Browsing by Author "Mendes, Francisca"
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- In Vitro Cyto- and Genotoxicity Assessment of Antibacterial Paints with Triclosan and IsoborneolPublication . Querido, Micaela; Rosário, Fernanda; Bessa, Maria; Mendes, Francisca; Teixeira, José; Teixeira, João; Pereira, CristianaSurfaces with antimicrobial properties are gaining notoriety as an efficient method to avoid surface contamination. Self-disinfecting paints are a promising strategy towards cleaner indoor environments by preventing the colonization of walls with microorganisms. However, its widespread use needs an appropriate toxicological safety evaluation due to the potential for biological disturbance associated to its biocidal activity. In this work, the cyto- and genotoxic assessment of two self-disinfecting paints containing the antimicrobial substances triclosan (TCS) and isoborneol (ISB) is performed. HaCaT and A549 cell lines models were selected for the in vitro assessment. To evaluate the cytotoxicity, tests by direct contact and on extracts obtained from leaching were performed following ISO 10993, whereas the genotoxicity was assessed by comet assay and cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) assay. The results showed low levels of cyto- and genotoxicity under the models and conditions tested, indicating that these substances have commercial potential.
- School environment associates with lung function and autonomic nervous system activity in children: a cross-sectional studyPublication . Paciência, Inês; Rufo, João Cavaleiro; Silva, Diana; Martins, Carla; Mendes, Francisca; Rama, Tiago; Rodolfo, Ana; Madureira, Joana; Delgado, Luís; de Oliveira Fernandes, Eduardo; Padrão, Patrícia; Moreira, Pedro; Severo, Milton; Pina, Maria Fátima; Teixeira, João Paulo; Barros, Henrique; Ruokolainen, Lasse; Haahtela, Tari; Moreira, AndréChildren are in contact with local environments, which may affect respiratory symptoms and allergic sensitization. We aimed to assess the effect of the environment and the walkability surrounding schools on lung function, airway inflammation and autonomic nervous system activity. Data on 701 children from 20 primary schools were analysed. Lung function, airway inflammation and pH from exhaled breath condensate were measured. Pupillometry was performed to evaluate autonomic activity. Land use composition and walkability index were quantified within a 500 m buffer zone around schools. The proportion of effects explained by the school environment was measured by mixed-effect models. We found that green school areas tended to be associated with higher lung volumes (FVC, FEV1 and FEF25-75%) compared with built areas. FVC was significantly lower in-built than in green areas. After adjustment, the school environment explained 23%, 34% and 99.9% of the school effect on FVC, FEV1, and FEF25-75%, respectively. The walkability of school neighbourhoods was negatively associated with both pupil constriction amplitude and redilatation time, explaining -16% to 18% of parasympathetic and 8% to 29% of sympathetic activity. Our findings suggest that the environment surrounding schools has an effect on the lung function of its students. This effect may be partially mediated by the autonomic nervous system.