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- Detecting BDNF gene polymorphisms using genosensors and molecular biology toolsPublication . Caldevilla, Renato; Morais, Stephanie L.; Cruz, Agostinho; Barroso, M. Fátima; Santos, MarleneMajor depressive disorder (MDD) is a complex and highly prevalent psychiatric disorder with a high impact on quality of life and negative effects on mood, behaviour, and cognition. Currently, the main medical treatment for MDD is antidepressant medication. The selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), including fluoxetine, sertraline, fluvoxamine, paroxetine and citalopram, are the most commonly prescribed drugs. However, as with all antidepressant treatments, about 30–40% of MDD patients do not respond sufficiently to SSRIs. Several factors, including genetic factors, play important roles in antidepressant responses. BDNF is one of the most investigated genes regarding depression and antidepressant response. In fact, the rs6265 (Val66Met) non-synonymous polymorphism, has been demonstrated to decrease pro-BDNF processing, and consequently affect the dependent secretion of BDNF. Curiously, carriers of Met-allele have been described to have smaller hippocampal volume, either in healthy or depressed patients. So, it is likely they can contribute to the interindividual differences in patient´s responses to antidepressants. Therefore, it is crucial to develop methodologies to predict the individual antidepressant response. In this work, two analytical approaches based in molecular biology and electrochemical genosensor techniques are under development to create a low-cost genotyping platform able to genotype BDNF SNPs related with antidepressants therapeutic response.
- Mental health of caregivers of elderly patients: the impact of psychotropic drugs on quality of life, anxiety, depression, and stressPublication . Castro, Cátia; Santos, MarleneCaregiver burden is a common impairment resulting from coping with the physical dependence and mental incapacity of the care subject. This study aimed to assess the self-perception of formal and informal caregivers of elderly patients regarding burden, quality of life, anxiety and depression, stress, and the impact of psychotropic drugs. The questionnaire was disseminated in nursing homes and caregivers' associations. Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS V.28, with a significance level of α = 0.05. The questionnaires used were the Sociodemographic Questionnaire, the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales, the Zarit Scale, the Satisfaction with Medication Treatment Questionnaire and Quality of Life. The sample consisted mainly of female individuals, with an average ageof 52 years, residing in the northern region of the country and mostly married. Around half of the respondents admitted taking some psychotropic drug, namely selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor(s) or benzodiazepines. Caregivers who use medication report being moderately satisfied with it, and global satisfaction was correlated with the convenience and effectiveness of the medication. Caregivers also demonstrate that being a caregiver has a high impact on their quality of life, and informal caregivers are those who report a more severe state of depression, anxiety, and stress. The current study highlights the need to assess mental health status and the impact of pharmacotherapy on the quality of life of caregivers of elderly patients.
- The influence of TNFA genetic polymorphisms in the response to immunomodulatory drugs in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic reviewPublication . Clemente, Daniela; Santos, MarleneEtanercept, Infliximab and Adalimumab are the best treatment options for improving the life quality of patientssufering from rheumatoid arthtitis.
- Pharmacotherapy, treatment satisfaction and funcional impact among fibromyalgia patients: characterization of a Portuguese samplePublication . Pereira, J. Vaz; Santos, MarleneFibromyalgia is characterized by widespread pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and psychological and cognitive problems. This disease affects mainly females in middle age and has a prevalence of 1.7% in Portugal. Treatment is symptomatic and consists of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. Fibromyalgia has an important impact on patient's life and can negatively affect their quality of life. Given the impact of this disease on patient's quality life, is crucial to evaluate the true influence of the pharmacological approaches on Fibromyalgia outcome.
- Biomarkers of NRF2 signalling: Current status and future challengesPublication . Morgenstern, Christina; Lastres-Becker, Isabel; Demirdöğen, Birsen Can; Costa, Vera Marisa; Daiber, Andreas; Foresti, Roberta; Motterlini, Roberto; Kalyoncu, Sibel; Arioz, Burak I.; Genc, Sermin; Jakubowska, Monika; Trougakos, Ioannis P.; Piechota-Polanczyk, Aleksandra; Mickael, Michel; Santos, Marlene; Kensler, Thomas W.; Cuadrado, Antonio; Copple, Ian M.The cytoprotective transcription factor NRF2 regulates the expression of several hundred genes in mammalian cells and is a promising therapeutic target in a number of diseases associated with oxidative stress and inflammation. Hence, an ability to monitor basal and inducible NRF2 signalling is vital for mechanistic understanding in translational studies. Due to some caveats related to the direct measurement of NRF2 levels, the modulation of NRF2 activity is typically determined by measuring changes in the expression of one or more of its target genes and/or the associated protein products. However, there is a lack of consensus regarding the most relevant set of these genes/proteins that best represents NRF2 activity across cell types and species. We present the findings of a comprehensive literature search that according to stringent criteria identifies GCLC, GCLM, HMOX1, NQO1, SRXN1 and TXNRD1 as a robust panel of markers that are directly regulated by NRF2 in multiple cell and tissue types. We assess the relevance of these markers in clinically accessible biofluids and highlight future challenges in the development and use of NRF2 biomarkers in humans.
