Exploring the response of a key Mediterranean gorgonian to heat stress across biological and spatial scales.

Understanding the factors and processes that shape intra-specific sensitivity to heat stress is fundamental to better predicting the vulnerability of benthic species to climate change. Here, we investigate the response of a habitat-forming Mediterranean octocoral, the red gorgonian Paramuricea clavata (Risso, 1826) to thermal stress at multiple biological and geographical scales. Samples from eleven P. clavata populations inhabiting four localities separated by hundreds to more than 1500 km of coast and with contrasting thermal histories were exposed to a critical temperature threshold (25 °C) in a common garden experiment in aquaria. Ten of the 11 populations lacked thermotolerance to the experimental conditions provided (25 days at 25 °C), with 100% or almost 100% colony mortality by the end of the experiment. Furthermore, we found no significant association between local average thermal regimes nor recent thermal history (i.e., local water temperatures in the 3 months prior to the experiment) and population thermotolerance. Overall, our results suggest that local adaptation and/or acclimation to warmer conditions have a limited role in the response of P. clavata to thermal stress. The study also confirms the sensitivity of this species to warm temperatures across its distributional range and questions its adaptive capacity under ocean warming conditions. However, important inter-individual variation in thermotolerance was found within populations, particularly those exposed to the most severe prior marine heatwaves. These observations suggest that P. clavata could harbor adaptive potential to future warming acting on standing genetic variation (i.e., divergent selection) and/or environmentally-induced phenotypic variation (i.e., intra- and/or intergenerational plasticity).

Trends in diabetes incidence from 1992 to 2015 and projections for 2024: A Portuguese General Practitioner's Network study.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes is known as a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Portugal is known as the European country with the highest prevalence of this disease. While diabetes prevalence data is updated annually in Portugal, the General Practitioner's (GP) Sentinel Network represents the only data source on diabetes incidence. This study describes the trends in Diabetes incidence, between 1992 and 2015, and estimate projections for the future incidence rates in Portugal until 2024. METHODS: An ecological time-series study was conducted using data from GP Sentinel Network between 1992 and 2015. Family doctors reported all new cases of Diabetes in their patients' lists. Annual trends were estimated through Poisson regression models as well as the future incidence rates (until 2024), sex and age group stratified. Incidence rate projections were adjusted to the distribution of the resident Portuguese population given Statistics Portugal projections. RESULTS: The average increase in Diabetes incidence rate was in total 4.29% (CI95% 3.80-4.80) per year under study. Until 1998-2000, the annual incidence rate was higher in women, and from 1998-2000 to 2013-2015 turn out to be higher in men. The incidence rate projected for 2022-2024 was 972.77/10(5) inhabitants in total, and 846.74/10(5) and 1114.42/10(5), respectively, in women and men. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study in Portugal to estimate diabetes incidence rate projections. The disturbing reported projections seem realistic if things continue as in the past. Actually, effective public health policies will need to be undertaken to minimize this alarming future scenario.

Diabetes hinders community-acquired pneumonia outcomes in hospitalized patients.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) in hospitalized patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and its impact on hospital length of stay and in-hospital mortality. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We carried out a retrospective, nationwide register analysis of CAP in adult patients admitted to Portuguese hospitals between 2009 and 2012. Anonymous data from 157 291 adult patients with CAP were extracted from the National Hospital Discharge Database and we performed a DM-conditioned analysis stratified by age, sex and year of hospitalization. RESULTS: The 74 175 CAP episodes that matched the inclusion criteria showed a high burden of DM that tended to increase over time, from 23.7% in 2009 to 28.1% in 2012. Interestingly, patients with CAP had high DM prevalence in the context of the national DM prevalence. Episodes of CAP in patients with DM had on average 0.8 days longer hospital stay as compared to patients without DM (p<0.0001), totaling a surplus of 15 370 days of stay attributable to DM in 19 212 admissions. In-hospital mortality was also significantly higher in patients with CAP who have DM (15.2%) versus those who have DM (13.5%) (p=0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis revealed that DM prevalence was significantly increased within CAP hospital admissions, reinforcing other studies' findings that suggest that DM is a risk factor for CAP. Since patients with CAP who have DM have longer hospitalization time and higher mortality rates, these results hold informative value for patient guidance and healthcare strategies.

