Berries are rich sources of (poly)phenols which have been associated with the prevention of cardiovascular diseases in animal models and in human clinical trials. Recently, a berry enriched diet was reported to decrease blood pressure and attenuate kidney disease progression on Dahl salt-sensitive rats. However, the relationship between kidney function, metabolism and (poly)phenols was not evaluated. We hypothesize that berries promote metabolic alterations concomitantly with an attenuation of the progression of renal disease. For that, kidney and urinary metabolomic changes induced by the berry enriched diet in hypertensive rats (Dahl salt-sensitive) were analyzed using liquid chromatography (UPLC-MS/MS) and H NMR techniques. Moreover, physiological and metabolic parameters, and kidney histopathological data were also collected. The severity of the kidney lesions promoted in Dahl rats by a high salt diet was significantly reduced by berries, namely a decrease in sclerotic glomeruli. In addition, was observed a high urinary excretion of metabolites that are indicators of alterations in glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, citrate cycle, and pyruvate metabolism in the salt induced-hypertensive rats, a metabolic profile counteracted by berries consumption. We also provide novel insights that relates (poly)phenols consumption with alterations in cysteine redox pools. Cysteine contribute to the redox signaling that is normally disrupted during kidney disease onset and progression. Our findings provide a vision about the metabolic responses of hypertensive rats to a (poly)phenol enriched diet, which may contribute to the understanding of the beneficial effects of (poly)phenols in salt-induced hypertension.

Nanocomposite Zn-Ag2S/TiO2 and Zn-TiO2 films were prepared by pulsed current electrolysis from acidic zinc sulphate solutions on a titanium substrate. The influence of the nanoparticles' nature on the structural and morphological characteristics of the metallic electrodeposit was also investigated. The electrodeposits were characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Using transmission electron microscopy, it was possible to conclude that the chemical treatment applied to the commercial TiO2 particles promotes the formation of Ag2S/TiO2 composite nanoparticles, with Ti, Ag, S and O in its composition. This was also was confirmed by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. These particles absorb visible light radiation which makes them promising materials for photoelectrocatalytic processes. Moreover, the modification in nanoparticle composition plays a remarkable influence on the coating morphology and Zn crystallite size. When TiO2 is added, a change of Zn texture was observed along with a decrease in crystallite size. In contrast, the metal matrix nanocomposites prepared with Ag2S/TiO2 exhibit a spongy Zn morphology with a lower average Zn crystallite size. The nanocomposite films were tested in the photoelectrodegradation of ibuprofen and the best results were obtained for Zn-Ag2S/ TiO2 photoelectrodes.

Background and objective Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a prevalent and life-threatening infection that causes significant morbidity and mortality. Biomarkers, such as C-reactive protein (CRP), can help to diagnose, monitor, and prognose patients with this condition. This study aimed to analyze the disease course, the CRP peak concentration, its relationship with prognosis, and its variation in hospitalized patients with pneumococcal CAP. Methodology This study included 797 patients diagnosed with pneumococcal CAP and admitted over four years to four different Portuguese hospitals, either to the ICU or the general ward. Results Although CRP peak concentration was not a good predictor of overall hospital mortality, higher peak concentration in older patients (>60 years) was associated with a dismal hospital prognosis. In contrast, younger patients who survived hospital discharge had a non-significant higher peak CRP concentration. A faster time until CRP decreased to at least half of its peak value also correlated with favorable outcomes after adjusting for age and bacteremia [failure to achieve a 50% decrease was associated with an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for hospital mortality of 6.45; 95% confidence interval (CI): 4.30-9.69]. Conclusions Based on our findings, CRP may be a useful biomarker in the hospital setting for diagnosing and monitoring patients with pneumococcal CAP. Clinicians must be aware of its unique properties, clinical applications, and varying behaviors according to patient age groups.

ABSTRACT: The corrosion rates of AISI 316L and AISI 321H austenitic stainless steel, immersed in a stagnant isothermal mixture of 60% NaNO3 and 40% KNO3 molten salt at 550 degrees C in atmospheric air are 8.6 and 9.0 mu m/yr, respectively. The corrosion mechanism was proposed by recording the weight changes of the steel coupons at different time intervals up to 3000 h, and by the characterization of multilayer oxide scales formed on the steel surface. Multilayers made of different oxides, mainly Fe2O3 and Fe3O4, are the principal scale products. At 3000 h, the thickness of the scale layer formed on AISI 321H (7.5 +/- 2.9 mu m) is slightly higher than the one formed at the AISI 316L (6.9 +/- 2.1 mu m). This small difference might reflect the partial spallation of the corrosion layer on AISI 321H, which is seen for times longer than 1000 h. A minimal change of the composition of the molten nitrate salt is observed in time and is predominantly due to the appearance of soluble chromate products and nitrite compounds (0.004 wt% and 1.4 wt% at 3000 h, respectively). The observed corrosion behaviour of these alloys shows that they are good candidate for usage as containers of molten nitrate salts in the thermal energy storage (TES) system for a CSP plant.

