslipidaemia, glucose intolerance and hypertension. A transcriptome analysis comparing mesenteric visceral AT (vAT) of HF and HF/DDE groups revealed a decrease in expression of nervous system and tissue development-related genes, with special relevance for the neuropeptide galanin that also revealed DNA methylation changes at its promoter region. Additionally, we observed an increase in transcription of dipeptidylpeptidase 4, as well as a plasmatic increase of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1β. Our results suggest that p,p'-DDE impairs vAT normal function and effectively decreases the dynamic response to energy surplus. We conclude that p,p'-DDE does not merely accumulate in fat, but may contribute significantly to the development of metabolic dysfunction and inflammation. Our findings reinforce their recognition as metabolism disrupting chemicals, even in non-obesogenic contexts.This article was supported by ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) through the operation POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007746 funded by the Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização – COMPETE2020 and by National Funds through FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia within CINTESIS, R&D Unit (reference UID/IC/4255/2013); PEst-OE/SAU/UI0038/2011; SFRH/BPD/109158/2015; SFRH/BD/46640/2008, SFRH/BD/64691/2009, SFRH/BD/78367/2011, SFRH/BD/93073/2013, SFRH/BPD/109153/2015, SFRH/BD/47200/2008, SFRH/BPD/75294/2010; and SFRH/BPD/40110/2007