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Abstract
BACKGROUND Although the incidence rates of non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) have been increasing in many countries, the basic epidemiology of NTM remains to be fully understood. OBJECTIVE To assess the incidence, clinical relevance and geographical distribution of NTM disease in Portugal and to identify demographic and clinical characteristics associated with Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) disease. METHODS Information stored in an electronic database of all NTM cases reported over an 11-year period was retrospectively reviewed. Significant demographic and clinical characteristics of MAC disease (vs. having any other NTM disease) were determined using multiple logistic regression models. RESULTS We identified 632 patients, mostly male, native Portuguese, with pulmonary disease, predominantly from Lisbon and Porto. The annual incidence of NTM disease was 0.54 per 100 000 population. The annual number of NTM cases increased throughout the study period. MAC was most frequently isolated. MAC disease was positively (and significantly) associated with being female, age >45 years and human immunodeficiency virus infection. CONCLUSIONS The increasing incidence of NTM over the study period emphasises the importance of NTM as a public health issue. This study provides important information for health care professionals and a basis for further study of NTM in Portugal.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Oliveira
- Department of Pulmonology, Centro Hospitalar de Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho, Portugal
| | - A R Gaio
- Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto and Centre of Mathematics of the University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - M Gomes
- Department of Occupational Health, Centro Hospitalar Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
| | - A Gonçalves
- Department of Pulmonology, Centro Hospitalar de Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho, Portugal
| | - R Duarte
- Department of Pulmonology, Centro Hospitalar de Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho, Chest Disease Center, Vila Nova de Gaia, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; Epidemiology Research Unit, Instituto De Saúde Pública, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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Sousa P, Oliveira A, Gomes M, Gaio AR, Duarte R. Longitudinal clustering of tuberculosis incidence and predictors for the time profiles: the impact of HIV. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis 2018; 20:1027-32. [PMID: 27393535 DOI: 10.5588/ijtld.15.0522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Portugal remains the country with the highest tuberculosis (TB) incidence in Western Europe. OBJECTIVES To identify longitudinal trends in TB incidence in Portugal from 2002 to 2012 and investigate the longitudinal effect of sociodemographic and health-related predictors among the resident population on the TB incidence rate. METHODS We used data from the National Tuberculosis Surveillance System and other national institutions. K-means longitudinal clustering algorithm was performed on TB incidence time profiles from districts of Portugal. RESULTS Three longitudinal profiles for the TB incidence rate of Portugal were identified. In all of them, TB incidence decreased over time. Among all studied sociodemographic and health-related predictors, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) notification rate and unemployment were shown to have (positive) significant effects on TB incidence. In particular, the greatest effects were found for the HIV notification rate. CONCLUSIONS Our study supports the view that combined TB-HIV strategies and the improvement of social determinants can contribute to decreases in TB incidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Sousa
- Faculty of Medicine of Porto University, Porto, Portugal
| | - A Oliveira
- Centre of Mathematics, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; School of Allied Health Sciences, Polytechnic Institute of Porto, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
| | - M Gomes
- Epidemiology Research Unit Institute of Public Health, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; Centro Hospitalar de Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho EPE, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
| | - A R Gaio
- Centre of Mathematics, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; Mathematics Department, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - R Duarte
- Epidemiology Research Unit Institute of Public Health, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; Centro Hospitalar de Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho EPE, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal; Chest Disease Centre, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal; Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Predictive Medicine and Public Health, University of Porto Medical School, Porto, Portugal
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Sousa M, Gomes M, Gaio AR, Duarte R. Nosocomial tuberculosis prevention in Portuguese hospitals: a cross-sectional evaluation. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis 2017; 21:930-934. [PMID: 28786802 DOI: 10.5588/ijtld.16.0835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
SETTING Measures to control tuberculous infection are crucial to prevent nosocomial transmission and protect health care workers (HCWs). In Portugal, the extent of implementation of tuberculosis (TB) control measures in hospitals is not known. OBJECTIVE To determine the current implementation of preventive measures for tuberculous infection at administrative, environmental and personal levels in Portuguese hospitals. DESIGN A cross-sectional evaluation was performed using two anonymous questionnaires: one sent to all the hospital infection control (IC) committees and the other sent to all pulmonologists and physicians specialising in infectious disease. RESULTS Fourteen IC committees and 72 physicians responded. According to the IC committees, 92% of hospitals had a written TB control plan, but only 37% of the physicians said there was always/almost always a fast track for diagnosing suspected pulmonary TB cases. The majority of the hospitals had an isolation policy (85%) and these patients were always/almost always admitted in separate rooms, according to 70% of physicians. Both HCWs and TB patients used respiratory protection equipment (92%). CONCLUSION These findings indicate that the most basic TB IC measures had been undertaken, but some TB IC measures were not fully implemented at all hospitals. An institutional effort should be made to solve this problem and strengthen TB prevention activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Sousa
