The Portuguese observatory on occupational psychosocial factors: contribution for public health

 

To achieve the goal of sustainable employment, considering the profile of the Portuguese working population (PWP), is needed a range of strategies to ensure long, productive, and sustainable careers allied with a better quality of working life, health, and wellbeing, but also with public health policies grounded on scientifically validated and reliable data. This is possible through a comprehensive working system approach that ensures workers will be mentally and physically able to remain at work by the balance between work demands and individual resources allied with public health policies transfer into the workplaces by organizations’ leadership and policy makers. The Portuguese Observatory on Occupational Factors (Popsy@Work) aims at addressing this global challenge by: i) digitally collecting psychosocial data on the PWP; ii) implementing and strengthening of a psychosocial occupational health surveillance digital system; iii) providing reference values for the PWP concerning Psychosocial Health; iv) Transferring to society knowledge and best practices; v) Raising awareness on the importance of psychosocial management in occupational settings based on science. Popsy@work is a digital platform that collects and aggregates psychosocial data analytically and creates a visualization hub adding value to data on the PWP and giving science back to society in a usable way, empowering workers, strengthening organizations and grounding public policies. Pospy@Work considers the development of strategic intelligence on levels and inequalities of psychosocial health and well-being in occupational settings by robust metrics and reference data. Creating opportunities for national policy dialogue on inequalities, including the psychosocial health of the PWP through collaboration with diverse sectors identifying and mapping subgroups of populations whose unmet needs require specific outreach measures.

Key messages

SAFETY AND EFFICACY OF THYMIC PEPTIDES IN THE TREATMENT OF HOSPITALIZED COVID-19 PATIENTS IN HONDURAS

Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) active cases continue to demand the development of safe and effective treatments. This is the first clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of oral thymic peptides. ; We conducted a nonrandomized phase 2 trial with a historic control group to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a daily 250-mg oral dose of thymic peptides in the treatment of hospitalized Covid-19 patients. Comparisons based on standard care from registry data were performed after propensity score matching. The primary outcomes were survival, time to recovery, and number of participants with treatment-related adverse events or side effects by day 20. ; A total of 44 patients were analyzed in this study: 22 in the thymic peptide group and 22 in the standard care group. There were no deaths in the intervention group compared to 24% mortality in standard care by day 20 (log-rank P=0.02). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed a significantly shorter time to recovery by day 20 in the thymic peptide group than in the standard care group (median, 6 days vs. 12 days; hazard ratio for recovery, 2.75 [95% confidence interval, 1.34 to 5.62]; log-rank P=0.002). No side effects or adverse events were reported. ; In patients hospitalized with Covid-19, the use of thymic peptides resulted in no side effects, adverse events, or deaths by day 20. Compared with the registry data, a significantly shorter time to recovery and mortality reduction were measured.

Evaluation of prognostic risk models for postoperative pulmonary complications in adult patients undergoing major abdominal surgery: a systematic review and international external validation cohort study

BACKGROUND

Stratifying risk of postoperative pulmonary complications after major abdominal surgery allows clinicians to modify risk through targeted interventions and enhanced monitoring. In this study, we aimed to identify and validate prognostic models against a new consensus definition of postoperative pulmonary complications.

METHODS

We did a systematic review and international external validation cohort study. The systematic review was done in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. We searched MEDLINE and Embase on March 1, 2020, for articles published in English that reported on risk prediction models for postoperative pulmonary complications following abdominal surgery. External validation of existing models was done within a prospective international cohort study of adult patients (≥18 years) undergoing major abdominal surgery. Data were collected between Jan 1, 2019, and April 30, 2019, in the UK, Ireland, and Australia. Discriminative ability and prognostic accuracy summary statistics were compared between models for the 30-day postoperative pulmonary complication rate as defined by the Standardised Endpoints in Perioperative Medicine Core Outcome Measures in Perioperative and Anaesthetic Care (StEP-COMPAC). Model performance was compared using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROCC).

FINDINGS

In total, we identified 2903 records from our literature search; of which, 2514 (86·6%) unique records were screened, 121 (4·8%) of 2514 full texts were assessed for eligibility, and 29 unique prognostic models were identified. Nine (31·0%) of 29 models had score development reported only, 19 (65·5%) had undergone internal validation, and only four (13·8%) had been externally validated. Data to validate six eligible models were collected in the international external validation cohort study. Data from 11 591 patients were available, with an overall postoperative pulmonary complication rate of 7·8% (n=903). None of the six models showed good discrimination (defined as AUROCC ≥0·70) for identifying postoperative pulmonary complications, with the Assess Respiratory Risk in Surgical Patients in Catalonia score showing the best discrimination (AUROCC 0·700 [95% CI 0·683-0·717]).