First diabetes prevalence study in Portugal: PREVADIAB study.

AIMS: Diabetes is a growing worldwide problem. Ascertaining its prevalence is vital as a starting point to establish and measure the success of health interventions. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Type 2 diabetes and 'pre-diabetes', defined as impaired fasting glucose and impaired glucose tolerance, in the Portuguese population aged between 20 and 79 years. METHODS: Considering the number of inhabitants between 20 and 79 years old, statistical units were selected that were representative regionally and nationally. The total sample comprised 5167 subjects. National prevalence was calculated. Analyses were performed on all those without previously known diabetes using World Health Organization reference diagnostic criteria. RESULTS: We found a diabetes prevalence of 11.7% (95% confidence interval 10.8-12.6%), with a significant difference between men (14.2%; 95% confidence interval 12.5-15.5%) and women (9.5%; 95% confidence interval 8.5-10.6%). While 6.6% of the subjects had previously been diagnosed with diabetes, 5.1% were undiagnosed. By age groups, 2.4% of the population between 20 and 39 years, 12.6% of people from 40 to 59 years old and 26.3% of those aged between 60 and 79 years had diabetes. Prevalence of 'pre-diabetes' (impaired fasting glucose, impaired glucose tolerance or both) in the population was 23.3%. CONCLUSIONS: Diabetes has a high prevalence in Portugal. If 'pre-diabetes' is also considered, about one-third (34.9%) of the population aged 20-79 years is affected. A greater number of males were found to have diabetes. We detected a high percentage of people with undiagnosed diabetes (43.6%).

Take action to prevent diabetes--the IMAGE toolkit for the prevention of type 2 diabetes in Europe.

When we ask people what they value most, health is usually top of the list. While effective care is available for many chronic diseases, the fact remains that for the patient, the tax payer and the whole of society: prevention is better than cure. Diabetes and its complications are a serious threat to the survival and well-being of an increasing number of people. It is predicted that one in ten Europeans aged 20-79 will have developed diabetes by 2030. Once a disease of old age, diabetes is now common among adults of all ages and is beginning to affect adolescents and even children. Diabetes accounts for up to 18 % of total healthcare expenditure in Europe. The good news is that diabetes is preventable. Compelling evidence shows that the onset of diabetes can be prevented or delayed greatly in individuals at high risk (people with impaired glucose regulation). Clinical research has shown a reduction in risk of developing diabetes of over 50 % following relatively modest changes in lifestyle that include adopting a healthy diet, increasing physical activity, and maintaining a healthy body weight. These results have since been reproduced in real-world prevention programmes. Even a delay of a few years in the progression to diabetes is expected to reduce diabetes-related complications, such as heart, kidney and eye disease and, consequently, to reduce the cost to society. A comprehensive approach to diabetes prevention should combine population based primary prevention with programmes targeted at those who are at high risk. This approach should take account of the local circumstances and diversity within modern society (e.g. social inequalities). The challenge goes beyond the healthcare system. We need to encourage collaboration across many different sectors: education providers, non-governmental organisations, the food industry, the media, urban planners and politicians all have a very important role to play. Small changes in lifestyle will bring big changes in health. Through joint efforts, more people will be reached. The time to act is now.

