Browsing by Author "Almeida, A."
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- Are There Differences in the Type of High-sodium Food Groups and Level of Consumption among African Migrant and Native Hypertensive Medicated Patients, Followed at Primary Care Level in Lisbon?Publication . Pinto, A.; Violeta, A.; Almeida, A.; Cardoso, I.; Fernandes, M.; Guerra, F.; Guiomar, S.; Nicola, P.; Rocha, E.
- Chronic Q fever with no elevation of inflammatory markers: a case reportPublication . Boattini, M.; Almeida, A.; Barata Moura, R.; Abreu, J.; Santos, A.S.; Rico, M.T.Chronic q Fever with no elevation of inflammatory markers: a case report. Boattini M, Almeida A, Moura RB, Abreu J, Santos AS, Toscano Rico M. SourceDepartment of Internal Medicine, St. Marta's Hospital, 1169-024 Lisbon, Portugal. Abstract We describe the case of a 55-year-old man with a biological prosthetic aortic valve who suffered from epigastrium and right hypochondrium pain associated with intermittent night sweats. Liver biopsy showed infectious hepatitis pattern without pathognomonic features. Coxiella burnetii serology was suggestive of chronic Q fever, and modified Duke's criteria for endocarditis were also fulfilled. The authors present a brief literature review concerning chronic Q fever, emphasizing absent previous reports of chronic Q fever with hepatitis and endocarditis and no increase in inflammatory markers.
- Exploring the functional features of melon peel flour for healthier bakery productsPublication . Silva, M.A.; Albuquerque, T.G.; Santo, L.E.; Motta, C.; Almeida, A.; Azevedo, R.; Alves, R.C.; Oliveira, M.B.P.P.; Costa, H.S.The use of fruit by-products to develop new food products could be an advantageous approach to meet the demand for healthy foods and reduce food waste. In this study, the amino acid and mineral profiles of melon peel flour were evaluated. Non-essential/toxic elements were also determined. Furthermore, two formulations (biscuit and muffin) were developed with 50% and 100% melon peel flour, respectively. The bioaccessibility of essential minerals in these two formulations was also determined. These innovative products presented interesting contents of amino acids and high levels of minerals, contributing significantly to daily mineral requirements, mainly magnesium (18–23%), phosphorus (13–28%), molybdenum (14–17%), and manganese (10–13%). Regarding the in vitro bioaccessibility of minerals in the developed formulations, magnesium, manganese, sodium, and phosphorus were those with the highest values (75–108%). Based on these results, melon peel has the potential to improve global food security, nutrition, economic well-being, and overall health and well-being.
- Exposure Assessment to Mycotoxins in a Portuguese Fresh Bread Dough Company by Using a Multi-Biomarker ApproachPublication . Viegas, S.; Assunção, R.; Nunes, C.; Osteresch, B.; Twaruzek, M.; Martins, C.; Alvito, P.; Almeida, A.; Viegas, C.Mycotoxins are toxic mold metabolites that can persist in environment long after the fungi species responsible for their production disappear. Critical workplace for mycotoxins presence has already been studied and nowadays it is possible to recognize that exposure to mycotoxins through inhalation occurs due to their presence in dust. This study aimed to assess occupational co-exposure to multiple mycotoxins in a fresh bread dough company, an occupational setting not studied until now. Occupational exposure assessment to mycotoxins was done using a LC-MS/MS urinary multi-biomarker approach. Twenty-one workers and nineteen individuals that were used as controls participated in the study. Workers/controls (spot-urine) and environment (settled dust) samples were collected and analyzed. Concerning workers group, DON-GlcA, and OTA were the most prevalent biomarkers (>LOD), 66% and 90.5%, respectively. In the control group, OTA was also one of the most detected (68%) followed by CIT (58%) and DON-GlcA (58%). DON was the mycotoxin measured in high amounts in the settled dust sample (58.2 ng/g). Both workers and controls are exposed to several mycotoxins simultaneously. The workers group, due to their high contact with flour dust, revealed a higher exposure to DON. Considering these results, risk management measures must be applied including specific and adequate health surveillance programs in order to avoid exposure and consequently the associated health consequences..
