Adsorção de cobre em matrizes naturais provenientes de depósitos do tipo RAÑA

Tese de mestrado em Geologia (Geoquímica, Mineralogia e Petrologia), apresentada à Universidade de Lisboa, através da Faculdade de Ciências, 2010O estudo dos processos de adsorção, através da elaboração de experiências de adsorção/desorção em matrizes naturais, é uma ferramenta importante para a avaliação de potenciais riscos e minimização de eventos de contaminação. As matrizes naturais utilizadas para este trabalho são provenientes de depósitos do tipo raña localizados na região de Macedo de Cavaleiros. O estudo destas matrizes têm como fim avaliar o efeito de atenuação e dispersão de metais e respectivo potencial para uso como material de retenção de resíduos radioactivos de baixa a média actividade em solos. Neste trabalho definiram-se protocolos de tratamento para caracterizar o comportamento de adsorção de Cu e avaliar o modo como as principais fases constituintes das matrizes naturais (matéria orgânica, minerais de argila e óxidos/hidróxidos de Fe) influenciam o comportamento de adsorção. Os protocolos de tratamento foram adaptados ao tipo de amostra em estudo, tendo em consideração a sua eficiência de remoção preservando a integridade estrutural dos minerais de argila. Para a caracterização do comportamento de adsorção de Cu nestas matrizes naturais foram realizados ensaios batch com Cu 2+, apenas na amostra M3R3b, na presença ou ausência das diferentes fases composicionais modificando, simultaneamente, as condições de pH. Com base nos resultados obtidos, verificou-se que as matrizes apresentam características físico-químicas e composição mineralógica semelhantes, sendo que as principais fases minerais presentes são o quartzo, ilite, montmorilonite e caulinite. A diversificação composicional e heterogeneidade da amostra M3R3b torna díficil estabelecer e avaliar o comportamento de adsorção de Cu. Neste estudo estão em jogo diversas variáveis de carácter químico e composicional que influenciam os processos de adsorção de Cu. Concluindo se que a amostra M3R3b apresenta um comportamento de adsorção de Cu pouco variável, independentemente do tratamento extractivo aplicado.The study of adsorption processes is an important tool to evaluate the potencial hazard and minimization of contaminated events in the environment. In this type of studies it is normally necessary to elaborate adsorption/desorption experiments, which in the present work were carried out in natural matrices. The natural matrices applied in this study were collected in raña-type deposits from the Macedo de Cavaleiros region. These matrices are used to attenuate the metal dispersion, and can be used as retention materials for radioactive waste of low and medium activity in soils. In this work treatment protocols were defined for the characterisation of copper adsorption behaviour, and evaluation of the influence of the principal constituents in the natural matrices (clay minerals, organic matter and iron oxy-hydroxydes) on the adsorption behaviour. The treatment protocols applied herein were adopted to the sample type, considerating the removal efficiency while maintaining the strutural identity of the clay minerals. Regarding the copper adsorption behaviour, batch experiments with Cu2+ were performed on the M3R3b sample in both the presence and absence of the different compositional constituents, simultaneous modifying the pH conditions. On the basis of the results it was verified that the chemical and physical characterisation and mineral composition of the samples are similar. The main mineral phases present in the matrices are quartz, montmorillonite, illite and kaolinite. The adsorption of Cu in the M3R3b sample can be impeded because of the compositional diversity and the heterogeneity of the sample. As a consequence of this sample’s adsorption behavior it is very difficult to evaluated these types of processes. In this study, there are too many chemical and compositional variables that control the Cu adsorption processes. It can therefore be concluded that the M3R3b sample has a Cu adsorption behaviour that varies little and which is independent of the extraction treatment applied

Derrota – conceito e avaliação: Características psicométricas da versão portuguesa da Escala de Derrota (Defeat Scale)

