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Projeto de investigação
Health and Technology Research Center
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Publicações
Drug resistance and epigenetic modulatory potential of epigallocatechin-3-gallate against staphylococcus aureus
Publication . Zeferino, Ana Sofia; Mira, Ana Rita; Delgadinho, Mariana; Brito, Miguel; Ponte, Tomás; Ribeiro, Edna
Antimicrobial resistance of human pathogens, such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, is described by the World Health Organization as a health global challenge and efforts must be made for the discovery of new effective and safe compounds. This work aims to evaluate epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) epigenetic and modulatory drug potential against S. aureus in vitro and in vivo. S. aureus strains were isolated from commensal flora of healthy volunteers. Antibiotic susceptibility and synergistic assay were assessed through disk diffusion accordingly to EUCAST guidelines with and without co-exposure to EGCG at final concentrations of 250 mu g/ml, 100 mu g/ml, 50 mu g/ml, and 25 mu g/ml. Transcriptional expression of orfx, spdC, and WalKR was performed through qRT-PCR. A 90-day interventional study was performed with daily consumption of 225 mg of EGCG. Obtained data revealed a high prevalence of S. aureus colonization in healthcare workers and clearly demonstrated the antimicrobial and synergistic potential of EGCG as well as divergent resistant phenotypes associated with altered transcriptional expression of epigenetic and drug response modulators genes. Here, we demonstrate the potential of EGCG for antimicrobial treatment and/or therapeutic adjuvant against antibiotic-resistant microorganisms and report divergent patterns of epigenetic modulators expression associated with phenotypic resistance profiles.
Depressive symptomatology, temperament and oxytocin serum levels in a sample of healthy female university students
Publication . Veiga, L.; Carolino, E.; Santos, I.; Veríssimo, C.; Almeida, A.; Grilo, A.; Brito, M.; Santos, M. C.
Background
Depressive symptomatology is prevalent among female university students with adverse effects on their quality of life and academic performance. Previous research suggested associations between depressive symptomatology and oxytocin levels and between depressive symptomatology and Temperament Traits. Despite this evidence, to the best of our knowledge no research has studied the effects fboth oxytocin serum levels and temperament dimensions on depressivesymptoms in a healthy sample. The present study aimed to analyse the effect of oxytocin levels and temperament traits on depressive symptomatology in healthy female university students.
Methods
All participants completed the Beck Depression Inventory and the Adult Temperament Questionnaire. Blood samples were collected between 8 and 8H30 a.m. after 12 h of fasting and between 5 and 8 day of the menstrual cycle and serum oxytocin levels were quantified using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A hierarchical multiple regression model using a stepwise method was conducted to identify predictors of depression.
Results
Forty-five women aged between 18 and 25 years old (19.37 ± 1.32 years) volunteered to participate in this study. Depressive symptomatology was negatively associated with oxytocin serum levels and "Negative affect" and positively associated with "Effortful control" and "Activation Control". In the final regression model, only oxytocin level was a predictor (B = − 0.090, p < 0.0001), the model explaining 65.2% of the depression variation. Oxytocin played a mediation role between "Negative affects" and Depressive symptomatology.
Conclusions
Our results showed that oxytocin level, rather than personality dimensions, was associated with depressive symptomatology. These results highlight the relevance of the discussion on the use of oxytocin as a biological marker of emotional and social symptoms that characterize depression.
Prescribed hospital diet influence on dietary intake of hospitalised patients: a cross-sectional study
Publication . Gameiro, Joana; de Oliveira, Raquel; Baltazar, Ana Lúcia; Rocha, Clara; Pereira, Marta; Martins, Diana; Lima, João P. M.; Mendes, Fernando
The dietary intake of hospitalised patients is often compromised during hospitalisation, which can be a causal factor for hospital malnutrition. This is considered a public health problem worldwide and is associated with an increased risk of other complications. Objectives: Our objective was to determine the dietary intake of hospitalised individuals and if the prescribed diet influences it. Methods: Food intake data were collected from 299 lunches of patients admitted to a hospital, using the visual estimation method with a five-point scale. Three existing diets were considered, and the energy and macronutrient values of the meal were calculated. The minimum energy and protein requirements were also calculated. Results: The components of the tray with the highest intake were soup and dessert; no significant differences were found between the percentage intake of each element and the prescribed diet. More than 50% of the individuals did not meet their minimum energy requirements, and only 36.5% had a protein intake that was within the recommendations. Conclusions: Dietary intake is much lower than prescribed, and nutritionists need to act to reduce the prevalence of hospital malnutrition.
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Entidade financiadora
Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Programa de financiamento
6817 - DCRRNI ID
Número da atribuição
UIDB/05608/2020