Percorrer por autor "Almeida, Manuel"
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- Antitumoral and antimicrobial activities of block copolymer micelles containing gold bisdithiolate complexesPublication . Sousa, Andreia; Santos, Joana F.; Silva, Francisco; Sousa, Sílvia A.; Leitão, Jorge H.; Matos, António P.; Pinheiro, Teresa; Silva, Rafaela A. L.; Belo, Dulce; Almeida, Manuel; Marques, Fernanda; Fernandes, CéliaGold(III) bisdithiolate complexes have been reported as potential antimicrobial and antitumoral agents. The complex [Au(cdc)2]− (cdc=cyanodithioimido carbonate) displayed antimicrobial and outstanding antitumor activity against the ovarian cancer cells A2780 and A2780cisR, which are sensitive and resistant to cisplatin, respectively. However, poor water solubility may hamper its clinical use. Block copolymer micelles (BCMs) may solubilize hydrophobic drugs, improving their bioavailability and circulation time in blood. Aiming to provide water solubility, prolonged availability, and enhanced therapeutic indexes, BCMs loaded with [Au(cdc)2]− were synthesized and characterized. The BCM-[Au(cdc)2] micelles were prepared with a loading efficiency of 64.6% and a loading content of 35.3 mg [Au(cdc)2]−/gBCM. A hydrodynamic diameter of 77.31 ± 27.00 nm and a low polydispersity index of 0.18 indicated that the micelles were homogenous and good candidates for drug delivery. Cytotoxic activity studies against A2780/A2780cisR cells showed that BCM-[Au(cdc)2] maintained relevant cytotoxic activity comparable to the cytotoxicity observed for the same concentration of gold complexes. The Au uptake in A2780 cells, determined by PIXE, was ca. 17% higher for BCMs-[Au(cdc)2] compared to [Au(cdc)2]−. The BCMs-[Au(cdc)2] presented antimicrobial activity against S. aureus Newman and C. glabrata CBS138. These results evidenced the potential of BCM-[Au(cdc)2] for drug delivery and its promising anticancer and antimicrobial activities.
- Health-related quality of life after rehabilitation from knee surgery in rural and urban settings : a quasi-experimental studyPublication . Moreira, José; João, Ana; Aguiar, Pedro; Raimundo, Armando; Mesquita, Marina; Flamínio, José; Almeida, Manuel; Boto, PauloBackground: Injury to the knee joint is associated with physical disability, stiffness, pain, restriction of movement and impairment of the person’s quality of life, with a few treatment options, including surgery and rehabilitation. This study aims to evaluate the impact of a rehabilitation program on the quality of life reported by patients living in rural and urban areas after knee surgery, using patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). Methods: This quasi-experimental study with two groups of participants undergoing primary knee surgery was carried out in two rehabilitation centers, one in an urban area and another in a rural one. The same intervention was structured, with assessments at the start of the study (t0) and after a 4-week program (t1), and a comparison was made between the gains in rural and urban areas. We used descriptive and inferential analysis to analyze the effect of the intervention on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) using a linear regression model. Results: Participants (n = 62 aged between 19 and 84 years (40% of the sample aged over 65years) and 61.9% female, showed improvements in their EQ-5D-5L and HADS scores after the rehabilitation program. Considering the dimensions of HRQoL in both groups, there was a significant improvement in all the components in the rural context (p < 0.005), and improvements in the Mobility (t = 3.48; p = 0.002) and EQ_VAS (t = − 3.77; p = 0.001) components in the urban context. The effect of the program on health gains considering the Mobility was significantly greater in the rural group (− 0.97) compared to the urban group (− 0.13), as well as in the Pain/Disability (− 0.73) vs. (− 0.13) respectively. After analyzing the confounding factors, the rehabilitation center variable indicated gains of the EQ-5D-5L dimensions in a rural context (β= −0.390; t = − 3.041; p = 0.004), with an average reduction in health problems. Conclusion: There is evidence that the application of PROMs in rehabilitation programs after knee surgery is fundamental, considering the improvements in HRQoL and the optimization of anxiety/depression states in different contexts. PROMs should be applied systematically in clinical practice throughout the rehabilitation process, objectively measuring the results perceived by patients, and according to each context achieving health gains.