INTERPRETATION

In the pre-COVID-19 pandemic data, variability in the risk of pulmonary complications (StEP-COMPAC definition) following major abdominal surgery was poorly described by existing prognostication tools. To improve surgical safety during the COVID-19 pandemic recovery and beyond, novel risk stratification tools are required.

FUNDING

British Journal of Surgery Society.

An Anxious Heart: The Relation Between Cardiovascular Disease and Prevalence of Anxiety Symptoms

Introduction

Cardiovascular disease represent the leading cause of death worldwide, and is also responsible for the consumption of many medical resources, work absenteeism and worse Quality of Life. On the other hand, psychiatric diseases have recently gained more relevance worldwide as one of the principal causes of disability.

Objectives

Evaluate a possible relationship between cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) and anxious or depressive symptoms.

Methods

Observational and cross-sectional study in a non-probabilistic and convenience sample, composed by patients followed on five primary healthcare facilites, who voluntarily accepted to answer the questionnaire through an interview, between July 2020 and January 2021. After an informed consent, a questionnaire was carried out including sociodemographic characterization, presence of cardiovascular disease and/or cardiovascular risk factors and the Portuguese version of HADS. Descriptive and inferential statistics were performed, using Mann-Whitney U test. A value of p<0,05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

Sample of 179 people, 53,1% female, with an average age of 51,05 ± 22,02 years, in which 57,5% had one or more CVRF and 59,8% had CVD and/or CVFR and the most prevalent CVRF were hypertension (48%) and dyslipidemia (43,6%). There was a statistically significant relationship between diabetes and anxiety (p<0,05).

Conclusions

There was a greater prevalence of anxiety symptoms in people with diabetes compared to people without diabetes. This suggests the importance of giving attention to anxiety in patients with diabetes, given the relevance of this comorbidity in their quality of life. The main limitation of the study is related with the sample size.

Disclosure

No significant relationships.

Additional activation of the AR gene may be involved in the development of the castration resistance phenotype in prostate cancer

INTRODUCTION

Several studies have already shown that changes in the AR gene may be associated with a more aggressive disease phenotype and even castration-resistant prostate cancer. Thus, we investigated cytogenetic and molecular alterations linked to AR.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To evaluate AR methylation, we performed a cytogenetic-molecular analysis using fluorescence in situ hybridization that uses specific probes for the AR gene (Xq11.12) and the X chromosome centromere. For AR activity, we performed a qualitative analysis of human androgen receptor activity. To analyze the expression of AR in PC3 and LNCaP cell lines, we used qPCR assays.

RESULTS

In the qPCR assay, we found downregulation of AR in the PC3 cell line compared with the LNCaP. We found the presence of X chromosome polysomy in PC-3 and LNCaP cell lines by FISH assay. In the HUMARA-Q assay, we found two X chromosomes/cell and the activity of both AR in the PC-3 cell line. In LNCaP cells, we found two X chromosomes/cell and methylation of only one AR.

CONCLUSION

Castration-resistant prostate cancer phenotype represents a significant challenge in the setting of urological management. The X chromosomes and AR-linked alterations may contribute to a better understanding of the disease. However, further studies should be performed in an attempt to elucidate as much as possible the role of AR in the castration-resistant prostate cancer phenotype.

Parental Bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccine scars decrease infant mortality in the first six weeks of life: A retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Live attenuated vaccines have been observed to have particularly beneficial effects for child survival when given in the presence of maternally transferred immunity (priming). We aimed to test this finding and furthermore explore the role of paternal priming.

METHODS

In an exploratory, retrospective cohort study in 2017, parental Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) scars were assessed for infants from the Bandim Health Project (BHP) who had participated in a 2008-2013 trial of neonatal BCG vaccination. Parental scar effects on mortality were estimated from birth to 42 days, the age of the scheduled diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) vaccination, in Cox proportional hazard models adjusted with Inverse Probability of Treatment Weighting.

FINDINGS

For 66% (510/772) of main trial infants that were still registered in the BHP area, at least one parent was located. BCG scar prevalence was 77% (353/461) among mothers and 63% (137/219) among fathers. In the first six weeks of life, maternal scars were associated with a mortality reduction of 60% (95%CI, 4% to 83%) and paternal scars with 49% (-68% to 84%). The maternal scar association was most beneficial among infants that had received BCG vaccination at birth (73% (-1% to 93%)). Although priming was less evident for paternal scars, having two parents with scars reduced mortality by 89% (13% to 99%) compared with either one or none of the parents having a scar.

