Stent for life initiative in Portugal: Progress through years and Covid-19 impact.

BACKGROUND: During Stent for Life Initiative in Portugal lifetime, positive changes in ST elevation myocardial infarction treatment were observed, by the increase of Primary Angioplasty numbers and improvements in patients' behaviour towards myocardial infarction, with an increase in those who called 112 and the lower proportion attending non primary percutaneous coronary intervention centres. Despite public awareness campaigns and system educational programmes, patient and system delay did not change significantly over this period. The aim of this study was to address the public awareness campaign effectiveness on peoples' behaviour facing STEMI, and how Covid-19 has affected STEMI treatment. METHODS: Data from 1381 STEMI patients were collected during a one-month period each year, from 2011 to 2016, and during one and a half month, matching first lockdown in Portugal 2020. Four groups were constituted: Group A (2011); Group B (2012&2013); Group C (2015&2016) and group D (2020). RESULTS: The proportion of patients who called 112, increased significantly (35.2% Group A; 38.7% Group B; 44.0% Group C and 49.6% Group D, p = 0.005); significant reduction was observed in the proportion of patients who attended healthcare centres without PPCI (54.5% group A; 47.6% Group B; 43.2% Group C and 40.9% Group D, p = 0.016), but there were no differences on groups comparison. Total ischemic time, measured from symptoms onset to reperfusion increased progressively from group A [250.0 (178.0-430.0)] to D [296.0 (201.0-457.5.8)] p = 0.012, with statistically significant difference between group C and D (p = 0.034). CONCLUSIONS: During the term of SFL initiative in Portugal, patients resorted less to primary health centres and called more to 112. These results can be attributed the public awareness campaign. Nevertheless, patient and system delays did not significantly change over this period, mainly in late years of SFL, probably for low efficacy of campaigns and in 2020 due to Covid-19 pandemic.

Effects of maternal methionine supplementation on the response of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) chicks to heat stress.

This study investigated the hypothesis that methionine supplementation of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) hens can reduce the effects of oxidative stress and improve the performance of the offspring exposed to heat stress during growth. For that, the quail hens were fed with three diets related to the methionine supplementation: methionine-deficient diet (Md); diet supplemented with the recommended methionine level (Met1); and diet supplemented with methionine above the recommended level (Met2). Their chicks were identified, weighed, and housed according to the maternal diet group from 1 to 14 d of age. On 15 d of age, chicks were weighed and divided into two groups: thermoneutral ambient (constant temperature of 23 °C) and intermittent heat stress ambient (daily exposure to 34 °C for 6 h). Methionine-supplemented (Met1 and Met2) hens had higher egg production, better feed conversion ratio, higher hatchability of total and fertile eggs, and offspring with higher body weight. Supplemented (Met1 and Met2) hens showed greater expression of glutathione synthase (GSS) and methionine sulfoxide reductase A (MSRA) genes, greater total antioxidant capacity, and lower lipid peroxidation in the liver. The offspring of hens fed the Met2 diet had lower death rate (1 to 14 d), higher weight on 15 d of age, weight gain, and better feed conversion ratio from 1 to 14 d of age. Among chicks reared under heat stress, the progeny of methionine-supplemented hens had higher weight on 35 d, weight gain, expression of GSS, MSRA, and thermal shock protein 70 (HSP70) genes, and total antioxidant capacity in the liver, as well as lower heterophil/lymphocyte ratio. Positive correlations between expression of glutathione peroxidase 7 (GPX7) and MSRA genes in hens and offspring were observed. Our results show that maternal methionine supplementation contributes to offspring development and performance in early stages and that, under conditions of heat stress during growth, chicks from methionine-supplemented hens respond better to hot environmental conditions than chicks from nonsupplemented hens. Supplementation of quail hens diets with methionine promoted activation of different metabolic pathways in offspring subjected to stress conditions.

