pedro magalhães | Faculdade de Letras da Universidade do Porto (original) (raw)
Papers by pedro magalhães
Neuroscience Letters, 2010
Eugenol is a phenylpropene obtained from the essential oils of plants such as clove and basil whi... more Eugenol is a phenylpropene obtained from the essential oils of plants such as clove and basil which has ample use in dentistry. Eugenol possesses analgesic effects that may be related to the inhibition of voltage-dependent Na+ channels and/or to the activation of TRPV1 receptors or both. In the present study, electrophysiological parameters were taken from the compound action potentials of
Planta Medica, 2000
Original Paper, Planta Med 2000; 66: 138-143 DOI: 10.1055/s-2000-11133. Georg Thieme Verlag Stutt... more Original Paper, Planta Med 2000; 66: 138-143 DOI: 10.1055/s-2000-11133. Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York. Essential Oil of Croton nepetaefolius Decreases Blood Pressure through an Action upon Vascular Smooth Muscle: Studies in DOCA-Salt Hypertensive Rats. ...
Planta Medica, 2003
The effects of the essential oil of Croton nepetaefolius (EOCN) on isolated guinea-pig trachea we... more The effects of the essential oil of Croton nepetaefolius (EOCN) on isolated guinea-pig trachea were investigated. EOCN decreased the preparation's basal tone (EC (50) = 4.3 microg/mL) with a maximal effect similar to that of aminophylline. EOCN fully relaxed preparations pre-contracted with 60 mM K+ (IC (50) = 113.0 microg/mL). EOCN did not alter the E (m) of smooth muscle cells in 5 and 80 mM K+. EOCN, at 300 and 600 microg/mL, reduced the contraction induced by ovalbumin (10 microg/mL) from 227.2 to 82.5 and 35.5 % of the 60 mM K+-induced contraction, respectively. EOCN blocked the submaximal contractions induced by histamine, carbachol and 60 mM K+ with a similar potency (IC (50) values = 123.9, 102.5 and 128.8 microg/mL, respectively). In conclusion, EOCN exerts respiratory smooth muscle antispasmodic activity by a mechanism that is probably myogenic and not specific for neurotransmitters and autacoids.
Fundamental & Clinical Pharmacology, 2008
Since the discovery of the highly selective inhibitor of the phosphodiesterase type-5 (PDE-5) rec... more Since the discovery of the highly selective inhibitor of the phosphodiesterase type-5 (PDE-5) receptor in 1998, sildenafil (ViagraÒ) has emerged as a safe and effective treatment for male erectile dysfunction [1,2]. PDE enzymes catalyze the hydrolysis of the intracellular signaling molecules, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), which is the second messenger of nitric oxide (NO) and the principal mediator of smooth muscle relaxation and vasodilation [3,4].
Fundamental and Clinical Pharmacology, 2004
Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology, 2005
1. Sildenafil citrate (Viagra™; Pfizer, Sandwich, Kent, UK), a phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor, ris... more 1. Sildenafil citrate (Viagra™; Pfizer, Sandwich, Kent, UK), a phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor, rises cGMP levels in smooth muscle cells. It relaxes both vascular and visceral smooth muscle. In order to assess the intestinal effects of sildenafil, we decided to investigate its actions on rat duodenal motor activity in vitro .
Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology, 2005
1. Antigenic challenge often induces hyperreactivity in asthmatic airway, although the precise me... more 1. Antigenic challenge often induces hyperreactivity in asthmatic airway, although the precise mechanism(s) underlying this increased responsiveness is not entirely known.
Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology, 2009
1. 1,8-Cineole is a non-toxic small terpenoid oxide believed to have medicinal properties in folk... more 1. 1,8-Cineole is a non-toxic small terpenoid oxide believed to have medicinal properties in folk medicine. It has been shown to have various pharmacological effects, including blockade of the compound action potential (AP). In the present study, using intracellular recording techniques, we investigated the effects of 1,8-cineole on the electrophysiological parameters of neurons of the superior cervical ganglion (SCG) in rats.
