Browsing by Author "Ferreira, Maria"
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- Exosomal aβ-binding proteins identified by “in silico” analysis represent putative blood-derived biomarker candidates for alzheimer´s diseasePublication . Martins, Tânia Soares; Marçalo, Rui; Ferreira, Maria; Vaz, Margarida; Silva, Raquel M.; Rosa, Ilka Martins; Vogelgsang, Jonathan; Wiltfang, Jens; Silva, Odete A. B. da Cruz e; Henriques, Ana GabrielaThe potential of exosomes as biomarker resources for diagnostics and even for therapeutics has intensified research in the field, including in the context of Alzheimer´s disease (AD). The search for disease biomarkers in peripheral biofluids is advancing mainly due to the easy access it offers. In the study presented here, emphasis was given to the bioinformatic identification of putative exosomal candidates for AD. The exosomal proteomes of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), serum and plasma, were obtained from three databases (ExoCarta, EVpedia and Vesiclepedia), and complemented with additional exosomal proteins already associated with AD but not found in the databases. The final biofluids’ proteomes were submitted to gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and the exosomal Aβ-binding proteins that can constitute putative candidates were identified. Among these candidates, gelsolin, a protein known to be involved in inhibiting Abeta fibril formation, was identified, and it was tested in human samples. The levels of this Aβ-binding protein, with anti-amyloidogenic properties, were assessed in serum-derived exosomes isolated from controls and individuals with dementia, including AD cases, and revealed altered expression patterns. Identification of potential peripheral biomarker candidates for AD may be useful, not only for early disease diagnosis but also in drug trials and to monitor disease progression, allowing for a timely therapeutic intervention, which will positively impact the patient’s quality of life.
- Instrumental method for characterizing protein foamsPublication . Ferreira, Maria; Behringer, Reinhard; Jost, RolfA whipping machine for cream analysis (Cream Tester CTII) was used to foam egg white, milk proteins and soy protein isolate. Foam formation and final rigidity were characterized by the current input to the beating motor. In addition, specific volume, rigidity (compressive strength by Instron) and stability (drainage) of the foams were determined by methods that minimized foam damage during handling. Current input during whipping distinguished fresh vs pasteurized egg white and positively correlated with compressive strength of final egg white foams. Such correlation was not found for milk protein and soy protein isolate foams of lower strength and stability.
- Psychometric evaluation of the French version of the questionnaire attitudes towards morphine use; a cross-sectional study in Valais, SwitzerlandPublication . Ferreira, Maria; Verloo, Henk; Mabire, C.; Vieira, Margarida; Marques-Vidal, PedroBackground In Switzerland, nurses are allowed to prescribe and administer morphine in emergency situations without a doctor. Still, nurses and other health professionals are often reluctant to prescribe and administer morphine for pain management in patients. No valid Frenchspeaking instrument is available in Switzerland to assess the attitudes of nurses and other health professionals towards the prescription and administration of morphine. In this study, we evaluated the psychometric properties of the French version of the questionnaire “Attitudes towards morphine use”. Methods The instrument was derived from an Italian version. Forward and back translations of the questionnaire were performed. Item analysis and construct validity were assessed between April and December 2010 in a cross sectional study including five Swiss hospitals in a sample of 588 health professionals (533 nurses, mean age 38.3 ± 10.2 years). Thirty subjects participated in test-retest reliability. Results The time to complete the instrument ranged between 12 and 15 minutes and neither floor nor ceiling effect were found. The initial 24-item instrument showed an intraclass correlation (ICC) of 0.69 (95% CI: 0.64 to 0.73, P < 0.001), and a Cronbach’s α of 0.700. Factor analysis led to a six-component solution explaining 52.4% of the total variance. After excluding five items, the shortened version showed an ICC of 0.74 (95% CI, 0.70 to 0.77, P < 0.001) and a Cronbach’s α of 0.741. Factor analysis led to a five-component solution explaining 54.3% of the total variance. The five components were named “risk of addiction/dependence”; “operational reasons for not using morphine”; “risk of escalation”; “other (non-dependence) risks” and “external (non-operational) reasons”. In test-retest, the shortened instrument showed an ICC of 0.797 (95% CI, 0.630 to 0.911, P < 0.001) and a Cronbach’s α of 0.797. Conclusions The 19-item shortened instrument assessing attitudes towards the prescription and administration of morphine showed adequate content and construct validity.