76
|
Pereira S, Pereira C, Santos L, Klumpp J, Almeida A. Potential of phage cocktails in the inactivation of Enterobacter cloacae--An in vitro study in a buffer solution and in urine samples. Virus Res 2015; 211:199-208. [PMID: 26541317 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2015.10.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2015] [Revised: 10/27/2015] [Accepted: 10/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to compare the dynamics of three previously isolated phages for Enterobacter cloacae in order to evaluate their ability to treat urinary tract infections (UTI). The phages genomes, survival, host range, were characterized, and the host-phage dynamics was determined in culture medium and urine samples. The presence of prophages in bacteria, host recovery and development of resistance to phage after treatment was also evaluated. The growth of the E. cloacae was inhibited by the three phages, resulting in a decrease of ≈3 log. The use of cocktails with two or three phages was significantly more effective (decrease of ≈4 log). In urine, the inactivation was still effective (≈2 log). Both phages were considered safe to inactivate the bacteria (no integrase and toxin codifying genes). Some bacteria remained viable in the presence of the phages, but their colonies were smaller than those of the non-treated control and were visible only after 5 days of incubation (visible after 24h in the control). A high bacterial inactivation efficiency with phage cocktails combined with the safety of the phages and their long periods of survival, even in urine samples, paves the way for depth studies, especially in vivo studies, to control urinary tract infection and to overcome the development of resistances by the nosocomial bacterium E. cloacae.
Collapse
|
77
|
Rodrigues L, Calheiros M, Pereira C. The decision of out-of-home placement in residential care after parental neglect: Empirically testing a psychosocial model. CHILD ABUSE & NEGLECT 2015; 49:35-49. [PMID: 25882668 DOI: 10.1016/j.chiabu.2015.03.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2014] [Revised: 03/17/2015] [Accepted: 03/23/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Out-of-home placement decisions in residential care are complex, ambiguous and full of uncertainty, especially in cases of parental neglect. Literature on this topic is so far unable to understand and demonstrate the source of errors involved in those decisions and still fails to focus on professional's decision making process. Therefore, this work intends to test a socio-psychological model of decision-making that is a more integrated, dualistic and ecological version of the Theory of Planned Behavior's model. It describes the process through which the decision maker takes into account personal, contextual and social factors of the Decision-Making Ecology in the definition of his/her decision threshold. One hundred and ninety-five professionals from different Children and Youth Protection Units, throughout the Portuguese territory, participated in this online study. After reading a vignette of a (psychological and physical) neglect case toward a one-year-old child, participants were presented with a group of questions that measured worker's assessment of risk, intention, attitude, subjective norm, behavior control and beliefs toward residential care placement decision, as well as worker's behavior experience, emotions and family/child-related-values involved in that decision. A set of structural equation modeling analyses have proven the good fit of the proposed model. The intention to propose a residential care placement decision was determined by cognitive, social, affective, value-laden and experience variables and the perceived risk. Altogether our model explained 61% of professional's decision toward a parental neglect case. The theoretical and practical implications of these results are discussed, namely the importance of raising awareness about the existence of these biased psychosocial determinants.
Collapse
|
78
|
Souza R, Gastaldi V, Rodríguez Y, Pereira C, Fernades J, Carlos R, Bueno O, Fontanetti C. Genotoxic action of a metallic-insecticide using Tradescantia pallida as test organism. Toxicol Lett 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2015.08.379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
|
79
|
Mendes A, Papoila A, Martins P, Caires I, Palmeiro T, Aguiar L, Pereira C, Neves P, Costa S, Teixeira J. Health impact of indoor air quality on elderly living in care centres located in Porto city. Toxicol Lett 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.toxlet.2015.08.398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
|
80
|
Fortini A, Monteiro F, Scari M, da Silva F, Sousa R, da Silva C, Costa A, Pereira C, Veloso M. Recent advances on the use of reprocessed fuels and combined thorium fuel cycles in HTR systems. PROGRESS IN NUCLEAR ENERGY 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.pnucene.2014.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
|
81
|
Fernández-García MP, Teixeira JM, Machado P, Oliveira MRFF, Maia JM, Pereira C, Pereira AM, Freire C, Araujo JP. Automatized and desktop AC-susceptometer for the in situ and real time monitoring of magnetic nanoparticles' synthesis by coprecipitation. THE REVIEW OF SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS 2015; 86:043904. [PMID: 25933868 DOI: 10.1063/1.4918723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2014] [Accepted: 04/09/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The main purpose of this work was to design, develop, and construct a simple desktop AC susceptometer to monitor in situ and in real time the coprecipitation synthesis of magnetic nanoparticles. The design incorporates one pair of identical pick-up sensing coils and one pair of Helmholtz coils. The picked up signal is detected by a lock-in SR850 amplifier that measures the in- and out-of-phase signals. The apparatus also includes a stirrer with 45°-angle blades to promote the fast homogenization of the reaction mixture. Our susceptometer has been successfully used to monitor the coprecipitation reaction for the synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles.