Biochemical pharmacology, Jan 15, 2014
The nitroderivative 1-nitro-2-phenylethane (NPE) was recently described as a compound possessing ... more The nitroderivative 1-nitro-2-phenylethane (NPE) was recently described as a compound possessing heme-dependent soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) stimulating properties in vascular smooth muscle cells. In this study, we tested such pharmacological property of NPE in mice pancreatic acinar cells subjected to the bile salt taurocholate, a type of pathological stimulus that simulates pancreatitis. Here, isolated acinar cells were treated with NPE in order to assess the role of sGC on the detrimental effects induced by taurocholate. NPE reduced taurocholate-elicited Ca(2+) overload, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), apoptosis, necrosis, and exerted a protective effect against mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) dissipation. These NPE-induced effects were abolished by pretreatment with ODQ and KT 5823, and after the blockade of nitric oxide (NO) synthase with l-NAME, inhibitors of key components of the sGC pathway. Contrarily to cGMP that alone increased ΔΨm collapse and cell ...
Parasitology, 2014
Due to an increasing demand for natural products to control coccidiosis in broilers, we investiga... more Due to an increasing demand for natural products to control coccidiosis in broilers, we investigated the effects of supplementing a combination of ethanolic extracts of Artemisia annua and Curcuma longa in drinking water. Three different dosages of this herbal mixture were compared with a negative control (uninfected), a positive control (infected and untreated), chemical coccidiostats (nicarbazin+narazin and, later, salinomycin), vaccination, and a product based on oregano. Differences in performance (weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion rate), mortality, gross intestinal lesions and oocyst excretion were investigated. Broilers given chemical coccidiostats performed better than all other groups. Broilers given the two highest dosages of the herbal mixture had intermediate lesion scores caused by Eimeria acervulina, which was higher than in broilers given coccidiostats, but less than in broilers given vaccination, oregano and in negative controls. There was a trend for lowe...
Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria, 2009
Objective: Although bipolar disorder is a major contributor to functional impairment worldwide, a... more Objective: Although bipolar disorder is a major contributor to functional impairment worldwide, an independent impact of bipolar disorder and ageing on functioning has yet to be demonstrated. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of bipolar disorder on age-related functional status using matched controls as a standard. Method: One-hundred patients with bipolar disorder and matched controls were evaluated for disability. Age-related effects controlled for confounders were cross-sectionally evaluated. Results: Patients were significantly more impaired than controls. Regression showed effects for aging in both groups. The effect, size, however, was significantly stronger in patients. Conclusion: Bipolar disorder was an important effect modifier of the age impact on functioning. While a longitudinal design is needed to effectively demonstrate this different impact, this study further depicts bipolar disorder as a chronic and progressively impairing illness. Descriptors: Bipolar disorder disability; Functioning; Ageing; Controlled study; Brazil Resumo Objetivo: O transtorno bipolar é responsável por importante parcela do prejuízo funcional ao redor do mundo. Um efeito independente do transtorno bipolar e da idade no funcionamento ainda não foi demonstrado. O presente estudo tem o objetivo de avaliar o efeito do transtorno bipolar no prejuízo funcional relacionado à idade, com controles pareados como padrão. Método: Cem pacientes com transtorno bipolar e controles pareados foram avaliados para incapacidade. Efeitos relacionados à idade, com controle para confundidores, foram investigados. Resultados: Pacientes tiveram significativamente mais prejuízo que controles. A regressão mostrou efeito para a idade em ambos os grupos, e o efeito foi significativamente mais forte nos pacientes. Conclusão: O transtorno bipolar foi um importante modificador de efeito no impacto da idade no funcionamento. Enquanto um desenho de estudo longitudinal é necessário para efetivamente demonstrar este impacto diferencial, este estudo caracteriza o transtorno bipolar como uma doença crônica e incapacitante.