INTERPRETATION

Parental BCG scars were associated with strongly increased early-life survival. These findings underline the importance of future studies into the subject of inherited non-specific immunity and parental priming.

FUNDING

Danish National Research Foundation; European Research Council; Novo Nordisk Foundation; University of Southern Denmark.

A pig slurry feast/famine feeding regime strategy to improve mesophilic anaerobic digestion efficiency and digestate hygienisation

The increasing concentration of livestock farms results in large amounts of waste production and the need for their management. The study of anaerobic digestion (AD) technology, under mesophilic conditions, applied to pig slurry is of the upmost importance for biogas recovery and sanitised digestate, contributing to a circular economy. The assessment of the effects of a feast/famine regime on biogas and biomethane (bio-CH₄) yield with different feeding frequencies was performed. The evaluation was made in regards to three scenarios: the first is based on daily feeding (FR1); in the second, the feeding occurs once every two days (FR2); and in the third, the feeding happens once every three days (FR3). The results demonstrate that the biogas and methane yield increased by 34% and 37% between FR1 and FR3. The stability inside the reactor was maintained since specific loading energetic rate values did not exceed the recommended limit (0.4 d^-1). It was also possible to conclude that the AD technology was efficient to sanitise the pig slurry, with the count of Escherichia coli going from 1 × 10⁵ colony-forming units (CFU) g^-1 to less than 100 CFU g^-1, meeting the legal requirements for agricultural valorisation. The total anaerobic mesophile plate counts were significantly (p < 0.1) reduced from feeding to digestate, and the plate counts of Clostridia were significantly (p < 0.05) increased, reflecting the changes in the composition of the microbiota. The increasing yield in bio-CH₄ in accordance with Clostridium counts suggests this genus as a positive microbiological key indicator of the AD performance.

AB0747 MATERNAL AND FETAL OUTCOMES IN PREGNANT WOMEN WITH JUVENILE IDIOPATHIC ARTHRITIS: A SYSTEMATIC LITERATURE REVIEW

Background:

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), one of the most common chronic diseases in children, can be classified in seven different categories according to its onset presentation. Concerns about pregnancy outcomes play a secondary role in disease approach. However, recent data showed an increased risk of pre-term birth in women with JIA instead the small patient samples analysed.

Objectives:

In this review, our aim is to describe the current available knowledge on JIA adverse, maternal and fetal, outcomes.

Methods:

A systematic literature review was conducted since January of 2000 until December 2020, by searching the PubMed and Embase bibliographic databases. The search was limited to articles in English language, presenting a comparator group (healthy individuals or patients without known auto-immune rheumatic diseases) and at least one clinical outcome of interest. Two independent reviewers screened the titles and abstracts followed by a full-text review to assess papers regarding their eligibility.

Results:

Ten observational studies out of 1560 references, fulfilled the inclusion criteria, of which, 9 were retrospective and 1 prospective. A total of 6.214 women with JIA (with 6.811 pregnancies) and 18.659.513 healthy controls (with 21.339.194 pregnancies) were included in this review.

Concerning maternal outcomes, delivery by caesarian section (CS) was more frequent among JIA women (in 4 out of 6 studies). Pre-eclampsia was referred in 3 out of 6 studies and a higher risk of vaginal bleeding and placenta previa in one additional study. No study found an increased risk for gestational diabetes or hypertension in pregnant women with JIA.

Regarding fetal outcomes, 8 studies revealed significantly increased of pre-term birth (only in first births in one study) but one study didn’t show any increased risk. Two studies showed a higher risk of small gestational age (SGA) and in another 2, increased risk for low birth weight (LBW). No evidence of increased risk of major congenital malformations.

Conclusion:

This systematic review suggests an increased risk for pre-eclampsia, preterm birth, delivery by CS, SGA and LBW, among pregnant women with JIA. Conclusions should be carefully interpreted, giving the heterogeneity of studied populations regarding demography, disease type, disease activity, and prescribed medication.

Disclosure of Interests:

None declared

Impact of smoking habit on platelet reactivity in a cohort of patients admitted due to an acute coronary syndrome

Background

Several pharmacodynamic studies have shown the impact of smoking habit on platelet reactivity; with a reduction on platelet aggregation. Wether this inhibition in platelet reactivity is due to tobacco effects in platelet signaling pathways or due to a pharmacodynamic interaction with antiplatelet therapies is not well stablished.

Purpose

Our aim was to study the influence of smoking habit in platelet reactivity and in the response to P2Y12 inhibitors.