Collapse
|
82
|
Alkhuriji M, Pereira C, Borowicz P, Baranko L, Wellnitz K, Swanson K, Berg E. Influence of diet on serum glucose and insulin concentrations, insulin receptor concentration in adipose and muscle tissues, and oxygen consumption in liver and muscle in gilts. Meat Sci 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2014.09.135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
|
83
|
Pereira Barbosa M, Bugalho de Almeida A, Pereira C, Chen CW, Georgiou P, Peachey G. Real-life efficacy and safety of omalizumab in Portuguese patients with persistent uncontrolled asthma. REVISTA PORTUGUESA DE PNEUMOLOGIA 2015; 21:151-6. [PMID: 25926246 DOI: 10.1016/j.rppnen.2014.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2014] [Revised: 06/23/2014] [Accepted: 07/19/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The real life effectiveness, safety and the use of omalizumab for Portuguese patients with uncontrolled persistent allergic asthma are not sufficiently well known. The objective of this report was to make an evaluation, in a post-marketing, non-interventional, observational registry, of the Portuguese population included in the eXpeRience study. METHODS The methods used in this report are the same as the global eXpeRience ones, applied to a Portuguese sub-population. Patients with uncontrolled allergic asthma who had started omalizumab within the previous 15 weeks were enrolled and received omalizumab add-on therapy for 24 months. The physicians' global evaluation of treatment effectiveness (GETE), asthma symptoms and control (ACT score), quality of life (mini-AQLQ score), exacerbations, and serious adverse events (SAE) were reported. RESULTS Of the 943 patients recruited in the eXpeRience registry, 62 patients were from Portugal. 62.1% of them were observed to be responders with good/excellent GETE assessment at Week 16. Clinically meaningful improvements in asthma control (ACT score) and quality of life (mini-AQLQ score) were observed with omalizumab therapy at Months 12 (mean change: +7.7 [n=35]; +2.1 [n=20], respectively) and 24 (mean change: +7.0 [n=26]; +2.7 [n=13], respectively). Asthma symptoms and rescue medication usage were reduced to ≤1 day/week at Month 24 from a baseline of ≥3.5 days/week. The proportion of patients with no clinically significant exacerbations increased from 6.5% during pre-treatment (n=62) to 50% at Month 12 (n=54) and 60% at Month 24 (n=45). CONCLUSION The findings from the Portugal subpopulation of eXpeRience registry confirm that omalizumab add-on therapy is efficacious and well tolerated in the management of uncontrolled persistent allergic asthma. Another pertinent issue is the fact that the Portuguese subpopulation response is similar to the international population average of the study.
Collapse
|
84
|
Pereira C, Santos L, Silva AP, Silva YJ, Cunha A, Romalde JL, Nunes ML, Almeida A. Seasonal variation of bacterial communities in shellfish harvesting waters: preliminary study before applying phage therapy. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2015; 90:68-77. [PMID: 25484114 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2014.11.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2014] [Revised: 11/14/2014] [Accepted: 11/17/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The recurrent emergence of infections outbreaks associated with shellfish consumption is an important health problem, which results in substantial economic losses to the seafood industry. Even after depuration, shellfish is still involved in outbreaks caused by pathogenic bacteria, which increases the demand for new efficient strategies to control the shellfish infection transmission. Phage therapy during the shellfish depuration is a promising approach, but its success depends on a detailed understanding of the dynamics of bacterial communities in the harvesting waters. This study intends to evaluate the seasonal dynamics of the overall bacterial communities, disease-causing bacterial populations and bacterial sanitary quality indicators in two authorized harvesting-zones at Ria de Aveiro. During the hot season, the total bacterial community presented high complexity and new prevalent populations of the main shellfish pathogenic bacteria emerged. These results indicate that the spring/summer season is a critical period during which phage therapy should be applied.
