Clinical Outcomes and Genetic Expression Profile in Human Liver Graft Dysfunction During Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury

Introduction. This study aims to compare the molecular gene expression during ischemia reperfusion injury. Several surgical times were considered: in the beginning of the harvesting (T0), at the end of the cold ischemia period (T1), and after reperfusion (T2) and compared with graft dysfunction after liver transplant (OLT). Methods. We studied 54 patients undergoing OLT. Clinical, laboratory data, and histologic data (Suzuki classification) as well as the Survival Outcomes Following Liver Transplantation (SOFT) score were used and compared with the molecular gene expression of the following genes: Interleukin (IL)-1b, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-a, perforin, E-selectin (SELE), Fas-ligand, granzyme B, heme oxygenase-1, and nitric oxide synthetase. Results. Fifteen patients presented with graft dysfunction according to SOFT criteria. No relevant data were obtained by comparing the variables graft dysfunction and histologic variables. We observed a statistically significant relation between SELE at T0 (P �� .013) and IL-1b at T0 (P �� .028) and early graft dysfunction. Conclusions. We conclude that several genetically determined proinflammatory expressions may play a critical role in the development of graft dysfunction after OLT.

Testagem do 1 - beta - D - Ribofuranosil, 1.2.4 - triazole - 3 - carboxamide em pacientes com hepatite

Realizou-se estudo do tipo duplo anonimato em 18 pacientes com hepatite aguda benigna. O gruoo experimental foi testado com uma prov��vel droga de a����o antiviral: 1-BETA-D-RIBOFURANOSIL, 1,2,4-TRIAZOLE-3- CARBOXAMIDE. O grupo controle ingeriu um placebo de lactose. Teve-se especial cuidado na sele����o de pacientes, incluindo apenas pacientes que preenchessem crit��rios bem estabelecidos. Os pacientes foram seguidos semanalmente, avaliando-os cl��nica e laboratorialmente. Os resultados n��o evidenciaram diferen��as significativas entre os dois grupos, sugerindo-se estudos com casu��stica mais numerosa e em regime de interna����o hospitalar.

Renal Transplantation in HIV-Infected Patients: The First Portuguese Review

INTRODUCTION: With the introduction of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), prognosis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has been improved and kidney transplantation (KT) in HIV-positive patients became possible. METHODS: We reviewed the demographic, clinical, laboratory, and therapeutic data of all the HIV-infected patients who underwent KT between 2009 (first KT in Portugal in a HIV-infected patient) and May 2014. Case accrual was through all Portuguese KT centers where a KT in an HIV-infected patient was performed. Patients were transplanted following the American and Spanish guideline recommendations that included maintenance on cART, undetectable plasma HIV RNA copies, and absolute CD4 counts of ��� 200 cells/��L in the last 6 months. RESULTS: Fourteen KT were performed on men and 3 on women. The mean age of patients at the time of transplantation was 49.9 �� 11.7 years. HIV status was known for 12 �� 5 years. Eight patients had AIDS in the past and all patients received grafts from deceased donors. Twelve patients (64.7%) underwent induction therapy with basiliximab and 2 patients experienced early graft loss. In 2 patients, humoral rejection was diagnosed and in 3 patients, cellular rejection. Two patients died and an additional patient had early graft loss. CONCLUSION: KT is a possible, but challenging, renal replacement therapy in selected HIV-positive patients. Even in those with AIDS criteria in the past, when the disease is controlled, and after the reconstitution of the immune system with cART, KT can be performed. Nevertheless, the risk-benefit ratio for each patient needs to be taken in consideration.

Compara����o da capacidade ovipositora de Biomphalaria glabrata (Say, 1818), Biomphalaria tenagophila (D'Orbigni, 1835) e Biomphalaria straminea (Dunker, 1848), mantidas em laborat��rio

O autor comparou a capacidade ovipositora de 3 esp��cies de Planorbidae, Biomphalaria glabrata, B. tenagophila e B. straminea, durante um per��odo de 30 dias, compreendidos entre os meses de Mar��o e Abril de 1978. Registrou-se diariamente o n��mero de ovos e desovas, referentes a 20 exemplares de cada esp��cie em quest��o. A an��lise estat��stica dos dados obtidos revelou que os exemplares de B. glabrata apresentaram maior capacidade ovipositora que as outras duas esp��cies em quest��o. A menor capacidade ovipositora foi atribu��da �� esp��cie B. tenagophila.

Benefits of Selective Vitamin D Receptor Activators in Kidney Transplanted Patients

Severe chronic kidney disease may lead to disturbances, such as hyperphosphatemia, increased secretion of fibroblast growth factor -23 (FGF -23) and vitamin D deficiency. These may increase plasmatic levels of parathyroid hormone, and decrease plasmatic levels of calcium. Altogether, these may contribute to the development of secondary hyperparathyroidism, and to abnormalities in mineral metabolism. Kidney transplantation is the best option to improve longevity and quality of life in end -stage chronic kidney disease patients. Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of death in chronic kidney disease. Therefore, diagnosing this deficiency may be pivotal for minimizing mortality in chronic kidney disease, because pharmacological treatments for this deficiency may be prescribed. Calcitriol is indicated for the treatment of vitamin D deficiency, both in chronic kidney disease and in kidney transplanted patients. However, calcitriol may increase the plasmatic levels of calcium and phosphorous, which can lead to vascular calcifications, that have been associated with cardiovascular mortality. Selective vitamin D receptor activators are indicated for the treatment of vitamin D deficiency in chronic kidney disease. These have the advantage of being associated with lower increases of plasmatic levels of calcium and phosphorous. These drugs also seem to have additional effects that may minimise patient morbidity and mortality, especially due to potentially reducing cardiovascular events. Unfortunately, there are few studies about the use of these drugs in kidney transplanted patients. Here we present a review about the physiology of vitamin D, the consequences of its deficiency in chronic kidney disease and in kidney transplanted patients, and about the diagnosis and treatment of this deficiency. Finally, we discuss the new line of research about the efficacy and safety of selective vitamin D receptor activators in kidney transplanted patients.

Implementation of a sigma delta modulator for a class D audio power amplifier

Disserta����o para obten����o do Grau de Mestre em Engenharia Electrot��cnica e de Computadores

Design of a power output stage for a class D audio power amplifier based on an 1.5-bit ��� ��� M

Disserta����o apresentada para obten����o do Grau de Mestre em Engenharia Electrot��cnica e de Computadores, pela Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Faculdade de Ci��ncias e Tecnologia

A Fic����o da Voz Feminina nas Cantigas de D. Dinis

Disserta����o apresentada para cumprimento dos requisitos necess��rios �� obten����o do grau de Mestre em Estudos Portugueses

Relat��rio de est��gio na Rel��gio D'��gua

Relat��rio de Est��gio apresentado para cumprimento dos requisitos necess��rios �� obten����o do grau de Mestre em Edi����o de Texto

The Role of Small RNAs and Ribonucleases in the Control of Gene Expression in Salmonella Typhimurium

Dissertation presented to obtain the Ph.D degree in Biology

Interplay of Exoribonucleases, Hfq and Small RNAs Structural Determinants in the Control of Gene Expression

Dissertation presented to obtain the Ph.D degree in Biology