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- As “aparências” ao serviço das “essências”: curso à “utopia” consagrada?Publication . Rodrigues, Ricardo Alexandre CardosoAs aparências, seu signos, símbolos, códigos e simbioses, representam complexos feixes comunicacionais em ação pelos universos culturais, são manifestações (em contexto e perspetiva), são “potências”, são evidências, são exterioridades das interioridades, exteriorizações (como são conhecidos) do “ser” e “estar”, as formas das essências (formas para ler e sentir a realidade) nas idiossincrasias mundanas. As aparências encontram nas liberdades, seu potencial dignitário e autopoiese genética, o seu radical (a verdade), a fonte - essência (ético-estética). Em especial, a liberdade de aprender, de partilhar, de comparar, de contradizer, de escolher, de decidir, de aceitar, de recusar, etc. Em liberdade, à margem da cegueira Puritana e Maniqueísta, a possibilidade da “formação” crítica e dinâmica do “ser”, na sua complexidade, em integração profunda, a conformação da imagem, modos de revelação e leituras. Através do eu, com o outro, do nós, com o todo, aceder conjuntamente a níveis diferenciados, mais profundos e elevados, de compreensão e consciência éticoestética. Através das aparências, nos limites à representatividade, considerando a subjetividade e culturalidade implicadas nas propostas e leituras, a inteligibilidade e percetividade possíveis das realidades. Um universo de sentidos em busca de uma proposta que se crê ética, funcional e deontologicamente sustentável.
- Bacteriófagos no tratamento de feridasPublication . Flores, Joana; Baylina, Pilar; Balcão, Victor; Justiniano, Aníbal; Gibbs, PaulAs infecções bacterianas, particularmente as causadas por bactérias resistentes aos antibióticos, permanecem a principal causa de morte entre pacientes hospitalizados com queimaduras e feridas. Para além da terapêutica sistémica, um elemento-chave na gestão de feridas infectadas é a aplicação local de antimicrobianos eficazes. Os bacteriófagos (ou fagos) têm demonstrado um elevado potencial de cura no tratamento de feridas infectadas com estirpes bacterianas resistentes aos antibióticos.
- Bilateral breast cancer and the influence of body mass index in clinicopathological features and overall survivalPublication . Luís, Carla; Fernandes, Rute; Dias, João; Pereira, Deolinda; Firmino-Machado, João; Baylina, Pilar; Fernandes, Rúben; Soares, Raquel; BAYLINA MACHADO, PILARBreast cancer (BC) and obesity are two closely associated pathologies with increasing incidence and mortality rates. Bilateral Breast Cancer (BBC) displays a low incidence rate within BC and obesity represents a major risk factor. The aim of this study is to analyzed BBC clinicopathological features distribution and determine the potential influence of obesity in BBC in these same features and overall survival. Clinicopathological information was obtained from 42 cases of women with BBC diagnosed in IPO-Porto. To evaluate the frequency distribution of the clinicopathological data, a chi-square goodness of fit test was performed for BBC cases. A chi-square test of independence was applied for BMI stratification. Cox regression was performed for overall survival. Statistical significance was set at p-value < 0.05. Distribution of BBC clinicopathological features was found to be statistically significant in family history (p-value < 0.001), BBC type (p-value < 0.001), stage (p-value = 0.005), differentiation grade (p-value < 0.001), receptor expression (pvalue < 0.001) and histological type (p-value = 0.031). In comparison to the statistical expected results, we observed an increased cases of absence of family history and less cases of metachronous BBC. Histological types between tumours of BBC were mostly concordant. All cases presented concordant receptor expression. Analysis stratified by BMI revealed that obese women were diagnosed later, although without statistical significance. All obese women presented poor differentiation grade (n = 6). Overweight patients display a tendency to a better overall survival with lower tumour stages and lower differentiation grades. Our results reveal the same receptor expression between contralateral tumours. Also, most tumours share the same histological type. When stratified by BMI, we observed a tendency for overweight women to have improved overall survival.
- Can psychosocial work factors influence psychologists’ positive mental health?Publication . Barros, C.; Fonte, C.; Alves, S.; Baylina, P.Working in healthcare can entail intense emotional demands that increases susceptibility to occupational risk factors. Psychosocial risk assessment can contribute to promoting awareness of the effects of work on positive mental health. To explore and analyse the influence of psychosocial work factors on positive mental health among psychologists. A cross-sectional study of 339 psychologists was conducted. Two instruments were used for data collection: the Mental Health Continuum—Short Form (MHC-SF) to assess well-being and the Health and Work Survey (INSAT) to assess psychosocial work factors. This study identified psychosocial work factors that affect psychologists’ positive mental health, namely, emotional well-being was affected by ‘Need help from colleagues’ (β = −1.091), ‘Have no one I can trust’ (β = −1.253) and ‘Complex work’ (β = 0.751); psychological well-being was affected by ‘Intense work pace’ (β = 1.151), ‘Not able to participate in decisions’ (β = −3.695) and ‘Complex work’ (β = 1.520); and social well-being was affected by ‘Always changing roles and tasks’ (β = −1.810) and ‘Not able to participate in decisions’ (β = −2.470). Psychosocial work factors such as work organization, work relationships and emotional demands influence psychologists’ positive mental health. Social support at the workplace and having challenging and autonomous work can promote mental health. It is important to develop better organizational practices to promote mental health and well-being among these professionals.