- Centro Hospitalar Tondela-Viseu, Porto, Portugal
| | - M Gomes
- Centro Hospitalar de Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho, Vila Nova de Gaia, EPIUnit Institute of Public Health, Portugal
| | - A R Gaio
- Mathematics Department, Faculty of Sciences, Centre of Mathematics, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - R Duarte
- Centro Hospitalar de Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho, Vila Nova de Gaia, EPIUnit Institute of Public Health, Chest Disease Centre, Vila Nova de Gaia, Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Predictive Medicine and Public Health, University of Porto Medical School, Porto, Portugal
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Rocha V, Marques C, Figueiredo JL, Gaio AR, Costa PC, Sousa Lobo JM, Almeida IF. In vitro cytotoxicity evaluation of resveratrol-loaded nanoparticles: Focus on the challenges of in vitro methodologies. Food Chem Toxicol 2017; 103:214-222. [PMID: 28288928 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2017.03.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2016] [Revised: 02/28/2017] [Accepted: 03/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Assessment of toxic effects is mandatory before market placement of pharmaceutical and cosmetic products. Nanotoxicology is an emerging regulatory concern and still a challenging field. Topical application of resveratrol (RSV) has been extensively studied owing to its multi-mechanistic skin anti-aging effects. Nanoencapsulation has been suggested as a promising solution to overcome RSV stability issues. In this work RSV-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLC) were prepared using a homogenization/sonication technique. Cytotoxicity assays were conducted with an immortalized cell line of human keratinocytes (HaCaT). For a comprehensive cytotoxicity characterization MTT and Alamar Blue® reduction assays (assessment of metabolic activity), Neutral red uptake (evaluation of lysosomal integrity), and Trypan blue (assessment of membrane integrity) were used. The results obtained with the different assays were not always concordant, as put in evidence by an adequate statistical analysis. Experimental parameters such as washing steps were found to be critical. The study is of interest because it draws attention to the importance of careful selected experimental conditions of in vitro nanotoxicological tests. Experimental protocols should be adapted taking into account nano-related features such as interference with the dyes and light dispersion/absorption properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Rocha
- Laboratório de Tecnologia Farmacêutica, Departamento de Ciências do Medicamento, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira nº 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
| | - C Marques
- Laboratório de Tecnologia Farmacêutica, Departamento de Ciências do Medicamento, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira nº 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - J L Figueiredo
- Laboratório de Tecnologia Farmacêutica, Departamento de Ciências do Medicamento, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira nº 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
| | - A R Gaio
- Departamento de Matemática, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto e Centro de Matemática da Universidade do Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal.
| | - P C Costa
- UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Laboratório de Tecnologia Farmacêutica, Departamento de Ciências do Medicamento, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira nº 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
| | - J M Sousa Lobo
- UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Laboratório de Tecnologia Farmacêutica, Departamento de Ciências do Medicamento, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira nº 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
| | - I F Almeida
- UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Laboratório de Tecnologia Farmacêutica, Departamento de Ciências do Medicamento, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade do Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira nº 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
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Paulino J, Martins A, Machado M, Gomes M, Gaio AR, Duarte R. Tuberculosis in native- and foreign-born populations in Portugal. Int J Tuberc Lung Dis 2017; 20:357-62. [PMID: 27046717 DOI: 10.5588/ijtld.15.0430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tuberculosis (TB) is a major global health problem, and during the last 20 years, industrialised countries have shown similar patterns in TB notifications: decreasing TB incidence in native populations and increasing incidence in foreign-born populations. OBJECTIVES To characterise risk factors associated with TB among native- and foreign-born TB patients in Portugal and identify barriers to the management of foreign cases. METHODS Analysis of the data from the national tuberculosis surveillance system and data from an online survey of physicians managing TB cases in the country. RESULTS Risk factors in the two populations differed. Foreign-born patients were younger, less likely to use drugs or alcohol and had fewer comorbidities. They were also more likely to be human immunodeficiency virus positive, to be employed and to be homeless/living in shelters. The outcome of the disease and the time to diagnosis were not significantly different between the two populations. The most important barriers to the management of foreign-born TB cases were language and fear of deportation. CONCLUSIONS As there are significant differences between the two populations, different TB control strategies should be implemented in the two populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Paulino
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Praça de Gomes Teixeira, 4099-002 Porto, Portugal.
