University of Coimbra

About: University of Coimbra is a education organization based out in Coimbra, Portugal. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Context (language use). The organization has 14318 authors who have published 43067 publications receiving 994733 citations. The organization is also known as: UC & Universidade dos Estudos Gerais.

Important research questions in allergy and related diseases: nonallergic rhinitis: a GA2LEN paper

Abstract: Nonallergic rhinitis (NAR) can be defined as a chronic nasal inflammation which is not caused by systemic IgE-dependent mechanisms. It is common and probably affects far more than 200 million people worldwide. Both children and adults are affected. However, its exact prevalence is unknown and its phenotypes need to be evaluated using appropriate methods to better understand its pathophysiology, diagnosis and management. It is important to differentiate between infectious rhinitis, allergic/NAR and chronic rhinosinusitis, as management differs for each of these cases. Characterization of the phenotype, mechanisms and management of NAR represents one of the major unmet needs in allergic and nonallergic diseases. Studies on children and adults are required in order to appreciate the prevalence, phenotype, severity and co-morbidities of NAR. These studies should compare allergic and NAR and consider different age group populations including elderly subjects. Mechanistic studies should be carried out to better understand the disease(s) and risk factors and to guide towards an improved diagnosis and therapy. These studies need to take the heterogeneity of NAR into account. It is likely that neuronal mechanisms, T cells, innate immunity and possibly auto-immune responses all play a role in NAR and may also contribute to the symptoms of allergic rhinitis.

Prevalence of comorbidities and evaluation of their screening in spondyloarthritis: results of the international cross-sectional ASAS-COMOSPA study

Abstract: Background Increased risk of some comorbidities has been reported in spondyloarthritis (SpA). Recommendations for detection/management of some of these comorbidities have been proposed, and it is known that a gap exists between these and their implementation in practice. Objective To evaluate (1) the prevalence of comorbidities and risk factors in different countries worldwide, (2) the gap between available recommendations and daily practice for management of these comorbidities and (3) the prevalence of previously unknown risk factors detected as a result of the present initiative. Methods Cross-sectional international study with 22 participating countries (from four continents), including 3984 patients with SpA according to the rheumatologist. Statistical analysis The prevalence of comorbidities (cardiovascular, infection, cancer, osteoporosis and gastrointestinal) and risk factors; percentage of patients optimally monitored for comorbidities according to available recommendations and percentage of patients for whom a risk factor was detected due to this study. Results The most frequent comorbidities were osteoporosis (13%) and gastroduodenal ulcer (11%). The most frequent risk factors were hypertension (34%), smoking (29%) and hypercholesterolaemia (27%). Substantial intercountry variability was observed for screening of comorbidities (eg, for LDL cholesterol measurement: from 8% (Taiwan) to 98% (Germany)). Systematic evaluation (eg, blood pressure (BP), cholesterol) during this study unveiled previously unknown risk factors (eg, elevated BP (14%)), emphasising the suboptimal monitoring of comorbidities. Conclusions A high prevalence of comorbidities in SpA has been shown. Rigorous application of systematic evaluation of comorbidities may permit earlier detection, which may ultimately result in an improved outcome of patients with SpA.

Mechanisms of gene transfer mediated by lipoplexes associated with targeting ligands or pH-sensitive peptides

Abstract: Association of a targeting ligand such as transferrin, or an endosome disrupting peptide such as GALA, with cationic liposome-DNA complexes ('lipoplexes') results in a significant enhancement of transfection of several cell types (Simoes S et al, Gene Therapy 1998; 5: 955-964). Although these strategies can overcome some of the barriers to gene delivery by lipoplexes, the mechanisms by which they actually enhance tranfection is not known. In studies designed to establish the targeting specificity of transferrin, we found that apo-transferrin enhances transfection to the same extent as transferrin, indicating that internalization of the lipoplexes is mostly independent of transferrin receptors. These observations were reinforced by results obtained from competitive inhibition studies either by preincubating the cells with an excess of free ligand or with various 'receptor-blocking' lipoplexes. Transfection of cells in the presence of drugs that interfere with the endocytotic pathway provided additional insights into the mechanisms of gene delivery by transferrin- or GALA-lipoplexes. Our results indicate that transferrin-lipoplexes deliver transgenes by endocytosis primarily via a non-receptor-mediated mechanism, and that acidification of the endosomes is partially involved in this process.

Combination of the searches for pair-produced vectorlike partners of the third-generation quarks at s =13 TeV with the ATLAS detector

Abstract: A combination of the searches for pair-produced vectorlike partners of the top and bottom quarks in various decay channels (T -> Zt/Wb/Ht, B -> Zb/Wt/Hb) is performed using 36.1 fb(-1) of pp ...