Leaks duodenais (LD) são complicacoes com elevada morbimortalidade representando internamentos prolongados e reintervenções. O objectivo é avaliar os resultados da abordagem médica e cirurgica dos doentes com LD como complicação de cirurgia gastroduodenal no nosso hospital. Estudo observacional, analítico, longitudinal, retrospectivo. Foram incluidos os doentes com LD após cirurgia gastroduodenal entre 2008 e 2012. Foram excluidos os doentes com LD por trauma. De 172 doentes submetidos a cirurgia gastroduodenal major entre 2008 e 2012, foram incluidos 10 doentes por LD – 6 por cirurgia por doença ulcerosa peptica complicada e 4 pós gastrectomia por doença maligna. Idade = 64,4±10,4 anos, três do sexo feminino. Todos os doentes foram reintervencionados (7,9 dias após primeira cirurgia): resutura duodenal (n=2), duodenostomia terminal com folley (n=4) para leaks do coto duodenal pós gastrectomia e duodenostomia lateral com folley para deiscencias de piloroplastia (n=4). 9 doentes foram admitidos na UCI com estadias de 14,5 dias [3-45]. Em 6 doentes foi necessária reposição hidroeletrolitica agressiva por alterações iónicas e agravamento da função renal. 7 doentes complicaram com infecções nosocomiais. Em 6 doentes removeu-se a duodenostomia (média=27,3±2,51 dias) após duodenografia pela duodenostomia confirmando normal progressão e ausencia extraluminal de contraste. Dois doentes necessitaram de uma terceira intervenção. Mortalidade cirurgica = 40%. O Leak duodenal acresce morbilidade e mortalidade relevante e associou-se a falência de órgão e complicações sépticas. A duodenostomia com Folley associada a uma abordagem agressiva das complicações médicas em Cuidados Intensivos pode ser uma opção válida.

Introdução: A formação sobre os temas de doação e transplante é reconhecidamente decisiva para que os profissionais de saúde participem e se sintam integrados nestas actividades. Para que a formação seja adequada às características e expectativas dos profissionais alvo, é importante conhecer a realidade de cada hospital e avaliar o impacto das formações decorridas. Nesse sentido, a CHD do HFF levou a efeito um inquérito entre os médicos e enfermeiros, cujos resultados são avaliados no presente trabalho. Metodologia: A uma população de 532 médicos e 752 enfermeiros, foi solicitado o preenchimento de um inquérito com os seguintes objectivos: caracterizar a população de profissionais de saúde, avaliar formação prévia e grau de importância atribuídos às actividades de doação e transplante enquanto profissionais de saúde e grau de conhecimento acerca dos elementos e da actividade da CHD. Resultados: Maior participação no inquérito pelos enfermeiros (67.6% vs 30.4%), franco predomínio de profissionais do sexo feminino (70.7% vs 29.3%), dos grupos etários mais jovens (46.8% com menos de 30 anos) e com menor tempo de exercício profissional (38.4% com menos de 5 anos). Menos formação prévia para os enfermeiros (21.1% vs 30.8%); a proporção de médicos que se considera bem informada é superior (42.9% vs 28.95%) mas não há diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os dois grupos profissionais quanto ao facto de se sentirem ou não envolvidos nestas actividades e na importância que dão à formação nestes temas. Ao maior tempo de exercício profissional associou-se maior grau de informação e envolvimento: entre os que têm menos de 10 anos de exercício, apenas 1/3 se sente envolvido nesta actividade Para ambos os grupos o conhecimento dos elementos e das actividades da CHD são limitados, embora os mais jovens, com menos de 5 anos de tempo de exercício profissional, sejam os que mais desconhecem. Discussão e conclusão: Apesar dos esforços desenvolvidos pela CHD do HFF no sentido de divulgar e formar os profissionais de saúde sobre doação e transplante nos últimos 4 anos, o conhecimento global da sua actividade e o envolvimento que médicos e enfermeiros sentem em relação a ela está abaixo das expectativas. Os conhecimentos que os profissionais têm parecem ser adquiridos ao longo da sua vida profissional. A ausência de formação dos mais jovens é notória, o que leva a considerar a formação pré-graduada nestes grupos como uma mais valia para a divulgação e sensibilização sobre doação. Os resultados deste inquérito serão de grande importância para adequar os conteúdos e métodos de formação sobre doação e transplante aos profissionais de saúde do HFF.

The PPOSSUM score is considered an adequate predictor of surgical mortality in colorectal surgery. The proportion of elderly surgical patients is rising. They must be considered as a different population. Our aim was to evaluate the predictive value of P-POSSUM for colorectal surgical mortality in patients age 80 or more. Retrospective observational study. Patients with 80 years old or more who underwent colorectal surgery at our institution between 2008 and 2012 were included. Subgroup analysis was performed for malignant, urgent and elective surgery. Parametric tests were used. 202 patients were enrolled, 55% men, mean age 84,27±3,94 [80-99].Surgical mortality was 16,8%. The physiology score (PS) was 23,22±5,09; operative severity score (OS) was 13,54±4,11; predicted mortality (PM) was 8,00%±10,87. Age, PS and PM were higher among patients with surgical mortality (t=0,996 df=200 p<0,01; t=0,999 df=200 p<0,01; t=0,987 df=200 p<0,01). No differences were observed in OS. These results were also observed when subgroup analyses was done. Predicted/observed mortality ratio was 0,46 (0,58 for patients who underwent urgent surgery). P-POSSUM underestimates surgical mortality of colorectal surgery in patients 80 years or older. Higher PS was associated with surgical mortality but OS was not. This was independent of subgroup analysis.