Browsing by Author "Gomes, Pedro"
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- Effect of blueberry supplementation on a diet-induced rat model of prediabetes—focus on hepatic lipid deposition, endoplasmic stress response and autophagyPublication . Ferreira, Gonçalo; Vieira, Pedro; Alves, André; Nunes, Sara; Preguiça, Inês; Martins-Marques, Tânia; Ribeiro, Tânia; Girão, Henrique; Figueirinha, Artur; Salgueiro, Lígia; Pintado, Manuela; Gomes, Pedro; Viana, Sofia; Reis, FlávioBlueberries, red fruits enriched in polyphenols and fibers, are envisaged as a promising nutraceutical intervention in a plethora of metabolic diseases. Prediabetes, an intermediate state between normal glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes, fuels the development of complications, including hepatic steatosis. In previous work, we have demonstrated that blueberry juice (BJ) supplementation benefits glycemic control and lipid profile, which was accompanied by an amelioration of hepatic mitochondrial bioenergetics. The purpose of this study is to clarify the impact of long-term BJ nutraceutical intervention on cellular mechanisms that govern hepatic lipid homeostasis, namely autophagy and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, in a rat model of prediabetes. Two groups of male Wistar rats, 8-weeks old, were fed a prediabetes-inducing high-fat diet (HFD) and one group was fed a control diet (CD). From the timepoint where the prediabetic phenotype was achieved (week 16) until the end of the study (week 24), one of the HFD-fed groups was daily orally supplemented with 25 g/kg body weight (BW) of BJ (HFD + BJ). BW, caloric intake, glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity were monitored throughout the study. The serum and hepatic lipid contents were quantified. Liver and interscapular brown and epidydimal white adipose tissue depots (iBAT and eWAT) were collected for histological analysis and to assess thermogenesis, ER stress and autophagy markers. The gut microbiota composition and the short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) content were determined in colon fecal samples. BJ supplementation positively impacted glycemic control but was unable to prevent obesity and adiposity. BJ-treated animals presented a reduction in fecal SCFAs, increased markers of arrested iBAT thermogenesis and energy expenditure, together with an aggravation of HFD-induced lipotoxicity and hepatic steatosis, which were accompanied by the inhibition of autophagy and ER stress responses in the liver. In conclusion, despite the improvement of glucose tolerance, BJ supplementation promoted a major impact on lipid management mechanisms at liver and AT levels in prediabetic animals, which might affect disease course.
- KIWI framework : from smart hospitals to smarter hospitals : case report on the future hospital in MadeiraPublication . Gomes, Pedro; Martins, HenriqueFaced with evolving healthcare complexity, costs and clients’ expectations, future hospital management must find ways to use digital technology appropriately and be smarter. Four pivotal elements: Knowledge, Intelligence, Wisdom, and Interoperability (KIWI) must be well balanced. This qualitative case study uses the conceptual underpinnings of the KIWI framework for hospital maturity, in an attempt to see how it can better serve organizations to evolve from the traditional Smart Hospital models. The study centres on the developmental plans of the forthcoming Hospital Central e Universitário da Madeira (HCUM) planned to be a new digitally advanced facility. It aims to offer a nuanced analysis beyond conventional Smart Hospital paradigms and identify action lines to address key challenges. Given that this project is slated for completion in five years, the primary emphasis has been on interviewing individuals who possess the highest understanding and expertise in this field, along with those holding the highest positions of responsibility. In-depth interviews, including one with the person introducing the KIWI concept to Madeira, ensure a high level of accuracy in capturing overarching plans. Findings underscore the KIWI framework as useful way to consider the future paradigm of health organizations. HCUM emerges as a proactive participant in this transformative shift, aspiring not only to embrace the KIWI model but also to serve as an exemplary institution. Despite challenges, this research offers valuable insights, contributing to the realization of the hospital's vision as a pioneering institution.
- Morin-loaded chitosan-poloxamer hydrogel as an osteoinductive delivery system for endodontic applicationsPublication . Pereira, Jesse Augusto; Martin, Victor; Araújo, Rita; Grenho, Liliana; Gomes, Pedro; Marto, Joana; Fernandes, Maria Helena; Santos, Catarina; Duque, CristianeConsidering the search for new biocompatible intracanal medicaments that can preserve remaining cells and stimulate bone tissue repair in the periapical region, this study aimed to synthesize and characterize the physicochemical properties of morin-loaded chitosan-poloxamer hydrogel (MCP) as well as to evaluate its osteogenic potential. Morin hydrate (M) was loaded into chitosan-poloxamer (CP) hydrogel and the resulting particles were characterized by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV–vis spectrophotometer and scanning electron microscopy. Biological assays evaluated the metabolic activity, cell morphology and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity of human bone marrow stem cells (HBMSC) in three different settings, such as the exposure to dissolved morin, hydrogel's leachates and assembled particles by indirect contact. Cells cultured in standard culture conditions were used as control. The effect of CP and MCP particles on the formation of collagenous and mineralized tissues was also assessed within the organotypic model of segmented embryonic chick femora. Datasets were assessed for one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by Tukey's post hoc test (p < 0.05). Morin at 50 μg/mL was cytocompatible and increased ALP activity. CP and MCP particles showed stability, and morin was entrapped in the hydrogel matrix without changing its chemical structure. Cultures treated with 30-min CP and MCP hydrogel leachates presented significantly higher metabolic activity compared to control. By indirect contact, CP particles increased metabolic activity, but only MCP particles induced an upregulation of ALP activity in comparison to control. The amount of collagenous tissue and mineralized area on the fractured embryonic chick femora was greater in MCP particles compared to CP counterparts. Chitosan-poloxamer platforms are suitable systems to delivery morin, enhancing cell proliferation and bone mineralization, which upholds its application as intracanal medication for endodontic purposes.