Revista Brasileira de Cardiologia Invasiva, 2011
Base de dados : LILACS. Pesquisa : 618791 [Identificador único]. Referências encontradas : 1 [ref... more Base de dados : LILACS. Pesquisa : 618791 [Identificador único]. Referências encontradas : 1 [refinar]. Mostrando: 1 .. 1 no formato [Detalhado]. página 1 de 1, 1 / 1, LILACS, seleciona. para imprimir. Fotocópia. Texto completo. experimental, Documentos relacionados. Id: 618791 ...
Journal of Affective Disorders, 2000
BackgroundDespite the fact that public speaking is a common academic activity and that social pho... more BackgroundDespite the fact that public speaking is a common academic activity and that social phobia has been associated with lower educational achievement and impaired academic performance, little research has examined the prevalence of social phobia in college students. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of social phobia in a large sample of Brazilian college students and
Revista portuguesa de cardiologia : orgão oficial da Sociedade Portuguesa de Cardiologia = Portuguese journal of cardiology : an official journal of the Portuguese Society of Cardiology
Objective: In the present study, we investigate the association between the val66met polymorphism... more Objective: In the present study, we investigate the association between the val66met polymorphism of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BNDF) and the performance on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test in a sample of Caucasian Brazilian patients with bipolar disorder. Method: Sixty-four patients with bipolar disorder were assessed and their performance on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test was compared with the allele
Protocols, 1996
There is accumulating evidence that progressive changes in brain structure and function take plac... more There is accumulating evidence that progressive changes in brain structure and function take place as schizophrenia unfolds. Among many possible candidates, oxidative stress may be one of the mediators of neuroprogression, grey matter loss and subsequent cognitive and functional impairment. Antioxidants are exogenous or endogenous molecules that mitigate any form of oxidative stress or its consequences. They may act from directly scavenging free radicals to increasing anti-oxidative defences. There is evidence that current treatments impact oxidative pathways and may to some extent reverse pro-oxidative states in schizophrenia. The existing literature, however, indicates that these treatments do not fully restore the deficits in antioxidant levels or restore levels of oxidants in schizophrenia. As such, there has been interest in developing interventions aimed at restoring this oxidative balance beyond the benefits of antipsychotics in this direction. If antioxidants are to have a place in the treatment of this serious condition, the relevant and up-to-date information should be available to clinicians and investigators. To evaluate the effect of antioxidants as add-on treatments to standard antipsychotic medication for improving acute psychotic episodes and core symptoms, and preventing relapse in people with schizophrenia. We searched the Cochrane Schizophrenia Group's Study-Based Register of Trials which is based on regular searches of CINAHL, BIOSIS, AMED, Embase, PubMed, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and registries of clinical trials. There are no language, time, document type, or publication status limitations for inclusion of records in the register. We ran this search in November 2010, and again on 8 January 2015. We also inspected references of all identified studies for further trials and contacted authors of trials for additional information. We included reports if they were randomised controlled trials (RCTs) involving people with schizophrenia who had been allocated to either a substance with antioxidant potential or to a placebo as an adjunct to standard antipsychotic treatment. We independently extracted data from these trials and we estimated risk ratios (RR) or mean differences (MD), with 95% confidence intervals (CI). We assessed risk of bias for included studies and created a 'Summary of findings' table using GRADE. The review includes 22 RCTs of varying quality and sample size studying Ginkgo biloba, N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), allopurinol, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), vitamin C, vitamin E or selegiline. Median follow-up was eight weeks. Only three studies including a minority of the participants reported our a priori selected primary