A European evidence-based guideline for the prevention of type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence and socioeconomic burden of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and associated co-morbidities are rising worldwide. AIMS: This guideline provides evidence-based recommendations for preventing T2DM. METHODS: A European multidisciplinary consortium systematically reviewed the evidence on the effectiveness of screening and interventions for T2DM prevention using SIGN criteria. RESULTS: Obesity and sedentary lifestyle are the main modifiable risk factors. Age and ethnicity are non-modifiable risk factors. Case-finding should follow a step-wise procedure using risk questionnaires and oral glucose tolerance testing. Persons with impaired glucose tolerance and/or fasting glucose are at high-risk and should be prioritized for intensive intervention. Interventions supporting lifestyle changes delay the onset of T2DM in high-risk adults (number-needed-to-treat: 6.4 over 1.8-4.6 years). These should be supported by inter-sectoral strategies that create health promoting environments. Sustained body weight reduction by >or= 5 % lowers risk. Currently metformin, acarbose and orlistat can be considered as second-line prevention options. The population approach should use organized measures to raise awareness and change lifestyle with specific approaches for adolescents, minorities and disadvantaged people. Interventions promoting lifestyle changes are more effective if they target both diet and physical activity, mobilize social support, involve the planned use of established behaviour change techniques, and provide frequent contacts. Cost-effectiveness analysis should take a societal perspective. CONCLUSIONS: Prevention using lifestyle modifications in high-risk individuals is cost-effective and should be embedded in evaluated models of care. Effective prevention plans are predicated upon sustained government initiatives comprising advocacy, community support, fiscal and legislative changes, private sector engagement and continuous media communication.

Quality indicators for the prevention of type 2 diabetes in Europe--IMAGE.

BACKGROUND: The marked increase of type 2 diabetes necessitates active development and implementation of efficient prevention programs. A European level action has been taken by launching the IMAGE project to unify and improve the various prevention management concepts, which currently exist within the EU. This report describes the background and the methods used in the development of the IMAGE project quality indicators for diabetes primary prevention programs. It is targeted to the persons responsible for diabetes prevention at different levels of the health care systems. METHODS: Development of the quality indicators was conducted by a group of specialists representing different professional groups from several European countries. Indicators and measurement recommendations were produced by the expert group in consensus meetings and further developed by combining evidence and expert opinion. RESULTS: The quality indicators were developed for different prevention strategies: population level prevention strategy, screening for high risk, and high risk prevention strategy. Totally, 22 quality indicators were generated. They constitute the minimum level of quality assurance recommended for diabetes prevention programs. In addition, 20 scientific evaluation indicators with measurement standards were produced. These micro level indicators describe measurements, which should be used if evaluation, reporting, and scientific analysis are planned. CONCLUSIONS: We hope that these quality tools together with the IMAGE guidelines will provide a useful tool for improving the quality of diabetes prevention in Europe and make different prevention approaches comparable.

Independent factors associated with depression in type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Diabetes has been associated with depression since Thomas Willis' work in 1684 (Rubin and Peyrot in Diabetes Metab Rev 18:173-175, 2002). The aim of this study is to identify social and clinical factors independently associated with depression in individuals with type 1 diabetes. We carried out a descriptive transversal study with 110 type 1 diabetes patients, administered a questionnaire and obtained demographical and diabetes-related data (number of years from diagnosis, initial admission at diagnosis, glycated hemoglobin, number of complications, insulin dose, number of insulin injections per day, admission for ketoacidosis or hypoglycemia at diagnosis, and specific diabetes complications such as nephropathy, retinopathy, peripheral neuropathy, coronariopathy, and amputation). Depressive symptoms were quantified using the Hamilton Score. We used T tests to investigate potential relations between the covariates and depression (Hamilton score). We concluded the following: as few as 10% of our patients had glycated hemoglobin under 7%; women had more symptoms of depression, and there are four independent factors associated with depression in individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus: age, Graffar score, admission for ketoacidosis, and insulin dose.

Etonogestrel implant in women with diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of etonogestrel implant on the control of the carbohydrate and lipid metabolism and on the progression of vascular complications in diabetic women treated with insulin, and to assess the acceptability of this modality of contraception in these patients. METHODS: Prospective-observational study of 23 women with insulin-treated diabetes. Clinical and metabolic evaluation was performed before and at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after implant insertion. Changes from baseline were compared using the mixed effects models or Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank tests. RESULTS: There were no significant changes in BMI, in daily insulin requirement and in mean HbA1c. There was a significant reduction of total serum cholesterol (TC) at 6 and 12 months, of triglyceride levels at 6, 12 and 24 months, and of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) at 6, 12 and 24 months. Neither the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels nor the HDL/TC ratio changed. Albuminuria decreased significantly at 12 and 24 months. No deterioration of the retina was observed over the study period. Amenorrhoea and infrequent bleeding were the most common menstrual bleeding patterns. One woman discontinued the method due to frequent bleeding. CONCLUSION: We found no evidence of impaired control of the carbohydrate and lipid metabolism or aggravation of vascular lesions during the two years an etonogestrel implant was used by diabetic women.