| | - A Martins
- Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Public Health, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - M Machado
- Department of Mathematic, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - M Gomes
- Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Public Health, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - A R Gaio
- Department of Mathematic, Faculty of Sciences, and Centre of Mathematics, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - R Duarte
- Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Public Health, and Chest Disease Centre, Vila Nova de Gaia, and Pulmonology, Centro Hospitalar de Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho EPE, and Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Predictive Medicine and Public Health, University of Porto Medical School, Porto, Portugal
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Franco I, Sousa P, Gomes M, Oliveira A, Gaio AR, Duarte R. Social profile of the highest tuberculosis incidence areas in Portugal. Rev Port Pneumol (2006) 2015; 22:50-2. [PMID: 26515935 DOI: 10.1016/j.rppnen.2015.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2015] [Revised: 08/19/2015] [Accepted: 08/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- I Franco
- Pulmonology Department, Hospital of Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal.
| | - P Sousa
- Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Predictive Medicine and Public Health, Medical School, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - M Gomes
- Occupational Health and Safety Department, Hospital of Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
| | - A Oliveira
- Department of Mathematics, Sciences School, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - A R Gaio
- Department of Mathematics, Sciences School, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; Centre of Mathematics, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - R Duarte
- Pulmonology Department, Hospital of Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal; Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Predictive Medicine and Public Health, Medical School, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; EPI Unit, Institute of Public Health at University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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Guimarães M, Oliveira O, Teixeira C, Gaio AR, Duarte R. Delay in the diagnosis of tuberculosis. Rev Port Pneumol (2006) 2015; 21:S2173-5115(15)00136-0. [PMID: 26294306 DOI: 10.1016/j.rppnen.2015.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2014] [Revised: 07/01/2015] [Accepted: 07/04/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- M Guimarães
- EPIUnit - Institute of Public Health, University of Porto, Portugal.
| | - O Oliveira
- EPIUnit - Institute of Public Health, University of Porto, Portugal
| | - C Teixeira
- Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal
| | - A R Gaio
- Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Portugal; Centre of Mathematics of the University of Porto, Portugal
| | - R Duarte
- EPIUnit - Institute of Public Health, University of Porto, Portugal; Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto, Portugal; Pulmonology Department, Centro Hospitalar de Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho, EPE, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal; National Centre for Multidrug-resistant Tuberculosis, Portugal.
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Ramos S, Nogueira A, Dias A, Gonçalves AF, Gaio AR, Duarte R. Tuberculosis screening in patients receiving biological therapy. Acta Reumatol Port 2015; 40:234-240. [PMID: 26337776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
AIM Biological therapies are a risk factor for tuberculosis (TB). Portuguese recommendations recommend universal baseline screening for TB before starting biologics (2006) and annually thereafter if screened negative (2012 update). The gain with re-screening remains unknown. We aimed to i)identify the risk of latent TB infection at baseline screening among patients candidates to initiate biologics ii)present follow-up results for patients receiving different biological therapies and analyse intolerance or toxicity related to preventive therapy, conversions of immunodiagnostic tests under biological therapy and development of active TB. METHODS Patients screened for TB at a reference centre before starting biological therapy between 2008-2012 were identified. Medical files were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic data, screening and follow-up results and information on biological therapy were collected. EXCLUSION CRITERIA unavailable information on initiation of biological therapy. RESULTS 183 patients were included in the study, with 115 starting biological therapy. The baseline screening was positive in 52(45,2%) patients - 50(96,2%) were proposed for preventive treatment (2 had abnormal liver enzymes). Mild hepatotoxicity occurred in 4(8%) patients without need to interrupt TB prophylaxis. No cases of active TB occurred during follow-up in patients with positive baseline screening. Among the 63(54,8%) patients who screened negative, 2(3,2%) developed active TB (under infliximab and adalimumab) more than one year after initiation of biologics. 26(41,3%) patients were re-screened at the TB centre. 5(19,2%) had tuberculin skin test (TST) conversion and one concomitantly undetermined IGRA. No IGRA conversions were observed. The follow-up period was 4,0 years. TB baseline screening's negative predictive value (NPV) was 96,8% (95%CI: 89,0% to 99.5%). A low rate of re-screening was observed. CONCLUSION The rate of latent TB at baseline screening was higher than expected. Preventive treatment was well tolerated. No patients with positive baseline screening developed active TB. Efforts should be made to raise awareness concerning the risk of TB exposure, specially considering that the active TB cases were compatible with new infection. The rate of re-screening suggests a low awareness regarding current recommendations Nation-wide studies are necessary to evaluate the efficacy of the re-screening strategy and to clarify what risk groups most benefit from it.