Collapse
|
85
|
Duarte AS, Cavaleiro E, Pereira C, Merino S, Esteves AC, Duarte EP, Tomás JM, Correia AC. Aeromonas piscicola AH-3 expresses an extracellular collagenase with cytotoxic properties. Lett Appl Microbiol 2014; 60:288-97. [PMID: 25443157 DOI: 10.1111/lam.12373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2014] [Revised: 11/10/2014] [Accepted: 11/26/2014] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED The aim of this study was to investigate the presence and the phenotypic expression of a gene coding for a putative collagenase. This gene (AHA_0517) was identified in Aeromonas hydrophila ATCC 7966 genome and named colAh. We constructed and characterized an Aeromonas piscicola AH-3::colAh knockout mutant. Collagenolytic activity of the wild-type and mutant strains was determined, demonstrating that colAh encodes for a collagenase. ColAh-collagen interaction was assayed by Far-Western blot, and cytopathic effects were investigated in Vero cells. We demonstrated that ColAh is a gluzincin metallopeptidase (approx. 100 kDa), able to cleave and physically interact with collagen, that contributes for Aeromonas collagenolytic activity and cytotoxicity. ColAh possess the consensus HEXXH sequence and a glutamic acid as the third zinc binding positioned downstream the HEXXH motif, but has low sequence similarity and distinct domain architecture to the well-known clostridial collagenases. In addition, these results highlight the importance of exploring new microbial collagenases that may have significant relevance for the health and biotechnological industries. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY Collagenases play a central role in processes where collagen digestion is needed, for example host invasion by pathogenic micro-organisms. We identified a new collagenase from Aeromonas using an integrated in silico/in vitro strategy. This enzyme is able to bind and cleave collagen, contributes for AH-3 cytotoxicity and shares low similarity with known bacterial collagenases. This is the first report of an enzyme belonging to the gluzincin subfamily of the M9 family of peptidases in Aeromonas. This study increases the current knowledge on collagenolytic enzymes bringing new perspectives for biotechnology/medical purposes.
Collapse
|
86
|
Pereira C, Rubio TC, Rubio RD. Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Maintenance Treatment With Rituximab In Patients With Follicular Lymphoma Responding To First Line Induction Therapy In Portugal. VALUE IN HEALTH : THE JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR PHARMACOECONOMICS AND OUTCOMES RESEARCH 2014; 17:A530-A531. [PMID: 27201679 DOI: 10.1016/j.jval.2014.08.1684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
|
87
|
Veiga N, Carvalho P, Pereira C, Lopes P, Coelho I. Efficacy of oral health promotion in the control of bacterial dental plaque – preliminary study. Eur J Public Health 2014. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/cku161.134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
|
88
|
Veiga N, Amaral O, Pereira C, Chaves C, Nelas P, Ferreira M, Ferreira P, Correia I. Prevalence of oral hygiene habits and dental appointments among a portuguese sample of adolescents. Eur J Public Health 2014. [DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/cku151.099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
|
89
|
Picot Groz M, Martinez Bueno MJ, Rosain D, Fenet H, Casellas C, Pereira C, Maria V, Bebianno MJ, Gomez E. Detection of emerging contaminants (UV filters, UV stabilizers and musks) in marine mussels from Portuguese coast by QuEChERS extraction and GC-MS/MS. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2014; 493:162-169. [PMID: 24946029 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.05.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2014] [Revised: 04/10/2014] [Accepted: 05/08/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
The UV filters and musk fragrances have come into focus because these compounds are contained and increasingly used not only in sunscreen products but also in many products of daily use, such as cosmetics, skin creams, plastics or varnish. In view of this, the main objective of the present work was to develop and validate a method for the determination of three UV filters, two UV stabilizers and four musks in mussel samples (Mytilus galloprovincialis). The procedure combined a QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe) extraction method with an analysis by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). The methodology allowed the determination of target analytes at trace concentration levels (ng/g), with mean recoveries ranging from 91 to 112%. A monitoring study was conducted in four beaches in the Portuguese coast which are impacted by recreational activities and outflow of treated waste water effluents in rivers. The results are used to assess the occurrence of UV filters in comparison with UV stabilizers and musk fragrances which indicate other activities than bathing.