The social rank theory, in the perspective of evolutionary psychopathology, suggests that defeat is an adaptive psychobiological response especially in agonistic conflicting situations. Animal and human studies showed the neurobiological negative impact of defeat situations. In human being, the defeat state is an expression of feelings resulting from loss in struggles of life generally with loss of social rank. Gilbert and Allan (1998) developed the defeat scale (DS) with the objective of evaluate the defeat severity. The psychometric properties of DS were assessed in a group of students (n = 609), a group from general population (n = 406) and another of patients with major depression (n = 106). The scale revealed a one-dimensional structure in factor analysis and a good internal consistency between .89 and .93 in the three groups and in both genders. The test-retest stability, the convergent validity with depressive symptomatology, the divergent validity with social support and optimism, as well as the construct validity showed to be adequate. The present Defeat Scale version showed adequate psychometric qualities to be applied in clinical and in healthy populations.La théorie de la position sociale (social rank theory) dans le cadre de la psychopathologie de l’évolution suggère que la défaite est une réponse adaptative présent surtout dans les situations de conflit agonistique. Des études chez les animaux et les humains en évidence l’impact neurobiologique des situations négatives de la défaite. Chez l’homme, l’état exprime le sentiment de défaite pour les pertes résultant de la lutte pour des objectifs importants et la réduction du rang social. L’échelle de défaite (ED), a été élaborée par Gilbert et Allan (1998) afin d’évaluer l’intensité de la défaite. Les propriétés psychométriques de l’échelle ont été évaluées dans un groupe d’étudiants (n = 609), un groupe de la population générale (n = 406) et un groupe de patients avec dépression majeure (n = 106). L’échelle a révélé une structure unidimensionnelle de l’analyse factorielle et une bonne cohérence interne entre 0,89 et 0,93 dans les trois groupes et dans les deux sexes. La fidélité test-retest, la validité convergente avec les symptômes dépressifs et la validité divergente avec le soutien social et l’optimisme, ainsi que la validité de construit, s’est avéré suffisant. Cette version de l’échelle de défaite a montré de bonnes propriétés psychométriques pour utilisation dans les populations cliniques et non cliniques.A teoria do posto social (social rank theory), no contexto da psicopatologia evolucionária, sugere que a derrota é uma resposta psicobiológica adaptativa presente sobretudo em situações de conflitos agonísticos. Estudos em animais e no homem demonstraram o impacto neurobiológico negativo das situações de derrota. No ser humano, o estado de derrota exprime o sentimento resultante de perdas na luta por objectivos importantes e de posto social. A Escala de Derrota (ED) foi desenvolvida por Gilbert e Allan (1998) com o objectivo de avaliar a intensidade da derrota. As propriedades psicométricas da ED foram avaliadas num grupo de estudantes (n = 609), num grupo da população geral (n = 406) e num grupo de doentes com depressão major (n = 106). A escala revelou uma estrutura unidimensional na análise factorial e uma boa consistência interna, entre .89 e .93, nos três grupos e em ambos os géneros. A estabilidade teste-reteste, a validade convergente com sintomatologia depressiva e a validade divergente com o suporte social e o optimismo, assim como a validade de construto mostraram-se adequadas. A presente versão da Escala de Derrota mostrou ter qualidades psicométricas adequadas para ser utilizada em populações clínicas e não clínicas

Drug discovery and computational strategies in the multitarget drugs era

The pharmaceutical industry is increasingly joining chemoinformatics in the search for the development of new drugs to be used in the treatment of diseases. These computational studies have the advantage of being less expensive and optimize the study time, and thus the interest in this area is increasing. Among the techniques used is the development of multitarget directed ligands (MTDLs), which has become an ascending technique, mainly due to the improvement in the quality of treatment involving several drugs. Multitarget therapy is more effective than traditional drug therapy that emphasizes maximum selectivity for a single target. In this review a multitarget drug survey was carried out as a promising strategy in several important diseases: neglected diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, AIDS, and cancer. In addition, we discuss Computer-Aided Drug Design (CADD) techniques as a tool in the projection of multitarget compounds against these diseases

Características psicométricas da versão portuguesa da Escala Multidimensional de Suporte Social Percebido (Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support - MSPSS)