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Guedes-Martins L, Silva E, Gaio AR, Saraiva J, Soares AI, Afonso J, Macedo F, Almeida H. Fetal-maternal interface impedance parallels local NADPH oxidase related superoxide production. Redox Biol 2015; 5:114-123. [PMID: 25912167 PMCID: PMC4412968 DOI: 10.1016/j.redox.2015.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2015] [Revised: 04/14/2015] [Accepted: 04/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Blood flow assessment employing Doppler techniques is a useful procedure in pregnancy evaluation, as it may predict pregnancy disorders coursing with increased uterine vascular impedance, as pre-eclampsia. While the local causes are unknown, emphasis has been put on reactive oxygen species (ROS) excessive production. As NADPH oxidase (NOX) is a ROS generator, it is hypothesized that combining Doppler assessment with NOX activity might provide useful knowledge on placental bed disorders underlying mechanisms. A prospective longitudinal study was performed in 19 normal course, singleton pregnancies. Fetal aortic isthmus (AoI) and maternal uterine arteries (UtA) pulsatility index (PI) were recorded at two time points: 20-22 and 40-41 weeks, just before elective Cesarean section. In addition, placenta and placental bed biopsies were performed immediately after fetal extraction. NOX activity was evaluated using a dihydroethidium-based fluorescence method and associations to PI values were studied with Spearman correlations. A clustering of pregnancies coursing with higher and lower PI values was shown, which correlated strongly with placental bed NOX activity, but less consistently with placental tissue. The study provides evidence favoring that placental bed NOX activity parallels UtA PI enhancement and suggests that an excess in oxidation underlies the development of pregnancy disorders coursing with enhanced UtA impedance.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Guedes-Martins
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal; IBMC-Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, 4150-180 Porto, Portugal; Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal; Centro Hospitalar do Porto EPE, Departamento da Mulher e da Medicina Reprodutiva, Centro Hospitalar do Porto EPE, Largo Prof. Abel Salazar, 4099-001 Porto, Portugal.
| | - E Silva
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal; IBMC-Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, 4150-180 Porto, Portugal; Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal.
| | - A R Gaio
- Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal; CMUP-Centre of Mathematics of the University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal.
| | - J Saraiva
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal; IBMC-Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, 4150-180 Porto, Portugal; Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal; Centro Hospitalar do Porto EPE, Departamento da Mulher e da Medicina Reprodutiva, Centro Hospitalar do Porto EPE, Largo Prof. Abel Salazar, 4099-001 Porto, Portugal.
| | - A I Soares
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal; IBMC-Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, 4150-180 Porto, Portugal; Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal.
| | - J Afonso
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal.
| | - F Macedo
- Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal.
| | - H Almeida
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal; IBMC-Instituto de Biologia Molecular e Celular, 4150-180 Porto, Portugal; Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal; Obstetrics-Gynecology, Hospital-CUF Porto, 4100 180 Porto, Portugal.
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Ribeiro C, Ladeira I, Gaio AR, Brito MC. Pneumococcal pneumonia - Are the new severity scores more accurate in predicting adverse outcomes? Rev Port Pneumol 2013; 19:252-9. [PMID: 23850193 DOI: 10.1016/j.rppneu.2012.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2012] [Revised: 09/13/2012] [Accepted: 09/13/2012] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The site-of-care decision is one of the most important factors in the management of patients with community-acquired pneumonia. The severity scores are validated prognostic tools for community-acquired pneumonia mortality and treatment site decision. The aim of this paper was to compare the discriminatory power of four scores - the classic PSI and CURB65 ant the most recent SCAP and SMART-COP - in predicting major adverse events: death, ICU admission, need for invasive mechanical ventilation or vasopressor support in patients admitted with pneumococcal pneumonia. METHODS A five year retrospective study of patients admitted for pneumococcal pneumonia. Patients were stratified based on admission data and assigned to low-, intermediate-, and high-risk classes for each score. Results were obtained comparing low versus non-low risk classes. RESULTS We studied 142 episodes of hospitalization with 2 deaths and 10 patients needing mechanical ventilation and vasopressor support. The majority of patients were classified as low risk by all scores - we found high negative predictive values for all adverse events studied, the most negative value corresponding to the SCAP score. The more recent scores showed better accuracy for predicting ICU admission and need for ventilation or vasopressor support (mostly for the SCAP score with higher AUC values for all adverse events). CONCLUSIONS The rate of all adverse outcomes increased directly with increasing risk class in all scores. The new gravity scores appear to have a higher discriminatory power in all adverse events in our study, particularly, the SCAP score.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Ribeiro
- Serviço de Pneumologia, Centro Hospitalar de Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho, Portugal.