Community-based early intervention: the Coimbra project (Portugal).

The Coimbra Early Intervention Project was undertaken to develop the first co-ordinated, multidisciplinary, interagency programme involving health care, education and social services, using existing resources in the community. The programme operates region wide and supports annually about 160 families and children with disabilities or at risk. Thirty-three per cent of the 601 children served so far had developmental delay, 22% belonged to high-risk families and 45% had risk factors and disabilities. In spite of difficulties, the programme success has increased awareness of the need to integrate and co-ordinate multiple community services and to develop legislation for the provision of early intervention services.

Prevalence and management of hypertension in type 1 diabetes mellitus in Europe: the EURODIAB IDDM Complications Study.

AIM: To examine the prevalence of hypertension and the rates of hypertension awareness by investigating treatment and control among respondents to the EURODIAB IDDM Complications Study, and to explore the variation in hypertension management by age, sex and end-organ damage. METHODS: A cross-sectional study, examining 3250 randomly selected Type 1 diabetic patients from 31 diabetes clinics in 16 European countries between 1989 and 1990. Mean age was 32.7 years (SD= 10.0) and mean duration of diabetes mellitus (DM) was 14.7 years (SD=9.3). Subjects were asked about a history of high blood pressure (BP) and current prescribed medications were recorded by the subject's physician. Hypertension was defined as having a systolic BP > or = 140 mmHg or diastolic BP > or = 90 mmHg or current use of antihypertensives. Control was defined as a BP < 130/85 mmHg. RESULTS: Twenty-four per cent of subjects had hypertension, among whom fewer than one-half (48.5%) were aware of a previous diagnosis and a similar proportion (42.2%) were on treatment. Only 11.3% of those with hypertension were both treated and controlled. The majority (81%) of those receiving drug therapy for hypertension were on a single drug, most commonly an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (47%). CONCLUSION: These data show the extent of undermanagement of hypertension in Type 1 DM across Europe prior to the publication of the St. Vincent Declaration and provide a useful baseline against which future improvements in the management of hypertension can be monitored.

An unusual case of papillary carcinoma of the thyroid with cutaneous and breast metastases only.

Cutaneous metastases of thyroid carcinoma are infrequent and, when present, are usually located in the vicinity of a widespread primary tumor. Breast metastases from these tumors are even less common. We report the case of a 64-year-old female with a toxic multinodular goiter in whom a fine-needle biopsy, performed in 1985 at the age of 52, was suggestive of papillary carcinoma of the thyroid. Total thyroidectomy for a papillary carcinoma, follicular variant, was performed in 1988. Four months after surgery, a cutaneous metastasis was discovered in the right thigh. Surgical excision of the lesion followed by treatment with radioactive iodine decreased serum Tg levels from 7495 to 3.3 micrograms/l. Under suppressive therapy with L-thyroxine, serum Tg remained undetectable for the next 4 years. Then, serum Tg levels rose to 3.9-5.6 micrograms/l and a second cutaneous metastasis was removed from the abdominal wall. The patient was again treated with radioactive iodine and the post-treatment whole-body scan did not show any area of increased uptake of the radionuclide. However, serum Tg levels under suppression with L-thyroxine remained elevated at 4-20 micrograms/l for the next 2 years. In August 1995, a 1.5 cm nodule was found in the right breast. Cytological examination was suggestive of a breast metastasis from thyroid carcinoma and the lesion was removed by enucleation. This proved to be a metastasis from a papillary carcinoma of the thyroid. Elevated (19-44 micrograms/l) serum Tg levels persisted postoperatively. A third cutaneous metastasis was revealed by 131I scintigraphy in the right buttock and surgically removed in December 1996. Serum Tg levels have remained undetectable since then. To the best of our knowledge, this is a unique case of a papillary carcinoma of the thyroid with a propensity to metastasize only to the skin and breast during a follow-up of 11 years.

