Biosafety Issues in Patient Transport during COVID-19: A Case Study on the Portuguese Emergency Services.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, first responders faced significant biosafety challenges, especially while handling patient transport, potentially exposing them to infection. The PANDEM-2 (European project on pandemic preparedness and response) project, funded by the Horizon 2020 program, sought to investigate the challenges confronting Emergency Medical Systems throughout the EU. First responders from Portugal's National Institute of Medical Emergency (INEM) were considered as a representative operational model of the national first responder agencies of European member states because they played a critical role during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, they were asked to complete an online survey about their COVID-19 pandemic-related professional activities. The survey focused on their perspectives on current biosafety guidelines and their operational practices. It covered opinions on existing protocols, technical concerns during patient transport, and issues after the patients arrived at the hospital. The key findings revealed concerns about risk assessment, the inadequacy of guidelines, and disparities in equipment access. This survey emphasizes the importance of developing streamlined, adaptable biosafety protocols, better coordination between prehospital and in-hospital services, and the development of scalable, cost-effective biosafety solutions. Based on our findings, we propose improvements to national and European biosafety directives and advocate for streamlined adaptation during pandemics.

Characterization of Potential Intoxications with Medicines in a Regional Setting.

The Portuguese Poison Information Center (from Portuguese-CIAV) is a call center that offers medical assistance in case of possible intoxication with any kind of product, including medicines. This center´s main goal is to inform and guide the general public and health professionals. This work aimed to analyze and compare data corresponding to the telephone calls from the Algarve region (South of Portugal), received by CIAV during 2019 and 2020, regarding potential intoxications with medicines. To this end, data provided by CIAV on possible cases of medication intoxication in the Algarve region were collected, including the number of calls received, the place of origin of the call, the age group and sex of the intoxicated individual, the route of exposure to the drug, the circumstances of contact with the substance, the existence of symptoms, and the drug or drugs involved in the potential intoxication. The results showed that the number of cases slightly decreased in 2020 (n = 1261) compared with 2019 (n = 1340), with a high number of cases of intoxication in children between one and four years old in both years (21.2%; n = 152 in 2019; 16.4%; n = 115 in 2020). The drugs belonging to the locomotor system group (paracetamol and ibuprofen) were the main drugs involved, followed by the central nervous system pharmacotherapeutic group, namely benzodiazepines (diazepam and alprazolam). Paracetamol was the main drug responsible for the calls to CIAV (n = 71 in 2019; n = 63 in 2020), while for the remaining drugs there were fluctuations in their positions between both years. In some cases, this swinging may be explained by the possible changes in therapy due to potential interactions with drugs used for the treatment of symptoms of COVID-19 or perhaps related to misleading information released by the media about the use of some drugs, such as ibuprofen, during lockdown periods. Although there has been a decrease in calls to report possible drug intoxication in the Algarve region, the profile of calls was very similar. Paracetamol was the drug with the highest number of reported cases and the group of psychotropic drugs showed the largest increase between 2019 and 2020.

Gla-Rich Protein, Magnesium and Phosphate Associate with Mitral and Aortic Valves Calcification in Diabetic Patients with Moderate CKD.

Accelerated and premature cardiovascular calcification is a hallmark of chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Valvular calcification (VC) is a critical indicator of cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality in this population, lacking validated biomarkers for early diagnosis. Gla-rich protein (GRP) is a cardiovascular calcification inhibitor recently associated with vascular calcification, pulse pressure, mineral metabolism markers and kidney function. Here, we examined the association between GRP serum levels and mitral and aortic valves calcification in a cohort of 80 diabetic patients with CKD stages 2-4. Mitral and aortic valves calcification were detected in 36.2% and 34.4% of the patients and associated with lower GRP levels, even after adjustments for age and gender. In this pilot study, univariate, multivariate and Poisson regression analysis, show that low levels of GRP and magnesium (Mg), and high levels of phosphate (P) are associated with mitral and aortic valves calcification. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves showed that the area under the curve (AUC) values of GRP for mitral (0.762) and aortic (0.802) valves calcification were higher than those of Mg and P. These results suggest that low levels of GRP and Mg, and high levels of P, are independent and cumulative risk factors for VC in this population; the GRP diagnostic value might be potentially useful in cardiovascular risk assessment.

