Browsing by Author "Lima, Jorge"
Now showing 1 - 7 of 7
Results Per Page
Sort Options
- Essential trace elements status in portuguese pregnant women and their association with maternal and neonatal outcomes: A prospective study from the IoMum CohortPublication . Bracchi, Isabella; Guimarães, Juliana; Rodrigues, Catarina; Azevedo, Rui; Coelho, Cláudia Matta; Pinheiro, Cátia; Morais, Juliana; Barreiros-Mota, Inês; Fernandes, Virgínia Cruz; Delerue-Matos, Cristina; Pinto, Edgar; Moreira-Rosário, André; Azevedo, Luís Filipe Ribeiro de; Dias, Cláudia Camila; Lima, Jorge; Sapinho, Inês; Ramalho, Carla; Calhau, Conceição; Leite, João Costa; Almeida, Agostinho; Pestana, Diogo; Keating, ElisaCobalt (Co), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), and zinc (Zn) are essential trace elements (ETEs) important in cellular chemical reactions and antioxidant defense. Ingestion of ETEs during pregnancy is crucial but their role in specific pregnancy outcomes is largely unknown. This study aimed to quantify urinary levels of these ETEs in pregnancy and to evaluate their role in pregnancy health. First trimester pregnant women of Porto and Lisbon regions provided a urine sample, and sociodemographic and lifestyle data. Clinical data were obtained from clinical records. Urinary ETEs were quantified by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Our results show that having urinary Zn levels above the 50th percentile (P50) increases the risk of pre-eclampsia (PE). On the other hand, urinary Zn levels above the P50 decreased the risk of being born with head circumference small for gestational age but it increased the risk having length small for gestational age at birth. This study may provide valuable information for public health policies related to prenatal nutrition, while informing future efforts to de-fine urinary reference intervals for ETEs in pregnant women
- Frequency of TERT promoter mutations in human cancersPublication . Vinagre, João; Almeida, Ana; Pópulo, Helena; Batista, Rui; Lyra, Joana; Pinto, Vasco; Coelho, Ricardo; Celestino, Ricardo; Prazeres, Hugo; Lima, Luís; Melo, Miguel; Rocha, Adriana Gaspar; Preto, Ana; Castro, Patrícia; Castro, Ligia; Pardal, Fernando; Lopes, José Manuel; Santos, Lúcio; Reis, Rui Manuel; Cameselle-Teijeiro, José; Sobrinho-Simões, Manuel; Lima, Jorge; Máximo, Valdemar; Soares, PaulaReactivation of telomerase has been implicated in human tumorigenesis, but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here we report the presence of recurrent somatic mutations in the TERT promoter in cancers of the central nervous system (43%), bladder (59%), thyroid (follicular cell-derived, 10%) and skin (melanoma, 29%). In thyroid cancers, the presence of TERT promoter mutations (when occurring together with BRAF mutations) is significantly associated with higher TERT mRNA expression, and in glioblastoma we find a trend for increased telomerase expression in cases harbouring TERT promoter mutations. Both in thyroid cancers and glioblastoma, TERT promoter mutations are significantly associated with older age of the patients. Our results show that TERT promoter mutations are relatively frequent in specific types of human cancers, where they lead to enhanced expression of telomerase.
- High VEGFA expression Is associated with improved progression-free survival after Bevacizumab treatment in recurrent GlioblastomaPublication . Alves, Bárbara; Peixoto, Joana; Macedo, Sofia; Pinheiro, Jorge; Carvalho, Bruno; Soares, Paula; Lima, Jorge; Lima, Raquel T.Glioblastoma (GB) is a deadly tumor that demands for relevant biomarkers, particularly regarding patients’ response to treatment. MMP-2, MMP-9, VEGFA, and YKL40 are important molecules, given their implication in the infiltrative and angiogenic phenotype of GBs. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between the expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, VEGFA, and YKL40 in GB tissues and the patients’ response to temozolomide (first-line treatment) or bevacizumab (second-line treatment). Our results showed that increased VEGFA is significantly associated with an improved response to bevacizumab, while having no correlation with the response to temozolomide. Additionally, YKL40 expression may also be important regarding information about the extent of antiangiogenic treatment in GB patients.
