Patterns of Progression of Nonproliferative Diabetic Retinopathy Using Non-Invasive Imaging.

Purpose: To identify progression of nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) in patients with type 2 diabetes by combining optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) metrics and color fundus photography (CFP) images.

Methods: This study was a post hoc analysis of a prospective longitudinal cohort study (CORDIS, NCT03696810) with 2-year duration. This study enrolled 122 eyes.

Characterization of central-involved diabetic macular edema using OCT and OCTA.

Purpose: To characterize the occurrence of diabetic macular edema and the presence of abnormal retinal fluid accumulation in nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR).

Methods: In this two-year prospective study, a total of 122 eyes with diabetes type 2 underwent optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT-Angiography in association with OCT-Fluid imaging, a novel algorithm of OCT analysis allowing quantification of abnormal accumulation of fluid in the retina through low optical reflectivity ratios (LOR). Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) grading for diabetic retinopathy (DR) severity assessment was performed using 7-field color fundus photography.

Retinal neurodegeneration in eyes with NPDR risk phenotypes: A two-year longitudinal study.

Introduction: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is both a microangiopathy and a neurodegenerative disease. However, the connections between both changes are not well known.

Purpose: To characterise the longitudinal retinal ganglion cell layer + inner plexiform layer (GCL + IPL) changes and their association with microvascular changes in type-2 diabetes (T2D) patients with nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR).

A physiological concentration of anandamide promotes the migration of human endometrial fibroblast and the interaction with endothelial cells invitro.

Introduction: The mechanisms that govern fibroblast behavior during the vascular adaptations of the uterus at early pregnancy remain unknown. Anandamide, an endocannabinoid, binds to cannabinoid receptors (CBs), and regulates gestation and angiogenesis. Its tone is regulated by fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) within the uterus.

Different Risk Profiles for Progression of Nonproliferative Diabetic Retinopathy: A 2-Year Study.

Introduction: Characterization of 2-year progression of different risk phenotypes in eyes with mild and moderate nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) in type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods: A 2-year prospective longitudinal cohort study (CORDIS, NCT03696810) was conducted. Ophthalmological examinations were performed including best corrected visual acuity, color fundus photography and optical coherence tomography (OCT and OCTA).

Molecular Heterogeneity of Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) Deficiency in the Portuguese Population.

Introduction: Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is the most common enzyme defect in the world, affecting more than 500 million people. In Portugal, the average frequency of G6PD deficiency in males was estimated at about 0.5% and since the year 2000 several G6PD-deficient alleles have been identified.

Posterior Circulation Stroke: Coma (More Than Time) is Brain.

Background And Purpose: Contrary to anterior circulation, the legitimacy of endovascular treatment in posterior circulation stroke is still being questioned. Finding reliable prognostic factors and determining how patient selection should be done has become top priority.

Methods: Observational and retrospective study from two Portuguese hospitals, including all consecutive patients with posterior circulation occlusions who underwent thrombectomy between January 1st 2015 and December 31st 2019.

Maternal exposure to an enriched environment promotes uterine vascular remodeling and prevents embryo loss in mice.

Implantation-related events are crucial for pregnancy success. In particular, defects in vascular remodeling at the maternal-fetal interface are associated with spontaneous miscarriage and recurrent pregnancy loss. Physical activity and therapies oriented to reduce stress improve pregnancy outcomes.

Pro-angiogenic effects of pregnancy-specific glycoproteins in endothelial and extravillous trophoblast cells.

We previously reported that binding to heparan sulfate (HS) is required for the ability of the placentally secreted pregnancy-specific glycoprotein 1 (PSG1) to induce endothelial tubulogenesis. PSG1 is composed of four immunoglobulin-like domains but which domains of the protein bind to HS remains unknown. To analyze the interaction of PSG1 with HS, we generated several recombinant proteins, including the individual domains, chimeric proteins between two PSG1 domains, and mutants.

Novel role for lysophosphatidic acid in vascular remodeling at the maternal-fetal interface.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) belongs to the group of phosphorylated lipids reported as crucial mediators in the physiology of reproduction. LPA binds to G-protein-coupled receptors and regulates a wide range of female reproductive functions. This bioactive lipid has also been implicated in vascular functions during physiological and pathological conditions.

Atypical hemolytic-uremic syndrome: recurrent phenotypic expression of a patient with MCP gene mutation combined with risk haplotypes.