PT EMT - Portuguese Emergency Medical Team Type 1 Relief Mission in Mozambique.

INTRODUCTION: The tropical cyclone Idai hit Mozambique in the city of Beira on March 15, 2019. During the following days, the Portuguese Emergency Medical Team (PT EMT) and its infrastructure deployed to Mozambique with the mission of helping local people and collaborating with the authorities. METHODS: Data analyzed were collected in the period of the deployment, from April 1-April 30, 2019. All patients admitted to PT EMT were registered through the Clinical Record of PT EMT. RESULTS: In total, 1,662 patients were admitted to PT EMT during the 30-day mission. The five most prevalent diagnoses were: 61.49% classified with "code 29" (which corresponds to "other unspecified diagnoses"), 9.15% of cases of skin disease, 8.90% of minor injuries, 6.74% of acute respiratory infection, and 3.19% of obstetric/genecology complications. DISCUSSION AND CHALLENGES: An important challenge identified was the need for a robust and effective network for transporting patients, allowing transfers between EMTs, enabling a true network response in the provision of care to disaster victims. CONCLUSIONS: The benefit of the deployment of PT EMT in Mozambique after Cyclone Idai was in line with the EMT initiative standards, allowing a direct delivery of care to the affected Mozambican population and support to the local health authorities.

[Venomous Animals in the Portuguese Territory: Clinical Management of Bites and Stings]. / Animais Venenosos em Território Português: Abordagem Clínica de Picadas e Mordeduras.

There are many native species of animals with the potential to cause severe disease in Portugal. Of the four clinically relevant snake species, the vipers (Vipera latastei and Vipera seoanei) are the most concerning. They can cause severe disease and require in-hospital management, monitoring and specific treatment, including the administration of anti-snake venom serum. The Malpolon monspessulanus and Macroprotodon brevis snakes cause mostly localized clinical manifestations, which do not require specific treatment. Only a minority of the spider species in Portugal possess chelicerae (mouthparts of the Chelicerata, shaped as either articulated fangs or pincers, which may contain venom or be connected to the venom glands and are used for predation or capture of food) long enough to perforate the human skin. Nevertheless, Latrodectus tredecimguttatus and Loxosceles rufescens spider bites may require specialized treatment in a hospital setting, as well as careful active symptom surveillance. Diversely, the treatment for Scolopendra cingulata and Scolopendra oraniensis centipedes' bites is merely symptomatic. The only existing scorpion species in Portugal is the Buthus ibericus; its sting typically causes local symptoms with intense pain, and its treatment consists essentially of analgesia. The insects of the Hymenoptera order, such as bees and wasps, have the ability to inject venom into the skin. Most people present only with local or regional inflammatory response, and symptomatic treatment is usually effective. Even so, individuals with hypersensitivity to bee venom may develop anaphylaxis. Several marine species in the Portuguese coast are venomous to humans, including weeverfish (Trachinidae family), stingrays (Dasyatis pastinaca, Taeniura grabata, Myliobatis aquila), red scorpion fish (Scorpaena scrofa), cnidaria (Pelagia noctiluca, Chrysaora hysoscella, Physalia physalis) and bearded fireworm (Hermodice carunculata); treatment is symptomatic. Contact with the larvae or bristles (chitinous structures with locomotor or tactile functions) of Thaumetopoea pityocampa (pine processionary) can cause cutaneous, ocular and, rarely, respiratory reactions; its management is also symptomatic.