The deficiency of nutrients such as methionine in the diet of birds is affecting fertility rate, egg production, egg weight, and progeny weight. In addition, the maternal environment influences gene expression through epigenetic mechanisms, where the conditions experienced by the parental generation during embryonic development can produce effects on the progeny. This study investigates how methionine supplementation in the diet of quail hens can reduce the effects of oxidative stress and improve the performance of progeny subjected to heat stress during growth. For that, the quail hens were fed with diets containing three different levels of methionine; and their chicks were created (15 on 35 d of age) into thermoneutral and/or intermittent heat stress ambient. It was observed that methionine supplementation in the quail hens had a positive effect on mortality during the initial phase and greater weight gain in the progeny growth phase. In addition, genetic inheritance was observed through the positive correlation between the expression of genes (maternal and progeny) related to oxidative stress. The results show that methionine supplementation in the maternal diet contributes to the development and performance of the progeny when subjected to heat stress during the growth phase.

Regulação em saúde no setor privado: o caso da ANS no Brasil e da ERS em Portugal / Health regulation in the private sector: The case of ANS in Brazil and ERS in Portugal

Resumo No Brasil, o Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) vem se consolidando enquanto um subsistema público de saúde que convive com um sólido subsistema privado de saúde suplementar e complementar. O sistema de saúde português, de forma semelhante, caracteriza-se pela presença de três subsistemas assistenciais: o Serviço Nacional de Saúde, um setor de seguros privados e um setor privado em ascensão. Para ambos os países, a questão do setor privado é um dilema e um desafio para as suas respectivas entidades reguladoras, a Agência Nacional de Saúde Suplementar (ANS) e a Entidade Reguladora da Saúde (ERS). Desse modo, objetiva-se compreender como as instituições reguladoras atuam sobre o setor privado, demonstrando o crescimento desse setor, a segmentação dos sistemas de saúde, e o perfil de reclamações dos beneficiários/utentes. Para tal, realizou-se uma sistematização da literatura, levantamento dos gastos em saúde na base da OCDE, IBGE, ANS e ERS. Percebe-se que, com a consolidação de um padrão de empresariamento privado da saúde, inicia-se uma disputa por segmentos de clientela e especializações; o fortalecimento do setor privado preserva suas bases de financiamento público mediante sua presença marcante e cada vez mais organizada nas arenas decisórias públicas, com o Estado, e nos fluxos do mercado.

Abstract In Brazil, the Unified Health System (SUS) has been consolidated as a public health subsystem that coexists with a solid private subsystem supplementary and complementary health. The Portuguese health system, similarly, is characterized by the presence of three health subsystems: the National Health Service, private insurance and rising private sector. For both countries, the issue of the private health sector is a dilemma and a challenge to their respective regulators, the National Supplementary Health Agency (ANS) and the Regulatory Authority of Health (ERS). Thus, we aim to understand how regulatory institutions act on the private sector, demonstrating the growth of this sector, the segmentation of health systems, and the profile of complaints of beneficiaries. To this end, we carried out a systematic literature, survey of health expenditures on the basis of the OECD, IBGE, ANS and ERS. It With the consolidation of a pattern of private health business created a dispute over client segments and specializations; the private sector preserves its public funding base through its strong presence and increasingly organized in public decision-making arenas, with the State, and market flows.

Impact of combined exercise on chronic obstructive pulmonary patients' state of health.

AIM: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a 10-week combined training programme (aerobic and strength exercise) compared to an aerobic training programme, and respiratory physiotherapy on COPD patients' health. METHODS: Fifty subjects with moderate to severe COPD were randomly assigned to two groups. Combined group (CG, n=25) who underwent combined training, and aerobic group (AG, n=25) who underwent aerobic training. These were compared with fifty COPD subjects who underwent respiratory physiotherapy, breathing control and bronchial clearance techniques (RP group, n = 50). We evaluated health state through two questionnaires, St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) and SF-36, at the beginning and at the end of the programme. RESULTS: The CG group showed differences (p<0.0001) in modification rates in state of health compared to the AG and RP groups in the activity (64 ± 9%, 19 ± 7%, 1 ± 15%) , impact (35 ± 5%, 20 ± 18%, 1 ± 14%) and total (41 ± 9%, 26 ± 17%, 1 ± 15%) domains assessed by the SGRQ, and the physical function (109 ± 74%, 22 ± 12%, 0.1 ± 18%), physical role (52 ± 36%, 11 ± 15%, 1.3 ± 21%) and vitality (83 ± 39%, 14 ± 38%) domains assessed by SF-36. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that combined training in subjects with COPD appears to be a more effective method, with better clinical changes, and improvements in health state perception.