outcome of clinically important response. Short-term data for this outcome (measured as at least 20% improvement in scores on Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS)) were similar (3 RCTs, n = 229, RR 0.77, 95% CI 0.53 to 1.12, low quality evidence). Studies usually reported only endpoint psychopathology rating scale scores. Psychotic symptoms were lower in those using an adjunctive antioxidant according to the PANSS ( 7 RCTS, n = 584, MD -6.00, 95% CI -10.35 to -1.65, very low quality evidence) and the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) (8 RCTS, n = 843, MD -3.20, 95% CI -5.63 to -0.78, low quality evidence). There was no overall short-term difference in leaving the study early (16 RCTs, n = 1584, RR 0.73, 95% CI 0.48 to 1.11, moderate quality evidence), or in general functioning (2 RCTs, n = 52, MD -1.11, 95% CI -8.07 to 5.86, low quality evidence). Adverse events were generally poorly reported. Three studies reported useable data for 'any serious adverse effect', results were equivocal (3 RCTs, n = 234, RR 0.65, 95% CI 0.19 to 2.27, low quality evidence). No evidence was available for relapse, quality of life or service use. Although 22 trials could be included in this review, the evidence provided is limited and mostly not relevant to clinicians or consumers. Overall, although there was low risk of attrition and selective data reporting bias within the trials, the trials themselves were not adequately powered and need more substantial follow-up periods. There is a need for larger trials with longer periods of follow-up to be conducted. Outcomes should be meaningful for those with schizophrenia, and include measures of improvement and relapse (not just rating scale scores), functioning and quality of life and acceptability and, importantly, safety data.
Revista Portuguesa de Cardiologia (English Edition), 2014
Revista Portuguesa de Cardiologia, 2014
Revista Portuguesa de Cardiologia, 2011
Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) involving acute transmural ischemia of two vascular territories... more Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) involving acute transmural ischemia of two vascular territories at the same time, which is known as double or combined infarction, is a well described phenomenon but rarely reported in most series of patients admitted for AMI. This may be related to the fact that AMI with multiple vessel obstruction often causes extensive myocardial injury and death before the patient arrives at the hospital. It is speculated that double infarction results from the overall prothrombotic and inflammatory conditions associated with AMI.
Neuroscience Letters, 2010
Eugenol is a phenylpropene obtained from the essential oils of plants such as clove and basil whi... more Eugenol is a phenylpropene obtained from the essential oils of plants such as clove and basil which has ample use in dentistry. Eugenol possesses analgesic effects that may be related to the inhibition of voltage-dependent Na+ channels and/or to the activation of TRPV1 receptors or both. In the present study, electrophysiological parameters were taken from the compound action potentials of
Planta Medica, 2000
Original Paper, Planta Med 2000; 66: 138-143 DOI: 10.1055/s-2000-11133. Georg Thieme Verlag Stutt... more Original Paper, Planta Med 2000; 66: 138-143 DOI: 10.1055/s-2000-11133. Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York. Essential Oil of Croton nepetaefolius Decreases Blood Pressure through an Action upon Vascular Smooth Muscle: Studies in DOCA-Salt Hypertensive Rats. ...
Planta Medica, 2003
The effects of the essential oil of Croton nepetaefolius (EOCN) on isolated guinea-pig trachea we... more The effects of the essential oil of Croton nepetaefolius (EOCN) on isolated guinea-pig trachea were investigated. EOCN decreased the preparation's basal tone (EC (50) = 4.3 microg/mL) with a maximal effect similar to that of aminophylline. EOCN fully relaxed preparations pre-contracted with 60 mM K+ (IC (50) = 113.0 microg/mL). EOCN did not alter the E (m) of smooth muscle cells in 5 and 80 mM K+. EOCN, at 300 and 600 microg/mL, reduced the contraction induced by ovalbumin (10 microg/mL) from 227.2 to 82.5 and 35.5 % of the 60 mM K+-induced contraction, respectively. EOCN blocked the submaximal contractions induced by histamine, carbachol and 60 mM K+ with a similar potency (IC (50) values = 123.9, 102.5 and 128.8 microg/mL, respectively). In conclusion, EOCN exerts respiratory smooth muscle antispasmodic activity by a mechanism that is probably myogenic and not specific for neurotransmitters and autacoids.
