Percorrer por autor "Lima, Ana"
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- APOB/APOA-I ratio and major cardiovascular risk factors in azores and Lisbon populations – a comparison studyPublication . Ferin, Rita; Lima, Ana; Baptista, José; Alves, Ana Catarina; Bourbon, Mafalda; Pavão, Maria LeonorIn the Azores Archipelago age adjusted death rates from coronary artery disease (CAD) are two-fold higher than in mainland Portugal. Also, there is not a registered central database on the prevalent risk factors for atherosclerosis (AT), the major cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Those factors can diverge in different populations, due to their genetic and/or particular exposure to environmental factors.
- Are Food Producing animals a source of multidrug-resistant E. coli and Salmonella spp.?Publication . Pista, Angela; Silveira, Leonor; Gonçalves, Carlota; Costa, Sara; Carolino, Catarina; Santo, Bianca; Rosa, Rute; Penteado, Margarida; Alves, Margarida; Belas, Adriana; Santos, Isabel; Lima, Ana; Mota, Joana; Pedroso, Laurentina; Gomes, João Paulo; Nunes, Alexandra; Ramos, SóniaObjectives: To assess the role of food-producing animals as potential transmission vehicles of Salmonella spp. and E. coli to Humans, in order to understand the epidemiology and population structure of these zoonotic agents in Portugal.
- Etiologia das infeções fúngicas invasivas e subcutâneas: análise dos dados da Rede Nacional de Vigilância Laboratorial das Infeções Fúngicas Invasivas e Subcutâneas (IFIs), 2013-2018Publication . Veríssimo, Cristina; Toscano, Cristina; Ferreira, Teresa; Abreu, Gabriela; Simões, Helena; Diogo, José; Queirós, Ana Maria; Santiago, Felicidade; Lima, Ana; Sabino, RaquelA epidemiologia das infeções fúngicas invasivas tem vindo a alterar-se com o surgimento de novos agentes etiológicos. A Rede Nacional de Vigilância Laboratorial de Infeções Fúngicas Invasivas e Subcutâneas (IFI) teve início em 2013 com o objetivo de melhor compreender a epidemiologia destas infeções em Portugal. O objetivo deste estudo é analisar os dados obtidos através da Rede entre junho de 2013 e setembro de 2018. Os laboratórios participantes asseguram a comunicação dos casos de IFIs ao Laboratório Nacional de Referência do INSA, enviando amostras biológicas ou isolados, acompanhados de um inquérito contendo informações demográficas, laboratoriais e avaliações clínicas dos doentes com suspeita de infeção fúngica. O estudo incluiu: i) casos de infeção fúngica invasiva (IFI) por fungos filamentosos/dimórficos, ii) casos de IFI provável, de acordo com os critérios estabelecidos pelo EORTC/MSG 2008, e iii) casos de infeções fúngicas subcutâneas. As infeções por leveduras não foram incluídas. Entre junho de 2013 e setembro de 2018, foram incluídos 52 casos, distribuídos da seguinte forma: IFI comprovada (por fungos filamentosos) (n=9); Infeção fúngica subcutânea (n=17); Infeção por fungos dimórficos endémicos (n=9), totalizando 67% de casos de IFI comprovados (n=35) e 33% de casos IFI provável (n=17). Os dados obtidos chamam a atenção para a grande diversidade de espécies envolvidas em infeções fúngicas profundas, com implicações para o diagnóstico clínico/laboratorial bem como para o tratamento destas infeções
- Hypercysteinemia, a potential risk factor for central obesity and related disorders in Azores, PortugalPublication . Lima, Ana; Ferin, Rita; Bourbon, Mafalda; Baptista, José; Pavão, M. LeonorIn Azores, the standardized mortality rate for coronary artery disease (CAD) is nearly the double when compared to mainland Portugal. The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of conventional CAD risk factors, as well as the plasma aminothiol profile (and its major determinants), between two groups of healthy subjects from Ponta Delgada (in Azores) and Lisbon (in mainland) cities, searching for precocious biomarker(s) of the disease. The study groups consisted of 101 healthy volunteers from Ponta Delgada (PDL) and 121 from Lisbon, aged 20-69 years. No differences in the prevalence of classical CAD risk factors were found between the study groups, except in physical inactivity and related central obesity, which were both higher in PDL men than in those from Lisbon. Hypercysteinemia, which seems to result from sulfur-rich amino acid diets and/or vitamin B12 malabsorption, revealed to be significantly more prevalent in PDL vs. Lisbon subjects (18% vs. 4%, P=0.001), namely, in male gender. Moreover, plasma Cys levels predicted waist circumference (β coefficient = 0.102, P=0.032) and concomitant central obesity and were also associated with insulin resistance. Nevertheless, hyperhomocysteinemia prevalence was similar in both groups, despite the fact that PDL subjects exhibited a higher rate of vitamin B12 deficiency compared to those from Lisbon (19% vs. 6%, P=0.003). Owing to the nature of this study design, a cause-effect relationship between high plasma Cys levels and central obesity or CAD risk could not be derived, but results strongly suggest that hypercysteinemia is a potential risk factor for metabolic disorders, i.e., obesity and insulin resistance, and CAD in Azores, a hypothesis that asks for confirmation through further large prospective studies.