Dose-response curve to exercise in hypertensive individuals: analysis of the number of sessions to the hypotensive effect.

BACKGROUND: The effect of exercise on blood pressure (BP) is already known; however, the dose-response curve of the hypotensive effect of exercise in hypertensive individuals is yet to be clarified. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the dose-response curve of the number of sessions that are necessary to cause a hypotensive effect in hypertensive individuals. METHODS: 88 individuals, aged 58 +/- 11 years, divided in Experimental group (EG), with 48 that participated in a physical exercise program (PEP), which consisted of 40 minutes of aerobic exercises performed 3x/week, for 3 months, at 70% of the VO2max, and muscular exercises at 40% of the maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and Control Group (CG) with 40 individuals that did not participate in the PEP. The systolic (SAP) and diastolic (DAP) arterial pressures were measured before each of the 36 sessions in the EG and assessed by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) in the CG. Differences in BP, the variation rate (D%) and the maximum hypotensive effect (MHE%) were observed between sessions. The data were expressed as means +/- SD; the t test and correlation were used, with p<0.05 being considered significant. RESULTS: There was no difference regarding BP values in the CG. The EG showed an important decrease of 15 mmHg in SAP and 7 mmHg in DAP, with a large part of this effect occurring as early as the first session and the majority up to the 5th session. There was a strong inverse correlation (R:-0.66) with the number of sessions. CONCLUSION: An important hypotensive effect was observed from the 1st session on and it was observed that the dose-response curve can be abrupt and decrescent, instead of flat.

Curva dose-resposta do exercício em hipertensos: análise do número de sessões para efeito hipotensor / Dose-response curve to exercise in hypertensive individuals: analysis of the number of sessions to the hypotensive effect / Curva dosis-respuesta del ejercicio en hipertensos: análisis del número de sesiones para efecto hipotensor

Fundamento: O efeito do exercício na pressão arterial já é conhecido, entretanto a curva dose-resposta do efeito hipotensor do exercício em hipertensos ainda não está clara. Objetivo: Avaliar a curva dose-resposta do número de sessões necessárias para causar efeito hipotensor em indivíduos hipertensos. Métodos: Participaram deste estudo 88 indivíduos, com 58 ± 11 anos, divididos em grupo experimental (GE) – composto de 48 integrantes de um programa de exercício físico (PEF) de 3 meses, 3 vezes por semana, com 40’ de exercício aeróbio a 70% do VO2máx e exercícios musculares a 40% da CVM – e grupo-controle (GC) – 40 indivíduos que não realizaram PEF. As pressões arteriais sistólica (PAS) e diastólica (PAD) foram mensuradas antes de cada uma das 36 sessões no GE e avaliadas por MAPA no GC. Observaram-se as diferenças na PA, o índice de variação (D%) e o efeito hipotensor máximo (EHM%) entre as sessões. Os dados foram expressos por M ± DP, e usou-se teste t e correlação, considerando p < 0,05 significativo.Resultados: No GC não houve diferença nos valores pressóricos. No GE, após o PEF, ocorreu uma queda importante de 15 mmHg na PAS e de 7 mmHg na PAD, e uma grande parte desse efeito ocorreu já na primeira sessão, e a maior parte até a quinta. Houve uma forte correlação inversa (R: -0,66) com o número de sessões. Conclusão: Na primeira sessão, já ocorreu efeito hipotensor importante, e observou-se que a curva dose-resposta pode ser abrupta e decrescente em vez de achatada.