Em território português, existem várias espécies autóctones de animais capazes de provocar envenenamento e doença clinicamente significativa, com potencial de gravidade. Das quatro espécies de serpentes com relevância clínica, as víboras (Vipera latastei e Vipera seoanei) são as mais preocupantes; podem causar doença grave e necessitam de abordagem hospitalar, monitorização e tratamento específico, incluindo soro antiveneno. As serpentes Malpolon monspessulanus e Macroprotodon brevis causam maioritariamente manifestações clínicas locais, sem tratamento específico. Apenas uma minoria das espécies de aranha presentes em Portugal possui quelíceras (apêndices bucais dos Chelicerata, em forma de tenaz ou gancho, que podem conter veneno ou encontrar-se ligados às glândulas venenosas, usados para predação ou captura de alimentos) suficientemente compridas para perfurar a pele humana, mas as picadas de Latrodectus tredecimguttatus e Loxosceles rufescens podem implicar tratamento diferenciado em ambiente hospitalar, com necessidade de vigilância ativa. O tratamento da picada das centopeias Scolopendra cingulata e Scolopendra oraniensis é sintomático. A única espécie de escorpião presente em território nacional, Buthus ibericus, causa geralmente sintomas locais com dor intensa; o tratamento habitualmente baseia-se apenas na administração de analgesia. Os insetos da ordem Hymenoptera, como as abelhas e vespas, possuem capacidade de libertar veneno através de picadas; a maior parte dos indivíduos apresenta apenas reações inflamatórias locais ou regionais, para as quais a aplicação de medidas sintomáticas é suficiente, mas indivíduos que apresentem hipersensibilidade ao veneno podem desenvolver reações anafiláticas. Na costa portuguesa e em águas pouco profundas, encontram-se várias espécies marinhas venenosas para os humanos, como Echiichthys vipera (peixe-aranha comum), Dasyatis pastinaca, Taeniura grabata e Myliobatis aquila (ratões), Scorpaena scrofa (rascasso-vermelho), Pelagia noctiluca, Chrysaora hysoscella e Physalia physalis (cnidários) e Hermodice carunculata (verme-do-fogo), cujas picadas necessitam apenas de tratamento sintomático. O contacto com as larvas ou cerdas (estruturas quitinosas com funções locomotoras ou tácteis) de Thaumetopoea pityocampa (lagarta-do-pinheiro) pode provocar reações cutâneas, oculares e, raramente, respiratórias; a sua abordagem também é sintomática.

Gla-Rich Protein (GRP) as an Early and Novel Marker of Vascular Calcification and Kidney Dysfunction in Diabetic Patients with CKD: A Pilot Cross-Sectional Study.

Vascular calcification (VC) is one of the strongest predictors of cardiovascular risk in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. New diagnostic/prognostic tools are required for early detection of VC allowing interventional strategies. Gla-rich protein (GRP) is a cardiovascular calcification inhibitor, whose clinical utility is here highlighted. The present study explores, for the first time, correlations between levels of GRP in serum with CKD developmental stage, mineral metabolism markers, VC and pulse pressure (PP), in a cohort of 80 diabetic patients with mild to moderate CKD (stages 2-4). Spearman's correlation analysis revealed a positive association of GRP serum levels with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and α-Klotho, while a negative correlation with phosphate (P), fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23), vascular calcification score (VCS), PP, calcium (x) phosphate (CaxP) and interleukin 6 (IL-6). Serum GRP levels were found to progressively decrease from stage 2 to stage 4 CKD. Multivariate analysis identified low levels of eGFR and GRP, and high levels of FGF-23 associated with both the VCS and PP. These results indicate an association between GRP, renal dysfunction and CKD-mineral and bone disorder. The relationship between low levels of GRP and vascular calcifications suggests a future, potential utility for GRP as an early marker of vascular damage in CKD.

FGF23-klotho axis as predictive factors of fractures in type 2 diabetics with early chronic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND: The aim of our study was to evaluate the relevance of FGF23-klotho axis in the predisposition for bone fractures in type 2 diabetic patients with early chronic kidney disease. METHODS: In a prospective study we included 126 type 2 diabetic patients with CKD stages 2-3 (from 2010 to 2017). We used descriptive statistics, ANOVA and chi-square test. Our population was divided into two groups according to the occurrence of a bone fracture event or not, and the groups were compared considering several biological and laboratorial parameters. We employed a multiple regression model to identify risk factors for bone fracture events and hazard ratios (HR) were calculated using a backward stepwise likelihood ratio (LR) Cox regression. RESULTS: Patients with a fracture event displayed higher levels of FGF-23, Phosphorus, PTH, TNF-α, OxLDL, HOMA-IR, calcium × phosphorus product and ACR and lower levels of Osteocalcin, α-Klotho, 25(OH)D3 and eGFR compared with patients without a fracture event (p < 0.001). The number of patients with a fracture event was higher than expected within inclining CKD stages (χ2, p = 0.06). The occurrence of fracture and the levels of TNF- α, klotho, 25(OH)D3 and OxLDL were found to predict patient entry into RRT (p < 0.05). Age, osteocalcin, α-Klotho and FGF-23 independently influenced the occurrence of bone fracture (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: α-Klotho and FGF-23 levels may have a good clinical use as biomarkers to predict the occurrence of fracture events.