- Invasive and Subcutaneous Infections Caused by Filamentous Fungi: Report from a Portuguese Multicentric Surveillance ProgramPublication . Veríssimo, Cristina; Toscano, Cristina; Ferreira, Teresa; Abreu, Gabriela; Simões, Helena; Diogo, José; Carvalho, Dinah; Santiago, Felicidade; Lima, Ana; Queirós, Ana Maria; Sabino, RaquelInvasive fungal infections (IFI) have significantly increased over the past years due to advances in medical care for the at-risk immunocompromised population. IFI are often difficult to diagnose and manage, and can be associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. This study aims to contribute to understanding the etiology of invasive and subcutaneous fungal infections, their associated risk factors, and to perceive the outcome of patients who developed invasive disease, raising awareness of these infections at a local level but also in a global context. A laboratory surveillance approach was conducted over a seven-year period and included: (i) cases of invasive and subcutaneous fungal infections caused by filamentous/dimorphic fungi, confirmed by either microscopy or positive culture from sterile samples, (ii) cases diagnosed as probable IFI according to the criteria established by EORTC/MSG when duly substantiated. Fourteen Portuguese laboratories were enrolled. Cases included in this study were classified according to the new consensus definitions of invasive fungal diseases (IFD) published in 2020 as follows: proven IFI (N = 31), subcutaneous fungal infection (N = 23). Those proven deep fungal infections (N = 54) totalized 71.1% of the total cases, whereas 28.9% were classified as probable IFI (N = 22). It was possible to identify the etiological fungal agent in 73 cases (96%). Aspergillus was the most frequent genera detected, but endemic dimorphic fungi represented 14.47% (N = 11) of the total cases. Despite the small number of cases, a high diversity of species were involved in deep fungal infections. This fact has implications for clinical and laboratory diagnosis, and on the therapeutic management of these infections, since different species, even within the same genus, can present diverse patterns of susceptibility to antifungals.
- Multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. in pigs slaughtered for human consumption, a potential source for Humans?Publication . Pista, Angela; Silveira, Leonor; Costa, Sara; Rosa, Rute; Gonçalves, Carlota; Alves, Margarida; Belas, Adriana; Santos, Isabel; Lima, Ana; Pedroso, Laurentina; Gomes, João Paulo; Ramos, Sónia; Nunes, AlexandraObjective: To assess the role of pig reservoir as potential transmission vehicle of Salmonella spp. and E. coli to humans, in order to understand the epidemiology and population structure of these zoonotic agents in Portugal.
- New Alternatives to Milk From Pulses: Chickpea and Lupin Beverages With Improved Digestibility and Potential Bioactivities for Human HealthPublication . Duarte, Carla Margarida; Mota, Joana; Assunção, Ricardo; Martins, Carla; Ribeiro, Ana Cristina; Lima, Ana; Raymundo, Anabela; Nunes, Maria Cristiana; Ferreira, Ricardo Boavida; Sousa, IsabelThere is a strong demand for plant-based milk substitutes, often low in protein content (<1.5% w/v). Protein-rich pulse seeds and the right processing technologies make it possible to make relevant choices. The major objective of this study was to assess the impact of processing on the nutritional characteristics of beverages with a high impact on health, in particular on digestibility and specific bioactivities. The results suggest that pulse beverages are as high in protein content (3.24% w/v for chickpea and 4.05% w/v for lupin) as cow's milk. The anti-nutrient level characteristics of pulses have been considerably reduced by strategic processing. However, when present in small quantities, some of these anti-nutritional factors may have health benefits. Controlling processing conditions play a crucial role in this fine balance as a tool to take advantage of their health benefits. There is evidence of protein hydrolysis by in vitro digestion and limited bioaccessibility of minerals. In addition to being highly digestible, lupin and chickpea beverages have anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic potential evaluated through the inhibition of metalloproteinase MMP-9.