Browsing by Author "Teixeira, A."
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- Bacterial community dynamics in constructed wetlands with different plants for the polishing of high salinity industrial wastewaterPublication . Calheiros, C. S. C.; Teixeira, A.; Pires, C.; Franco, A. R.; Crispim, L. F. C.; Moura, S. G. C.; Castro, P. M. L.
- Bacterial community dynamics in horizontal flow constructed wetlands with different plants for high salinity industrial wastewater polishingPublication . Calheiros, C.S.C.; Teixeira, A.; Pires, C.; Franco, A.R.; Duque, A.F.; Crispim, L.F.C.; Moura, S.C.; Castro, P.M.L.This study is focused on the diversity of bacterial communities from two series of horizontal subsurface flow constructed wetlands (CW) polishing high salinity tannery wastewater. Each series was planted with Arundo donax or Sarcocornia sp. in a substrate composed by expanded clay and sand. Chemical and biochemical oxygen demand removal efficiencies were similar in each series, varying between 58 and 67% (inlet COD 218 ± 28 mg L−1) and 60 and 77% (inlet BOD5 37 ± 6 mg L−1), respectively. High numbers of culturable bacteria were obtained from substrate and root samples – 5.75 × 106-3.95 × 108 CFU g−1 recovered on marine agar and 1.72 × 107-8.46 × 108 CFU g−1 on nutrient agar. Fifty bacterial isolates were retrieved from the CW, related phylogenetically to Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, α-, β-, and γ-Proteobacteria. Changes in the bacterial communities, from roots and substrate of each series, related to the plant species, hydraulic loading rates and along CW operation were examined using denaturating gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE). The clustering analysis suggested that a diverse and distinct bacterial community inhabits each series, which was related to the type of plant present in each CW.
- Knowledge and behavior among health professionals in relation to cadaveric organ donation and transplantation: a questionnaire-based analysis in Portuguese HospitalsPublication . Melo, J.; Batista, A.; Teixeira, A.; Figueiredo, E.; Ribeiro, O.; Lopes, P.; Pina, J.; Granja, C.; Carvalho, A. S.Objective. To assess knowledge and behavior relative to cadaveric organ donation and transplantation among physicians and nurses working at nine Portuguese hospitals. Methods. This prospective study between May and October 2009 included 495 questionnaires that were returned among 840 that were delivered, a 59% response rate. The transplant questionnaire comprised three main sections: section 1, sociodemographic-professional variables of the participants with nine questions; section 2, generic questions on organ donation and transplantation with 12 questions; and section 3 evaluated knowledge with 20 specific questions on organ donation and transplantation. Results. Sixty-one percent of the participants were females, with 40% of the overall cohort between 31 and 40 years old; 62% married; 63% working in the emergency department; and 78% nurses. Although 78% of the participants stated that they had undergone specific training on organ donation and transplantation, 62% felt that they needed more training. The reasons evoked for the low rate of donation included difficulties in initiating the process of organ donation, in diagnosing cerebral death and in obtaining necessary human resources. There were no significant differences in knowledge between physicians and nurses concerning specific organ donation and transplantation issues. Having had specific training on organ donation and transplantation was significantly associated with correct answers to several questions, including those pertaining to knowledge of the national legislation on organ donation and transplantation. Conclusions. The present study showed a lack of specific knowledge and training on organ donation and transplantation issue. It also suggested that for hospital staff to successfully act as initiators of the organ procurement process, more information and education are necessary. This effort could significantly increase the rate of organ donation and transplantation in Portugal.
- Recombinant human erythropoietin therapy has beneffical cardio-renal effects on moderate stages of chronic renal failure in the ratPublication . Garrido, P.; Reis, F.; Costa, Elísio; Parada, B.; Piloto, N.; Sereno, J.; Teixeira, A.; Pinto, R.; Figueiredo, A.; Alves, R.; Rocha-Pereira, P.; Belo, L.; Santos-Silva, A.; Teixeira, F.This study aimed to assess the cardio-renal effects of rhEPO therapy on an animal model of moderate chronic renal failure (CRF). Four groups (n =7) of male rat were evaluated during a 12-week follow up period: control; rhEPO: 50 IU/Kg/wk; CRF: two-stage 3/, nephrectomy; CRF+ rhEPO (start after the 3'd wk of surgery). Renal function, haematology and serum inflammation and redox status were assessed. rhEPO treatment was able to partially attenuate renal function markers, totally correct anaemia, also showing a proliferative and antioxidant action, due to increased serum TGF-13I and decreased 3-NT. In conclusion, rhEPO therapy might be recommended in moderate CRF stages in order to efficiently correct not only the underlying anaemia but also the deleterious cardio-renal effects, due to a proliferative and antioxidant renoprotective action.