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Nunes B, Gaio AR, Carvalho F, Guilhermino L. Behaviour and biomarkers of oxidative stress in Gambusia holbrooki after acute exposure to widely used pharmaceuticals and a detergent. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2008; 71:341-354. [PMID: 18243307 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2007.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2006] [Revised: 11/20/2007] [Accepted: 12/08/2007] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Pharmaceuticals are continuously dispersed into the environment, as a result of human and veterinary use, and have become a relevant environmental concern. In the present study, the acute toxicity of three therapeutic agents (diazepam, clofibrate, and clofibric acid) and a detergent, sodium dodecylsulphate (SDS), to the euryhaline fish Gambusia holbrooki was evaluated. Special attention was devoted to oxidative stress parameters. G. holbrooki males, captured in the estuary of the Minho River (NW Portugal), were exposed for 96 h to the selected compounds. The following oxidative stress biomarkers were evaluated in gills and liver tissues: reduced and oxidised glutathione, lipid peroxidation, and several antioxidant enzymes, namely (1) total and selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase (GPx), (2) glutathione reductase (GRed), (3) copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu-ZnSOD) and manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD), and (4) glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs). In the particular case of diazepam, swimming behaviour was also evaluated. The obtained results indicate an overall diminished oxidative stress response caused by SDS and diazepam. Oxidative-based alterations were observed after exposure to clofibrate and clofibric acid, with modifications of several enzymatic activities. Diazepam caused evident behavioural changes: animals showed dark pigmentation and also abnormal postures, namely lethargy and anomalous movement.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Nunes
- ICBAS, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Departamento de Estudos de Populações, Laboratório de Ecotoxicologia, Universidade do Porto, Largo Prof. Abel Salazar 2, 4099-003 Porto, Portugal.
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Capela JP, Ruscher K, Lautenschlager M, Freyer D, Dirnagl U, Gaio AR, Bastos ML, Meisel A, Carvalho F. Ecstasy-induced cell death in cortical neuronal cultures is serotonin 2A-receptor-dependent and potentiated under hyperthermia. Neuroscience 2006; 139:1069-81. [PMID: 16504407 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2006.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2005] [Revised: 12/30/2005] [Accepted: 01/06/2006] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Studies on 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine ("ecstasy")-induced neurotoxicity mainly focus on damage of serotonergic terminals. Less attention has been given to neuronal cell death produced by 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine and other amphetamines in areas including the cortex, striatum and thalamus. In the present study we investigated 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine-induced neurotoxicity in neuronal serum free cultures from rat cortex. Since 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine intake induces hyperthermia in both animals and humans, the experiments were performed under normal (36.5 degrees C) and hyperthermic conditions (40 degrees C). Our findings showed a dose-, time- and temperature-dependent apoptotic cell death induced by 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine in cortical neurons. 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine-induced damage was potentiated under hyperthermia. The neurotoxicity was reduced by the serotonin 2A-receptor antagonists, ketanserin and (2R,4R)-5-[2-[2-[2-(3-methoxyphenyl)ethyl]phenoxy]ethyl]-1-methyl-3-pyrrolidinol hydrochloride, in both normothermic and hyperthermic conditions. (+/-)-2,5-Dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine hydrochloride, a model agonist for the serotonin 2A-receptor, also induced a dose- and time-dependent apoptotic cell death. Again, protection was provided by ketanserin and (2R,4R)-5-[2-[2-[2-(3-methoxyphenyl)ethyl]phenoxy]ethyl]-1-methyl-3-pyrrolidinol hydrochloride against (+/-)-2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine hydrochloride-induced neurotoxicity, thereby indicating that the 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine stimulation of the serotonin 2A-receptor leads to neurotoxicity. This study provides for the first time evidence that direct 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine serotonin 2A-receptor stimulation leads to neuronal cortical death. alpha-Phenyl-N-tert-butyl nitrone a free radical scavenger and the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor Nomega-nitro-L-arginine as well as the NMDA-receptor antagonist MK-801 provided protection under normothermia and hyperthermia, thereby suggesting the participation of free radicals in 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine-induced cell death. Since 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine serotonin 2A-receptor agonistic properties lead to neuronal death, clinically available atypical antipsychotic drugs with serotonin 2A-antagonistic properties could be a valuable therapeutic tool against 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine-induced neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- J P Capela
- Rede de Química e Tecnologia, Toxicology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
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