Percorrer por autor "Coelho, M."
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- Cytogenetic and immunological effects of formaldehyde in a group of exposed workersPublication . Costa, S.; García-Lestón, J.; Coelho, M.; Coelho, P.; Costa, C.; Silva, S.; Porto, B.; Laffon, B.; Teixeira, João PauloFormaldehyde (FA) is a widely used industrial chemical for which exposure is associated with nasopharyngeal and sinonasal cancer. Based on sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity from human investigations, supporting studies on mechanisms underlying carcinogenesis, and experimental evidence in animals, FA status was recently revised and reclassified as a human carcinogen. The highest level of exposure to FA occurs in occupational settings. Although several studies reported FA ability to induce genotoxic responses in exposed workers, not all findings were conclusive. In addition, published studies on the immunological effects of FA indicate that this compound may be able to modulate immune responses, although data in exposed subjects are still preliminary. In this study a group of pathology anatomy workers exposed to FA was evaluated for cytogenetic and immunological parameters. A control group with similar sociodemographic characteristics and without known occupational exposure to FA was also included. Genotoxicity was evaluated by means of micronucleus (MN) test, sister chromatid exchanges (SCE), and T-cell receptor (TCR) mutation assay. Percentages of different lymphocyte subpopulations were selected as immunotoxic biomarkers. The mean level of FA environmental exposure was 0.36 ± 0.03 ppm. MN and SCE frequencies were significantly increased in the exposed group. A significant decrease of the percentage of B cells in the exposed group was also found. Data obtained in this study indicate that genotoxic and immunotoxic increased risk due to FA occupational exposure cannot be excluded. Implementation of effective control measures along with hazard prevention campaigns may be crucial to decrease the risk.
- Geno- and Immunotoxic Effects on Populations Living Near a Mine: A Case Study of Panasqueira Mine in PortugalPublication . Coelho, P.; García-Lestón, J.; Silva, S.; Costa, C.; Costa, S.; Coelho, M.; Laffon, S.; Pásaro Mendez, E.; Teixeira, João PauloMining industry is a vital economic sector for many countries but it is also one of the most hazardous activities, both occupationally and environmentally. Existing studies point to several adverse effects on communities' health living near mines, effects such as mesothelioma and respiratory illnesses. Results achieved in a geochemical sampling campaign undertaken in the vicinity of São Francisco de Assis village showed an anomalous distribution of some heavy metals in soils and waters. To evaluate the effects of mining activities on human health produced by these conditions, a group of 28 individuals from São Francisco de Assis village was examined for some biological endpoints. A nonexposed group (30 individuals) with the same demographic characteristics without exposure to genotoxic compounds was also studied and data obtained from both groups compared. Results of the T-cell receptor mutation assay and micronucleus (MN) test showed significant increases in the frequencies of both mutations and MN in exposed subjects compared to controls. Data obtained in the analysis of the different lymphocyte subsets demonstrated significant decreases in percentages of CD3+ and CD4+ cells, and a significant increase in percentage of CD16/56+ cells, in exposed individuals. The results of the present study indicate an elevated risk of human environmental contamination resulting from mining activities, emphasizing the need to implement preventive measures, remediation, and rehabilitation plans. This would lead to a reduction in cancer risk not only for this particular population but for all populations exposed under similar conditions.
- Learning by doing: a HIA study on bread salt reduction and its effects on cardiovascular diseasePublication . Costa, L.; Coelho, M.; Assunção, R.; Braz, P.; Costa, A.; Santos, J.; Brazão, R.; Guerreiro, A.; Lopes, I.; Caldas Almeida, T.Pilot study objectives: To evaluate the impact of salt reduction in bread on cardiovascular diseases in the Portuguese population, according to the goals established in the protocol signed between the Directorate-General for Health (DGS), the National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA) and bakeries associations.
- Micronucleus frequencies in lymphocytes and buccal cells in formaldehyde exposed workersPublication . Costa, S.; Brandão, F.; Coelho, M.; Costa, C.; Coelho, P.; Silva, S.; Porto, B.; Teixeira, João PauloFormaldehyde (FA) is a high-volume production chemical produced worldwide with a large range of industrial and medical uses. Listed, since 2004, by IARC as a human carcinogen, FA status was recently revised by the US government who reclassified this compound as known to be a human carcinogen. Both reclassifications are based on sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity from epidemiologic studies, supporting data on mechanisms of carcinogenesis and experimental evidence in animals. The highest level of human exposure to FA occurs in occupational settings. Consistent findings of increased risks of certain types of rare cancers were found among workers with higher measures of exposure to FA (exposure level or duration). The aim of the present study was to assess the genotoxic effects of occupational exposure to FA. A group of pathology and anatomy workers was evaluated for micronuclei in lymphocytes and in exfoliated buccal cells. Genotoxic endpoints are of great interest in the risk assessment of occupational carcinogens because they precede by a long time the potential health effects, thus offering a greater potential for preventive measures. Micronuclei in lymphocytes and in exfoliated buccal cells were significantly higher in the exposed subjects when compared with controls. Air sampling was performed in the workers’ breathing zone for representative working periods and an 8h-time weighted average was assessed.
