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- Control of zootechnology leads to improved Cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis, L.) reproduction performance up to pre-industrial levelsPublication . Capaz, Juan Carlos; Hernández-Brooke, Daniel; Balvet, Safia; Couto, Ana T.; Alves, Alexandra; Baptista Gonçalves, Rui; Frias, Paulo A.; Andrade, José Pedro; Sykes, AntónioCephalopods are gaining momentum as an alternate group for aquaculture species diversification, not only because they are a good food source (highly appreciated in some worldwide markets) but they also have the potential to quickly reach a market size. However, there are some bottlenecks impeding the transition of culture technology from the laboratory to industry. One is related to control over reproduction in captivity. The objective of the present experiment was to verify the effects of tanks with different bottom areas/volumes on the reproduction performance of S. officinalis breeding stocks, when sex ratios were controlled a priori; and the food cost associated with such performance when individuals are fed a natural frozen diet. One hundred and ninety two juvenile cuttlefish were used to compare three different round-shaped tanks: one type with 3000L volume and two types with 9000L volume (with differences in bottom areas and water column). Individuals had their sex and maturity stage determined to establish a sexual ratio of 2 female:1 male per tank and assure that cuttlefish were still immature. Biological data was collected during both growth and reproduction stages and until the death of all females in each tank. The experiment lasted nearly 300 days. Temperature differences between tank types were registered during both stages. The optimizing of rearing conditions has allowed for higher growth and a higher amount of cuttlefish available for breeding purposes. A total of 123,751 eggs (in 85 batches) was obtained during this experiment, which is a number that may meet a small scale cuttlefish commercial hatchery facility requirements. The present conditions contributed to a better and predictable reproduction performance in specific 9000L tanks, with values reaching pre-industrial numbers (approximate to 24,000 eggs/tank). Moreover, both the amount of eggs per batch and the overall quality of eggs has increased. Three of these 9000L tanks have an overall consumption of approximate to 38.64 Kg tank(-1), which translates in an investment in feed of approximate to 193 (sic) tank(-1), 8.40 (sic) per cuttlefish and an overall daily tank expense of 1.76 (sic) d(-1).
- Klotho levels: association with insulin resistance and albumin-to-creatinine ratio in type 2 diabetic patientsPublication . Silva, Ana Paula; Mendes, Filipa; Pereira, Luisa; Fragoso, André; Baptista Gonçalves, Rui; Santos, Nelio; Rato, Fátima; Neves, Pedro LeãoThe present study aimed at evaluating the relationship between Klotho levels and insulin resistance and albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) in type 2 diabetic patients with CKD. We conducted an observational, cross-sectional study in our outpatient diabetic nephropathy clinic from 2014 to 2016, enrolling a total of 107 type 2 diabetic patients with stage 2-3 CKD, with a mean age of 59 years. Several clinical and laboratorial parameters were evaluated, including those related to mineral and carbohydrate metabolism. The mean eGFR at baseline was 53.2 mL/min, and the mean levels of ACR and Klotho were 181.9 A mu g/mg and 331.1 pg/m, respectively. In the simple linear regression model, Klotho levels were correlated with age, phosphorus, PTH, ACR, HOMA, IL-6, FGF-23, OxLDL, eGFR and vitamin D levels. Applying a multivariate linear regression model, only the ACR, HOMA-IR, FGF-23 and vitamin D independently influenced the Klotho levels. In the generalized linear model, only the Klotho groups were statistically significant as independent variable (p = 0.007). The results show that the group 1 (< 268) compared with group 3 (> 440) had higher odds in the higher ACR (ae181), ORa = 3.429, p = 0.014. There were no statistically significant differences between Klotho groups 2 and 3, and the HOMA-IR obtained showed that group 1 (< 268) had greater odds of HOMA-IR ae2 when compared with group 3 (> 440), ORa = 21.59, p = 0.017. Our results showed that Klotho levels are influenced by FGF23, vitamin D and insulin resistance. This suggests that Klotho levels might be affected by renal function as well as having a relevant role on insulin metabolism and ACR homeostasis.
- Portuguese health care providers’ knowledge, attitudes, and acceptability of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxisPublication . Baptista Gonçalves, Rui; Marreiros, Ana; Augusto, Gonçalo FigueiredoIntroduction: Evidence shows that pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is highly effective in preventing sexually acquired human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Whilst its implementation is limited to the US and some countries where demonstration projects have taken place, PrEP has recently been introduced in Portugal. Successful implementation of PrEP requires actively engaging and involving of health care providers (HCP) in Portugal, yet little is known about their knowledge, attitudes, and acceptability towards this novel intervention. Material and methods: An online survey of convenience-sampled Portuguese HCP was conducted in January 2016, prior to PrEP implementation, to determine their knowledge, attitudes, practices, and acceptability of PrEP. Results: A total of 96 respondents nationwide took part in the study, of whom the majority were females (60.3%), specialist physicians/junior doctors (39%/53%), working in the field of HIV for 1 to 5 years (42.3%). Over half (51%) considered having an average or high knowledge of PrEP, and this was more common amongst infectious diseases specialists. Major concerns regarding PrEP implementation included a rise in sexually transmitted infections and increased antiretroviral resistance. Despite only 31.3% being asked about PrEP in the future, the majority (75%) considered that PrEP should be made available in Portugal. The main barrier to PrEP implementation was the lack of knowledge and information to HCP. Conclusions: Portuguese HCP demonstrated variable degrees of knowledge around PrEP, yet most would support its introduction in the country. Concerns were raised about potential consequences of PrEP roll out as well as implementation challenges that ought to be addressed before PrEP introduction.
- Plasmatic Klotho and FGF23 levels as biomarkers of CKD-associated cardiac disease in type 2 diabetic patientsPublication . Silva, Ana Paula; Mendes, Filipa; Carias, Eduarda; Baptista Gonçalves, Rui; Fragoso, André; Dias, Carolina; Tavares, Nelson; Mendonça Café, Hugo; Santos, Nélio; Rato, Fátima; Neves, Pedro Leão; Almeida, EdgarResearch over the past decade has focused on the role of Klotho as a cardio protective agent that prevents the effects of aging on the heart and reduces the burden of cardiovascular disease CVD. The role of the interaction between fibroblast growth factor 23-(FGF-23)/Klotho in Klotho-mediated actions is still under debate. The main objective was to ascertain the potential use of plasmatic Klotho and FGF23 as markers for CKD-associated cardiac disease and mortality.