Renoprotective Effects of the Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitor Sitagliptin: A Review in Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is now the single commonest cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) worldwide and one of the main causes of death in diabetic patients. It is also acknowledged as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Since sitagliptin was approved, many studies have been carried out revealing its ability to not only improve metabolic control but also ameliorate dysfunction in various diabetes-targeted organs, especially the kidney, due to putative underlying cytoprotective properties, namely, its antiapoptotic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antifibrotic properties. Despite overall recommendations, many patients spend a long time well outside the recommended glycaemic range and, therefore, have an increased risk for developing micro- and macrovascular complications. Currently, it is becoming clearer that type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) management must envision not only the improvement in glycaemic control but also, and particularly, the prevention of pancreatic deterioration and the evolution of complications, such as DN. This review aims to provide an overview of the current knowledge in the field of renoprotective actions of sitagliptin, namely, improvement in diabetic dysmetabolism, hemodynamic factors, renal function, diabetic kidney lesions, and cytoprotective properties.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Utility of serum indices in a particular case of serum protein electrophoresis

Screening and measurement of monoclonal (M) proteins are commonly performed using capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE). The identification of M-protein or monoclonal component (CM) is an essential requirement for diagnosis and monitoring of monoclonal gammopathies. The detection of CM has been largely improved by CZE. Capillary electrophoresis estimates CM more accurately, because absence of variation due to different dye binding affinities of proteins as instead seen with agarose gel electrophoresis. However, interferences can be present in CZE. This occurs because all substances absorbing at 200 nm can be identified. Recognition and handling of specimens exhibiting such interferences is essential to ensure accurate diagnostic and patient safety. We herein report on an unusual case of serum protein electrophoresis, to highlight that laboratory staff must be aware of and familiarise with the information provided by laboratory instruments. For example, in the case of serum indices, about specimen quality

Adaptación del modelo ABCDE de medicina humana para comunicar malas notícias a lo dueño del paciente oncologico en medicina veterinaria

Introdução: À semelhança do que ocorre na Medicina Humana, também em Medicina Veterinária, a prevalência da doença oncológica em animais de companhia tem vindo a aumentar significativamente. Desenvolvimento: A evolução da Medicina Veterinária, nas últimas décadas, veio trazer mudança nos paradigmas clínicos, nomeadamente no respeitante à relação com o animal mas também com o proprietário. Sendo a oncologia a especialidade em que há maior probabilidade de ter que comunicar uma má notícia, neste trabalho propõe-se a adaptação do modelo ABCDE da Medicina Humana para a Medicina Veterinária. Conclusões: A adaptação do modelo ABCDE para a Medicina Veterinária permite melhorar a comunicação com o proprietário cuidador e dotar os profissionais da equipe Médica Veterinária de melhores competências.Introduction: Similar to what occurs in Human Medicine, also in Veterinary Medicine, the prevalence of oncological diseases has significantly increased. Development: The evolution of Veterinary Medicine, in last decades has brought changes in clinical paradigms, particularly concerning the relationship with the animal and also with the owner. More than any other specialty, members of the Veterinary Medical Team that work in the oncology field, are unavoidably forced to break bad news. This paper proposes the adaptation of the ABCDE model from Human Medicine to Veterinary Medicine. Conclusions: The adaptation of the ABCDE model for Veterinary Medicine improves communication with the owner and offers all the members of the Veterinary Medical Team better communication skills.Introducción: Similar a lo que ocurre en medicina humana, en Medicina Veterinaria la prevalencia de las enfermedades oncológicas en los animales de compañía también ha incrementado significativamente. Desarrollo: En las últimas décadas la evolución de la Medicina Veterinaria, ha comportado cambios en los paradigmas clínicos, especialmente en la relación con el animal, pero también con el propietario. Dado que la especialidad de Oncología es la que comunica más malas noticias, en este trabajo se plantea la adaptación del modelo ABCDE de Medicina Humana a Medicina Veterinaria. Conclusiones: La adaptación del modelo ABCDE a la Medicina Veterinaria mejora la comunicación con el propietario e proporcionará a los profesionales del equipo Medica Veterinaria de mejores competencias.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The Endocrine Glands in the Dog: From the Cell to Hormone

Animal bodies represent one of the more complex and perfect systems of nature but despite its complexity and functionality, the control of its basic functions is performed by only two systems: the nervous system and the endocrine system. Reproduction, gestation, muscle contraction, nutrient digestion and absorption, hydroelectrolytic balance, haematopoiesis and so many other bodily functions, are directly or indirectly controlled by these systems. In a simplistic way, we can say that the nervous system is responsible for rapid organic activities, while the endocrine system is responsible for a slower, more durable activity, the metabolic functions of the organism. The endocrine system is essential for growth and development, sexual function, reproductive processes and metabolism. In the present work the authors describe the main endocrine glands in the dog, namely anterior and posterior pituitary gland, thyroid, parathyroid, pancreas and adrenal glands, referring their location, macroscopic and histologic features, using original figures. Main endocrine hormones and hormonal functions will also be addressed in a simple, straightforward and original manner, using cutting-edge, innovative schemes that will contribute for an easy and direct understanding of the complex endocrine mechanisms. The endocrine system is often subjected to pathological changes. Improving knowledge in the field of endocrinology will allow for a better clinical approach to animal patients, enhancing, without doubt, the provision of better medical veterinary care and its advancement towards excellence.Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology and Center for Studies in Education, Technologies and Health

Sitagliptin prevents aggravation of endocrine and exocrine pancreatic damage in the Zucker Diabetic Fatty rat - focus on amelioration of metabolic profile and tissue cytoprotective properties

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate some of the possible mechanisms underlying the protective effects of a dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) inhibitor, sitagliptin, on pancreatic tissue in an animal model of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), the Zucker Diabetic Fatty(ZDF) rat, focusing on glycaemic, insulinic and lipidic profiles, as well as, on apoptosis, inflammation, angiogenesis and proliferation mediators. METHODS: Male obese diabetic ZDF (fa/fa) rats, aged 20 weeks, were treated with sitagliptin (10 mg/kg bw/day) during 6 weeks and compared to untreated diabetic and lean control littermates. Metabolic data was evaluated at the beginning and at the end of the treatment, including glycaemia, HbA1c, insulinaemia, HOMA-beta and TGs. Endocrine and exocrine pancreas lesions were assessed semiquantitatively by histopathological methods. Pancreas gene (mRNA) and protein expression of mediators of apoptotic machinery, inflammation and angiogenesis/proliferation (Bax, Bcl2, IL-1β, VEGF, PCNA and TRIB3) were analyzed by RT-qPCR and/or by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Sitagliptin treatment for 6 weeks (between 20 and 26 week-old) was able to significantly (p < 0.001) ameliorate all the metabolicparameters, by preventing the increase in blood glucose and in serum TGs contents (16.54% and 37.63%, respectively, vs untreated), as well as, by preventing the decrease in serum insulin levels and in the functional beta cells capacity accessed via HOMA-beta index (156.28% and 191.74%, respectively, vs untreated). Sitagliptin-treated diabetic rats presented a reduced pancreas Bax/Bcl2 ratio, suggestive of an antiapoptotic effect; in addition, sitagliptin was able to completely reduce (p < 0.001) the pancreas overexpression of IL-1β and TRIB3 found in the untreated diabeticanimals; and promoted a significant (p < 0.001) overexpression of VEGF and PCNA. CONCLUSION: In this animal model of obese T2DM (the ZDF rat), sitagliptin prevented β-cell dysfunction and evolution of pancreatic damage. The protective effects afforded by this DPP-IV inhibitor may derive from improvement of the metabolic profile (viewed by the amelioration of glucose and TGs levels and of insulin resistance) and from cytoprotective properties, such as antiapoptotic, anti-inflammatory, pro-angiogenic and pro-proliferative.The Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) through the projects PEst-C/SAU/UI3282/2013 and PEst-OE/CED/UI4016/2014, and the Center for Studies in Education, Technologies and Health (CI&DETS) and PROTEC grant by the Polytechnic Institute of Viseu (IPV

Diabetic Nephropathy Amelioration by a Low-Dose Sitagliptin in an Animal Model of Type 2 Diabetes (Zucker Diabetic Fatty Rat)

This study was performed to assess the effect of chronic low-dose sitagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase 4 inhibitor, on metabolic profile and on renal lesions aggravation in a rat model of type-2 diabetic nephropathy, the Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rat. Diabetic and obese ZDF (fa/fa) rats and their controls ZDF (+/+) were treated for 6 weeks with vehicle (control) or sitagliptin (10 mg/kg/bw). Blood/serum glucose, HbA1c, insulin, Total-c, TGs, urea, and creatinine were assessed, as well as kidney glomerular and tubulointerstitial lesions (interstitial fibrosis/tubular atrophy), using a semiquantitative rating from 0 (absent/normal) to 3 (severe and extensive damage). Vascular lesions were scored from 0–2. Sitagliptin in the diabetic rats promoted an amelioration of glycemia, HbA1c, Total-c, and TGs, accompanied by a partial prevention of insulinopenia. Furthermore, together with urea increment prevention, renal lesions were ameliorated in the diabetic rats, including glomerular, tubulointerstitial, and vascular lesions, accompanied by reduced lipid peroxidation. In conclusion, chronic low-dose sitagliptin treatment was able to ameliorate diabetic nephropathy, which might represent a key step forward in the management of T2DM and this serious complication

A Nationwide Seroepidemiologic Study on Q Fever Antibodies in Sheep of Portugal

Introduction: Q fever is an almost global zoonotic disease caused by Coxiella burnetii. Human infections can produce acute and chronic disease that can lead to abortions and stillbirths in pregnant women, usually infected by the inhalation of C. burnetii-contaminated aerosols or through consumption of contaminated products. Sheep are one of the primary animal reservoirs with disease being associated with vast shedding of bacteria in placentas, feces, milk, and birth fluids. Although almost neglected in the past, recent outbreaks of sheep origin have alerted the public and the scientific community. Materials and Methods: An epidemiologic survey to estimate the seroprevalence of Q fever antibodies was performed in a representative number of sheep of all regions of continental Portugal (n = 1068), using a commercial ELISA (ID Screen Q Fever Indirect Multi-species Kit; IDvet, Montpellier, France). Results and Discussion: An anti-C. burnetii seroprevalence of 11.4% (95% confidence interval 9.6–13.5) was found, with a clear distinction between the Center region with highest seroprevalence, and the rest of the territory. Sheep traditional farming is widely present in Portugal and is part of the cultural and gastronomical background of the country. This close proximity to small ruminants may contribute to the zoonotic transfer to humans.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

MONITORIA DAS DISCIPLINAS DE DESENHO TÉCNICO, TOPOGRAFIA I, TOPOGRAFIA II E GEOPROCESSAMENTO

A Monitoria tem por objetivo despertar o interesse pela docência mediante o desempenho de atividades ligadas ao ensino. Também possibilita a experiência da vida acadêmica, através da participação em diversas funções da organização e desenvolvimento das disciplinas dos cursos. A monitoria é uma modalidade de ensino-aprendizagem dentro das necessidades de formação acadêmica. O desenvolvimento das atividades de ensino aprendizagem são promovidas para que o discente possa compartilhar seu conhecimento com os demais acadêmicos do curso, podendo oportunizar seu interesse e a evolução nesse processo. As matérias que integram a monitoria no ano de 2022, são: Desenho Técnico, Topografia I, Topografia II e Geoprocessamento. As disciplinas são ministradas no Curso Técnico em Agropecuária, Agronomia e Engenharia de Alimentos. As disciplinas são componentes curriculares obrigatórios com considerável carga horária, além de aulas práticas acompanhadas do professor e monitor. Permite proporcionar aos alunos um primeiro contato de forma aplicada com as práticas encontradas no campo de trabalho. A topografia, assim como as demais matérias estão presentes na agricultura sendo utilizadas para levantamentos topográficos, como demarcação de áreas, curvas de nível, projetos de irrigação, sistematização de terreno entre outros. Em conjunto com a agricultura de precisão, o geoprocessamento é uma ferramenta possível de ser utilizada para recomendações de adubação, avaliação das condições climáticas, mapeamento e monitoramento via satélite de áreas produtivas, áreas de solo exposto e cultivadas. Por fim, o conhecimento de desenho técnico permite o desenvolvimento de projetos na área agrícola, além de capacitar a interpretação de plantas e figuras de peças mecânicas. A monitoria vai além da sala de aula, levando o contato primário ou firmando o conhecimento com equipamentos topográficos de levantamento de campo, bem como dos dados necessários para trabalho em sala e da informática ligada a agricultura de precisão. Dessa forma, busca-se um contato mais próximo com os alunos a fim de promover a troca de conhecimentos. Os atendimentos prestados para os alunos são de forma presencial e são promovidos encontros sempre que solicitados individualmente. Também são realizadas atividades em grupos de alunos para resolução de problemas e atividades práticas complementares. No primeiro semestre do ano de 2022 foram atendidos todos os alunos durante a realização das disciplinas e atendimentos semanais individuais com agendamento, atendendo assim os objetivos iniciais do projeto. Suporte financeiro Edital 100/2021

Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii Antibodies and Risk Factor Investigation in Portuguese Veterinarians: A Matched Case–Control Study

Toxoplasma gondii is a widespread zoonotic agent that greatly impacts Public Health, being responsible for one of the most important parasitic zoonosis worldwide. T. gondii has a heteroxenous life cycle, with cats being the definitive hosts and all warm-blooded animals, including humans, being intermediate hosts. Veterinary practitioners (VP) may be at a higher risk than the general population for T. gondii infection, as they have direct and daily contact with many animal species. The aim of the present study was to ascertain if VP were more likely to be anti-T. gondii IgG seropositive than the general population, as well as to understand if age, accidents with blood-contaminated sharps (cross-blood contamination), gender, working years, and geographic regions play a role as risk factors for T. gondii infection. For this purpose, a case–control study using archived samples was performed. (2) Methods: A total of 350 veterinary practitioners were tested using a commercial semiquantitative enzyme immunoassay for anti-T. gondii IgG. From the general population, 175 anonymous volunteers (matched with cases by region, age, and gender) were studied for anti-T. gondii IgG. (3) Results: There was no statistical difference found between the presence of anti-T. gondii IgG in practitioners (26%; CI = 21.40–30.60%) and the general population (33.14%; CI = 26.17–40.12%) (p = 0.108). Univariate and multivariate analysis showed that only age (older groups) was found to be associated with a higher prevalence of anti-T. gondii IgG, with significant p values (p < 0.05) for both univariate and multivariate analysis. (4) Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case–control study fully focused on the prevalence of anti-T. gondii IgG in VP in Portugal, showing that there was no significant risk for T. gondii infection in veterinarians exposed daily and repeatedly to different species of animals.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A Matched Case–Control Study

Funding Information: This study was supported by FCT—Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P., through research grant PTDC/CVT-CVT/0228/2020 and by funds from the Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM, UID/04413/2020), the Research Centre for Endogenous Resource Valorization (VALORIZA, UIDB/05064/2020), the Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB, UIDB/04033/2020) and the Centre for Natural Resources, Environment and Society (CERNAS, UIDB/00681/2020). This work was supported by national funds, through Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT, Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology), under projects UIDB/04750/2020 and LA/P/0064/2020. Publisher Copyright: © 2022 by the authors.(1) Background: Toxoplasma gondii is a widespread zoonotic agent that greatly impacts Public Health, being responsible for one of the most important parasitic zoonosis worldwide. T. gondii has a heteroxenous life cycle, with cats being the definitive hosts and all warm-blooded animals, including humans, being intermediate hosts. Veterinary practitioners (VP) may be at a higher risk than the general population for T. gondii infection, as they have direct and daily contact with many animal species. The aim of the present study was to ascertain if VP were more likely to be anti-T. gondii IgG seropositive than the general population, as well as to understand if age, accidents with blood-contaminated sharps (cross-blood contamination), gender, working years, and geographic regions play a role as risk factors for T. gondii infection. For this purpose, a case–control study using archived samples was performed. (2) Methods: A total of 350 veterinary practitioners were tested using a commercial semiquantitative enzyme immunoassay for anti-T. gondii IgG. From the general population, 175 anonymous volunteers (matched with cases by region, age, and gender) were studied for anti-T. gondii IgG. (3) Results: There was no statistical difference found between the presence of anti-T. gondii IgG in practitioners (26%; CI = 21.40–30.60%) and the general population (33.14%; CI = 26.17–40.12%) (p = 0.108). Univariate and multivariate analysis showed that only age (older groups) was found to be associated with a higher prevalence of anti-T. gondii IgG, with significant p values (p < 0.05) for both univariate and multivariate analysis. (4) Conclusions: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case–control study fully focused on the prevalence of anti-T. gondii IgG in VP in Portugal, showing that there was no significant risk for T. gondii infection in veterinarians exposed daily and repeatedly to different species of animals.publishersversionpublishe