Background: The effect of exercise on blood pressure (BP) is already known; however, the dose-response curve of the hypotensive effect of exercise in hypertensive individuals is yet to be clarified. Objective: To evaluate the dose-response curve of the number of sessions that are necessary to cause a hypotensive effect in hypertensive individuals. Methods: 88 individuals, aged 58 ± 11 years, divided in Experimental group (EG), with 48 that participated in a physical exercise program (PEP), which consisted of 40 minutes of aerobic exercises performed 3x/week, for 3 months, at 70% of the VO2max, and muscular exercises at 40% of the maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and Control Group (CG) with 40 individuals that did not participate in the PEP. The systolic (SAP) and diastolic (DAP) arterial pressures were measured before each of the 36 sessions in the EG and assessed by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) in the CG. Differences in BP, the variation rate (D%) and the maximum hypotensive effect (MHE%) were observed between sessions. The data were expressed as means ± SD; the t test and correlation were used, with p<0.05 being considered significant. Results: There was no difference regarding BP values in the CG. The EG showed an important decrease of 15 mmHg in SAP and 7 mmHg in DAP, with a large part of this effect occurring as early as the first session and the majority up to the 5th session. There was a strong inverse correlation (R:-0.66) with the number of sessions. Conclusion: An important hypotensive effect was observed from the 1st session on and it was observed that the dose-response curve can be abrupt and decrescent, instead of flat.

Fundamento: Ya se conoce el efecto del ejercicio en la presión arterial, sin embargo, la curva dosis-respuesta del efecto hipotensor del ejercicio en hipertensos no está aclarada aún. Objetivo: Evaluar la curva dosis-respuesta del número de sesiones necesarias para causar efecto hipotensor en individuos hipertensos.Métodos: El estudio estaba conformado por 88 individuos, con 58 ± 11 años, divididos en grupo experimental (GE) –conformado por 48 integrantes de un programa de ejercicio físico (PEF) de tres meses, tres veces por semana, con 40’ de ejercicio aerobio al 70% del VO2máx y ejercicios musculares al 40% de la capacidad voluntaria máxima (CVM); y grupo-control (GC) con 40 individuos que no realizaron el PEF. Se midieron las presiones arteriales sistólica (PAS) y diastólica (PAD) del GE antes de cada una de las 36 sesiones y en el GC se las evaluaron por monitoreo ambulatorio de presión arterial (MAPA). Se observaron las diferencias en la PA, el índice de variación (D%) y el efecto hipotensor máximo (EHM%) entre las sesiones. Los datos estaban expresados por promedio ± desviación estándar, y se utilizó la prueba t y correlación, tomando p < 0,05 como valor significativo. Resultados: En el GC no hubo diferencia en los valores de presión arterial. En el GE, luego del PEF, ocurrió un descenso importante de 15 mmHg en la PAS y de 7 mmHg en la PAD; y una gran parte de ese efecto tuvo lugar ya en la primera sesión, y la mayor parte sucedió hasta la quinta sesión. Hubo una fuerte correlación inversa (R: -0,66) con el número de sesiones. Conclusión: En la primera sesión, ya ocurrió efecto hipotensor importante. También se evidenció que la curva dosis-respuesta pode ser abrupta y decreciente en lugar de achatada.

Production of mycotoxins by galactose oxidase producing "Fusarium" using different culture media

The original isolate of the galactose oxidase producing fungus "Dactylium dendroides, and other five galactose oxidase producing "Fusarium" isolates were cultivated in different media and conditions, in order to evaluate the production of 11 mycotoxins, wich are characteristic of the genus "Fusarium": moniliform, fisaric acid, deoxyvalenol, fusarenone-X, nivalenol, 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol, neosolaniol, zearakenol, zeralenone, acetyl T-2, and iso T-2. The toxicity of the culture extractes to "Artemia salina" larvae was tested