- Cannabidiol and terpene formulation reducing SARS-CoV-2 infectivity tackling a therapeutic strategyPublication . Santos, Susana; Barata, Pedro; Charmier, Adilia; Lehmann, Inês; Rodrigues, Suzilaine; Melosini, Matteo M.; Pais, Patrick J.; Sousa, André P.; Teixeira, Catarina; Santos, Inês; Rocha, Ana Catarina; Baylina, Pilar; Fernandes, RubenIn late 2019, COVID-19 emerged in Wuhan, China. Currently, it is an ongoing global health threat stressing the need for therapeutic compounds. Linking the virus life cycle and its interaction with cell receptors and internal cellular machinery is key to developing therapies based on the control of infectivity and inflammation. In this framework, we evaluate the combination of cannabidiol (CBD), as an anti-inflammatory molecule, and terpenes, by their anti-microbiological properties, in reducing SARS-CoV-2 infectivity. Our group settled six formulations combining CBD and terpenes purified from Cannabis sativa L, Origanum vulgare, and Thymus mastichina. The formulations were analyzed by HPLC and GC-MS and evaluated for virucide and antiviral potential by in vitro studies in alveolar basal epithelial, colon, kidney, and keratinocyte human cell lines.
- Challenging healthcare-associated infections: a review of healthcare quality management issuesPublication . Baylina, Pilar; Moreira, PauloHealthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are now a worldwide problem with devastating effects, both in economic and public health impacts in the medium and long term. In reality, this healthcare management problem became frightening when we became aware of large number of cases associated with this type of infection, especially the infections caused by agents for which the existing treatment no longer works effectively. This is the case of infections associated with healthcare caused by multi-resistant microorganisms, whose line of action in therapeutic terms may be exhausted. Several factors of growth have been identified, among which are the overuse of antibiotics (by direct intake or through food), environmental conditions, and the evolution of microorganisms. This means that, all over the world, rates of high prevalence and incidence for diseases caused by HAIs agents are now new contributions to rates of mortality and morbidity. Yet, already in 1959 a report on hospital infections by Staphylococcus, published by the Central Health Services UK, identified the prevalence of Staphylococcus as a major concern. Since then, this type of infection continued to occur, in spite of a growing understanding of the necessary measures for their control. It is known that, currently, the percentage of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) existing in the bacterial population of S. aureus associated with HAIs varies between 1% (Netherlands and Finland) and 44% (UK and Greece). However, regardless of advances in infection control systems, the incidence of HAIs remained relatively unchanged in the last 20 years (about 10%). The situation does not get better when we analyse the problem from the cost perspective. At this point, it is known that there is a direct impact in the hospitalization costs, in diagnostics (tests, examinations, etc.), and in treatments (antibiotics, surgery, and others). A 1992 CDC study estimated costs of HAIs and already suggested that the cost of infection control programs was approximately 6% of the total costs of the infections. In a 2003 report by the United Kingdom (UK) Department of Health, entitled ‘Winning Ways: Working together to Reduce HAIs in England’, it was estimated that the cost associated with HAIs per patient bed for a year was identical to the cost of an infection control program applied to a hospital with 250 beds. On what concerns quality management system, costs with HAIs may be comprised as non-quality costs. In this sense, an estimate by the Juran Institutes, suggests that non-quality costs can be approximately one-third of direct healthcare costs, and according to Nordgren et al. inflation of related costs is, in part, due to the increased length of stay and associated increased costs with providing the extra implicit care. This article explores these issues.
