Cognitive functioning and efficacy of cognitive intervention in Multiple Sclerosis

Tese de Doutoramento em Psicologia Clínica / Psicologia

“PhenoWorld”: a new multidimensional strategy for studying behaviour in rodents

Tese de Doutoramento em Ciências da Saúde

Evolution of the gene regulatory network controlling flower dorsoventral asymmetry

Tese de Doutoramento em Biologia de Plantas.

Psychosocial factors associated with adherence to treatment and quality of life in people living with HIV/AIDS in Brazil

Objective: The objective of this article was to investigate the biopsychosocial factors that influence adherence to treatment and the quality of life of individuals who have been successfully following the HIV/AIDS treatment. Methods: It is a cross-sectional study carried out with 120 HIV positive participants in the south of Brazil. Among the variables studied, of note are: perceived stress, social support, symptoms of anxiety and depression and quality of life. Results: The results show that a moderate to high adherence to the treatment paired with a strong sense of social support indicate a higher quality of life. Conclusion: The combination of social support and antiretroviral treatment have an impact on physical conditions, improving immune response and quality of life.

Cross-cultural adaptation to Brazil of Medication Adherence Rating Scale for psychiatric patients

Objective The purpose of this research was to make a cross-cultural adaptation of the Medication Adherence Rating Scale (MARS) for psychiatric patients to the Brazilian context. Methods The procedure consisted of four phases: translation of the original scale, back-translation, review by an Expert Committee and Pre-test study with a patients’ sample. Results The Expert Committee corrected the items’ translation when necessary and modified the scale administration format and its instructions from self-report to face-to-face interview form in order to ensure easy understanding by the target population. During Pre-test, the instructions and most of the items were properly understood by patients, with the exception of three of them which had to be changed in order to ensure better understanding. The Pre-test sample was composed by 30 psychiatric patients, with severe and persistent disorders mainly single (46.7%), female (60.0%), with a mean age of 43.8 years old and an average of five years of education. Conclusion The Brazilian version of MARS scale is now adapted to the Brazilian Portuguese language and culture and is easily understood by the psychiatric target population. It is necessary to do further research to evaluate the scale psychometric qualities of validity and reliability in order to use it in Brazil.

Gellan gum-hyaluronate spongy-like hydrogels promote angiogenesis in hindlimb ischemia

"Tissue engineering: part A", vol. 21, suppl. 1 (2015)

Myocardial perfusion by contrast echocardiography. Establishment of normal pattern of intracoronary injection and safety in humans

OBJECTIVE: To establish the normal pattern and safety of echocardiographic contrast in patients with no significant obstruction of epicardial coronary arteries. METHODS: 67 patients with normal coronary arteries or obstructions < 50% were selected from 277 patients who underwent coronary angiography (CA). Mean age was 56 ± 11years and 36 were males. At the end CA, echocardiographic contrast was selectively injected into each coronary artery. The parasternal short axis of the left ventricle (LV) was divided into six segments: anterior (A), antero-lateral (AL), postero-lateral (PL), posterior (P), infero-septal (IS) and antero-septal (AS). Anterolateral (ALPM) and posteromedial papillary muscles (PMPM) were also considered. The pattern and intensity of the appearance of the myocardial contrast was visually analyzed. RESULTS: The right coronary artery (RCA) was dominant in 60 patients. Contrast appearance was sudden and simultaneous in the 3 muscle layers. All segments could be contrasted after the injection in both coronary arteries. 100% of the AS, A and AL segments, 97% of the PL and 98% of the ALPM were perfused by the left coronary artery (LCA). P and IS segments were perfused by the RCA in 85% and 82%, respectively, and by a dominant LCA in 71% of the cases. The PMPM was perfused by a dominant RCA in 77% and by a dominant LCA in 86%. There were no symptoms. CONCLUSION: Intracoronary injection of the sonicated solution is a safe procedure that allows for an excellent opacification of the myocardium and can potentially be used during routine CA.

Prescription and adherence to statins of patients with coronary artery disease and hypercholesterolemia

OBJECTIVE: Statins have proved to be safe and effective in the secondary prevention of coronary artery disease, but the level of prescription and the reasons for nonadherence to treatment in many coronariopathy treatment centers has not been determined. The purpose of this study was to identify reasons for nonadherence to statin therapy. METHODS: We analyzed 207 consecutive patients with coronary artery disease and hypercholesterolemia (total cholesterol > or = 200mg/dL or LDL - cholesterol > or = 130mg/dL). Patients' average age was 61.7±10 year; 111 (53.6%) male were and 94 (46.6%) were female. We analyzed the level of prescription and adherence to treatment with statins. RESULTS: Statins were prescribed for 139 (67%) patients, but only 85 (41%) used the drug. In spite of being indicated, statins were not prescribed in 68 (33%) patients. Of 54 (26%) patients, nonadherent to statins, 67% did not use the drug due to its high cost, 31% due to the lack of instruction, and only 2% due to side effects. Total cholesterol (260.3±42.2 vs 226.4±51.9; p<0.0001) and LDL cholesterol (174.6±38.1 vs 149.6±36.1; p<0.0001) were lower in patients on medication. HDL-cholesterol increased from 37.6±9.6 to 41.5±12.9mg/dL (p=0.02), and triglycerides were not modified in patients using statins. CONCLUSION: The prescription of statins in patients with coronary artery disease and dyslipidemia is high; however, its adherence is far from satisfactory, due to the high cost of the medication. Reduction in total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels did not reach the targets recommended by the Brazilian Consensus on Dyslipidemia.

