Browsing by Author "Pinto, P."
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- Bronchoalveolar lavage proteomics in patients with suspected lung cancerPublication . Carvalho, A.S.; Cuco, C.M.; Lavareda, C.; Miguel, F.; Ventura, M.; Almeida, S.; Pinto, P.; de Abreu, T.T.; Rodrigues, L.V.; Seixas, S.; Bárbara, C.; Azkargorta, M.; Elortza, F.; Semedo, J.; Field, J.K.; Mota, L.; Matthiesen, R.Lung cancer configures as one of the deadliest types of cancer. The future implementation of early screening methods such as exhaled breath condensate analysis and low dose computed tomography (CT) as an alternative to current chest imaging based screening will lead to an increased burden on bronchoscopy units. New approaches for improvement of diagnosis in bronchoscopy units, regarding patient management, are likely to have clinical impact in the future. Diagnostic approaches to address mortality of lung cancer include improved early detection and stratification of the cancers according to its prognosis and further response to drug treatment. In this study, we performed a detailed mass spectrometry based proteome analysis of acellular bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid samples on an observational prospective cohort consisting of 90 suspected lung cancer cases which were followed during two years. The thirteen new lung cancer cases diagnosed during the follow up time period clustered, based on liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) data, with lung cancer cases at the time of BAL collection. Hundred and thirty-tree potential biomarkers were identified showing significantly differential expression when comparing lung cancer versus non-lung cancer. The regulated biomarkers showed a large overlap with biomarkers detected in tissue samples.
- Cyto-genotoxic effects of distinct micro/nanocelluloses in human osteoblastic and mice fibroblastic cellsPublication . Ventura, Célia; Marques, Catarina; Cadete, João; Vilar, Madalena; Pedrosa, J.F.S.; Pinto, P.; Rosa, R.R.; Fernandes, S.N.; Godinho, M.H.; Ferreira, P.J.T.; Louro, Henriqueta; Silva, Maria JoãoThe unique characteristics of micro/nanocelluloses (MNCs) have been boosting their use in a wide variety of industrial and biomedical applications. With the expected decrease of their production cost, it is likely to observe an even faster growing adoption of these materials in the coming years. With the increasing use of MNCs comes an increased likelihood of human exposure to these materials, raising concerns about potential human health effects. The number of studies on the potential adverse effects of MNCs is still scarce and sometimes inconclusive. The aim of the present study is to shed some light on the impact of human exposure to cellulose-based nanomaterials. For that, three MNCs were produced from bleached Eucalyptus kraft pulp using different pretreatments. A microfibrillated (CMF) and a nanofibrillated cellulose (CNF) were respectively obtained by enzymatic and TEMPO-mediated oxidation pretreatments followed by high-pressure homogenization. In addition, cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) were obtained by acid hydrolysis with diluted sulfuric acid. The potential cytotoxicity of the MNCs was evaluated in vitro in two mammalian cell lines (human MG-63 osteoblasts and mice V79 lung fibroblasts) by the MTT and the clonogenic assays, and the genotoxicity was assessed by the micronucleus assay. Cytotoxicity was observed by the clonogenic assay in V79 cells, particularly for CNC, but not by the MTT assay. CNF induced micronuclei in both cell lines and nucleoplasmic bridges in MG-63 cells. CMF and CNC induced micronuclei and nucleoplasmic bridges in MG-63 cells, but not in V79 cells. From the results, it was concluded that under the tested conditions all MNCs present cytotoxicity and genotoxicity, although at different concentration levels, which may be related to their physicochemical differences, to the availability for cell uptake, and to differences in the DNA damage response of the cell model.