Methods

Patients admitted in four tertiary care hospitals due to an acute coronary syndrome that undergone percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) were consecutively and prospectively recruited. All the patients received dual antiplatelet therapy with aspirin and a P2Y12 inhibitor following current European Guidelines. Platelet function was assessed at day 1 and day 30 post-PCI by VerifyNow P2Y12, VASP (Vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein) y MEA (Multiple electrode aggregometry).

Results

A total of 1000 patients were enrolled, of whom 12 had to be excluded due to inaccurate processing of blood samples. 372 patients (37,6%) had smoking habit. Non-smoking patients showed higher prevalence of high blood pressure [423 (68.7%) vs 196 (52.7%)] and diabetes mellitus [213 (34.6%) vs 81 (21.8%)]. Smoking patients were younger [57.3 (9,6) years old vs 68.4 (11.1)], with higher incidence of acute coronary syndrome with ST segment elevation [184 patients (49,5%) vs 241 (39.1%), p&lt;0,001]. There were no differences in platelet function at day 1. When analysing platelet function 30 days post-PCI, a lower inhibition of platelet reactivity in non-smoking patients as compared with smoking patients was observed in those treated with clopidogrel, with higher prevalence of clopidogrel-resistance in non-smoking patients (VerifyNow, 51,2% prevalence of high platelet reactivity in non-smoking patients vs 34,9% 30 days after PCI, p=0,023). On the other hand, smoking patients that received ticagrelor did not show any differences. Patients with smoking habit treated with prasugrel showed a lower response of borderline statistical significance.

Conclusion

Smoking habit was associated with a lower response to prasugrel of borderline significance, and with higher response to clopidogrel, according with previous studies suggesting a pharmacodynamics interaction between tobacco use and P2Y12 inhibitors.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias (FIS)

Is “one size fits all” anti-aggregation really effective? Variability in the response to P2Y12 receptor inhibitors in obese patients

Background

Different “ex vivo” studies have shown both a greater platelet activation and higher rates of resistance to clopidogrel in obese patients. Although there is less evidence, less prasugrel activity has also been observed in these patients. Our aim was to study the variability of the response to clopidogrel, ticagrelor and prasugrel in obese patients, defined as a body mass index ≥30.

Methods

Prospective, multicenter, observational, pharmacodynamic study, conducted in a Spanish population of patients with an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) treated with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and double anti-aggregation with acetylsalicylic acid and a P2Y12 receptor inhibitor. Platelet function tests were performed the morning after the ICP and 30 days after it, including: 1) VerifyNow P2Y12 assay; 2) multiple electrode aggreometry (Multiplate); and 3) VASP analysis.

Results

Of the total patients included (988), 300 were obese (30.3%). The obese group was younger (62.8±12 years vs 64.9±12), had a higher incidence of arterial hypertension (76.3% vs. 56.7%), diabetes mellitus (35% vs. 27.5%); and lower incidence of chronic kidney disease (7.7% vs. 17%). There were no differences in the acute phase (day 1 after PCI) in the pharmacodynamic response to any of the P2Y12 inhibitors used. After 30 days, greater platelet aggregation (decreased response) was documented in obese patients treated with prasugrel according to VASP tests (PRI in non-obese 23.9±13% vs. 30.4±14.7% in obese, p 0.035) and MEA (area under the aggregation units curve in non-obese 251.7±104.1 vs 320±166.7 in obese, p 0.007) and a numerical trend with VerifyNow. A trend in the same direction was also observed in patients treated with clopidogrel that did not reach statistical significance with all the platelet function tests used. No differences were observed in the ticagrelor group.

Conclusion

Obese patients with an ACS treated with PCI have a worse response to thienopyridines than non-obese patients in the maintenance phase of antiaggregant treatment, while the response to ticagrelor is not affected by obesity. Completing the clinical follow-up proposed by the registry is necessary to know if these differences have an implication in cardiovascular events.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Fondo de Investigaciones Sanitarias (FIS)

Evaluation of MMP-10 and TIMP-1 levels associated with Resveratrol supplementation

Introduction Resveratrol (RSV) is a natural phytoalexin present in abundance in grapes, berries, peanuts and red wine. The main benefits of resveratrol ingestion are due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This compound also induces therapeutic benefits in the remodelling of extracellular matrix (ECM), which plays an important role in the regulation of the activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and its tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). The MMPs are a family of zinc dependent endopeptidases, with an important role in the physiological and pathological remodelling of ECM, once the activity of MMPs can be regulated by TIMPs. This regulation is essential, since if there is an imbalance between the MMPs and TIMPs there’s destruction of the ECM, leading to the development of several pathologies.

Objectives Evaluate RSV potential by determining serum and salivary levels of MMP-10 and TIMP-1.

