Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2024-02-29"
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- Chemical characterization and biological properties assessment of Euphorbia resinifera and Euphorbia officinarum Moroccan PropolisPublication . Boutoub, Oumaima; El-Guendouz, Soukaina; Matos, Isabel; El Ghadraoui, Lahsen; Costa, Maria Clara; Carlier, Jorge; Faleiro, Maria Leonor; Figueiredo, Ana Cristina; Estevinho, Letícia M.; Miguel, MariaAlthough the plants of the genus Euphorbia are largely exploited by therapists in Morocco, the composition and antibacterial activities of propolis from these plants are still unknown. To address this gap, this study aimed to characterize the pollen type, the volatile compounds, and the phenolic and mineral profiles of three Euphorbia propolis samples collected in Morocco and evaluate their antimicrobial activities. The minimum inhibitory concentration of the propolis samples was determined by the microdilution method, and the anti-adherence activity was evaluated by the crystal violet assay. The examination of anti-quorum-sensing proprieties was performed using the biosensor Chromobacterium violaceum CV026. Pollen analysis revealed that Euphorbia resinifera pollen dominated in the P1 sample (58%), while E. officinarum pollen dominated in the P2 and P3 samples (44%). The volatile compounds were primarily composed of monoterpene hydrocarbons, constituting 35% in P1 and 31% in P2, with α-pinene being the major component in both cases, at 16% in P1 and 15% in P2. Calcium (Ca) was the predominant mineral element in both E. resinifera (P1) and E. officinarum (P2 and P3) propolis samples. Higher levels of phenols, flavonoids and dihydroflavonoids were detected in the E. officinarum P2 sample. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value ranged from 50 to 450 µL/mL against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Euphorbia propolis displayed the ability to inhibit quorum sensing in the biosensor C. violaceum CV026 and disrupted bacterial biofilm formation, including that of resistant bacterial pathogens. In summary, the current study evidences the potential use of E. officinarum propolis (P2 and P3) to combat important features of resistant pathogenic bacteria, such as quorum sensing and biofilm formation.
- Peritoneal protein loss with time in peritoneal dialysisPublication . Guedes, Anabela Malho; Marques, Roberto Calças; Domingos, Ana Teresa; Laranjo, Céu; Silva, Ana Paula; Rodrigues, Anabela; Krediet, Raymond T.Longitudinal evolution of peritoneal protein loss (PPL), a reflection of hydrostatic pressure-driven leak of plasma proteins through the large-pore pathway, is not clear. Time on PD causes loss of mesothelial cells, vasculopathy, and increased thickness of the submesothelial fibrous layer. Are these structural changes associated with progressive increase of PPL, in a parallel with the rise in the D/P creatinine? The aim of the present study was to identify longitudinal changes of PPL over time. This single-center, longitudinal study included 52 peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients with a median follow-up of 26.5 months, evaluated at two different time points with a minimum interval of 6 months. Repeated measures analysis was performed using paired sample t-test or the nonparametric Wilcoxon signed-rank test, depending on the distribution. After a median interval of 15.5 months, lower levels of residual renal function and urine volume, lower Kt/V, and creatinine clearance were found. D/P creatinine and PPL were stable, but a decrease in ultrafiltration was present. Systemic inflammation, nutrition, and volume overload showed no significant change with time on PD. Analysis of a subpopulation with over 48 months between initial and subsequential assessment (n = 11) showed again no difference in inflammation, nutritional and hydration parameters from baseline, but importantly PPL decreased after more than 4 years on PD (mean difference 1.2 g/24, p = 0.033). D/P creatinine and dip of sodium remained unchanged. The absence of deleterious effects of time on PD is reassuring, pointing to the benefit of updated PD prescription, including the standard use of more biocompatible solutions towards membrane preservation and adjusted prescription avoiding overhydration and inflammation while maintaining nutritional status. After controlling for confounders, PPL may act as a biomarker of acquired venous vasculopathy, even if small pore fluid transport rates and free water transport are preserved.
- Determinants of HIV late presentation among men who have sex with men in Portugal (2014–2019): who’s being left behind?Publication . Abrantes, Ricardo; Pimentel, Victor; Miranda, Mafalda N. S.; Silva, Ana Rita; Diniz, António; Ascenção, Bianca; Piñeiro, Carmela; Koch, Carmo; Rodrigues, Catarina; Caldas, Cátia; Morais, Célia; Faria, Domitília; Silva, Elisabete Gomes da; Teófilo, Eugénio; Monteiro, Fátima; Roxo, Fausto; Maltez, Fernando; Rodrigues, Fernando; Gaião, Guilhermina; Ramos, Helena; Costa, Inês; Germano, Isabel; Simões, Joana; Oliveira, Joaquim; Ferreira, José; Poças, José; Cunha, José Saraiva da; Soares, Jorge; Fernandes, Sandra; Mansinho, Kamal; Pedro, Liliana; Aleixo, Maria João; Gonçalves, Maria João; Manata, Maria José; Mouro, Margarida; Serrado, Margarida; Caixeiro, Micaela; Marques, Nuno; Costa, Olga; Pacheco, Patrícia; Proença, Paula; Rodrigues, Paulo; Pinho, Raquel; Tavares, Raquel; Abreu, Ricardo Correia de; Côrte-Real, Rita; Serrão, Rosário; Castro, Rui Sarmento e; Nunes, Sofia; Faria, Telo; Baptista, Teresa; Simões, Daniel; Mendão, Luis; Martins, M. Rosário O.; Gomes, Perpétua; Pingarilho, Marta; Abecasis, Ana B.Introduction HIV late presentation (LP) remains excessive in Europe. We aimed to analyze the factors associated with late presentation in the MSM population newly diagnosed with HIV in Portugal between 2014 and 2019.Methods We included 391 newly HIV-1 diagnosed Men who have Sex with Men (MSM), from the BESTHOPE project, in 17 countrywide Portuguese hospitals. The data included clinical and socio-behavioral questionnaires and the viral genomic sequence obtained in the drug resistance test before starting antiretrovirals (ARVs). HIV-1 subtypes and epidemiological surveillance mutations were determined using different bioinformatics tools. Logistic regression was used to estimate the association between predictor variables and late presentation (LP).Results The median age was 31 years, 51% had a current income between 501-1,000 euros, 28% were migrants. 21% had never been tested for HIV before diagnosis, with 42.3% of MSM presenting LP. 60% were infected with subtype B strains. In the multivariate regression, increased age at diagnosis, higher income, lower frequency of screening, STI ever diagnosed and higher viral load were associated with LP.Conclusion Our study suggests that specific subgroups of the MSM population, such older MSM, with higher income and lower HIV testing frequency, are not being targeted by community and clinical screening services. Overall, targeted public health measures should be strengthened toward these subgroups, through strengthened primary care testing, expanded access to PrEP, information and promotion of HIV self-testing and more inclusive and accessible health services.