Resistin as a predictor of cardiovascular hospital admissions and renal deterioration in diabetic patients with chronic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND: High resistin levels have been associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Cardiovascular hospitalizations are common, especially in diabetic and renal impaired patients. The purpose of this study is to determine the role of serum resistin as a predictor of cardiovascular hospitalizations in type 2 diabetic patients with mild to moderate chronic kidney disease (CKD). METHODS: We conducted a prospective, observational study. 78 diabetic patients with mild to moderate CKD and no previous CVD were included. The population was divided in two groups: G-1 with cardiovascular related admission (n = 13) and G-2 without cardiovascular related admission (n = 65). A Student's t-test was conducted to determine correlations between laboratory findings and hospitalization. We used logistic regression to assess predictors of cardiovascular events requiring hospitalization and Cox regression to identify predictors of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). RESULTS: eGFR, albumin, HbA1c, phosphorous, PTH, IR, CRP, resistin and active vitamin D, were related to cardiovascular admissions. In a multivariate regression model, resistin (OR = 2.074, p = 0.047) was an independent predictor of cardiovascular hospitalization. Cox regression showed that resistin (HR = 1.931, p = 0.031) and UACr (HR = 1.151, p = 0.048) were also independent predictors of renal disease progression. CONCLUSION: Resistin demonstrated to be valuable in predicting hospital admissions and progression to ESRD.

Plasmatic Klotho and FGF23 Levels as Biomarkers of CKD-Associated Cardiac Disease in Type 2 Diabetic Patients.

BACKGROUND: Research over the past decade has focused on the role of Klotho as a cardio protective agent that prevents the effects of aging on the heart and reduces the burden of cardiovascular disease CVD. The role of the interaction between fibroblast growth factor 23-(FGF-23)/Klotho in Klotho-mediated actions is still under debate. The main objective was to ascertain the potential use of plasmatic Klotho and FGF23 as markers for CKD-associated cardiac disease and mortality. METHODS: This was a prospective analysis conducted in an outpatient diabetic nephropathy clinic, enrolling 107 diabetic patients with stage 2⁻3 CKD. Patients were divided into three groups according to their left ventricular mass index and relative wall thickness. RESULTS: Multinomial regression analysis demonstrated that low Klotho and higher FGF-23 levels were linked to a greater risk of concentric hypertrophy. In the generalized linear model (GLM), Klotho, FGF-23 and cardiac geometry groups were statistically significant as independent variables of cardiovascular hospitalization (p = 0.007). According to the Cox regression model, fatal cardiovascular events were associated with the following cardiac geometric classifications; eccentric hypertrophy (p = 0.050); concentric hypertrophy (p = 0.041), and serum phosphate ≥ 3.6 mg/dL (p = 0.025), FGF-23 ≥ 168 (p = 0.0149), α-klotho < 313 (p = 0.044). CONCLUSIONS: In our population, Klotho and FGF23 are associated with cardiovascular risk in the early stages of CKD.

Characteristics and outcomes of e-cigarette exposure incidents reported to 10 European Poison Centers: a retrospective data analysis.