Methodology The study population included 27 undergraduates between the ages of 18 and 30, divided into a control group (placebo) and an intervention group, supplemented with 100 mg RSV/day, during 30 days. MMP-10 and TIMP-1 levels were determined by slot blot. The results were analysed using a GraphPad Prism version 5 software for Windows (GraphPad Software, San Diego, California, USA).

Results It was verified the existence of a linear correlation between the serum and salivary levels of TIMP-1, as well as a tendency of increase of this biomarker after RSV supplementation. In all indicators studied, supplementation with this compound wasn’t harmful.

Conclusion The rising trend verified at TIMP-1 in both fluids may reflect benefits in the individuals under study, demonstrating that saliva has potential as a study biofluid for this type of biochemical markers. It was also verified that supplementation with this compound did not damage the evaluated parameters and, therefore, the RSV potential shouldn’t be rejected.

Activation of Prejunctional P2x2/3 Heterotrimers by ATP Enhances the Cholinergic Tone in Obstructed Human Urinary Bladders

The objective of this study was to investigate the role of ATP in cholinergic neurotransmission in the urinary bladder of control men and of patients obstructed as a result of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Human detrusor samples were collected from 41 patients who submitted to transvesical prostatectomy resulting from BPH and 26 male organ donors. The release of [³H]acetylcholine ([³H]ACh) was evoked by electrical field stimulation (10 Hz, 200 pulses) in urothelium-denuded detrusor strips. Myographic recordings were performed to test detrusor strip sensitivity to ACh and ATP. Nerve-evoked [³H]ACh release was 1.5-fold higher in detrusor strips from BPH patients compared with controls. This difference was abolished after desensitization of ionotropic P2X1-3 receptors with an ATP analog, α,β-methylene ATP (30 μM, applied for 15 minutes). TNP-ATP (10 nM, a preferential P2X2/3 antagonist) and A317491 (100 nM, a selective P2X3 antagonist) were about equipotent in decreasing nerve-evoked [³H]ACh release in control detrusor strips, but the selective P2X1 receptor antagonist NF023 (3 μM) was devoid of effect. The inhibitory effect of TNP-ATP (10 nM) increased from 27% ± 9% to 43% ± 6% in detrusor strips of BPH patients, but the effect of A317491 (100 nM) [³H]ACh release unaltered (20% ± 2% vs. 24% ± 4%). The amplitude of ACh (0.1-100 μM)-induced myographic recordings decreased, whereas sensitivity to ATP (0.01-3 mM) increased in detrusor strips from BPH patients. Besides the well characterized P2X1 receptor-mediated contractile activity of ATP in pathologic human bladders, we show here for the first time that cholinergic hyperactivity in the detrusor of BPH patients is facilitated by activation of ATP-sensitive P2X2/3 heterotrimers. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Bladder outlet obstruction often leads to detrusor overactivity and reduced bladder compliance in parallel to atropine-resistant increased purinergic tone. Our data show that P2X1 purinoceptors are overexpressed in the detrusor of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Besides the P2X1 receptor-mediated detrusor contractions, ATP favors nerve-evoked acetylcholine release via the activation of prejunctional P2X2/3 excitatory receptors in these patients Thus, our hypothesis is that manipulation of the purinergic tone may be therapeutically useful to counteract cholinergic overstimulation in obstructed patients.

255Impact of the type of acute coronary syndrome on the pharmocodynamic response to P2Y12 inhibitors in the acute and maintenance phase of therapy

Background

The presence of an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is per se a predictor of reduced responsiveness to clopidogrel; in particular, patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) have impaired clopidogrel-induced platelet inhibition than those with other forms of ACS. However, the impact of the type of ACS on the pharmocodynamic efficacy of more potent P2Y12 antagonists such as prasugrel or ticagrelor has not been fully elucidated to date.

Purpose

To assess the impact of the type of ACS on platelet inhibition mediated by P2Y12 receptor antagonists in the acute and the maintenance phase of therapy in a contemporary cohort of ACS patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods

Substudy of a prospective, national, multicentre, pharmacodynamic registry conducted in a population of ACS patients undergoing PCI and treated with dual antiplatelet therapy including aspirin and a P2Y12 inhibitor as per clinical indication. Patients were classified according to the ACS diagnosis into groups: a) STEMI, b) non-ST-elevation ACS (NSTEACS), c) unstable angina (UA), and d) other (excluded from the present analysis). Platelet function tests (PFT) were performed at day 1 and day 30 (±5) after PCI and included: 1) VerifyNow P2Y12 assay, expressed as P2Y12 reaction units (PRUs); 2) Vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (VASP) assay; and 3) Multiple electrode aggregometry (MEA).