- Effects of positive airway pressure therapy on cardiovascular and metabolic markers in males with obstructive sleep apneaPublication . Feliciano, A.; Oliveira, M.J.; Cysneiros, A.; Martinho, C.; Reis, R.P.; Penque, D.; Pinto, P.; Bárbara, C.Introduction: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is associated with cardiovascular/ metabolic complications. Some analytical parameters (homocysteine, glycemic and lipidic profiles) are recognized markers of these consequences. Limited data is available on the association of these markers and OSAS’s severity/response to positive airway pressure therapy (PAP). Material and methods: In this prospective study we analyzed polysomnographic and analytical data of male patients admitted to sleep laboratory. The aim was to evaluate metabolic/cardiovascular markers in snorers and OSAS patients, to relate with sleep parameters and PAP response. One-hundred and three patients were included, and 73 (71%) were OSAS patients. OSAS patients were similar to snorers except for higher body mass index (BMI) and dyslipidemia. Severe OSAS patients showed higher glycemia, HbA1c, insulin, and insulin resistance, and lower HDL cholesterol in comparison to mild---moderate (p < 0.05, p < 0.05, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.05, respectively). Glycemic profile and triglycerides were slightly correlated with OSAS severity. 46 OSAS patients were submitted to 6 months of PAP, with a statistical decrease in mean values of homocysteine, glycemia, total and LDL cholesterol(p < 0.05, p < 0.05, p < 0.05, respectively), and in glycemia and LDL cholesterol in severe grouponly (p < 0.05, p < 0.05, respectively).Results: This study demonstrated an association between glucose metabolism parameters andtriglycerides with OSAS severity underlying the complexity of the process leading to cardiovas-cular/metabolic complications in this disorder. Moreover, homocysteine, glycemic and lipidicprofiles changed significantly after 6 months of PAP therapy in OSAS, supporting its cardiovas-cular and metabolic protective effect.Conclusion: Our study has reinforced the importance of analytical cardiovascular/metabolicevaluation as complementary tool of diagnosis/treatment response in OSAS.
- Hematological evaluation in males with obstructive Sleep apnea before and after positive airway pressurePublication . Feliciano, Amelia; Linhas, R.; Marçõa, R.; Cysneiros, A.; Martinho, C.; Reis, R.P.; Penque, Deborah; Pinto, P.; Bárbara, CristinaObstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a systemic inflammatory disease associated with cardiovascular consequences. Red blood cell distribution width (RDW), mean platelet volume (MPV), and platelet distribution width (PDW) are recognized biomarkers of cardiovascular morbidity/mortality. Limited data is available on the association between these parameters and OSAS severity and the relationship with positive airway pressure therapy (PAP). In this prospective study of male OSAS patients we analyzed hematological data in order to evaluate their value in predicting OSAS severity, the relationship with sleep parameters, and their behavior under PAP. Seventy-three patients were included (mean age 46.5 years), of which 36 were mild (49.3%), 10 moderate (13.7%), and 27 severe (37%). The mean RDW increased significantly with OSAS severity and showed a positive correlation with respiratory disturbance index and hypoxemic burdens. Additionally, a group of 48 patients (mean age 47.2 years) were submitted to PAP. After six months, red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelet count showed a significant decrease (p < 0.0001; p < 0.0001; p = 0.001; p < 0.0001; respectively). Concerning OSAS severity, these parameters also significantly decreased in mild patients (p = 0.003; p = 0.043; p = 0.020; p = 0.014; respectively) but only hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelet count decreased in severe cases (p < 0.0001; p = 0.008; p = 0.018; respectively). This study demonstrated an association between RDW values and OSAS severity. Moreover, red cell and platelet parameters changed significantly after PAP, supporting its cardiovascular protective effect. RDW may become a simple/inexpensive blood biomarker, making it useful in prioritizing OSAS patients waiting for polysomnography, and red cell and platelet parameters could be useful in PAP follow up.
- Human exposure to indoor radon: a survey in the region of GuardaPublication . Louro, Alina; Peralta, Luis; Soares, S.; Pereira, A.; Cunha, G.; Belchior, A.; Ferreira, L.; Monteiro Gil, O.; Louro, Henriqueta; Pinto, P.; Rodrigues, A.S.; Silva, Maria João; Teles, P.Radon ((222)Rn) is a radioactive gas, abundant in granitic areas, such as the city of Guarda at the northeast of Portugal. This gas is recognised as a carcinogenic agent, being appointed by the World Health Organization as the second leading cause of lung cancer after tobacco smoke. Therefore, the knowledge of radon concentrations inside the houses (where people stay longer) is important from the point of view of radiological protection. The main goal of this study was to assess the radon concentration in an area previously identified with a potentially high level of residential radon. The radon concentration was measured using CR-39 detectors, exposed for a period of 2 months in 185 dwellings in the Guarda region. The radon concentration in studied dwellings, ranged between 75 and 7640 Bq m(-3), with a geometric mean of 640 Bq m(-3) and an arithmetic mean of 1078 Bq m(-3). Based on a local winter-summer radon concentration variation model, these values would correspond to an annual average concentration of 860 Bq m(-3). Several factors contribute to this large dispersion, the main one being the exact location of housing construction in relation to the geochemical nature of the soil and others the predominant building material and ventilation. Based on the obtained results an average annual effective dose of 15 mSv y(-1) is estimated, well above the average previously estimated for Portugal.