- Genotyping an ALAD polymorphism with real-time PCR in two populations from the Iberian PeninsulaPublication . Moreira, A.O.; Almeida, A.; Costa, S.; Laffon, B.; García-Léston, J.; Pásaro, E.; Méndez, J.; Teixeira, João PauloLead-induced toxicity varies among individuals partly because of genetic differences in their susceptibility to the metal's effects. One genetic polymorphism associated with lead toxicity is a G-to-C transversion at position 177 in the coding region of delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD), originating from two codominant alleles (ALAD1 and ALAD2). We examined the distribution of this single nucleotide polymorphism in two populations from the Iberian Peninsula. Genomic DNA was extracted from whole blood, and a real-time PCR assay was designed to determine ALAD polymorphic distribution. The distribution of MspI polymorphism was similar in the two populations studied, and allelic frequencies were comparable to those obtained in other studies of Caucasians. Further studies are needed to assess fully the functional significance of this polymorphism and its influence on the toxicokinetics of lead.
- Insights into corrosion behaviour of uncoated Mg alloys for biomedical applications in different aqueous mediaPublication . Neves, C.S.; Sousa, I.; Freitas, M.A.; Moreira, L.; Costa, C.; Teixeira, J.P.; Fraga, S.; Pinto, E.; Almeida, A.; Scharnagl, N.; Zheludkevich, M.L.; Ferreira, M.G.S.; Tedim, J.MgCa and MgGd series of alloys are often reported as promising candidates for biomedical applications. In the present study, cytotoxicity and corrosion behavior of Mg1Ca and Mg10Gd alloys in different electrolytes (NaCl, PBS, MEM) have been investigated in order to make a direct comparison and understand the mechanisms behind their performance. Potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were employed to analyze corrosion processes depending on media composition, whereas X-Ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to evaluate crystalline structure, phase composition and surface morphology of the corroded substrates after immersion in the different electrolytes. Moreover, cytotoxicity of the Mg alloys was assessed using the WST-1 reduction and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assays in L929 mouse fibroblasts. The electrochemical results showed that Mg1Ca has a lower degradation rate when compared to Mg10Gd, due to the lower microgalvanic effects and the presence of Ca as an alloying element. Furthermore, the corrosion activity is reduced in MEM, for both alloys, when compared to NaCl and PBS. The cytotoxicity assays revealed that Mg10Gd was cytotoxic in all the conditions tested, while the toxicity of Mg1Ca was low. Overall, these findings show that Mg1Ca alloy presents a higher corrosion resistance and biocompatibility and is a promising material to be used in biomedical implants.
- Multi-residue analysis of 39 pesticides in surface waters of Ria de AveiroPublication . Vera, J.L.; Almeida, A.; Costa, J.M.; Domingues, V.F.; Delerue-Matos, C.; Mansilha, C.A multi-residue gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method was developed in order to evaluate the presence of 39 pesticides of different chemical families (organophosphorus, triazines, imidazole, organochlorine), as well as some of their transformation products, in surface water samples from Ria de Aveiro. Ria de Aveiro is an estuarine coastal lagoon, located in the northern west region of Portugal, which receives inputs from agriculture, urban and industrial activities. The analytical method was developed and validated according international guidelines and showed good linearity, with correlation coefficients higher than 0.9949 for all compounds, adequate precision and accuracy, and high sensitivity. Pesticides were chosen from the priority pollutants list of the Directive 2008/105/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (on environmental quality standards in the field of water policy), or were selected due their common use in agricultural practices. Some of these 39 pesticides are, or are suspected to be, endocrine disruptor compounds (EDCs), being capable of altering the endocrine system of wildlife and humans, causing form malfunction and ultimately health problems. Even those pesticides which are not EDCs, are known to be awfully toxic and have a recognised impact in human health. The aquatic environment is particularly susceptible to pollution due to intentional and accidental release of chemicals to water [3]. Pesticide contamination of surface water is a national issue as it is often used as drinking water. This concern is especially important in rural agricultural areas where population uses small private water supplies, regularly without any laboratory surveillance. The study was performed in seven sampling points and the results showed a considerable concern pesticide contamination of all samples.