The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) originally developed by Zimet, Dahlem, Zimet, and Farley (1998) was designed to subjectively assess social support from family, friends and significant others. This work‘s aim is to study the factorial structure, reliability and construct validity of the Portuguese version of MSPSS. The scale was assessed in a group of students (N = 454), a group of the general population (N = 261) and a group of patients with major depression (N = 100). The factor analysis revealed the existence of three factors (family, friends and significant others); and the scale showed good internal consistency with Cronbach’s alphas between .85 and .95, regarding all three factors, the three groups and both genders. The construct validity was adequate and test-retest stability in the group of students and the general population had values between .40 and .91. The Cronbach’s alphas for the retest ranged between .95 and .87. The MSPSS shown to have good psychometric properties for use in students, subjects from the general population and in populations with major depression, and need now to further research in other samples and using follow-up studies.L’Echelle Multidimensionnelle de Soutien Social Perçue (MSPSS) originairement développé par Zimet, Dahlem, Zimet, et Farley (1988) a été conçue pour évaluer subjectivement le soutien social de la famille, les amis et des autres personnes signifiants. Ceux-ci on présente les caractéristiques psychométriques de la version portugaise de l’MSPSS. L’échelle a été évaluée dans un groupe d’étudiants (N = 454), un groupe de la population générale (N = 261) et un groupe de patients souffrant de dépression majeure (n = 100). L’analyse factorielle a révélé l’existence de trois facteurs (famille, amis et autres personnes signifiants). A également montré une bonne cohérence interne avec alphas de Cronbach entre .85 et .95, en ce qui concerne les trois facteurs, les trois groupes et les deux genres Ont montré la validité de construction adéquates et la stabilité test-retest dans le groupe d’étudiants et la population en général détenaient des valeurs comprises entre .40 et .91. Les alphas de Cronbach pour le test-retest ont variées entre .87 et .95. Cette version de l’MSPSS démontrée l’existence de bonnes propriétés psychométriques pour l’utilisation dans des étudiants, dans la population générale et chez patients souffrant de dépression majeure et doivent maintenant agrandir les recherches à d’autres échantillons et en ajutant des études de suivi.A Escala Multidimensional de Suporte Social Percebido (MSPSS), originalmente desenvolvida por Zimet, Dahlem, Zimet, e Farley (1988), foi criada para avaliar subjectivamente o suporte social proveniente da família, dos amigos e de outros significativos. Neste trabalho apresentam-se as características psicométricas da versão portuguesa da MSPSS. A escala foi avaliada num grupo de estudantes (n = 454), num grupo da população geral (n = 261) e num grupo de doentes com depressão major (n = 100). A análise factorial demonstrou a existência de três factores (Família, Amigos e Outros Significativos). Igualmente apresentou uma boa consistência interna, entre .85 e .95, considerando os três factores, os três grupos e ambos os géneros; apresentou uma adequada validade de construto e a estabilidade teste-reteste no grupo de estudantes e população geral apresentou valores entre .40 e .91. Os alfas de Cronbach no reteste oscilaram entre .87 e .95. A presente versão da MSPSS mostrou ter qualidades psicométricas adequadas para ser utilizada em estudantes, em sujeitos da população geral bem como em populações com psicopatologia depressiva, sendo necessária agora a continuação da investigação em outras amostras e utilizando estudos de seguimento