Hypertension in a female nursing staff-pattern of occurrence, diagnosis, and treatment

OBJECTIVE: To report the pattern of occurrence, diagnosis, and treatment of hypertension in a female nursing staff of an emergency hospital. METHODS: We carried out a cross-sectional study that included interviews and blood pressure measurements of 494 nursing professionals at an emergency hospital in the city of Salvador, in the state of Bahia, Brazil. We considered hypertensive all individual with blood pressure > or = 140/90 mmHg or normal pressure if on regular treatment. RESULTS: We found a prevalence of hypertension of 36.4%. Only 18.3% of the individuals ignored their hypertensive condition, and 64.2% admitted not being having regular treatment. Of those individuals who were having treatment, 69.4% had elevated blood pressure on examination. The major reasons for not being on treatment was the occasional elevation of blood pressure (22.2%) and medical counseling (20.0%). CONCLUSION: The results point to the need to introduce hypertension control measures in this occupational group, because of the magnitude of the disease and the potential impact on diffusion of knowledge and measures to control hypertension.

Epidemiological aspects of adherence to the treatment of hypertension

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the reasons given by patients for interrupting their pharmacological treatment of hypertension. METHODS: We carried out an observational cross-sectional study, in which a questionnaire was applied and blood pressure was measured in 401 patients in different centers of the state of Bahia. The patients selected had been diagnosed with hypertension and were not on antihypertensive treatment for at least 60 days. Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of the groups were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 401 patients, 58.4% were females, 55.6% of whom white; 60.5% of the males were white. The major reasons alleged for not adhering to treatment were as follows (for males and females respectively): normalization of blood pressure (41.3% and 42.3%); side effects of the medications (31.7% and 24.8%); forgetting to use the medication (25.2% and 20.1%); cost of medication (21.6% and 20.1%); fear of mixing alcohol and medication (23.4% and 3.8%); ignoring the need for continuing the treatment (15% and 21.8%); use of an alternative treatment (11.4% and 17.1%); fear of intoxication (9.6% and 12.4%); fear of hypotension (9.6% and 12%); and fear of mixing the medication with other drugs (8.4% and 6.1%). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that most factors concerning the abandonment of the treatment of hypertension are related to lack of information, and that, despite the advancement in antihypertensive drugs, side effects still account for most abandonments of treatment.

Modelo in vitro de ateroesclerosis: Efecto de la infección con Trypanosoma cruzi, lípidos y lipoproteínas sobre la expresión de receptores Toll-like y scavengers en la formación de células espumosas derivadas de macrófagos

Los receptores Toll-like (TLRs) son receptores ancestrales que reconocen modelos moleculares asociados a patógenos y nos defienden de los microorganismos. Su activación por vías de señalización que involucran al factor de transcripción NF-kB, estimula la producción de citoquinas inflamatorias, quimioquinas, moléculas de adhesión y procoagulantes. Recientemente se ha documentado la participación de TLR 2 y 4 en el desarrollo /progresión del ateroma en modelos experimentales in vivo, siendo postulados como nexo entre inflamación, infecciones y ateroesclerosis. Infecciones bacterianas y virales han demostrado jugar un papel en su desarrollo. Sin embargo, el rol de parásitos intracelulares obligados -Trypanosoma cruzi- ha sido escasamente explorado. Los macrófagos, células claves del sistema inmune innato, que pueden ser infectadas in vivo e in vitro por este parásito, expresan en su superficie receptores multiligando scavenger (SR) clase B. Entre ellos, CD 36, capta lipoproteínas de baja densidad (LDL) oxidadas y este mecanismo endocítico no controlado por feedback favorecería la formación de células espumosas, la lesión más temprana de ateroesclerosis. El objetivo general de este proyecto es contribuir a esclarecer el conocimiento de los mecanismos bioquímicos, celulares y moleculares que participan en la formación de células espumosas derivadas de macrófagos. Determinar el efecto de potenciales factores aterogénicos sobre receptores Toll-like and SR-CD 36, permitiría diseñar terapias alternativas tendientes a modular su actividad con la finalidad de disminuir la elevada morbilidad/mortalidad que ocasiona la ateroesclerosis en la sociedad occidental. En nuestro modelo proponemos los siguientes objetivos específicos: -Dilucidar el compromiso de TLRs y SR-clase B en el proceso de aterogenésis, específicamente en la formación de células espumosas.-Investigar la influencia de la infección por T. cruzi, ácidos grasos y LDL modificadas como factores aditivos en la formación de estas células. -Evaluar el efecto de ligandos agonistas de TLR2/4 y SR-CD 36. -Determinar el perfil de citoquinas inflamatorias liberadas en el sobrenadante de los cultivos celulares. -Estudiar el efecto metabólico de las hormonas insulina y adipoquinas en el proceso bioquímico y celular que permite la formación de células espumosas.