: We bring the case of a 38-year-old man who was presented to the emergency department with nausea, fever, and choluria, 4 days after the ingestion of raw oysters. Analytical study revealed thrombocytopenia and acute kidney injury that were associated to a possible thrombotic microangiopathy. Therapeutic plasma exchange was started and resolution of the manifestations was obtained.

Lysophosphatidic acid induces the crosstalk between the endovascular human trophoblast and endothelial cells in vitro.

Spiral artery remodeling at the maternal-fetal interface is crucial for successful pregnancy and requires the interaction between the first trimester trophoblast and the endothelial cells of the maternal vessels. However, the precise mechanism of this dialog has yet to be determined. The current study investigated whether lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) modulates trophoblast-endothelial crosstalk in vitro.

Steroid hormones induce in vitro human first trimester trophoblast tubulogenesis by the lysophosphatidic acid pathway.

Successful implantation and placentation requires that extravillous cytotrophoblast acquires an endovascular phenotype and remodels uterine spiral arteries. Progesterone (P4) and estradiol (E2) control many of the placental functions, but their role in vascular remodeling remains controversial. Here, we investigated whether P4 and E2 regulate the acquisition of the human first trimester trophoblast endovascular phenotype, and the participation of the lysophosphatidic acid pathway.

Lysophosphatidic acid-triggered pathways promote the acquisition of trophoblast endovascular phenotype in vitro.

Successful implantation and placentation requires that extravillous cytotrophoblast acquires an endovascular phenotype and remodels uterine spiral arteries. Defects in this mechanism correlate with severe obstetric complications as implantation failure and preeclampsia. Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) participates in embryo implantation and contributes to vascular physiology in different biological systems.

Endogenous lysophosphatidic acid participates in vascularisation and decidualisation at the maternal-fetal interface in the rat.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) affects several female reproductive functions through G-protein-coupled receptors. LPA contributes to embryo implantation via the lysophospholipid LPA receptor. In the present study we investigated the participation of endogenous LPA signalling through the LPA receptor in vascularisation and decidualisation, two crucial events at the maternal-fetal interface.

Pre-harvest cane burning and health: the association between school absences and burning sugarcane fields.

The objective of this study was to investigate an association between pre-harvest sugarcane burning and respiratory diseases in children under five years of age. The following data were collected in five schools in the city of Araraquara, SP, Southeastern Brazil, between March and June 2009: daily records of absences and the reasons stated for these absences, total concentration of suspended particulate matter (µg/m3), and air humidity. The relationship between the percentage of school absences due to respiratory problems and the concentration of particulate matter in March and from April to June presented a distinct behavior: absences increased alongside the increase in particulate matter concentration.

Clinical relevance of erythrocyte ferritin in microcytic anemias.

Background: Erythrocyte ferritin (EF) reflects the balance between iron supply and its utilization for hemoglobin synthesis. This balance is altered in microcytosis. We aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of both EF and the ratio (FRR) plasma ferritin (PF)/EF in these disorders.

Familial thrombotic risk based on the genetic background of Protein C Deficiency in a Portuguese Study.

Introduction: Inherited protein C (PC) deficiency is a well-known risk factor for venous thrombosis (VT). Plasma PC levels are reliable in moderate to severe deficiencies; however, in mildly deficient individuals, the levels may overlap with those considered normal. Genetic studies of PROC, which encodes PC, could help identify carriers; genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have shown that approximately 50% of phenotypic variation in PC deficiency is caused by the cumulative effects of mutations in several other loci, namely in the PROCR.

Inflammation, infection and preterm birth.

Preterm birth is the leading cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality. Pathological processes that have been linked with preterm birth infection and / or intrauterine inflammation are most frequently found associated with their induction. Studies in animal models and human research showed prior infections to the induction of labor, the anteriority of infection over labor induction, and the existence of a subclinical latency phase between these two phenomena.

A preclinical assay for chemosensitivity in multiple myeloma.

Accurate preclinical predictions of the clinical efficacy of experimental cancer drugs are highly desired but often haphazard. Such predictions might be improved by incorporating elements of the tumor microenvironment in preclinical models by providing a more physiological setting. In generating improved xenograft models, it is generally accepted that the use of primary tumors from patients are preferable to clonal tumor cell lines.