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Browsing by Author "Almeida, A"

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  • Expression patterns of HLA-DR+ or HLA-DR- on CD4+/CD25++/CD127low regulatory T cells in patients with allergy
    Publication . Geraldes, L; Morgado, J; Almeida, A; Todo-Bom, A; Santos, P; Chieira, C; Pais, ML
    BACKGROUND: Allergic rhinoconjunctivitis induced by pollen is a highly prevalent chronic inflammatory disease in Europe. Parietariajudaica is a frequent trigger in the Mediterranean area. The function of regulatory T cells (Treg cells) in allergy has recently been investigated, but further data are necessary to better understand their role and to find new strategies to treat allergic diseases such as allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. OBJECTIVE: To characterize gene expression of HLA-DR+ or HLA-DR- on peripheral CD4+/CD25++/CD127low Treg cells in patients with allergy. METHODS: Peripheral Treg cells (CD4+/CD25++/CD127low) were quantified using flow cytometry and sorted according to HLA-DR expression during the pollen season in patients with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis caused by P. judaica. The results were compared with those of nonatopic controls. Expression of associated cytokines and their receptors was measured using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction after extraction of mRNA in sorted populations. RESULTS: During the pollen season, no significant differences were observed between allergic patients with rhinoconjunctivitis and healthy controls in terms of the absolute number or the percentage of Treg cells in peripheral blood. All patients had a higher number/percentage of HLA-DR- Treg cells than HLA-DR+ Treg cells. In both groups we found high levels of FOXP3 mRNA expression. Despite being lower in number, HLA-DR+ Treg cells presented higher expression of CD28, PRF1, GZMB, and FASL than HLA-DR-Treg cells. CONCLUSIONS: The most relevant results obtained suggest that HLA-DR+ Treg cells tend to present higher gene expression of molecules associated with contact-dependent cell activation and cytotoxicity.
    2010Journal article Open access Show more
  • O recém nascido de extremo baixo peso. Estado aos 2-3 anos. Resultados do Registo Nacional de Muito Baixo Peso de 2005 e 2006
    Publication . Cunha, M; Bettencourt, A; Almeida, A; Mimoso, G; Soares, P; Tomé, T; Grupo do Registo Nacional do Muito Baixo Peso
    Background: Children born before 32 weeks or very low birth weight have a high risk for neurodevelopmental impairment. Aim: To analyze the condition of extreme low birth infants (weighing 1000g or less), born in the years 2005 and 2006, and included in the Portuguese National Very Low Birth Weight Network. Results: A total of 163 children were evaluated, 49.1% of which were males with a mean gestational age 27 weeks at birth, average birthweight 805.6 grams, and the average age at assessment 36 months. Children with birth weight under 25th percentile (p), were overweight (above p90) on the evaluation date. Moreover, children with birth weight higher than p50, on the evaluation date have had malnutrition (less than p5). Looking for sequels: four children (2.5%) had severe or profound deafness, three (1.9%) requiring hearing aids. One child was blind (0.9%) and 25 (17%) needed to wear glasses. Fifteen (9.7%) had cerebral palsy and thirteen (8.7%), neurological impairment (epilepsy, cerebral atrophy, microcephaly, hydrocephalus). We found development delay in 17 infants (10.6%). We considered 34 children (20.9%) as having some kind of neurodevelopmental impairment and 129 (79.1%) as normal. Special needs were found in 77 (49.7%) children, the most frequent being physical therapy in 39 (24.8%). Children with sequelae have had significantly higher need for any kind of support Conclusion: We do know now the neurodevelopment impairment and needs of this population as it is important in order to assess the quality of life of survivors, but also to identify strategies for diagnosing and intervention measures and support that these children will need.
    2013Journal article Open access Show more