ACTH-producing carcinoma of the pituitary with haematogenic metastases.

The case report is presented of a 47-year-old white woman with Cushing's disease treated by bilateral adrenalectomy in June 1981. A first computed tomography (CT) scan in September 1984 showed a voluminous pituitary adenoma with invasion of the sphenoid sinus and left parasellar extension. The tumour increased progressively in size, a suprasellar extension developed and the optic chiasm was eventually affected. In March 1988 and June 1989 the patient underwent two surgeries for the pituitary tumour, the second followed by radiotherapy. During this period, the ACTH values varied between 100 pmol/l and 403 pmol/l (normal: < 13 pmol/l). After radiotherapy, a progressive shrinking of the tumour was observed and the ACTH concentrations decreased to a lowest value of 27.5 pmol/l. The patient was clinically well until September 1993 when, suddenly, the plasma ACTH concentration increased to very high levels (greater than 965 pmol/l). There was no evidence of tumour growth on the sellar CT scan. In January 1995, an ACTH-producing pituitary carcinoma was diagnosed, based on the presence of bone metastases. The patient died in May 1995.

[The prevention of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus]. / Prevenção da diabetes mellitus insulino-dependente.

At the present time, there are markers which we can use to identify individuals with a high susceptibility of developing insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) years before the onset of the disease. Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus is an autoimmune disease strongly associated with HLA antigens DR3 and DR4. In this manuscript, we discuss the usefulness of several markers, such as islet cell antibodies, insulin autoantibodies and glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies, to identify individuals with a high susceptibility to IDDM before the disease is clinically evident. Monitoring first phase insulin release during intravenous glucose administration is a useful index of residual beta cell function that can be used to detect individuals who are close to insulin dependence. Several drugs have been used to prevent the development of IDDM. These include immunodepressors, anti-inflammatory agents, non-specific immunomodulators and free radical scavengers. Due to their toxicity, studies employing aziothioprine and cyclosporin were discontinued. Other agents, such as tetrandrin and lymphotoxin, are now restricted to non-human trials. Currently, two large-scale multicentric human trials, one in Europe using nicotinamide (European Nicotinamide Diabetes Intervention Trial, ENDIT) and the other in the USA using insulin (Diabetes Prevention Trial), are now in full activity and will test the benefits of these drugs in the prophylaxis of IDDM in highly susceptible individuals.

[Chronic hypoparathyroidism: review of 5 clinical cases]. / Hipoparatiroidismo crónico: revisão de 5 casos clínicos.

In 5 patients with a long clinical evolution of tetany and/or convulsions and with documented hypocalcaemia and hyperphosphatemia, low or inappropriate values of parathormone were detected. Only two of the patients had a history of subtotal thyroidectomy and all presented with basal ganglia calcification, bilateral subcapsular cataracts and prolonged QTc interval in the ECG. After one month of oral therapy with calcium and calcitriol, the values of calcaemia and phosphatemia were in a near-normal range with the exception of a patient in which that normalization was much slower and only occurred after correction of magnesaemia. In this last patient statistical correlation between QTc interval in the ECG and the calcaemia was statistically significant (P less than 0.001). We conclude that the QTc interval can be a useful and accessible index in acute situations of symptomatic hypocalcaemia.

Late osteoarticular lesions following meningococcemia with disseminated intravascular coagulation.

Nineteen children, who had been admitted to the Pediatric Hospital of Coimbra with severe meningococcal infection with DIC, were submitted to clinical and radiological examination, an average of 4.2 years after hospitalization, in order to demonstrate late skeletal lesions. Patellar dystrophy, to our knowledge previously unreported, was found in 4 children, all of whom had overlying cutaneous scarring.