Collapse
|
90
|
Batista MT, Lima ML, Pereira C, Alves H. I love chips and (h)ate them too: the role of ambivalence and contextual cues on attitudinally based eating behaviour / Me encantan las patatas fritas, las como y (también) las odio: el papel de la ambivalencia y de las claves contextuales en el comportamiento alimentario basado en la actitud. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY 2014. [DOI: 10.1080/02134748.2014.981387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
|
91
|
Rebordão MR, Carneiro C, Alexandre-Pires G, Brito P, Pereira C, Nunes T, Galvão A, Leitão A, Vilela C, Ferreira-Dias G. Neutrophil extracellular traps formation by bacteria causing endometritis in the mare. J Reprod Immunol 2014; 106:41-9. [PMID: 25218891 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2014.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2014] [Revised: 07/08/2014] [Accepted: 08/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Besides the classical functions, neutrophils (PMNs) are able to release DNA in response to infectious stimuli, forming neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and killing pathogens. The pathogenesis of endometritis in the mare is not completely understood. The aim was to evaluate the in vitro capacity of equine PMNs to secrete NETs by chemical activation, or stimulated with Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus (Szoo), Escherichia coli (Ecoli) or Staphylococcus capitis (Scap) strains obtained from mares with endometritis. Ex vivo endometrial mucus from mares with bacterial endometritis were evaluated for the presence of NETs. Equine blood PMNs were used either without or with stimulation by phorbol-myristate-acetate (PMA), a strong inducer of NETs, for 1-3h. To evaluate PMN ability to produce NETs when phagocytosis was impaired, the phagocytosis inhibitor cytochalasin (Cyt) was added after PMA. After the addition of bacteria, a subsequent 1-h incubation was carried out in seven groups. NETs were visualized by 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) and anti-histone. Ex vivo samples were immunostained for myeloperoxidase and neutrophil elastase. A 3-h incubation period of PMN + PMA increased NETs (p < 0.05). Bacteria + 25 nM PMA and bacteria + PMA + Cyt increased NETs (p<0.05). Szoo induced fewer NETs than Ecoli or Scap (p < 0.05). Ex vivo NETs were present in mares with endometritis. Scanning electron microscopy showed the spread of NETs formed by smooth fibers and globules that can be aggregated in thick bundles. Formation of NETs and the subsequent entanglement of bacteria suggest that equine NETs might be a complementary mechanism in fighting some of the bacteria causing endometritis in the mare.
Collapse
|
92
|
Velasquez C, Sousa R, Fortini A, Pereira C, Costa A, da Silva C, Veloso M, de Oliveira A, de Carvalho F. Spent fuel criticality and compositions evaluation for long-term disposal in a generic cask. NUCLEAR ENGINEERING AND DESIGN 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nucengdes.2014.04.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
|
93
|
Salomé J, Guerra B, Pereira C, de Menezes M, da Silva C, Dalle H. Evaluation of the thermal neutron flux in samples of Al–Au alloy irradiated in the carrousel channels of the TRIGA MARK I IPR-R1 reactor using MCNP code. NUCLEAR ENGINEERING AND DESIGN 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nucengdes.2014.03.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
|
94
|
Cabeza I, Souto LG, Pintado JM, Pereira C, Freire C, Blanco G. Influence of ceria distribution on the redox behaviour of nanoparticulated CeO2-SiO2systems with application in catalysis. SURF INTERFACE ANAL 2014. [DOI: 10.1002/sia.5499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
|
95
|
Carvalho R, Pereira C, Serrano S, Santiago L. NSAIDs use on musculoskeletal disease in the elderly and cardiovascular risk. Ann Phys Rehabil Med 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rehab.2014.03.672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
|
96
|
Bisotto-de-Oliveira R, Jorge B, Roggia I, Sant'Ana J, Pereira C. Nanofibers as a Vehicle for the Synthetic Attactant TRIMEDLURE to be Used for Ceratitis capitata Wied: (Diptera, Tethritidae) Capture. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.6000/1929-5995.2014.03.01.6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
|
97
|
Garrido-Arandia M, Gamboa PM, González C, Pereira C, Catarino M, García-Lirio E, Soriano A, Pacios LF, Díaz-Perales A. A safe foodstuff for wheat allergic patients. Clin Transl Allergy 2014. [PMCID: PMC4072004 DOI: 10.1186/2045-7022-4-s2-p59] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
|
98
|
Sousa R, Tanure L, Costa D, Pereira C, Veloso M, de Oliveira A. A preliminary neutronic evaluation of the high temperature nuclear reactor (HTTR) using reprocessed fuel. ANN NUCL ENERGY 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anucene.2013.10.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
|
99
|
Tanure L, Sousa R, Costa D, Cardoso F, Veloso M, Pereira C. A preliminary neutronic evaluation of high temperature engineering test reactor using the SCALE6 code. Radiat Phys Chem Oxf Engl 1993 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.radphyschem.2013.05.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
|
100
|
Gómez-Casado C, Campo P, Garrido M, Pereira C, Palacin A, Rivas L, Catarino M, Aranda A, Macias ML, Armentia A, Quirce S, Blanca M, Perales AD. Component Resolved Diagnosis In Baker's Asthma. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2013.12.552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
|