- Detection of alexandrium minutum dinoflagellate in environmental samples using electrochemPublication . Morais, Stephanie L.; Barros, Piedade; Santos, Marlene; Delerue-Matos, Cristina; Gomes, Andreia C.; Barroso, M. FátimaDinoflagellates are aquatic microorganisms that inhabit both salt and fresh waters. These microorganisms are mostly harmless, however, under certain conditions, some species rapidly re produce forming water blooms that not only discolor the waters but also compromise the health of every organism in the vicinity, as some dinoflagellates produce potent toxins deemed unsafe for human health (e.g. Alexandrium minutum). In this work, a disposable electrochemical genosensor for the detection of the toxic dinoflagellate Alexandrium minutum was developed. The analytical plat form methodology consisted in a sandwich format heterogeneous hybridization of complementary DNA sequences assay. The 70 bp A. minutum-specific targeting probe, the 45 bp fluorescein isothi ocyanate-labelled signaling DNA probe and the 25 bp thiolated-DNA-capture probe were designed, after analyzing public databases. To maximize the complementary DNA hybridization and to avoid the formation of strong secondary structures, a mixed mercaptohexanol (MCH) and self-assembled monolayer (SAM) A. minutum-specific DNA-capture probe was immobilized onto disposable screen-printed gold electrodes (SPGE). Using chronoamperometric measurements, the enzymatic amplification of the electrochemical signal was obtained with a concentration range from 0.12 to 1.0 nM, a LD of 24.78 pM with a RSD < 5.2 %. This electrochemical genosensor was successfully applied to the selective analysis of the targeted A. minutum specific region of denatured genomic DNA, ex tracted from toxic dinoflagellates present in the Atlantic Ocean.
- Anti-inflammatory effect of the antidepressant fluvoxamine – a systematic reviewPublication . Ramalho, A.; Carvalho, R.; Barroso, F.; Cruz, A.; Santos, M.Neuroinflammation corresponds to the immune response of the nervous system to an injury, infection or neurodegenerative disease characterized by the activation of resident glial cells, including microglia and astrocytes, the release of cytokines and chemokines and the activation and migration of leukocytes. Evidence suggests that inflammatory cytokines may be a central factor, affecting multiple neuronal pathways and contributing to the development of depression. Supporting this neuroinflammatory theory, several studies have demonstrated the anti-inflammatory effect of various antidepressant drugs [1]. Fluvoxamine is a selective serotonin uptake inhibitor (SSRIs) used manly in the treatment of depression and anxiety disorders. Recent evidence pointed that a fluvoxamine early treatment on SARS-CoV-2-infected subjets fully prevented COVID-19 symptoms [2]. Thus, it seems relevant to explore the anti-inflammatory mechanism of fluvoxamine.