Fundamental & Clinical Pharmacology, 2008
Since the discovery of the highly selective inhibitor of the phosphodiesterase type-5 (PDE-5) rec... more Since the discovery of the highly selective inhibitor of the phosphodiesterase type-5 (PDE-5) receptor in 1998, sildenafil (ViagraÒ) has emerged as a safe and effective treatment for male erectile dysfunction [1,2]. PDE enzymes catalyze the hydrolysis of the intracellular signaling molecules, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), which is the second messenger of nitric oxide (NO) and the principal mediator of smooth muscle relaxation and vasodilation [3,4].
Fundamental and Clinical Pharmacology, 2004
Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology, 2005
1. Sildenafil citrate (Viagra™; Pfizer, Sandwich, Kent, UK), a phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor, ris... more 1. Sildenafil citrate (Viagra™; Pfizer, Sandwich, Kent, UK), a phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor, rises cGMP levels in smooth muscle cells. It relaxes both vascular and visceral smooth muscle. In order to assess the intestinal effects of sildenafil, we decided to investigate its actions on rat duodenal motor activity in vitro .
Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology, 2005
1. Antigenic challenge often induces hyperreactivity in asthmatic airway, although the precise me... more 1. Antigenic challenge often induces hyperreactivity in asthmatic airway, although the precise mechanism(s) underlying this increased responsiveness is not entirely known.
Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology, 2009
1. 1,8-Cineole is a non-toxic small terpenoid oxide believed to have medicinal properties in folk... more 1. 1,8-Cineole is a non-toxic small terpenoid oxide believed to have medicinal properties in folk medicine. It has been shown to have various pharmacological effects, including blockade of the compound action potential (AP). In the present study, using intracellular recording techniques, we investigated the effects of 1,8-cineole on the electrophysiological parameters of neurons of the superior cervical ganglion (SCG) in rats.
Biochemical pharmacology, Jan 15, 2014
The nitroderivative 1-nitro-2-phenylethane (NPE) was recently described as a compound possessing ... more The nitroderivative 1-nitro-2-phenylethane (NPE) was recently described as a compound possessing heme-dependent soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) stimulating properties in vascular smooth muscle cells. In this study, we tested such pharmacological property of NPE in mice pancreatic acinar cells subjected to the bile salt taurocholate, a type of pathological stimulus that simulates pancreatitis. Here, isolated acinar cells were treated with NPE in order to assess the role of sGC on the detrimental effects induced by taurocholate. NPE reduced taurocholate-elicited Ca(2+) overload, production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), apoptosis, necrosis, and exerted a protective effect against mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) dissipation. These NPE-induced effects were abolished by pretreatment with ODQ and KT 5823, and after the blockade of nitric oxide (NO) synthase with l-NAME, inhibitors of key components of the sGC pathway. Contrarily to cGMP that alone increased ΔΨm collapse and cell ...
Parasitology, 2014
Due to an increasing demand for natural products to control coccidiosis in broilers, we investiga... more Due to an increasing demand for natural products to control coccidiosis in broilers, we investigated the effects of supplementing a combination of ethanolic extracts of Artemisia annua and Curcuma longa in drinking water. Three different dosages of this herbal mixture were compared with a negative control (uninfected), a positive control (infected and untreated), chemical coccidiostats (nicarbazin+narazin and, later, salinomycin), vaccination, and a product based on oregano. Differences in performance (weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion rate), mortality, gross intestinal lesions and oocyst excretion were investigated. Broilers given chemical coccidiostats performed better than all other groups. Broilers given the two highest dosages of the herbal mixture had intermediate lesion scores caused by Eimeria acervulina, which was higher than in broilers given coccidiostats, but less than in broilers given vaccination, oregano and in negative controls. There was a trend for lowe...
Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria, 2009
Objective: Although bipolar disorder is a major contributor to functional impairment worldwide, a... more Objective: Although bipolar disorder is a major contributor to functional impairment worldwide, an independent impact of bipolar disorder and ageing on functioning has yet to be demonstrated. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of bipolar disorder on age-related functional status using matched controls as a standard. Method: One-hundred patients with bipolar disorder and matched controls were evaluated for disability. Age-related effects controlled for confounders were cross-sectionally evaluated. Results: Patients were significantly more impaired than controls. Regression showed effects for aging in both groups. The effect, size, however, was significantly stronger in patients. Conclusion: Bipolar disorder was an important effect modifier of the age impact on functioning. While a longitudinal design is needed to effectively demonstrate this different impact, this study further depicts bipolar disorder as a chronic and progressively impairing illness. Descriptors: Bipolar disorder disability; Functioning; Ageing; Controlled study; Brazil Resumo Objetivo: O transtorno bipolar é responsável por importante parcela do prejuízo funcional ao redor do mundo. Um efeito independente do transtorno bipolar e da idade no funcionamento ainda não foi demonstrado. O presente estudo tem o objetivo de avaliar o efeito do transtorno bipolar no prejuízo funcional relacionado à idade, com controles pareados como padrão. Método: Cem pacientes com transtorno bipolar e controles pareados foram avaliados para incapacidade. Efeitos relacionados à idade, com controle para confundidores, foram investigados. Resultados: Pacientes tiveram significativamente mais prejuízo que controles. A regressão mostrou efeito para a idade em ambos os grupos, e o efeito foi significativamente mais forte nos pacientes. Conclusão: O transtorno bipolar foi um importante modificador de efeito no impacto da idade no funcionamento. Enquanto um desenho de estudo longitudinal é necessário para efetivamente demonstrar este impacto diferencial, este estudo caracteriza o transtorno bipolar como uma doença crônica e incapacitante.
Revista Brasileira de Cardiologia Invasiva, 2011
Base de dados : LILACS. Pesquisa : 618791 [Identificador único]. Referências encontradas : 1 [ref... more Base de dados : LILACS. Pesquisa : 618791 [Identificador único]. Referências encontradas : 1 [refinar]. Mostrando: 1 .. 1 no formato [Detalhado]. página 1 de 1, 1 / 1, LILACS, seleciona. para imprimir. Fotocópia. Texto completo. experimental, Documentos relacionados. Id: 618791 ...
Journal of Affective Disorders, 2000
BackgroundDespite the fact that public speaking is a common academic activity and that social pho... more BackgroundDespite the fact that public speaking is a common academic activity and that social phobia has been associated with lower educational achievement and impaired academic performance, little research has examined the prevalence of social phobia in college students. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of social phobia in a large sample of Brazilian college students and
Revista portuguesa de cardiologia : orgão oficial da Sociedade Portuguesa de Cardiologia = Portuguese journal of cardiology : an official journal of the Portuguese Society of Cardiology
Objective: In the present study, we investigate the association between the val66met polymorphism... more Objective: In the present study, we investigate the association between the val66met polymorphism of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BNDF) and the performance on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test in a sample of Caucasian Brazilian patients with bipolar disorder. Method: Sixty-four patients with bipolar disorder were assessed and their performance on the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test was compared with the allele
Protocols, 1996
There is accumulating evidence that progressive changes in brain structure and function take plac... more There is accumulating evidence that progressive changes in brain structure and function take place as schizophrenia unfolds. Among many possible candidates, oxidative stress may be one of the mediators of neuroprogression, grey matter loss and subsequent cognitive and functional impairment. Antioxidants are exogenous or endogenous molecules that mitigate any form of oxidative stress or its consequences. They may act from directly scavenging free radicals to increasing anti-oxidative defences. There is evidence that current treatments impact oxidative pathways and may to some extent reverse pro-oxidative states