- Promoção da sustentabilidade no ensino superior: uma visão integrada da implementação do programa Eco-EscolasPublication . Silva, Manuela V.; Faria, Hélia; Bertuzi, Rui; Vale, José; Liberato, Pedro; Lima, Jorge; Leal, João; Rodrigues, Pedro; Barbot, António; Pinto, Edgar; Carvalhais, CarlosIntrodução: O P.PORTO, consciente do seu impacto na sociedade e dos atuais desafios de desenvolvimento das melhores práticas alinhadas com os Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável (ODS) da Agenda 2030 (BCSD Portugal, 2022), tem sido um elemento ativo na procura de diferentes caminhos, envolvendo uma aprendizagem constante em ambiente académico. A promoção da sustentabilidade numa IES pode associar-se aos diferentes Curricula, projetos de investigação e desenvolvimento, atividades na comunidade académica associados a programas/projetos de carater técnico-científico, entre outros. O programa Eco-Escolas (P. ECO-E) surge como um exemplo agregador da educação para o desenvolvimento sustentável que incentiva a participação ativa da comunidade académica num exercício de cidadania ativa e ambientalmente mais consciente, apresentando atualmente com uma expressão muito significativa. Objetivo: Mapear as principais atividades associadas ao P.ECO-E no universo P.PORTO, orientado para os contributos ODS. Material e Métodos: Auscultação dos coordenadores do P.ECO-E das UO (Unidades Orgânicas), através do preenchimento de um questionário on-line, identificando as principais atividades, (atividades/eventos técnico-científicos/ações na comunidade e ações de voluntariado ou campanhas, outras), a ligação aos ODS, no período de análise de 2020 a 2022. Resultados: Foram mapeadas diversas ações/atividades que visaram em parte, dar resposta às necessidades ambientais das diferentes instituições (ex: gestão resíduos e da água), assim como, outras iniciativas envolvendo investigação aplicada, proteção e educação ambiental e sustentabilidade em geral (ex: workshops temáticos). Conclusões: A implementação do P.ECO-E tem demonstrado ser uma via para a concretização eficaz da sustentabilidade organizacional, contribuindo de forma direta para as questões de cidadania, ambientais e económicas, sendo comprovado pela atribuição do galardão ecoescolas (bandeira verde) pela entidade ABAE. Permite igualmente promover a cooperação na prossecução de atividades conjuntas e a partilha de boas práticas entre as instituições P.PORTO. Contudo, a gestão da sustentabilidade, deverá ser complementada com critérios mais exigentes e abrangentes no que respeita à gestão dos aspetos ambientais, passando por exemplo, a ter em consideração, os requisitos de normas internacionais no âmbito gestão ambiental/ sustentabilidade, mantendo os princípios associados ao P.ECO-E.
- Promoção da sustentabilidade no ensino superior: uma visão integrada da implementação do programa Eco-EscolasPublication . Vieira da Silva, Manuela; Faria, Hélia; Bertuzi, Rui; Vale, José; Liberato, Pedro; Lima, Jorge; Leal, João; Rodrigues, Pedro; Barbot, António; Pinto, Edgar; Carvalhais, CarlosO P.PORTO, consciente do seu impacto na sociedade e dos atuais desafios de desenvolvimento das melhores práticas alinhadas com os Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável (ODS) da Agenda 2030 (BCSD Portugal, 2022), tem sido um elemento ativo na procura de diferentes caminhos, envolvendo uma aprendizagem constante em ambiente académico. A promoção da sustentabilidade numa IES pode associar-se aos diferentes Curricula, projetos de investigação e desenvolvimento, atividades na comunidade académica associados a programas/projetos de carater técnico-científico, entre outros. O programa Eco-Escolas (P. ECO-E) surge como um exemplo agregador da educação para o desenvolvimento sustentável que incentiva a participação ativa da comunidade académica num exercício de cidadania ativa e ambientalmente mais consciente, apresentando atualmente com uma expressão muito significativa.