- Clinical and metabolic implications of obesity in prostate cancer: is testosterone a missing link?Publication . Duarte, Fernanda; Luís, C.; Baylina, Pilar; Faria, Isabel; Fernandes, Rúben; La Fuente, J. M.Objectives: To assess sex hormones in men with obesity and prostate cancer (PCa) and to study association between androgens and the pathogenesis biology of PCa in vitro. Subjects and methods: One hundred and eighty-one men older than 45 years selected from of a population attending to Urology departments screening for PCa, (78 participants without PCa and 103 patients with PCa). All participants were assessed for body mass index (BMI), age, Gleason score, and PSA. Endocrine profile was determined for LH, total testosterone (TT), 17β-estradiol (E2), prolactin and leptin. Biochemical profile (HbA1c, triacylglycerols and lipoproteins) was also determined. In vitro experiments were also performed, involving the study of 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and E2 in the presence of adipocyte-conditioned medium (aCM). Results: All variables were continuous and described a Gaussian distribution unless mentioned. To determine the relation of aggressiveness, variable were transformed into categories. Thus, PCa aggressiveness is associated with the increase of age and BMI (p < .0001) but with is decreased with TT and E2 (p < .05). Moreover, adipocyte-secreted molecules increase aggressiveness of PCa cells in vitro. Lastly, DTH but not E2 enables invasiveness in vitro. Conclusions: It was observed a coexistence of hormone axis profile alteration with sex hormones and BMI in PCa patients, in accordance with the new perspective of PCa pathogenesis.
- Current trends and challenges of fecal microbiota transplantation—An easy method that works for all?Publication . Almeida, Cátia; Oliveira, Rita; Baylina, Pilar; Fernandes, Rúben; Teixeira, Fábio G.; Barata, PedroThe gut microbiota refers to bacteria lodges in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) that interact through various complex mechanisms. The disturbance of this ecosystem has been correlated with several diseases, such as neurologic, respiratory, cardiovascular, and metabolic diseases and cancer. Therefore, the modulation of the gut microbiota has emerged as a potential therapeutic tool; of the various forms of gut microbiota modulation, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is the most approached. This recent technique involves introducing fecal material from a healthy donor into the patient’s gastrointestinal tract, aiming to restore the gut microbiota and lead to the resolution of symptoms. This procedure implies a careful donor choice, fine collection and handling of fecal material, and a balanced preparation of the recipient and consequent administration of the prepared content. Although FMT is considered a biological therapy with promising effects, side effects such as diarrhea and abdominal pain have also been claimed, making this a significant challenge in the application of FMT. Bearing this in mind, the present review aims to summarize the recent advances in understanding FMT mechanisms, their impact across different pathological conditions, and the associated side effects, emphasizing the most recent published data.
- Cutibacterium acnes dysbiosis: Alternative therapeutics for clinical applicationPublication . Sá, Sara; Fernandes, Ruben; Gestoso, Álvaro; Macedo, José Mário; Martins-Mendes, Daniela; Pereira, Ana Cláudia; Baylina, PilarCutibacterium acnes (C. acnes) is a Gram-positive anaerobic facultative bacterium that is part of the human skin commensal microbiome. It colonizes various regions of the body, including the face, back, and chest. While typically a harmless commensal, under certain conditions, C. acnes can become pathogenic, leading to or promoting conditions such as acne vulgaris (AV), post-surgical infections, prostate cancer, and sarcoidosis. Current treatments for C. acnes infections often involve antibiotics, but the rise of antibiotic resistance has raised concerns. This review presents the virulence factors, clinical relevance, and current treatments of C. acnes, highlighting its association with AV, postsurgical infections, and other diseases. It also explores alternative innovative therapies such as phage therapy in development/research that are gaining prominence, with a growing focus on personalized medical approaches. To enhance C. acnes treatment while minimizing side effects and antibiotic prescription concerns, numerous clinical studies have been undertaken. These investigations span various pathological profiles and employ diverse strategies, such as utilizing bacterial extracts and compounds to restore healthy skin flora. The limitations and challenges of current and innovative treatments are also addressed, emphasizing the need for multidisciplinary strategies to combat C. acnes infections effectively.
- Da eticidade discursiva: pelos “véus” da liberdade? da fhrónesis à ruach dos silêncios?Publication . Rodrigues, Ricardo Alexandre CardosoOs desafios da vida em sociedade corroboram pactos, acordos, convenções de diversas ordens, apresentando, pois, como substrato comum, a comunicação, em concreto, os códigos da linguagem, pacificadores de intenções, apesar dos incontornáveis diferenciais de desempenho, apreensão e compreensão, entre universos múltiplos. Os espaços, físicos, intangíveis e temporais, são templos, são oportunidades, são momentos, que decidimos, convencionamos, ocupar com silêncios, palavras, ações, omissões, etc., forjados que são pelas/nas boas egrégoras das liberdades. De um modo geral, as liberdades são poderes, faculdades, potências, ético-juridicamente considerados, expansíveis, atribuídos aos indivíduos, e que se realizam até, em paralelo, concorrencialmente, e através das liberdades dos demais, em espaços plenos de possibilidades. Posições jurídicas, reforçadas pelas expressões de créditos sociais, em particular, de índole garantística e responsabilizante.