in schizophrenia. The existing literature, however, indicates that these treatments do not fully restore the deficits in antioxidant levels or restore levels of oxidants in schizophrenia. As such, there has been interest in developing interventions aimed at restoring this oxidative balance beyond the benefits of antipsychotics in this direction. If antioxidants are to have a place in the treatment of this serious condition, the relevant and up-to-date information should be available to clinicians and investigators. To evaluate the effect of antioxidants as add-on treatments to standard antipsychotic medication for improving acute psychotic episodes and core symptoms, and preventing relapse in people with schizophrenia. We searched the Cochrane Schizophrenia Group's Study-Based Register of Trials which is based on regular searches of CINAHL, BIOSIS, AMED, Embase, PubMed, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and registries of clinical trials. There are no language, time, document type, or publication status limitations for inclusion of records in the register. We ran this search in November 2010, and again on 8 January 2015. We also inspected references of all identified studies for further trials and contacted authors of trials for additional information. We included reports if they were randomised controlled trials (RCTs) involving people with schizophrenia who had been allocated to either a substance with antioxidant potential or to a placebo as an adjunct to standard antipsychotic treatment. We independently extracted data from these trials and we estimated risk ratios (RR) or mean differences (MD), with 95% confidence intervals (CI). We assessed risk of bias for included studies and created a 'Summary of findings' table using GRADE. The review includes 22 RCTs of varying quality and sample size studying Ginkgo biloba, N-acetyl cysteine (NAC), allopurinol, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), vitamin C, vitamin E or selegiline. Median follow-up was eight weeks. Only three studies including a minority of the participants reported our a priori selected primary outcome of clinically important response. Short-term data for this outcome (measured as at least 20% improvement in scores on Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS)) were similar (3 RCTs, n = 229, RR 0.77, 95% CI 0.53 to 1.12, low quality evidence). Studies usually reported only endpoint psychopathology rating scale scores. Psychotic symptoms were lower in those using an adjunctive antioxidant according to the PANSS ( 7 RCTS, n = 584, MD -6.00, 95% CI -10.35 to -1.65, very low quality evidence) and the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) (8 RCTS, n = 843, MD -3.20, 95% CI -5.63 to -0.78, low quality evidence). There was no overall short-term difference in leaving the study early (16 RCTs, n = 1584, RR 0.73, 95% CI 0.48 to 1.11, moderate quality evidence), or in general functioning (2 RCTs, n = 52, MD -1.11, 95% CI -8.07 to 5.86, low quality evidence). Adverse events were generally poorly reported. Three studies reported useable data for 'any serious adverse effect', results were equivocal (3 RCTs, n = 234, RR 0.65, 95% CI 0.19 to 2.27, low quality evidence). No evidence was available for relapse, quality of life or service use. Although 22 trials could be included in this review, the evidence provided is limited and mostly not relevant to clinicians or consumers. Overall, although there was low risk of attrition and selective data reporting bias within the trials, the trials themselves were not adequately powered and need more substantial follow-up periods. There is a need for larger trials with longer periods of follow-up to be conducted. Outcomes should be meaningful for those with schizophrenia, and include measures of improvement and relapse (not just rating scale scores), functioning and quality of life and acceptability and, importantly, safety data.
Revista Portuguesa de Cardiologia (English Edition), 2014
Revista Portuguesa de Cardiologia, 2014
Revista Portuguesa de Cardiologia, 2011
Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) involving acute transmural ischemia of two vascular territories... more Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) involving acute transmural ischemia of two vascular territories at the same time, which is known as double or combined infarction, is a well described phenomenon but rarely reported in most series of patients admitted for AMI. This may be related to the fact that AMI with multiple vessel obstruction often causes extensive myocardial injury and death before the patient arrives at the hospital. It is speculated that double infarction results from the overall prothrombotic and inflammatory conditions associated with AMI.