Browsing by Author "Duarte, Joana"
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- Alarm reaction and absence of alarm reaction to simulated predation on conspecifics in two temperate sea urchin speciesPublication . Wirtz, Peter; Duarte, JoanaBody fluids released by prey can signal the presence of a nearby predator. Numerous aquatic organisms show alarm responses to body fluids of conspecifics (reviewed by Chivers & Smith 1998, and by Ferrari et al. 2010). For nine sea urchin species, an alarm response to the smell of crushed conspecifics or the smell of extracts of conspecifics has been shown (Snyder & Snyder 1970, Mann et al. 1984, Parker & Shulman 1986, Campbell et al. 2001, Hagen et al. 2002, Vadas & Elner 2003). Two sea urchin species also responded to extracts from other species of the same genus (Parker & Shulman 1986). The sea urchins either moved to nearby shelter or moved away from the direction of the extract. We tested the two common, temperate eastern Atlantic sea urchins Arbacia lixula and Sphaerechinus granularis for the presence of such alarm reactions to simulated predation on conspecifics. (Introduction)
- Antimicrobial, antiviral and antioxidant activities of ‘‘água-mel’’ from PortugalPublication . Miguel, Maria Graça; Faleiro, Leonor; Antunes, Maria Dulce; S, Azza; Duarte, Joana; Silvério, Ana R.‘‘Água-mel’’ is a honey-based product produced in Portugal for ancient times. Several attributes have been reported to ‘‘água-mel’’ particularly in the alleviation of simple symptoms of upper respiratory tract. Samples of ‘‘água-mel’’ from diverse beekeepers from different regions of Portugal were studied in what concerns antimicrobial, antioxidant and antiviral properties. The amounts of phenol and brown pigment were also evaluated and correlated with the antioxidant activities. A great variability on the levels of these compounds was found among samples which were responsible for the variability detected also on the antioxidant activities, independent on the method used. Generally, antioxidant activity correlated better with brown pigments’ amount than with phenols’ content. The antimicrobial activity found for ‘‘água-mel’’ samples confirm the virtues reported by popular findings. In addition, this work also reveals the antiviral properties of ‘‘água-mel’’ evidenced by a decrease on the infectivity of the Qb bacteriophage.
- Avaliação da qualidade microbiológica e da atividade antimicrobiana de água-melPublication . Duarte, Joana; Faleiro, LeonorA produção de água-mel é conhecida em alguns países do Mediterrâneo como Itália e Portugal como uma prática antiga por parte dos apicultores. A água-mel resulta do aproveitamento de mel, própolis e poléns das colmeias após a extração do mel ao qual é adicionado água e sujeita a tratamento térmico prolongado. Conhecida na doçaria regional como ingrediente para bolos ou simplesmente como doce, a água-mel também é retratada pelos populares como remédio para doenças do trato respiratório e tratamento de feridas. Neste trabalho de dissertação o principal objetivo foi verificar a qualidade microbiológica da água-mel assim como a existência de atividade antimicrobiana perante alguns microrganismos de interesse para a saúde humana. As 21 amostras de água-mel foram analisadas em relação aos parâmetros de qualidade microbiológica que incluíram a contagem de aeróbios totais, bolores e leveduras bactérias da família Enterobacteriaceae, a presença de Salmonella spp e esporos de clostrideos sulfito-redutores, no qual todas as amostras apresentaram valores negativos, à exceção de uma amostra que apresentou um valor de microrganismos aeróbios de 3,41±0,09 Log10 UFC/g e de esporos de clostrideos sulfito-redutores o valor foi de 4,05±0,11 Log10 UFC/g. Na análise da atividade antimicrobiana, foram selecionadas quatro amostras de água-mel (1B2010, 1B2011, 1F2011 e 1H2011) baseadas nos resultados obtidos na análise físico-química. Foram testadas diferentes concentrações de água-mel, nomeadamente 20%, 30%, 40% e 50% (p/v) no crescimento de três estirpes de bactérias Gram negativas, oito bactérias Gram positivas e duas leveduras. Após cálculo das percentagens de inibição observou-se inibição de todas as estirpes testadas à exceção da levedura Saccharomyces cerevisiae que se demonstrou menos suscetível (P<0,05). Podemos concluir que a água-mel é um produto seguro para consumo humano do ponto de vista microbiológico e apresenta benefícios para a saúde humana pela sua capacidade de inibir o crescimento de agentes patogénicos.
- Epidemiology and Burden of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia among adult intensive care unit patients: A portuguese, multicenter, retrospective study (eVAP-PT Study)Publication . Mergulhão, Paulo; Pereira, João Gonçalves; Fernandes, Antero Vale; Krystopchuk, Andriy; Ribeiro, João Miguel; Miranda, Daniel; Castro, Heloísa; Eira, Carla; Morais, Juvenal; Lameirão, Cristina; Gomes, Sara; Leal, Dina; Duarte, Joana; Pássaro, Leonor; Froes, Filipe; Martin-Loeches, IgnacioVentilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a prevailing nosocomial infection in critically ill patients requiring invasive mechanical ventilation (iMV). The impact of VAP is profound, adversely affecting patient outcomes and placing a significant burden on healthcare resources. This study assessed for the first time the contemporary VAP epidemiology in Portugal and its burden on the healthcare system and clinical outcomes. Additionally, resource consumption (duration of iMV, intensive care unit (ICU), hospital length of stay (LOS)) and empirical antimicrobial therapy were also evaluated. This multicenter, retrospective study included patients admitted to the hospital between July 2016 and December 2017 in a participating ICU, who underwent iMV for at least 48 h. Patients with a VAP diagnosis were segregated for further analysis (n = 197). Control patients, ventilated for >48 h but without a VAP diagnosis, were also included in a 1:1 ratio. Cumulative VAP incidence was computed. All-cause mortality was assessed at 28, 90, and 365 days after ICU admission. Cumulative VAP incidence was 9.2% (95% CI 8.0-10.5). The all-cause mortality rate in VAP patients was 24.9%, 34.0%, and 40.6%, respectively, and these values were similar to those observed in patients without VAP diagnosis. Further, patients with VAP had significantly longer ICU (27.5 vs. 11.0 days, p < 0.001) and hospital LOS (61 vs. 35.9 days, p < 0.001), more time under iMV (20.7 vs. 8.0 days, p < 0.001) and were more often subjected to tracheostomy (36.5 vs. 14.2%; p < 0.001). Patients with VAP who received inappropriate empirical antimicrobials had higher 28-day mortality, 34.3% vs. 19.5% (odds ratio 2.16, 95% CI 1.10-4.23), although the same was not independently associated with 1-year all-cause mortality (p = 0.107). This study described the VAP impact and burden on the Portuguese healthcare system, with approximately 9% of patients undergoing iMV for >48 h developing VAP, leading to increased resource consumption (longer ICU and hospital LOS). An unexpectedly high incidence of inappropriate, empirical antimicrobial therapy was also noted, being positively associated with a higher mortality risk of these patients. Knowledge of the Portuguese epidemiology characterization of VAP and its multidimensional impact is essential for efficient treatment and optimized long-term health outcomes of these patients.