Perspective From Psychiatry Experts

Funding Information: SS is an employee of Janssen-Cilag Farmacêutica Lda. MF is an employee of CTI Clinical Trial and Consulting Services. The remaining authors received advisory board fees from Janssen-Cilag Farmacêutica Lda. AO-M was the national coordinator for Portugal of a non-interventional study EDMS-ERI-143085581, 4.0 to characterize a Treatment-Resistant Depression Cohort in Europe, sponsored by Janssen-Cilag, Ltd. 2019–2020; is the recipient of a grant from Schuhfried GmBH for norming and validation of cognitive tests; and is the national coordinator for Portugal of trials of psilocybin therapy for treatment-resistant depression, sponsored by Compass Pathways, Ltd. EudraCT numbers 2017-003288-36 and 2020-001348-25, and of esketamine for treatment-resistant depression, sponsored by Janssen-Cilag, Ltd. EudraCT Number: 2019-002992-33. Janssen had no influence on the interpretation of results. This manuscript presents the opinion of the psychiatry experts only. Funding Information: Support for third-party advisory board logistics and writing assistance, provided by CTI Clinical Trial and Consulting Services, was funded by Janssen-Cilag Farmacêutica Lda in accordance with Good Publication Practice (GPP3) guidelines. Publisher Copyright: Copyright © 2022 Bessa, Carvalho, Cunha, Fernandes, Matos-Pires, Neves, Oliveira-Maia, Santos and Santos.Guidance about treatment-resistant depression (TRD) in Portugal is very limited, even though depression prevalence is among the highest in European countries. A questionnaire was conducted, followed by two advisory boards with seven Portuguese psychiatry experts, to characterize and discuss MDD and TRD epidemiology, diagnosis, patient journey, treatment options, and unmet clinical needs. Consensus was reached on the main issues. In daily practice, TRD can be defined as moderate to severe MDD episodes with insufficient clinical improvement after two antidepressant treatments, taken in adequate doses and duration. TRD diagnosis and treatment are mostly decided by psychiatrists at public hospitals. Treatment type and duration must be adjusted to characteristics of the patient and the depressive episode, including symptoms, number of previous episodes, comorbidities, and previous treatment response and side effects. The most relevant objectives of TRD treatment are reaching response and remission, prevention of suicide, and improvement of quality of life, functionality, and wellbeing. Regarding pharmacotherapy, antidepressant switch occurs more frequently with non-response, while optimization, combination, and augmentation are considered for patients with partial response. Psychotherapy should be considered in parallel to pharmacological treatment. Brain stimulation techniques are underused. Lifelong treatment is required for recurrent or more chronic TRD episodes, but patient adherence is also poorer in these cases. In Portugal, TRD management is limited by lack of access to specialist care and to many treatment options. These aspects highlight that conventional pharmacotherapy does not lead to remission in many patients and that optimization strategies are frequently necessary to achieve satisfactory treatment outcomes.publishersversionpublishe

Common genetic polymorphisms in the ABCB1 gene are associated with risk of major depressive disorder in male Portuguese individuals

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a highly prevalent disorder, which has been associated with an abnormal response of the hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis. Reports have argued that an abnormal HPA axis response can be due to an altered P-Glycoprotein (P-GP) function. This argument suggests that genetic polymorphisms in ABCB1 may have an effect on the HPA axis activity; however, it is still not clear if this influences the risk of MDD. Our study aims to evaluate the effect of ABCB1 C1236T, G2677TA and C3435T genetic polymorphisms on MDD risk in a subset of Portuguese patients. DNA samples from 80 MDD patients and 160 control subjects were genotyped using TaqMan SNP Genotyping assays. A significant protection for MDD males carrying the T allele was observed (C1236T: odds ratio (OR) = 0.360, 95% confidence interval [CI]: [0.140– 0.950], p = 0.022; C3435T: OR= 0.306, 95% CI: [0.096–0.980], p = 0.042; and G2677TA: OR= 0.300, 95% CI: [0.100– 0.870], p = 0.013). Male Portuguese individuals carrying the 1236T/2677T/3435T haplotype had nearly 70% less risk of developing MDD (OR = 0.313, 95% CI: [0.118–0.832], p = 0.016, FDR p = 0.032). No significant differences were observed regarding the overall subjects. Our results suggest that genetic variability of the ABCB1 is associated with MDD development in male Portuguese patients. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report in Caucasian samples to analyze the effect of these ABCB1 genetic polymorphisms on MDD risk

Propriedades Psicométricas da Escala de Cuidado do Questionário de Experiências de Cuidado e Abuso na Infância (Childhood Experiences of Care and Abuse – CECA.Q)