- Occupational exposure to aflatoxin (AFB1) in poultry productionPublication . Viegas, S.; Veiga, L.; Malta-Vacas, J.; Sabino, R.; Almeida, A.; Viegas, C.Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) has been recognized to produce cancer in human liver. In addition, epidemiological and laboratory studies demonstrated that the respiratory system was a target for AFB1. Exposure occurs predominantly through the food chain, but inhalation represents an additional route of exposure. The present study aimed to examine AFB1 exposure among poultry workers in Portugal. Blood samples were collected from a total of 31 poultry workers from six poultry farms. In addition, a control group (n = 30) was included comprised of workers who undertook administrative tasks. Measurement of AFB1 in serum was performed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). For examining fungi contamination, air samples were collected through an impaction method. Air sampling was obtained in pavilion interior and outside the premises, since this was the place regarded as the reference location. Using molecular methods, toxicogenic strains (aflatoxin-producing) were investigated within the group of species belonging to Aspergillus flavus complex. Eighteen poultry workers (59%) had detectable levels of AFB1 with values ranging from <1 ng/ml to4.23 ng/ml and with a mean value of 2 ± 0.98ng/ml. AFB1 was not detected in the serum sampled from any of the controls. Aspergillus flavus was the fungal species third most frequently found in the indoor air samples analyzed (7.2%) and was the most frequently isolated species in air samples containing only Aspergillus genus (74.5%). The presence of aflatoxigenic strains was only confirmed in outdoor air samples from one of the units, indicating the presence of a source inside the building in at least one case. Data indicate that AFB1 inhalation represents an additional risk in this occupational setting that needs to be recognized, assessed, and prevented.
- Occupational exposure to aflatoxin b1 in swine production and possible contamination sourcesPublication . Viegas, S.; Veiga, L.; Figueiredo, P.; Almeida, A.; Carolino, E.; Sabino, R.; Verissimo, C.Although the adverse health consequences of ingestion of food contaminated with aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) are known, relatively few studies are available on the adverse effects of exposure in occupational settings. Taking this into consideration, our study was developed aiming to elucidate the possible effects of occupational exposure to AFB1 in Portuguese swine production facilities using a specific biomarker to assess exposure to AFB1. In total, 28 workers participated in this study, providing blood samples, and a control group (n = 30) was composed of subjects without any type of agricultural activity. Fungal contamination was also studied by conventional methods through air, surfaces, and new and used floor coverage. Twenty-one workers (75%) showed detectable levels of AFB1 with values ranging from <1 ng/ml to 8.94 ng/ml and with a mean value of 1.91 ± 1.68 ng/ml. In the control group, the AFB1 values were all below 1 ng/ml. Twelve different Aspergillus species were identified. Aspergillus versicolor presented the highest airborne spore counts (3210 CFU/m3) and was also detected in higher values in surfaces (>300 CFU/cm2). Data indicate that exposure to AFB1 occurs in swine barns, and this site serves as a contamination source in an occupational setting.
- Occupational exposure to Aflatoxin B1: the case of poultry and swine productionPublication . Viegas, S.; Veiga, L.; Figueiredo, P.; Almeida, A.; Carolino, E.; Sabino, R.; Verissimo, C.; Viegas, C.Although there is an abundance of literature concerning the ingestion of food contaminated with aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), only a small number of studies explore mycotoxin exposure in occupational settings. Taking this into consideration, our study was developed with the intention of elucidating whether there is occupational exposure to AFB1 in Portuguese poultry and swine production facilities. A specific biomarker was used to assess exposure to AFB1. A total of 45 workers (34 from poultry farms; 11 from swine production facilities) participated in this study, providing blood samples. Additionally, a control group (n=30) composed of subjects without any type of contact with agricultural activity was considered. All participants signed a consent form and were provided with the study protocol. Eighteen poultry workers (58.6%) and six workers from the swine production facilities (54.5%) showed detectable levels of AFB1. In the control group, the AFB1 values were all below 1 ng/ml. No significant differences in AFB1 levels in serum between workers from poultry and swine farms were found. Poultry workers, however, showed the highest serum levels and a significant statistical difference between this group and the control group was found. Results suggest that exposure to AFB1 by inhalation occurs in both occupational settings representing an additional risk that needs to be recognised, assessed and prevented.