Results

A total of 965 patients (372 with STEMI, 395 with NSTEACS and 198 with UA) were included in the present substudy. At day 1, the proportions of patients with each type of ACS according to the P2Y12 inhibitor received were: 1) clopidogrel (n=317): STEMI 35.0%, NSTEACS 34.4% and UA 30.6%; 2) prasugrel (n=192): STEMI 70.3%, NSTEACS 17.7% and UA 12.0%; 3) ticagrelor (n=456): STEMI 27.6%, NSTEACS 55.3% and UA 17.1%. A statistically significant reduced platelet inhibition, measured with the VerifyNow system, was observed in STEMI patients compared with the other forms of ACS in patients receiving clopidogrel (STEMI: 217.3±8.1, NSTEACS: 157.1±7.9 and UA: 164.9±8.6 PRUs; p for STEMI vs. NSTEACS <0.001 and p for STEMI vs. UA <0.001) and ticagrelor (STEMI: 57.7±3.8, NSTEACS: 45.2.1±2.6 and UA: 40.6±4.9 PRUs; p for STEMI vs. NSTEACS 0.008 and p for STEMI vs. UA 0.007), while a numerical trend towards greater platelet reactivity in STEMI compared to UA was observed in subjects receiving prasugrel (Figure). Remarkably, at day 30, no significant differences on platelet inhibition were observed according to the ACS type with any of the P2Y12 inhibitors. Similar results were observed with MEA and VASP assays.

PD response according to the ACS type

Conclusions

Patients presenting with STEMI have impaired platelet inhibition mediated by P2Y12 antagonists compared to other types of ACS during the acute phase of therapy, whereas no difference is observed during the maintenance phase of treatment.

Acknowledgement/Funding

Funded by Instituto de Salud Carlos III through the project PI13/01012 (co-funded by European Regional Development Fund. ERDF, a way to build Europe)

Abstract P6-08-01: Not presented

This abstract was not presented at the conference.

Citation Format: Guimarães I, Gimba E, Castelo-Branco M, Sternberg C, Silva I, Rangel L. Not presented [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P6-08-01.

The impact of glycemic variability on length of stay and mortality in diabetic patients admitted with community-acquired pneumonia or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

AIM

To investigate the influence of glycemic variability (GV) on length of stay and in-hospital mortality in non-critical diabetic patients.

METHODS

A observation retrospective study was performed. Diabetic patients admitted between January and June 2016 with the diagnosis of community-acquire pneumonia (CAP) and/or acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) were enrolled and glycemic control (persistent hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, mean glucose level (MGL) and respective standard deviation (SD) and coefficient of variation (CV)) were evaluated. Primary outcomes were length of stay and in-hospital mortality.

RESULTS

Data from 242 patients were analyzed. Fifty-eight percent of the patients were male, with a median age of 77 years (min-max, 29-98). Patients had on average 2.1 glucose readings-day and the MGL was 193.3 mg/dl (min-max, 84.3-436.6). Hypoglycemia was documented in 13.4% of the patients and 55.4% had persistent hyperglycemia. The median length of hospital stay was 10 days (min-max, 1-66) and in-hospital mortality was 7.4%. We found a significant higher in-hospital mortality in older patients, with history of cancer and with nosocomial infections. We did not find any correlation between MGL, SD, CV, hypoglycemia or persist hyperglycemia and in-hospital mortality. A longer length of stay was observed in patients with heavy alcohol consumption and nosocomial infections. The length of stay was negatively correlated with the mean glucose level (r²-0.147; p < 0.05) and positively correlated with the coefficient of variation (p 0.162; p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

This study confirmed the negative impact of the glycemic variability in the outcomes of diabetic patients admitted with CAP or acute exacerbation of COPD.

Fever, Malaise, and Dyspnea in a Diabetic Heart Transplant Patient: A Case Report

Patients with solid-organ transplants usually present at the emergency department with nonspecific symptoms. The physician should consider a great variety of syndromes and diseases, given the greater risk that solid-organ transplant patients carry because of immunosuppression and transplant-related conditions. Myocardial infarction caused by cardiac allograft vasculopathy must be always suspected and ruled out, even when initial symptoms do not orientate in that direction. We present a case that conjugates signs that can be present in different pathologies. It shows that fever is not always related to infection or rejection but could also appear in acute cardiac allograft vasculopathy. It emphasizes the need of a multi-disciplinary team led by a heart transplant specialist when dealing with this sort of clinical case.

