Browsing by Author "Pereira, C."
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- Biological Air Contamination in Elderly Care Centers: Geria ProjectPublication . Aguiar, L.; Mendes, A.; Pereira, C.; Neves, P.; Mendes, D.; Teixeira, João PauloIndoor air quality (IAQ) affects health particularly in susceptible individuals such as the elderly. It has been estimated that the older population spends approximately 19–20 h/d indoors, and the majority of the elderly spend all of their time indoors in elderly care centers (ECC). Older individuals may be particularly at risk of exposure to detrimental effects from pollutants, even at low concentrations, due to common and multiple underlying chronic diseases that increase susceptibility. This study, aimed to assess the impact of indoor biological agents in 22 ECC located in Porto, was conducted during summer and winter from November 2011 to August 2013 at a total of 141 areas within dining rooms, drawing rooms, medical offices, and bedrooms (including the bedridden). Air sampling was carried out with a microbiological air sampler (Merck MAS-100) and using tryptic soy agar for bacteria and malt extract agar for fungi. The results obtained were compared with the recently revised Portuguese standards. In winter, mean fungi concentration exceeded reference values, while bacteria concentrations were within the new standards in both seasons. The main fungi species found indoors were Cladosporium (73%) in summer and Penicillium (67%) in winter. Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, and Aspergillus flavus, known potential pathogenic/toxigenic species, were also identified. Although the overall rate and mean values of bacteria and fungi found in ECC indoor air met Portuguese legislation, some concern is raised by the presence of pathogenic microorganisms. Simple measures, like opening windows and doors to promote air exchange and renewal, may improve effectiveness in enhancing IAQ.
- Children Exposure assessment to patulin through the intake of apple based productsPublication . Pereira, C.; Alvito, Paula; Martins, Carla; Seljak, B.; Vasco, ElsaNowadays, food safety is of major concern since more chemicals are present in our environment. Food is an important route of exposure to contaminants as mycotoxins. Patulin (PAT) is a mycotoxin present mainly in apple based products which are widely consumed by children. Children are a vulnerable part of the population due to, in part, their physiology, a fairly restricted diet and a higher intake relative to their body weight. Within the safety evaluation procedure of any chemical substance, one crucial step is the dietary exposure assessment. Exposure assessment combines data on concentrations of a chemical substance present in food with the quantity of those foods consumed. Online software to access consumption data are a very useful tool for exposure assessment. The Open Platform for Clinical Nutrition (OPEN) is a Web-based application that provides clinical dietitians and the general population with an online dietary assessment and diet planning tool. It can be used with any food composition dataset that complies with the EuroFIR standards for data harmonisation. In Portugal no data are available on children consumption and data on mycotoxins occurrence in baby foods are scarce. The main objectives of this study were to: i) determine the contents of patulin in apple based foods intended for children, ii) develop tools and procedures for the collection of individual food consumption data for children, iii) test the above mentioned tools and procedures within a pilot dietary survey and iv) analyse the collected data and evaluate the tools and procedures used. For these purposes, 15 samples of apple based foods (juices and purees) analysed for patulin contents (μg/kg) by an accreditated high-performance liquid chromatography and ultraviolet detection method. The children food consumption survey was undertaken using a food diary through the OPEN applied to 20 children aged between 0 to 36 months. Parents were asked to record detailed information about all food and beverages consumed during 3 days. In order to evaluate the exposure, a daily intake will be expressed as μg PAT / kg of body weight / day. For this aim, data on the patulin content will be added to the Portuguese food composition database and applied by the OPEN. We will also consider a provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) of 0.43 μg PAT /kg of body weight / day as a referential value for patulin. Preliminary results of this study shows that apple based products presented patulin contents are all below the legislated limit for patulin (<10 μg/kg). Consumption and exposure assessment results will be discussed. This study reported, for the first time, the use of an online platform for children exposure assessment to patulin through the intake of apple based products in Portugal.
