Percorrer por autor "Coelho, Ana Cláudia"
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- Eco-insights on hydrocarbon bioremediationPublication . Serralha, F. N.; Coelho, Ana CláudiaMicroorganisms are ubiquitous in the biosphere, influenced by both their surrounding environment and the biotic and abiotic factors of ecosystems. Contaminated areas often harbor species adept at utilizing pollutants as nutrients, thus enhancing their resilience to environmental pressures. Identifying and characterizing these species can significantly benefit bioremediation processes. To contribute to this understanding, bioremediation experiments were conducted in Barreiro, a pivotal industrial hub in Portugal during the 20th century. Soil samples from two distinct locations were analyzed: one near Barreiro city, impacted by various anthropogenic activities leading to increased fuel pollutants and the other in a protected wooded area designated for recreational and educational purposes. All identified hydrocarbon-degrading microorganisms belonged to the Pseudomonas genus. Bioremediation assays isolated bacteria from pure colonies, compared with mixtures of all bacterial morphotypes capable of growth in the pollutant’s presence. Consistently higher bioremediation rates for gasoline and toluene were observed using mixed cultures. Effective degradation-capable bacterial strains were identified in both locations, demonstrating bioremediation potential. Mixed bacterial cultures exhibited superior degradation rates, underscoring the importance of microbial diversity for bioremediation effectiveness. Also, the composition and bioremediate activity of microbial communities change in response to hydrocarbon concentration were analyzed, providing insights into the resilience of microbial communities to environmental stressors and their capacity to adapt to contaminated conditions. These findings emphasize the importance of in-depth, on-site investigations to elucidate the interplay between native microbial communities and pollutant degradation potential in soil.
- Effect of owners education and vets communication on therapeutic adherence in pet practicePublication . Dinis, Jorge; Baptista, Catarina Jota; Martins, Ângela; Coelho, Ana Cláudia; Oliveira, Paula A.The success of disease treatment in veterinary medicine depends on a correct diagnosis, the choice of an appropriate therapy, and the ability of the animal's owner to administer the medication correctly. This study aims to identify and understand the factors that interfere with therapeutic adherence (TA), namely the level of education of owners and the influence of veterinary communication, based on questionnaires conducted in a small animal University Hospital in Vila Real, Portugal. “Oversight” was identified by 25% of respondents as the reason for not administering medication properly to their pets. However, when we correlated these answers with owners' characterization, we found that households made up of more than one person were less likely to forget their treatment regimen (p=0.04). Owners with higher education levels and a more transparent relationship with their veterinarians are more likely to deliver superior health care to their pets. This study suggests that veterinarians should consider these aspects when communicating with the owners to promote a better outcome for their clinical cases. The owners' perspective regarding veterinarian instructions therapy is crucial to design strategies and to improve TA in the long term.
- Farmacologia e doença renal no doente geriátricoPublication . Coelho, Ana Cláudia; Oliveira, Pedro AntunesA doença renal pode manifestar-se de formas distintas, apresentando, igualmente, múltiplas causas. A doença renal crónica afeta milhões de indivíduos em todo o mundo, maioritariamente idosos, sendo a causa e/ou consequência de outras patologias comuns em geriatria. Com uma função renal diminuída, estimada pela taxa de filtração glomerular, pode ser necessário o ajuste da dose de fármacos excretados por via renal, como por exemplo o alopurinol, a fim de não existirem efeitos adversos ou nefrotoxicidade. A presença de hipertensão, diabetes e dislipidémia é comum entre os idosos, promovendo a existência de polimedicação crónica. Nestes doentes é necessário a monitorização da função renal, uma vez que existe uma estreita relação entre estas patologias e a doença renal, colocando o doente em risco. É, então necessário, ajustar o mais rápido possível a dose à função renal estimada. Com o envelhecimento, surgem enúmeras alterações fisiológicas no organismo, que induzem modificações farmacocinéticas e farmacodinâmicas. Estas alterações, aliadas à polimedicação originada pelas diversas comorbilidades características desta faixa etária, aumentam o risco de má adesão à terapêutica, reacções adversas e interacções entre fármacos, colocando a saúde do idoso em risco. Para impedir a utilização de medicamentos inapropriados pelo idoso, auxiliar a prescrição e prevenir complicações futuras, foram desenvolvidas variadas ferramentas, como os critérios de Beers e os critérios STOPP e START, com o propósito de otimizar a qualidade da prescrição e proteger o doente geriátrico.
- Outbreak of an infectious enteritis in western European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) in a rescue centrePublication . Cásero, María; Serena, Julia; Gomes-Gonçalves, Sara; Mesquita, João R.; Seixas, Fernanda; Coelho, Ana Cláudia; Baptista, Catarina JotaThe western-European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) is a near-threatened mammal frequently admitted to wildlife rescue centres. In early 2025, an outbreak of haemorrhagic enteritis affected 28 hoglets and juvenile hedgehogs at the Ria Formosa Wildlife Recovery and Research Centre (RIAS) in Portugal, resulting in a mortality rate exceeding 35%. Clinical signs included appetite and weight loss, and diarrhoea (including bloody diarrhoea). Diagnostic testing (parasitology, virology, bacteriology and histopathology) was conducted and Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica, was isolated from internal organs (liver, spleen, intestine, and lung) of four necropsied individuals. Following antimicrobial susceptibility testing, treatment with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole associated with critical care led to clinical improvement in surviving animals. This case underscores the challenges in diagnosing and managing infectious disease outbreaks in wildlife rescue centres and highlights the zoonotic risk of diseases that can affect hedgehogs, as salmonellosis. The findings emphasise the need for enhanced surveillance, rapid diagnostics, and effective biosecurity protocols in conservation centres to ensure animal welfare, good recovery rates and mitigate public health risks.
- Renal biomarkers in companion animals : a reviewPublication . Pereira, Ana Filipa; Baptista, Catarina Jota; Faustino-Rocha, Ana; Oliveira, Paula A.; Coelho, Ana CláudiaRecent advancements in molecular biology have led to the discovery of potential biomarkers for the diagnosis of acute kidney disease (AKD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). The use of multiple biomarkers in the diagnosis of kidney disease has the potential to enhance both specificity and sensitivity, enabling early detection and intervention that could ultimately reduce morbidity and mortality rates. This review provides an overview of studies on urine and blood biomarkers and examines their utility and significance in various clinical settings. Further and continuous research is needed to support the application of these biomarkers in clinical practice to facilitate early diagnosis, guidance for different interventions, and the monitoring of disease progression.