- Estratégias para diminuição de revertências de medicamentos distribuídospor DIDDU no Serviço de Farmácia de um Hospital CentralPublication . Silva, Alda; Barroso, Francisca; Portos, Mariana; Rodrigues, Sandra; Maia, Carla; Moreira, Fernando; Santos, MarleneO sistema de distribuição em Dose Individual Diária em Dose Unitária(DIDDU) foi instituído em Portugal em 1991 com o intuito de reduzir os erros demedicação, os custos com medicamentos, e melhorar a intervenção dos profissionais desaúde e a qualidade do serviço prestado. Apesar dos benefícios da DIDDU, a elevada incidência de revertências de medicamentos distribuídos por DIDDU é uma problemática premente nos hospitais. Os objetivos deste trabalho consistem em identificar os principais motivos das revertências ao nível da distribuição de fármacos em DIDDU; analisar o seu impacto nos custos em saúde; e apresentar propostas que visem a sua diminuição. Este estudo consistiu numa revisão narrativa da literatura, através da pesquisa dos termos “revertências”, “erros de medicação”, “dose unitária”, “sistemas de distribuição”, “custos em saúde”, na Pubmed. Foram identificadas como variáveis os motivos das revertências,os processos, os recursos humanos disponíveis, assim como os sistemas de distribuição implementados e as potenciais estratégias para a redução das revertências. Verifica-se que grande parte das revertências se encontram não justificadas e, quando reportados, os principais motivos foram a omissão da administração, a alta do paciente e a recusa de toma. Já as quatro principais estratégias usadas na diminuição das revertências foram: o registo informático das revertências, a implementação de justificação dos fármacos devolvidos, a utilização de códigos de barras e a instituição de um método alternativo para distribuição de fármacos SOS. Tendo por base o salário de um Técnico Superior de Farmácia em Portugal, em 2022, constatou-se que o trabalho desperdiçado associado às revertências representa, num Hospital Central do Norte de Portugal, 3617€ anuais, correspondentes a 462 horas de trabalho por ano. A elevada incidência de revertências é influenciada por diversas variáveis e com um impacto muito significativo ao nível da produtividade e custos com profissionais de farmácia hospitalar. Não sendo possível eliminar as revertências, é importante limitá-las tanto quanto possível, às correspondentes a devoluções clinicamente justificáveis. Estudos futuros devem incidir na avaliação do impacto da implementação das diferentes estratégias para diminuição de revertências.
- Trimestral vs. semestral: percepção dos estudantesPublication . Santos, M.; Cunha, A.; Correia, P.; Jesus, Â.; Oliveira, R. F.; Oliveira, A. I.; Pinho, C.; Cruz, A.A aplicação do processo de Bolonha no Curso de Farmácia da ESTSP-IPP implicou uma revisão dos conteúdos leccionados e a mudança de uma estrutura semestral para trimestral. Este estudo descritivo e transversal analisou a opinião dos estudantes do curso de Farmácia da ESTSP-IPP acerca da estrutura instituída e resultou na aplicação de um questionário online aos actuais e ex-estudantes. Verificou-se uma percentagem de respostas global de 54,1% e dos actuais estudantes de 72,7%. Não se verificou uma manifesta tendência para qualquer uma das estruturas, 46,5% dos es tudantes foram favoráveis à estrutura semestral e 51,2% à trimestral. A proporção de respostas não variou significativamente entre anos lectivos, contudo, verificou-se uma tendência para os estu dantes que frequentam o 4º ano (que contactaram com ambas as estruturas) serem mais favoráveis à estrutura trimestral. Observou-se uma correlação forte e estatisticamente significativa (p < 0,05) entre a preferência de cada uma das estruturas e a percepção da aquisição de competências pelos estudantes. Os dados recolhidos não permitem concluir que a estrutura trimestral seja notoriamente superior à estrutura semestral.
- International mobility in the Pharmacy degree at the school of allied health sciences of OportoPublication . Jesus, Ângelo; Ferraz Oliveira, Rita; Martins, Cátia; Oliveira, Ana Isabel; Pinho, Cláudia; Santos, Marlene; Correia, Patrícia; Cunha, Agostinho; Cruz, AgostinhoThe Erasmus program is a subprogram of the Lifelong Learning program, exclusive for Higher Education that promotes (among other initiatives), the mobility of students(studies, training or internships). The mobility of students of higher education seeks to improve the quality and development of future professionals, providing a multidisciplinary and multicultural experience. Academic Pharmacy/Pharmacy Technicians. We conducted a descriptive and transversal study on the implementation of the mobility program and analyze the results, which involved applying a survey to students. Since 2009/2010, the Pharmacy Degree at ESTSP has established 7 SMs protocols resulting in an average mobility of 5 students IN and 7 Students OUT. We have also endeavoured in SMp Protocols for extracurricular training with an average of 3 students OUT. The application process is normally open during the year before the mobility period. For most of the students involved, this was a first time opportunity to be in a foreign country and more than 70% choose the mobility program because it is seen as a possibility to improve their curriculum, for personal development or even to pursue employment opportunities abroad. The mobility for teachers is also encouraged. The exchange of experiences and training, acquired during cooperation activities should be an element of continuous dynamics and institutional affirmation. Initiatives such as the ERASMUS Program contribute to the educational and scientific enrichment, and promote international competitiveness among Higher Education Institutions.