Certain experiences in childhood, as neglect, antipathy or child abuse and adversity in general are predictors of illness in adulthood. Existing interviews for evaluation of experiences are too long making them useful only on small samples. Childhood experiences investigation through a self-answering questionnaire enables to carry out a research on larger samples. In this paper, we present the Scale of Care (SC) psychometric properties including in the Portuguese translation of the Questionnaire of Childhood Experiences of Care and Abuse (CECA.Q, Smith, Lam, Bifulco, & Checkley, 2002). The SC evaluates childhood care experiences until seventeen years. The original scale presents sixteen items, to be answered twice, related to mother and father respectively, having two sub scales, neglect and antipathy. Overall, the CECA.Q evaluates beyond neglect and antipathy (SC), parental loss, physical and sexual abuse. The SC was assessed in a group of students (N = 545), a group from general population (N = 262) and another of patients with major depression (N = 100). After first data analysis, we conclude that the item 7, 8, 11, and 15 did not have the psychometric qualities to stand on the Portuguese SC version of CECA.Q, so it became a twelve items questionnaire. The factorial analysis revealed the existence of two factors (neglect and antipathy) by the three samples, with a good internal consistency, between .70 and 0.95, considering the two factors, both parents, the three groups and both genders, and also an adequate construct validity and a test retest stability between .62 and .88 in the students group and general population. The present Scale of Care version from CECA.Q showed adequate psychometric properties to be applied in students, subjects from general population and in population with depressive psychopathology. Further research is required using other samples and in follow-up studies.Certas formas de cuidado, como negligência ou antipatia, o abuso infantil e a adversidade em geral são preditores de patologia na vida adulta. As entrevistas existentes para a sua avaliação são muito longas tornando-se úteis só em pequenas amostras. O estudo das experiências infantis através de um questionário de auto-resposta torna viável a realização de investigação em amostras mais amplas. Neste trabalho apresentam-se as propriedades psicométricas da Escala de Cuidado (EC) da versão em português do Questionário de Experiências de Cuidado e Abuso na Infância (CECA.Q) (Smith, Lam, Bifulco, & Checkley, 2002). A EC avalia as experiencias de cuidado até aos 17 anos. Na versão original apresenta uma escala com 16 itens, respondida duas vezes, uma em relação à mãe e outra em relação ao pai, possuindo duas subescalas, negligência e antipatia. Globalmente, o CECA.Q avalia para além de experiências de negligência e antipatia, perda parental, abuso físico e sexual. A EC foi avaliada num grupo de estudantes (N = 545), num grupo da população geral (N = 262) e num grupo de doentes com depressão major (N = 100). Após um primeira análise dos dados, concluiu-se que os itens 7, 8, 11, e 15 não possuíam qualidades psicométricas para se manterem na versão portuguesa da EC do CECA.Q, resultando então uma versão de 12 itens. A análise factorial demonstrou a existência de dois factores (negligência e antipatia) nas três amostras, verificou-se uma boa consistência interna, entre .70 e .95 considerando os dois factores, ambos os pais, os três grupos e ambos os géneros, bem como uma adequada validade de construto e estabilidade teste-reteste entre .62 e .88 no grupo de estudantes e população geral. A presente versão da Escala de Cuidado do CECA.Q mostrou ter qualidades psicométricas adequadas para ser utilizada em estudantes, em sujeitos da população geral, bem como em populações com psicopatologia depressiva, sendo necessária agora investigação em outras amostras e utilizando estudos de seguimento

The role of IL18-607C > A and IL18-137G > C promoter polymorphisms in antidepressant treatment phenotypes: A preliminary report

Recent studies suggest that immune activation and cytokines, such as IL-18, are involved in depression. IL-18 is expressed in brain and is increased in patients with moderate to severe depression. In this study we aim to evaluate the role of IL18-607C > A and IL18-137G > C promoter polymorphisms in antidepressant treatment phenotypes, specifically relapse and treatment resistant depression (TRD). We genotyped the referred polymorphisms in a subset of 80 MDD patients followed at Hospital Magalhães Lemos, Portugal, within a period of 27 months. Patients carrying IL18-607 CA or AA genotypes were significantly more prone to relapse after AD treatment and present a significantly lower time to relapse than patients carrying CC genotype. Similarly, patients carrying IL18-137 GC or CC genotypes have a significantly higher risk of relapse and display relapse significantly earlier than the ones carrying GG genotype. Due to the low number of IL18-607 CC and IL18-137 GG in the relapse subgroup (n = 3 and n = 5, respectively), results were validated by bootstrapping analysis, and remained significant. No association was found between the evaluated genetic polymorphisms and TRD. IL18 peripheral mRNA levels were upregulated in IL18-607 CA or AA carriers. This preliminary report indicates that IL18-607C > A and IL18-137G > C genetic polymorphisms seem to influence depression relapse after antidepressant treatment in our subset of depressed patients, and may possibly contribute to the disregulated IL-18 levels found in patients with depression.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio