Implicações para a prática de enfermagem da proveniência das células progenitoras hematopoiéticas no autotransplante de medula óssea

Os progenitores hematopoiéticos no autotransplante de medula óssea podem ter origem no sangue periférico ou serem obtidos directamente da medula óssea. São obtidos directamente da medula óssea quando não se conseguiu efectuar a mobilização das stem cells para o sangue periférico ou quando os pacientes são as crianças que não colaboram na colheita. Esta é uma modalidade recente na Unidade de Imunossupressão do Serviço de Hematologia Clínica dos Hospitais da Universidade de Coimbra. Definimos como objectivo do nosso trabalho verificar quais as implicações para a prática de enfermagem da proveniência das stem cells, através do número de dias de internamento, número de dias de aplasia e necessidade de suporte transfusional

Protocolo de angioplastia pulmonar de balão num centro de referência nacional em hipertensão pulmonar

© 2021 Sociedade Portuguesa de Cardiologia. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. This is an open access article under the CC-BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).Introduction: Balloon pulmonary angioplasty (BPA) has emerged as a promising therapeutic option for patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) who are not eligible for pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PEA) or who have recurrent or persistent pulmonary hypertension after surgery. There is no standardized technique for BPA and, its complexity and high risk of severe complications, requires skills and appropriate training and should be reserved for expert CTEPH centers, as a complementary intervention to medical and surgical therapy. Objective: The purpose of this document is to describe the BPA protocol used at a high-volume center nationwide, validated by its results. Methods: The present protocol includes technical details, definition of outcomes and complications, as well as patient full diagnostic work-up and treatment algorithm, before and after BPA. Results: The technical, hemodynamic, and clinical results of the application of this protocol will be subject of a later publication where they will be described in detail. In conclusion, we present a percutaneous intervention protocol in the treatment of pulmonary hypertension in the context of chronic pulmonary thromboembolism, validated by its clinical, hemodynamic, and technical results.Introdução: A angioplastia da artéria pulmonar com balão (APB) é uma opção terapêutica promissora para doentes com hipertensão pulmonar tromboembólica crónica (HPTEC), não elegíveis para tromboendarterectomia pulmonar ou que apresentam hipertensão pulmonar recorrente ou persistente após cirurgia. Não existe uma técnica padronizada para APB, a sua complexidade e seu elevado risco de complicações severas requerem competências e um treino apropriado e deve ser reservada para centros especializados em HPTEC e como uma intervenção complementar à terapêutica médica e cirúrgica. Objetivo: Divulgar um protocolo de APB usado num centro com elevado volume a nível nacional, validado pelos seus resultados. Métodos: O presente protocolo inclui detalhes técnicos, definição atual de resultados e complicações, bem como o algoritmo de avaliação diagnóstica e tratamento do doente antes e depois da APB. Resultados: Os resultados técnicos, hemodinâmicos e clínicos da aplicação deste protocolo serão alvo de uma publicação posterior, na qual serão descritos em detalhe. Conclusão: Apresentamos um protocolo de intervenção percutânea no tratamento de hipertensão pulmonar em contexto de tromboembolismo pulmonar crónico, validado pelos seus resultados clínicos, hemodinâmicos e técnicosinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Lipid extractions from marine deep-sea invertebrates : modifications to the Bligh & Dyer method to increase lipid yields

The deep-sea environment is difficult to sample, and often only small quantities of samples can be obtained when using less destructive methods than dredging. When working with marine animals that are difficult to sample and with limited quantities of tissue to extract lipids, it is essential to ensure that the used method extracts the maximum possible quantity of lipids. This study evaluates the efficiency of introducing modifications to the method originally described by Bligh & Dyer (1959). This lipid extraction method is broadly used with modifications, although these usually lack proper description and evaluation of increment in lipids. In this study we consider the improvement in terms of amount of lipids extracted by changing the method. Lipid content was determined by gravimetric measurements in eight invertebrates from the deep-sea, including deep-sea hydrothermal vents animals, using three different approaches. Results show increases of 14% to 30% in lipid contents obtained from hydrothermal vent invertebrate tissues and whole animals by placing the samples in methanol for 24 hours before applying the Bligh & Dyer mixture. Efficiency of the extractions using frozen and freeze-dried samples was also compared. For large sponges, the use of lyophilized materials resulted in increases of 3 to 7 times more lipids extracted when compared with extractions using frozen samples

Avaliação legal e prática da aplicação de águas residuárias tratadas no solo no contexto do reúso de água no Brasil

O reúso de água é considerado uma importante ferramenta de gestão hídrica. No entanto, apenas 4,9% da água utilizada no Brasil é reutilizada, a maior parte em atividades com risco de lançamento das águas residuárias tratadas (ART) no solo. Neste artigo foi feita uma análise de 6 legislações brasileiras regulamentadoras do uso de ART que apresentam valores para os padrões de reúso, assim como suas exigências para o monitoramento dos impactos no solo. Também foram analisados estudos de dispersão de poluentes no solo. Concluiu-se que, apesar de haver um avanço nas normas de reúso no país, é necessária a sua ampliação a fim de promover a disseminação dessa prática. Os valores de referência adotados pelas legislações são discrepantes e alguns são altamente restritivos e não condizentes com a realidade socioeconômica brasileira. Poucas normas indicam preocupação com a qualidade do solo quando há a disposição das ART e nenhuma especifica um método de avaliação da dispersão de poluentes no solo

Contaminantes da água com potencial genotóxico: cianotoxinas e subprodutos de desinfeção da água

A garantia da qualidade da água destinada ao consumo humano é, atualmente, uma preocupação universal, em termos de saúde pública. Assim, a presença de contaminantes de natureza microbiológica ou química, pode constituir um perigo para a saúde humana que importa avaliar, particularmente no que diz respeito a efeitos carcinogénicos. O presente trabalho representa uma abordagem multidisciplinar, abrangendo a caracterização de efeitos citotóxicos, genotóxicos e potencialmente carcinogénicos de toxinas cianobacterianas (microcistinas) e de subprodutos de desinfeção da água (derivados clorados de benzo[a] pireno e fluoranteno). As microcistinas têm sido detetadas em reservatórios de água doce, sendo sobretudo conhecidas pela sua hepatotoxicidade aguda. O nosso trabalho tem vindo a demonstrar que, por um lado, estas toxinas possuem também atividade citotóxica e genotóxica e que, por outro, essa atividade pode ser extensiva a células de outros órgãos, para além do fígado. Estes resultados suportam a hipótese, ainda alvo de alguma controvérsia científica, de que as microcistinas são agentes genotóxicos e potencialmente carcinogénicos. Os derivados clorados de hidrocarbonetos aromáticos policíclicos (HAP) podem formar-se pela reação do cloro, usado na desinfeção da água, com resíduos de HAP presentes na água, sendo que os seus efeitos biológicos são praticamente desconhecidos. O nosso trabalho compreendeu a preparação de três derivados clorados a partir do benzo[a]pireno (BaP) e fluoranteno (Fluo), a saber: 6-Cl-BaP, 3-Cl-Fluo e 1,3-Cl2-Fluo, tendo-se confirmado a sua formação em condições semelhantes às utilizadas em Estações de Tratamento de Águas. Mostrámos ainda que o 6-Cl-BaP apresenta um efeito genotóxico superior ao do BaP, o que veio justificar o alargamento deste estudo a novos subprodutos de desinfeção da água. No seu conjunto, os dados de ambos os estudos contribuíram para gerar evidência científica relativamente ao potencial impacto de contaminantes da água na saúde humana, com importantes implicações para a avaliação de risco e implementação de medidas preventivas, com vista a uma maior segurança na utilização dos recursos hídricos nacionais

Dextrin hydrogel loaded with a macroporous Bonelike® scaffold and dental pulp stem cells for critical-sized defect repair

Regeneration of severe bone defects remains a challenge. A formulation of synthetic glass-reinforced hydroxyapatite bone substitute, Bonelike® Poro (BL®P), 250500 µm-diameter, with a dextrin-based hydrogel (HG), further loaded with human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) with osteogenic differentiation ability, was tested for the management of critical-sized defects in an ovine model. Morphology, calcium release, and mechanical strength of HG + BL®P were analyzed. Then, BL®P, HG + BL®P, and 106 hDPSCs-loaded HG + BL®P were implanted in ovine critical-sized 14 mm-diameter calvaria defects. Bone samples were collected after 3 and 6 weeks for histological and micro-CT analysis. BL®P exhibits a suitable porous size for cell ingrowth, from the nm (>200 nm) to the µm (5 µm) range. The addition of BL®P granules to the HG resulted in increased compressive elastic modulus and ultimate tensile strength. The mildly acidic nature of the HG contributed to a faster dissolution of granules. In vivo results confirmed the HG suitability as a carrier, providing better defect filling, easy handling, and injectability of BL®P without compromising new bone formation nor biocompatibility. The HG + BL®P formulations can successfully regenerate critical-sized defects; however, addition of hDPSCs did not significantly enhance new bone formation under these conditions. Granular BL®P provides an effective alternative to autologous grafts. The HG acts as a biocompatible carrier of granular bone substitutes and cells, conferring injectability and cohesivity.Alexandra Machado and Isabel Pereira were supported by the grants SFRH/BD/132000/2017 and UMINHO/BI/131/2018 respectively, from Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), Portugal. The authors acknowledge the funding from FEDER and NORTE 2020 through the project no. 003262 titled “iBONE therapies: advanced solutions for bone regeneration”. This study was supported by FCT under the scope of the strategic funding of UID/BIO/04469 unit and COMPETE 2020 (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006684) and BioTecNorte operation (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000004) funded by the European Regional Development Fund under the scope of Norte 2020 - Programa Operacional Regional do Norte. The participation of Isabel Pires, Justina Prada, Luís Maltez and José Eduardo Pereira was funded by the projects UIDB/CVT/00772/2020 and LA/P/0059/2020 supported by FCT. The participation of Rui Alvites, Ana Catarina Sousa, Mariana Branquinho, Ana Rita Caseiro, Sílvia Santos Pedrosa and Ana Colette Maurício was funded by Projects PEst-OE/AGR/UI0211/2011, UIDB/CVT/00772/2020 and LA/P/0059/2020. Mariana Vieira Branquinho (SFRH/BD/146172/2019) and Ana Catarina Sousa (SFRH/BD/146689/2019) acknowledge FCT, for financial support.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Chemical characterization of Sambucus nigra L. flowers aqueous extract and its biological implications

The main goal of this study was to chemically characterize an aqueous S. nigra flower extract and validate it as a bioactive agent. The elderflower aqueous extraction was performed at different temperatures (50, 70 and 90 °C). The extract obtained at 90 °C exhibited the highest phenolic content and antiradical activity. Therefore, this extract was analyzed by GC-MS and HPLC-MS, which allowed the identification of 46 compounds, being quercetin and chlorogenic acid derivatives representative of 86% of the total of phenolic compounds identified in hydrophilic fraction of the aqueous extract. Naringenin (27.2%) was the major compound present in the lipophilic fraction. The antiproliferative effects of the S. nigra extract were evaluated using the colon cancer cell lines RKO, HCT-116, Caco-2 and the extracts antigenotoxic potential was evaluated by the Comet assay in RKO cells. The RKO cells were the most susceptible to S. nigra flower extract (IC50=1250 µg mL1). Moreover, the extract showed antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, particularly Staphylococcus aureus and S. epidermidis. These results show that S. nigra-based extracts can be an important dietary source of bioactive phenolic compounds that contribute to health-span improving life quality, demonstrating their potential as nutraceutical, functional foods and/or cosmetic components for therapeutic purposes.This research was funded by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under the scope of the strategic funding of UIDB/04469/2020 unit and for Scientific Employment Stimulus 2017 (CEECIND/01507/2017) provided to Ana M. Sousa.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Striped dolphins as trace element biomonitoring tools in oceanic waters: accounting for health-related variables

In Europe, monitoring contaminant concentrations and their effects in the marine environment is required under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD, 2008/56/EC). The striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba) is the most abundant small cetacean species in Portuguese oceanic waters, representing a potential biomonitoring tool of contaminant levels in offshore waters. Concentrations of nine trace elements were evaluated by ICP-MS in kidney, liver and muscle samples of 31 striped dolphins stranded in the Portuguese continental coast. The mean renal Cd concentration was high (19.3 μg.g-1 wet weight, range 0.1-69.3 μg.g-1 wet weight) comparing to striped dolphins from other locations. Therefore, the present study reports a possibly concerning level of Cd in the oceanic food chain in Portuguese offshore areas. This study also aimed at evaluating potential relationships between trace element concentrations and striped dolphins' biological and health-related variables. Individual length was related with some of the trace element concentrations detected in striped dolphins. Indeed, Cd, Hg and Se bioaccumulated in larger animals, whereas the reverse was observed for Mn and Zn. Striped dolphins with high parasite burdens showed higher levels of Hg, while animals showing gross pathologies presented higher concentrations of Cd and Se. This study reported relationships between trace element concentrations and health-related variables for the first time in striped dolphins and it also provided information on the relative contamination status of Portuguese oceanic waters in comparison to other regions in the world.publishe

Exploring the correlations between epi indicators of COVID-19 and the concentration of pharmaceutical compounds in Wastewater Treatment Plants in Northern Portugal

The COVID-19 pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus led to changes in the lifestyle and human behaviour, which resulted in different consumption patterns of some classes of pharmaceuticals including curative, symptom-relieving, and psychotropic drugs. The trends in the consumption of these compounds are related to their concentrations in wastewater systems, since incompletely metabolised drugs (or their metabolites back transformed into the parental form) may be detected and quantified by analytical methods. Pharmaceuticals are highly recalcitrant compounds and conventional activated sludge processes implemented in wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) are ineffective at degrading these substances. As a results, these compounds end up in waterways or accumulate in the sludge, being a serious concern given their potential effects on ecosystems and public health. Therefore, it is crucial to evaluate the presence of pharmaceuticals in water and sludge to assist in the search for more effective processes. In this work, eight pharmaceuticals from five therapeutic classes were analysed in wastewater and sludge samples collected in two WWTP located in the Northern Portugal, during the third COVID-19 epidemic wave in Portugal. The two WWTP demonstrated a similar pattern with respect to the concentration levels in that period. However, the drugs loads reaching each WWTP were dissimilar when normalising the concentrations to the inlet flow rate. Acetaminophen (ACET) was the compound detected at highest concentrations in aqueous samples of both WWTP (98. 516 g L1 in WWTP2 and 123. 506 g L1in WWTP1), indicating that this drug is extensively used without the need of a prescription, known of general public knowledge as an antipyretic and analgesic agent to treat pain and fever. The concentrations determined in the sludge samples were below 1.65 µg g1 in both WWTP, the highest value being found for azithromycin (AZT). This result may be justified by the physico-chemical characteristics of the compound that favour its adsorption to the sludge surface through ionic interactions. It was not possible to establish a clear relationship between the incidence of COVID-19 cases in the sewer catchment and the concentration of drugs detected in the same period. However, looking at the data obtained, the high incidence of COVID-19 in January 2021 is in line with the high concentration of drugs detected in the aqueous and sludge samples but prediction of drug load from viral load data was unfeasible.This study was supported by the Competitiveness and Internationalisation Operational Programme, Lisbon Regional Operational Programme and Algarve Regional Operational Programme with the support of FEDER, through the Incentive Scheme: research and development activities and investment in testing and optimisation (upscaling) infrastructures in the context of COVID-19, through the Project “SARS CONTROL: Evaluation of the impacts of SARS-CoV-2 on the urban water cycle and the downstream effects on Public Health" (Ref. 070076). Acknowledge is also due to the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under the scope of the strategic funding of UIDB/04469/2020 unit, and by LABBELS – Associate Laboratory in Biotechnology, Bioengineering and Microelectromechanical Systems, LA/P/0029/2020. Strategic funding from FCT to cE3c and BioISI Research Units (UIDB/00329/2020 and UIDB/04046/2020) and to the Associate Laboratory CHANGE (LA/P/0121/2020) is also gratefully acknowledged. ARS holds an FCT grant SFRH/BD/131905/2017 and COVID/BD/151951/2021.ARLR and MFRP acknowledge the financial support from LA/P/0045/2020 (ALiCE), UIDB/50020/2020 and UIDP/50020/2020 (LSRE-LCM), funded by national funds through FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC). ARLR acknowledges FCT funding under DL57/2016 Transitory Norm Programme.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Seabird bycatch in Portuguese mainland coastal fisheries: An assessment through on-board observations and fishermen interviews

Competition with fisheries and incidental capture in fishing gear are the major current threats for seabirds at sea. Fishing is a traditional activity in Portugal and is mainly composed of a great number of small vessels. Given the lack of knowledge on effects of the Portuguese fishing fleet on seabird populations, bycatch was assessed in mainland coastal waters for 2010–2012. Interviews and on-board data were divided into 5 strata, according to fishing gear: Bottom trawling, Bottom longline, Purse seine, Beach seine, Polyvalent (≥12 m) and Polyvalent (<12 m). Polyvalent included Setnets, Traps and Demersal longlines. Overall, 68 birds were recorded to be bycaught. The average catch per unit effort (CPUE) was 0.05 birds per fishing event. Polyvalent (<12 m), Polyvalent (≥12 m) and Purse seiners had the biggest seabird bycatch rates, with 0.5 (CPUE=0.1), 0.11 (CPUE=0.05) and 0.2 (CPUE=0.11) birds per trip, respectively. Within Polyvalent gear, Setnets captured the largest diversity of seabird species (CPUE=0.06), while Demersal longline had the highest CPUE (0.86). Northern gannet was the most common bycaught species. Although more observation effort is required, our results suggest that substantial numbers of Balearic shearwater might be bycaught annually, mainly in Purse seine and Setnets