- Telomerase promoter mutations in cancer: an emerging molecular biomarker?Publication . Vinagre, João; Pinto, Vasco; Celestino, Ricardo; Reis, Marta; Populo, H; Boaventura, Paula; Melo, Miguel; Catarino, T.; Lima, Jorge; Lopes, José Manuel; Maximo, Valdemar; Sobrinho-Simões, Manuel; Soares, PaulaCell immortalization has been considered for a long time as a classic hallmark of cancer cells. Besides telomerase reactivation, such immortalization could be due to telomere maintenance through the “alternative mechanism of telomere lengthening” (ALT) but the mechanisms underlying both forms of reactivation remained elusive. Mutations in the coding region of telomerase gene are very rare in the cancer setting, despite being associated with some degenerative diseases. Recently, mutations in telomerase (TERT) gene promoter were found in sporadic and familial melanoma and subsequently in several cancer models, notably in gliomas, thyroid cancer and bladder cancer. The importance of these findings has been reinforced by the association of TERT mutations in some cancer types with tumour aggressiveness and patient survival. In the first part of this review, we summarize the data on the biology of telomeres and telomerase, available methodological approaches and non-neoplastic diseases associated with telomere dysfunction. In the second part, we review the information on telomerase expression and genetic alterations in the most relevant types of cancer (skin, thyroid, bladder and central nervous system) on record, and discuss the value of telomerase as a new biomarker with impact on the prognosis and survival of the patients and as a putative therapeutic target.
- TERT promoter mutations are a major indicator of poor outcome in differentiated thyroid carcinomasPublication . Melo, Miguel; Gaspar Da Rocha, Adriana; Vinagre, João; Batista, Rui; Peixoto, Joana; Tavares, Catarina; Celestino, Ricardo; Almeida, Ana; Salgado, Catarina; Eloy, Catarina; Castro, Patrícia; Prazeres, Hugo; Lima, Jorge; Amaro, Teresina; Lobo, Cláudia; Martins, Maria João; Moura, Margarida; Cavaco, Branca; Leite, Valeriano; Cameselle-Teijeiro, José; Carrilho, Francisco; Carvalheiro, Manuela; Maximo, Valdemar; Sobrinho-Simões, Manuel; Soares, PaulaContext: Telomerase promoter mutations (TERT) were recently described in follicular cell-derived thyroid carcinomas (FCDTC) and seem to be more prevalent in aggressive cancers. Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the frequency of TERT promoter mutations in thyroid lesions and to investigate the prognostic significance of such mutations in a large cohort of patients with differentiated thyroid carcinomas (DTCs). Design: This was a retrospective observational study. Setting and Patients: We studied 647 tumors and tumor-like lesions. A total of 469 patients with FCDTC treated and followed in five university hospitals were included. Mean follow-up (±SD) was 7.8 ± 5.8 years. Main Outcome Measures: Predictive value of TERT promoter mutations for distant metastasization, disease persistence at the end of follow-up, and disease-specific mortality. Results: TERT promoter mutations were found in 7.5% of papillary carcinomas (PTCs), 17.1% of follicular carcinomas, 29.0% of poorly differentiated carcinomas, and 33.3% of anaplastic thyroid carcinomas. Patients with TERT-mutated tumors were older (P < .001) and had larger tumors (P = .002). In DTCs, TERT promoter mutations were significantly associated with distant metastases (P < .001) and higher stage (P < .001). Patients with DTC harboring TERT promoter mutations were submitted to more radioiodine treatments (P = .009) with higher cumulative dose (P = .004) and to more treatment modalities (P = .001). At the end of follow-up, patients with TERT-mutated DTCs were more prone to have persistent disease (P = .001). TERT promoter mutations were significantly associated with disease-specific mortality [in the whole FCDTC (P < .001)] in DTCs (P < .001), PTCs (P = .001), and follicular carcinomas (P < .001). After adjusting for age at diagnosis and gender, the hazard ratio was 10.35 (95% confidence interval 2.01–53.24; P = .005) in DTC and 23.81 (95% confidence interval 1.36–415.76; P = .03) in PTCs. Conclusions: TERT promoter mutations are an indicator of clinically aggressive tumors, being correlated with worse outcome and disease-specific mortality in DTC. TERT promoter mutations have an independent prognostic value in DTC and, notably, in PTC.