- Compensatory T-Cell Regulation in Unaffected Relatives of SLE Patients, and Opposite IL-2/CD25-Mediated Effects Suggested by Coreferentiality ModelingPublication . Fesel, C.; Barreto, M.; Ferreira, R.C.; Costa, N.; Venda, L.L.; Pereira, C.; Carvalho, C.; Morães-Fontes, M.F.; Ferreira, C.M.; Vasconcelos, C.; Viana, J.F.; Santos, E.; Martins, B.; Demengeot, J.; Vicente, A.M.In human systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), diverse autoantibodies accumulate over years before disease manifestation. Unaffected relatives of SLE patients frequently share a sustained production of autoantibodies with indiscriminable specificity, usually without ever acquiring the disease. We studied relations of IgG autoantibody profiles and peripheral blood activated regulatory T-cells (aTregs), represented by CD4(+)CD25(bright) T-cells that were regularly 70-90% Foxp3(+). We found consistent positive correlations of broad-range as well as specific SLE-associated IgG with aTreg frequencies within unaffected relatives, but not patients or unrelated controls. Our interpretation: unaffected relatives with shared genetic factors compensated pathogenic effects by aTregs engaged in parallel with the individual autoantibody production. To study this further, we applied a novel analytic approach named coreferentiality that tests the indirect relatedness of parameters in respect to multivariate phenotype data. Results show that independently of their direct correlation, aTreg frequencies and specific SLE-associated IgG were likely functionally related in unaffected relatives: they significantly parallelled each other in their relations to broad-range immunoblot autoantibody profiles. In unaffected relatives, we also found coreferential effects of genetic variation in the loci encoding IL-2 and CD25. A model of CD25 functional genetic effects constructed by coreferentiality maximization suggests that IL-2-CD25 interaction, likely stimulating aTregs in unaffected relatives, had an opposed effect in SLE patients, presumably triggering primarily T-effector cells in this group. Coreferentiality modeling as we do it here could also be useful in other contexts, particularly to explore combined functional genetic effects.
- DNA damage and oxidative DNA damage in Inflammatory Bowel DiseasePublication . Pereira, C.; Coelho, R.; Grácio, G.; Dias, C.; Silva, M.; Peixoto, A.; Lopes, P.; Costa, C.; Teixeira, J.P.; Macedo, G.; Magro, F.
- Identification and Levels of Airborne Fungi in Portuguese Primary SchoolsPublication . Madureira, J; Pereira, C.; Paciência, I.; Teixeira, João Paulo; de Oliveira Fernandes, E.Several studies found associations between exposure to airborne fungi and allergy, infection, or irritation. This study aimed to characterize airborne fungi populations present in public primary schools in Porto, Portugal, during winter through quantification and identification procedures. Fungal concentration levels and identification were obtained in a total of 73 classrooms. The AirIdeal portable air sampler was used in combination with chloramphenicol malt extract agar. Results showed a wide range of indoor fungi levels, with indoor concentrations higher than outdoors. The most prevalent fungi found indoors were Penicillium sp. (>70%) and Cladosporium sp. As evidence indicates that indoor fungal exposures plays a role in asthma clinical status, these results may contribute to (1) promoting and implementing public health prevention programs and (2) formulating recommendations aimed at providing healthier school environments.
- Indoor air quality and thermal comfort in elderly care centersPublication . Mendes, A.; Bonassi, S.; Aguiar, L.; Pereira, C.; Neves, P.; Silva, S.; Mendes, D.; Guimarães, L.; Moroni, R.; Teixeira, João PauloThis study explored environmental variables and buildings characteristics in 22 elderly care centers (ECCs) in Portugal. Indoor environmental parameters were measured twice for a total of 141 sampling sites. Each site was assessed for PM10, PM2.5, total volatile organic compounds (TVOC), formaldehyde, CO, CO2, total bacteria and fungi. Thermal comfort (TC) parameters were measured according to ISO 7730:2005 and a building characterization was performed. The overall PM2.5 mean concentration of the 22 ECC was above international reference levels in summer and winter seasons. TVOC, bacteria, CO and CO2 showed significantly higher indoor levels compared to outdoor, in both seasons. Indoor PM10, TVOC, bacteria and CO2 present significant differences between seasons. TVOC, bacteria and CO2 show significant variation between ECC rooms and 4% of fungi samples were positive for pathogenic Aspergillus species. The winter predicted mean vote (PMV) index showed a ‘slightly cool’ thermal sensation scale which may potentiate respiratory tract infections. The predicted percent of dissatisfied people (PPD) and PMV indices show significant differences by season. The building variables ‘Insulation’, ‘Heating Ventilation’ and ‘Windows frames’ were significantly associated to chemical, biological and TC parameters. ‘Bacteria’, ‘Fungi’, ‘Temperature’, Relative Humidity’, and ‘PPD index’ are the mostly affected by building characteristics. Insulating ceilings, walls, and windows could improve winter season TC, providing health benefits to ECC residents.