Inhalation injury in a burn unit: a retrospective review of prognostic factors

Inhalation injury (InI) is known to seriously affect the prognosis of burn patients, as it is strongly associated with high morbidity and mortality. Despite major advances in the treatment of burn patients in the past years, advances in the treatment of smoke InI have been somewhat limited; mortality reduction mostly results from improvements in critical care. It is difficult to separate the contribution of InI from other mechanisms that also affect respiratory tract and lungs. The aim of this study was to compare patients with and without InI and to identify prognostic factors among patients with smoke InI. Patients with InI displayed higher total body surface area (TBSA) burned, higher incidence of pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), a higher rate of positive blood cultures and a significantly higher death rate. We could conclude that older age, higher TBSA, ARDS and pneumonia were independent predictive factors for mortality in our global study population. Older age and higher TBSA were the only independent factors found to be predictive of mortality in patients with InI.

Early Macrophage Infiltration and Sustained Inflammation in Kidneys From Deceased Donors Are Associated With Long-Term Renal Function

Kidney transplants from living donors (LDs) have a better outcome than those from deceased donors (DDs). Different factors have been suggested to justify the different outcome. In this study, we analyzed the infiltration and phenotype of monocytes/macrophages and the expression of inflammatory and fibrotic markers in renal biopsy specimens from 94 kidney recipients (60 DDs and 34 LDs) at baseline and 4 months after transplantation. We evaluated their association with medium- and long-term renal function. At baseline, inflammatory gene expression was higher in DDs than in LDs. These results were confirmed by the high number of CD68-positive cells in DD kidneys, which correlated negatively with long-term renal function. Expression of the fibrotic markers vimentin, fibronectin, and α-smooth muscle actin was more elevated in biopsy specimens from DDs at 4 months than in those from LDs. Gene expression of inflammatory and fibrotic markers at 4 months and difference between 4 months and baseline correlated negatively with medium- and long-term renal function in DDs. Multivariate analysis point to transforming growth factor-β1 as the best predictor of long-term renal function in DDs. We conclude that early macrophage infiltration, sustained inflammation, and transforming growth factor-β1 expression, at least for the first 4 months, contribute significantly to the difference in DD and LD transplant outcome.

Formulation of pea protein for increased satiety and improved foaming properties

Pea protein was successfully encapsulated into a lipophilic carrier through PGSS®. HPT-scCO₂of pea protein has enabled higher foam stability.

Curvas de crescimento morfológico para suínos localmente adaptados no Brasil

No presente estudo objetivou-se determinar curvas de crescimento para quatro raças de suínos naturalizados do Brasil (Moura, Piau, Nilo e Monteiro) através de ajustes não lineares. Foram coletados dados de 13 medidas morfológicas de 220 exemplares de ambos os sexos entre os 30 dias de vida até a idade adulta. As curvas foram ajustadas usando regressão não linear, pelas equações de Gompertz, Weibull, Logística, Brody e Richards. A melhor função foi selecionada pelo maior R² e menor erro quadrático médio, sendo a função de Weibull a mais apropriada para todas as raças e sexos. No geral, as fêmeas de todas as raças atingiram as medidas adultas com mais precocidade, porém os machos cresceram mais do que as fêmeas. O crescimento da raça Moura é o que mais se assemelha ao crescimento das raças industriais, isso pode estar relacionado ao fato de grande parte dos exemplares serem criados em sistemas de engorda. Por outro lado, a raça Monteiro foi a que apresentou um crescimento mais tardio. Conclui-se que as raças de suínos naturalizados brasileiros possuem crescimento diferenciado, que está relacionado com a origem genética da raça e adaptação ao ambiente.

Impairment of ATP hydrolysis decreases adenosine A1 receptor tonus favoring cholinergic nerve hyperactivity in the obstructed human urinary bladder

This study was designed to investigate whether reduced adenosine formation linked to deficits in extracellular ATP hydrolysis by NTPDases contributes to detrusor neuromodulatory changes associated with bladder outlet obstruction in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The kinetics of ATP catabolism and adenosine formation as well as the role of P1 receptor agonists on muscle tension and nerve-evoked [(3)H]ACh release were evaluated in mucosal-denuded detrusor strips from BPH patients (n = 31) and control organ donors (n = 23). The neurogenic release of ATP and [(3)H]ACh was higher (P < 0.05) in detrusor strips from BPH patients. The extracellular hydrolysis of ATP and, subsequent, adenosine formation was slower (t (1/2) 73 vs. 36 min, P < 0.05) in BPH detrusor strips. The A(1) receptor-mediated inhibition of evoked [(3)H]ACh release by adenosine (100 μM), NECA (1 μM), and R-PIA (0.3 μM) was enhanced in BPH bladders. Relaxation of detrusor contractions induced by acetylcholine required 30-fold higher concentrations of adenosine. Despite VAChT-positive cholinergic nerves exhibiting higher A(1) immunoreactivity in BPH bladders, the endogenous adenosine tonus revealed by adenosine deaminase is missing. Restoration of A1 inhibition was achieved by favoring (1) ATP hydrolysis with apyrase (2 U mL(-1)) or (2) extracellular adenosine accumulation with dipyridamole or EHNA, as these drugs inhibit adenosine uptake and deamination, respectively. In conclusion, reduced ATP hydrolysis leads to deficient adenosine formation and A(1) receptor-mediated inhibition of cholinergic nerve activity in the obstructed human bladder. Thus, we propose that pharmacological manipulation of endogenous adenosine levels and/or A(1) receptor activation might be useful to control bladder overactivity in BPH patients.

