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Meira T, Coelho A, Onat S, Ruano L, Cerqueira JJ. One-year regional brain volume changes as potential predictors of cognitive function in multiple sclerosis: a pilot study. Ir J Med Sci 2024; 193:957-965. [PMID: 37773245 PMCID: PMC10961282 DOI: 10.1007/s11845-023-03528-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The most reliable magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) marker of cognitive dysfunction in multiple sclerosis (MS) is brain atrophy. However, 1-year volumetric changes prior to cognitive assessment were never studied as potential predictors of cognition, which we aim to assess with this pilot work. METHODS Twenty-two MS patients were submitted to a baseline measure of 83 regional brain volumes with MRI and re-evaluated 1 year later; they were also tested with the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for MS (BICAMS): sustained attention and processing speed were examined with the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), verbal and visuo-spatial learning and memory with the learning trials from the California Verbal Learning Test-II (CVLT) and the Brief Visuo-spatial Memory Test-revised (BVMT), respectively. Controlling for age, sex, and years of education, a multivariate linear regression model was created for each cognitive score at 1-year follow-up in a backward elimination manner, considering cross-sectional regional volumes and 1-year volume changes as potential predictors. RESULTS Decreases in the volumes of the left amygdala and the right lateral orbitofrontal cortex in the year prior to assessment were identified as possible predictors of worse performance in verbal memory (P = 0.009) and visuo-spatial memory (P = 0.001), respectively, independently of cross-sectional brain regional volumes at time of testing. CONCLUSION Our work reveals novel 1-year regional brain volume changes as potential predictors of cognitive deficits in MS. This suggests a possible role of these regions in such deficits and might contribute to uncover cognitively deteriorating patients, whose detection is still unsatisfying in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Torcato Meira
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, Campus de Gualtar, University of Minho, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
- Neuroradiology Department, Hospital de Braga, Rua da Comunidades Lusíadas 133, Braga, Portugal
| | - Ana Coelho
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, Campus de Gualtar, University of Minho, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
| | - Seyda Onat
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, Campus de Gualtar, University of Minho, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
| | - Luís Ruano
- Neurology Department, Centro Hospitalar de Entre Douro e Vouga, Rua Dr. Cândido Pinho 5, 4520-211, Santa Maria da Feira, Portugal
- EPIUnit, Institute of Public Health, University of Porto, Rua das Taipas 135, 4050-600, Porto, Portugal
| | - João José Cerqueira
- Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Medicine, Campus de Gualtar, University of Minho, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal.
- Neurology Department, Hospital de Braga, Rua da Comunidades Lusíadas 133, Braga, Portugal.
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Alves A, Silva AM, Moreira J, Nunes C, Reis S, Pinto M, Cidade H, Rodrigues F, Ferreira D, Costa PC, Correia-da-Silva M. Polymersomes for Sustained Delivery of a Chalcone Derivative Targeting Glioblastoma Cells. Brain Sci 2024; 14:82. [PMID: 38248297 PMCID: PMC10813242 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14010082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) is a primary malignant tumor of the central nervous system responsible for the most deaths among patients with primary brain tumors. Current therapies for GBM are not effective, with the average survival of GBM patients after diagnosis being limited to a few months. Chemotherapy is difficult in this case due to the heterogeneity of GBM and the high efficacy of the blood-brain barrier, which makes drug absorption into the brain extremely difficult. In a previous study, 3',4',3,4,5-trimethoxychalcone (MB) showed antiproliferative and anti-invasion activities toward GBM cells. Polymersomes (PMs) are an attractive, new type of nanoparticle for drug administration, due to their high stability, enhanced circulation time, biodegradability, and sustained drug release. In the present study, different MB formulations, PEG2000-PCL and PEG5000-PCL, were synthesized, characterized, and compared in terms of 14-day stability and in vitro cytotoxicity (hCMEC/D3 and U-373 MG).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Alves
- UCIBIO—Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, MedTech-Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal (P.C.C.)
- Laboratory of Organic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana M. Silva
- REQUIMTE/LAQV, ISEP, Polytechnic of Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 431, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
| | - Joana Moreira
- Laboratory of Organic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
- Interdisciplinary Center of Marine and Environment Research (CIIMAR), University of Porto, Terminal dos Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos P, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Claúdia Nunes
- LAQV, REQUIMTE—Associated Laboratory for Green Chemistry, Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Salette Reis
- LAQV, REQUIMTE—Associated Laboratory for Green Chemistry, Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Madalena Pinto
- Laboratory of Organic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
- Interdisciplinary Center of Marine and Environment Research (CIIMAR), University of Porto, Terminal dos Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos P, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Honorina Cidade
- Laboratory of Organic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
- Interdisciplinary Center of Marine and Environment Research (CIIMAR), University of Porto, Terminal dos Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos P, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - Francisca Rodrigues
- REQUIMTE/LAQV, ISEP, Polytechnic of Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 431, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
| | - Domingos Ferreira
- UCIBIO—Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, MedTech-Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal (P.C.C.)
- Associate Laboratory i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Paulo C. Costa
- UCIBIO—Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit, MedTech-Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal (P.C.C.)
- Associate Laboratory i4HB—Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
| | - Marta Correia-da-Silva
- Laboratory of Organic and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
- Interdisciplinary Center of Marine and Environment Research (CIIMAR), University of Porto, Terminal dos Cruzeiros do Porto de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos P, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal
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Mendonça L, Antunes B, Rigor J, Martins-Mendes D, Monteiro-Soares M. Characterizing palliative care needs in people with or at risk of developing diabetic foot ulcers. Ther Adv Endocrinol Metab 2022; 13:20420188221136770. [PMID: 36406834 PMCID: PMC9666889 DOI: 10.1177/20420188221136770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) have a significant impact on a patient's quality of life and life expectancy, with mortality rates comparable with malignant diseases. However, there is a lack of data regarding palliative care needs in this population. We aimed to characterize palliative care needs in people under diabetic foot surveillance using the Integrated Palliative care Outcome Scale (IPOS) and EuroQol-5D three-level version (EQ-5D-3L) and to assess differences between those with and without a DFU. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional study with consecutive sampling inclusion of patients followed in a tertiary hospital's Diabetic Foot Clinic between February and October 2019 with (n = 20) and without (n = 42) active DFU. RESULTS The most frequent symptoms encountered were pain, weakness or lack of energy, sore or dry mouth and drowsiness. Patients with an active DFU were significantly more likely to report feeling anxious or worried in comparison with those without (95% versus 55%, p = 0.002). Only 10% of the participants with an active DFU said that they were always able to share how they felt with family and friends as much as they wanted in comparison with 45% of those without (p = 0.006). CONCLUSION Our study identified palliative care needs in patients under diabetic foot surveillance with and without DFU, including a significant presence of physical symptoms. Patients in both groups showed signs of emotional/psychological distress, with a higher manifestation in patients with DFU. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study addressing and characterizing palliative care needs in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liliane Mendonça
- MEDCIDS – Departamento de Medicina da
Comunidade Informação e Decisão em Saúde, Faculty of Medicine, University of
Porto, Portugal
| | - Bárbara Antunes
- Primary Care Unit, Department of Public Health
and Primary Care, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Joana Rigor
- Centro Hospitalar de Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho,
EPE, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
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