BACKGROUND: The use of e-cigarettes has increased during the past few years. Exposure to e-cigarette liquids, whether intentional or accidental, may lead to adverse events our aim was to assess factors associated with e-cigarette exposures across European Union Member States (EU MS). METHODS: A retrospective analysis of exposures associated with e-cigarettes reported to national poison centers was performed covering incidents from 2012 to March 2015 from 10 EU MS. De-identified and anonymous raw data was acquired. RESULTS: In total, 277 incidents were reported. Unintentional exposure was the most frequently cited type of exposure (71.3%), while e-cigarette refill vials were responsible for the majority of the reported incidents (87.3%). Two-thirds of all exposures (67.5%) occurred as ingestion of e-liquids, which was more frequent among children (≤ 5 years, 6-18 years) compared to adults (87.0% vs. 59.3% vs. 57.6%, p < 0.001 respectively), exposure via the respiratory (5.4% vs. 22.2% vs. 22.2%, p < 0.001) were more frequent among paediatric patients while ocular routes (2.2% vs. 3.7% vs. 11.4%, p = 0.021) were more frequent among adults. Logistic regression analyses indicated that paediatric incidents (≤ 5 years) were more likely to be through ingestion (adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR] = 4.36, 95% Confidence Interval [C.I.]: 1.87-10.18), but less likely to have a reported clinical effect (aOR = 0.41, 95% C.I.: 0.21-0.82). CONCLUSIONS: Our study highlighted parameters related to e-cigarette exposure incidents in 10 EU MS, the results of which indicate that consideration should be given to the design features which may mitigate risks, thereby protecting users, non-users and especially children.

Klotho levels: association with insulin resistance and albumin-to-creatinine ratio in type 2 diabetic patients.

PURPOSE: The present study aimed at evaluating the relationship between Klotho levels and insulin resistance and albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) in type 2 diabetic patients with CKD. METHODS: We conducted an observational, cross-sectional study in our outpatient diabetic nephropathy clinic from 2014 to 2016, enrolling a total of 107 type 2 diabetic patients with stage 2-3 CKD, with a mean age of 59 years. Several clinical and laboratorial parameters were evaluated, including those related to mineral and carbohydrate metabolism. RESULTS: The mean eGFR at baseline was 53.2 mL/min, and the mean levels of ACR and Klotho were 181.9 µg/mg and 331.1 pg/m, respectively. In the simple linear regression model, Klotho levels were correlated with age, phosphorus, PTH, ACR, HOMA, IL-6, FGF-23, OxLDL, eGFR and vitamin D levels. Applying a multivariate linear regression model, only the ACR, HOMA-IR, FGF-23 and vitamin D independently influenced the Klotho levels. In the generalized linear model, only the Klotho groups were statistically significant as independent variable (p = 0.007). The results show that the group 1 (<268) compared with group 3 (>440) had higher odds in the higher ACR (≥181), ORa = 3.429, p = 0.014. There were no statistically significant differences between Klotho groups 2 and 3, and the HOMA-IR obtained showed that group 1 (<268) had greater odds of HOMA-IR ≥2 when compared with group 3 (>440), ORa = 21.59, p = 0.017. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that Klotho levels are influenced by FGF23, vitamin D and insulin resistance. This suggests that Klotho levels might be affected by renal function as well as having a relevant role on insulin metabolism and ACR homeostasis.

What is the role of apelin regarding cardiovascular risk and progression of renal disease in type 2 diabetic patients with diabetic nephropathy?

AIMS: To evaluate the association of different apelin levels with cardiovascular mortality, hospitalization, renal function, and cardiovascular risk factors in type 2 diabetic patients with mild to moderate CKD. METHODS: An observational, prospective study involving 150 patients divided into groups according to baseline apelin levels: 1 ≤ 98 pg/mL, 2 = 98-328 pg/mL, and 3 ≥ 329 pg/mL. Baseline characteristics were analyzed and compared. Multivariate Cox regression was used to find out predictors of cardiovascular mortality, and multivariate logistic regression was used to find out predictors of hospitalization and disease progression. Simple linear regressions and Pearson correlations were used to investigate correlations between apelin and renal disease and cardiovascular risk factors. RESULTS: Patients' survival at 83 months in groups 1, 2, and 3 was 39%, 40%, and 71.2%, respectively (P = 0.046). Apelin, age, and eGFR were independent predictors of mortality, and apelin, creatinine, eGFR, resistin, and visfatin were independent predictors of hospitalization. Apelin levels were negatively correlated with cardiovascular risk factors and positively correlated with eGFR. Patients with lower apelin levels were more likely to start a depurative technique. CONCLUSIONS: Apelin levels might have a significant clinical use as a marker/predictor of cardiovascular mortality and hospitalization or even as a therapeutic agent for CKD patients with cardiovascular disease.