- Outbreak of Clostridium difficile PCR ribotype 027-the recent experience of a regional hospitalPublication . Oleastro, M.; Coelho, M.; Gião, M.; Coutinho, S.; Mota, S.; Santos, A.; Rodrigues, J.; Faria, D.Background: Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is the leading cause of healthcare-associated diarrhea, and several outbreaks with increased severity and mortality have been reported. In this study we report a C. difficile PCR ribotype 027 outbreak in Portugal, aiming to contribute to a better knowledge of the epidemiology of this agent in Europe. Methods: Outbreak report with retrospective study of medical records and active surveillance data of all inpatients with the diagnosis of CDI, from 1st January to 31th December 2012, in a Portuguese hospital. C. difficile isolates were characterized regarding ribotype, toxin genes and moxifloxin resistance. Outbreak control measures were taken, concerning communication, education, reinforcement of infection control measures, optimization of diagnosis and treatment of CDI, and antibiotic stewardship. Results: Fifty-three inpatients met the case definition of C. difficile-associated infection: 55% males, median age was 78.0 years (interquartile range: 71.0-86.0), 75% had co-morbidities, only 15% had a nonfatal condition, 68% had at least one criteria of severe disease at diagnosis, 89% received prior antibiotherapy, 79% of episodes were nosocomial. CDI rate peak was 13.89/10,000 bed days. Crude mortality rate at 6 months was 64.2% while CDI attributable cause was 11.3%. Worse outcome was related to older age (P = 0.022), severity criteria at diagnosis (leukocytosis (P = 0.008) and renal failure), and presence of fatal underlying condition (P = 0.025). PCR ribotype 027 was identified in 16 of 22 studied samples. Conclusions: This is the first report of a 027-CDI outbreak in Portugal. We emphasize the relevance of the measures taken to control the outbreak and highlight the importance of implementing a close and active surveillance of CDI.
- Policies and strategies in food and healthy lifestylesPublication . Jesus, s.; Coelho, M.; Dias, G.; Castanheira, I.AIM: The rapid growth in industrialisation, urbanisation and market globalisation had a significant impact on population diets and lifestyles. At the same time, the living standards improved, the food availability expanded and became more diversified. However, it occurred an increase in dietary patterns and physical inactivity, which led to a rise in the chronic non-communicable diseases(NCDs), including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, stroke and cancer. It was determined that in 2001 chronic burden diseases contributed 46% in the world and that in 2020 will increase to 57%. So, the present study aimed to analyse the strategies and policies in health and food lifestyles in Europe. The study was developed in the project “A Quadruple Helix Atlantic Area Healthy Food Ecosystem for Growth of SME’s”(AHFES). This project aims to improve the competitiveness and growth of SMEs in the value chain of healthy eating and lifestyles, contributing to the development of a transnational innovation ecosystem that helps entities to access information, partners and markets and align their products and services to the needs and expectations of the European consumer/community. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the present study was used different approaches and tools. It was made a literature review with the terms of “healthy food policies”, “healthy lifestyles policies” and “food policy”. Another approach was the information collected from the partners about the existing regional policies and strategies in healthy food, where it was made some questions about healthy food and lifestyles and innovation policies, innovation tools and existing support structures and reforms in each country (Portugal, Spain, Ireland, France and the United Kingdom). RESULTS: The countries increasing the policies and measures to be implemented in the area of health. It was found that although most countries have very similar national plans, their policies and levels of implementation vary between them. In general, the implemented measures and policies are organized into two groups: health and lifestyles programmes and policies and support structures and reforms. These groups have high relevance in changing dietary patterns and lifestyles. Besides, in most countries, there was a consensus on the most important and priority age groups for a more effective outcome of measures and policies in the future. These two age groups were children, who are still open to new knowledge and knowledge in the area of food, and the elderly who corresponds to a group that requires the effects of NCD risk factors to be controlled. The measures and policies applied to increase and encourage society to modify its diet and lifestyle were diverse and can be grouped into five groups: nutrition and diet counselling, portion size control, regulation of marketing to children, reformulation and dietary guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: To improve healthy food and lifestyles of the population, it is necessary to regularly re-evaluate strategies and consequent effects on the health status of the community. Besides, to the implementation of strategies and policies to be successful, there must be cooperation between the government-university-industry and community. AFHES project is an important tool to assist SME in the production of foods framed by new health guidelines.
- Resultados Minerais TDS Na, K, Ca, P, Fe , MgPublication . Nascimento, A.; Santiago, S.; Coelho, I.; Ventura, M.; Gueifão, S.; Coelho, M.Foram analisadas 229 amostras, por ICP-OES para a determinação dos teores de minerais: Na, K, Ca, P, Fe, Mg.