A PRISMA-driven systematic review for predictive risk factors of digital ulcers in systemic sclerosis patients

Vasculopathy has a major role in the pathogenesis and tissue injury in systemic sclerosis (SSc). Raynaud's phenomenon (RP) is frequently the first clinical manifestation of SSc preceding by years other clinical manifestations. RP in SSc patients is frequent, often very severe and long lasting. The repeated bouts of RP lead to prolonged digital ischemia that may progress to digital ulceration or in extreme to critical digital ischemia with gangrene. Digital ulcers (DU) are a true burden for all patients. They are very painful, with a long and slow healing course, have high risk of infection and are extremely disabling. In adults, up to 40-50% of patients will experience at least one DU in the course of the disease and of these 31-71% will have recurrent ulcers. In order to try to identify predictive risk factors for DU in SSc patients, an extensive literature review was conducted, according to the guidelines proposed at the PRISMA statement. MEDLINE database (PubMed) and Thomson Reuters Web of Knowledge platform were searched for articles published in peer-reviewed journals since 1990 with the last search run on June 2014 and published in English language. The keyword search terms included: digital ulcer/s, systemic sclerosis, scleroderma, digital scars, ischemic complications, autoantibodies, biomarkers, endothelium dysfunction, endothelin-1, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), endostatin, ADMA, endoglin, angiostatin, and capillaroscopy. The following criteria were included: (1) cohorts of SSc patients including patients with DU, (2) endothelium dysfunction and angiogenesis biomarkers compared with a healthy control group, (3) autoantibodies, capillary morphology and distribution, endothelium dysfunction and angiogenesis biomarkers compared between patients with and without digital ulcers, (4) detailed description of the statistical methods used to conclude for predictive factors, and (5) English language. Our search provided a total of 376 citations. Of these, 297 studies were discarded for not meeting the criteria proposed.

Amplification of neuromuscular transmission by methylprednisolone involves activation of presynaptic facilitatory adenosine A2A receptors and redistribution of synaptic vesicles

The mechanisms underlying improvement of neuromuscular transmission deficits by glucocorticoids are still a matter of debate despite these compounds have been used for decades in the treatment of autoimmune myasthenic syndromes. Besides their immunosuppressive action, corticosteroids may directly facilitate transmitter release during high-frequency motor nerve activity. This effect coincides with the predominant adenosine A2A receptor tonus, which coordinates the interplay with other receptors (e.g. muscarinic) on motor nerve endings to sustain acetylcholine (ACh) release that is required to overcome tetanic neuromuscular depression in myasthenics. Using myographic recordings, measurements of evoked [(3)H]ACh release and real-time video microscopy with the FM4-64 fluorescent dye, results show that tonic activation of facilitatory A2A receptors by endogenous adenosine accumulated during 50 Hz bursts delivered to the rat phrenic nerve is essential for methylprednisolone (0.3 mM)-induced transmitter release facilitation, because its effect was prevented by the A2A receptor antagonist, ZM 241385 (10 nM). Concurrent activation of the positive feedback loop operated by pirenzepine-sensitive muscarinic M1 autoreceptors may also play a role, whereas the corticosteroid action is restrained by the activation of co-expressed inhibitory M2 and A1 receptors blocked by methoctramine (0.1 μM) and DPCPX (2.5 nM), respectively. Inhibition of FM4-64 loading (endocytosis) by methylprednisolone following a brief tetanic stimulus (50 Hz for 5 s) suggests that it may negatively modulate synaptic vesicle turnover, thus increasing the release probability of newly recycled vesicles. Interestingly, bulk endocytosis was rehabilitated when methylprednisolone was co-applied with ZM241385. Data suggest that amplification of neuromuscular transmission by methylprednisolone may involve activation of presynaptic facilitatory adenosine A2A receptors by endogenous adenosine leading to synaptic vesicle redistribution.