Efecto de la infección in vivo con Trypanosoma cruzi y una dieta rica en lípidos sobre receptores Toll-like en un modelo experimental de Aterosclerosis

Además de los factores de riesgos convencionales y mejor conocidos que predisponen a la aterosclerosis, entre ellos, la hiperlipemia, hipertensión y el hábito de fumar, recientemente se ha propuesto a las infecciones y la inflamación como factores de riesgo a tener en cuenta en el desarrollo de esta patología. Considerando que algunas infecciones bacterianas y / o virales pueden ejercer una acción pro-aterogénica, probablemente como consecuencia de inflamación sistémica o un efecto directo sobre la pared vascular, nos propusimos como objetivo principal, estudiar la influencia de la infección in vivo con Trypanosoma cruzi (parásito protozoario, agente etiológico de la Enfermedad de Chagas) más una dieta rica en lípidos sobre la expresión de los receptores de la inmunidad innata (Toll – like) en un modelo experimental desarrollado en ratones C57BL/6, propensos a la aterosclerosis. Por otra parte, nos interesa caracterizar los tipos celulares que infiltran el corazón y la aorta de los animales sometidos a tratamientos experimental (mediante estudios inmunohistoquímicos), el perfil de citoquinas inflamatorias séricas y moléculas de adhesión intercelular, así como también establecer una correlación con parámetros bioquímico – clínicos y endocrinológicos, en especial el perfil de lípidos, lipoproteínas y apolipoproteínas, marcadores de inflamación sistémica, peso corporal, glucemia, insulina e insulina resistencia

Efecto de la infección in vivo con trypanosoma cruzi y una dieta rica en lípidos sobre receptores toll-like en un modelo experimental de ateroesclerosis.

Ateroesclerosis es una enfermedad inflamatoria crónica de arterias de mediano y gran calibre, caracterizada por activación de células endoteliales, reclutamiento de monocitos en la pared de los vasos y diferenciación de macrófagos en células espumosas cargadas de colesterol. Además de los factores de riesgo convencionales y mejor conocidos que predisponen a la ateroesclerosis, como la hiperlipemia, hipertensión y el hábito de fumar, recientemente se ha propuesto a las infecciones y la inflamación como factores de riesgo a considerar en su desarrollo. Algunas infecciones bacterianas o virales pueden ejercer una acción pro-aterogénica, probablemente como consecuencia de inflamación sistémica o un efecto directo sobre la pared vascular. Sin embargo, el papel del Trypanosoma cruzi ha sido escasamente explorado. Como objetivo principal nos propusimos, estudiar la influencia de la infección in vivo con Trypanosoma. cruzi (parásito protozoario, agente etiológico de la Enfermedad de Chagas ) más una dieta rica en lípidos sobre la expresión de los receptores tipo Toll de la inmunidad innata en un modelo experimental en ratones C57BL/6 salvajes, propensos al desarrollo de ateroesclerosis. Especifícamente, nos interesa caracterizar que tipos celulares infiltran el corazón y aorta de los animales sometidos a tratamiento experimental, el perfil de citoquinas inflamatorias séricas, quimioquinas y moléculas de adhesión intercelular, así como también establecer una correlación con parámetros bioquímicos-clínicos y endocrinológicos, en especial el perfil de lípidos, lipoproteínas y apolipoproteínas, marcadores de inflamación sistémica, peso corporal, glucemia, insulina e insulino-resistencia.

Development of a semi-automatic self learning pattern recognition system for the control of electronic boards

This project was funded under the Applied Research Grants Scheme administered by Enterprise Ireland. The project was a partnership between Galway - Mayo Institute of Technology and an industrial company, Tyco/Mallinckrodt Galway. The project aimed to develop a semi - automatic, self - learning pattern recognition system capable of detecting defects on the printed circuits boards such as component vacancy, component misalignment, component orientation, component error, and component weld. The research was conducted in three directions: image acquisition, image filtering/recognition and software development. Image acquisition studied the process of forming and digitizing images and some fundamental aspects regarding the human visual perception. The importance of choosing the right camera and illumination system for a certain type of problem has been highlighted. Probably the most important step towards image recognition is image filtering, The filters are used to correct and enhance images in order to prepare them for recognition. Convolution, histogram equalisation, filters based on Boolean mathematics, noise reduction, edge detection, geometrical filters, cross-correlation filters and image compression are some examples of the filters that have been studied and successfully implemented in the software application. The software application developed during the research is customized in order to meet the requirements of the industrial partner. The application is able to analyze pictures, perform the filtering, build libraries, process images and generate log files. It incorporates most of the filters studied and together with the illumination system and the camera it provides a fully integrated framework able to analyze defects on printed circuit boards.

SQL based frequent pattern mining

Data mining, frequent pattern mining, database mining, mining algorithms in SQL