- Indoor air quality and thermal comfort-results of a pilot study in elderly care centers in PortugalPublication . Mendes, A.; Pereira, C.; Mendes, D.; Aguiar, L.; Neves, P.; Silva, S.; Batterman, S.; Teixeira, João PauloThe age of the European population is rising and percentage of adults aged 65 years and older is projected to increase from 16% in 2000 to 20% in 2020. It has been estimated that older subjects spend approximately 19 to 20 h/d indoors. Older individuals may be particularly at risk for detrimental effects from pollutants, even at low concentrations, due to reduced immunological defenses and multiple underlying chronic diseases. Six Porto, Portugal, urban area elderly care centers (ECC), housing a total of 425 older persons, were studied to assess indoor air quality (IAQ) and thermal comfort (TC) in two seasons. This study presents the IAQ and TC results in 36 rooms and constitutes part of a wider and ongoing study. The study areas were all naturally ventilated, and indoor concentrations in winter were within Portuguese reference values. However, 42% of the participants were dissatisfied with indoor thermal conditions, rating it "slightly cool." In summer, the index rate of dissatisfied individuals was lower (8%). Significant differences were found between seasons in predicted percent of dissatisfied people (PPD) and predicted mean vote (PMV) indices. Fungal concentrations frequently exceeded reference levels (>500 colony-forming units [CFU]/m(3)). In addition, other pollutants occasionally exceeded reference levels. To our knowledge, this is the first study in Portugal to assess effects of indoor air contaminants on the health status and quality of life in older subjects living in ECC. Although IAQ and TC parameters were mostly within reference values, the results suggest a need to improve the balance between IAQ and TC in ECC, a critical environment housing a susceptible population.
- Molecular investigation of pediatric portuguese patients with sensorineural hearing lossPublication . Nogueira, C.; Coutinho, M.; Pereira, C.; Tessa, A.; Santorelli, F.M.; Vilarinho, L.The understanding of the molecular genetics in sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) has advanced rapidly during the last decade, but the molecular etiology of hearing impairment in the Portuguese population has not been investigated thoroughly. To provide appropriate genetic testing and counseling to families, we analyzed the whole mitochondrial genome in 95 unrelated children with SNHL (53 nonsyndromic and 42 syndromic) and searched for variations in two frequent genes, GJB2 and GJB6, in the non- syndromic patients. Mutations in mtDNA were detected in 4.2% of the cases, including a hitherto undescribed change in the mtDNA-tRNATrp gene (namely, m.5558A>G). We also identified mono- or biallelic GJB2 mutations in 20 of 53 non-syndromic cases and also detected two novel mutations (p.P70R and p.R127QfsX84). Our data further reinforce the notion that genetic heterogeneity is paramount in children with SNHL.
- The Influence of Indoor Environments in Respiratory Health and Quality of Life of Susceptible Populations - The GERIA ProjectPublication . Mendes, A.; Papoila, L.; Carreiro-Martins, P.; Bonassi, S.; Caires, I.,; Palmeiro, T.; Aguiar, L.; Pereira, C.; Neves, P.; Mendes, D.; Botelho, A.; Neuparth, N.; Teixeira, J.P.Presentation about GERIA Project “Geriatric Study in Portugal on Health Effects of Air Quality in Elderly Care Centers. The aim of GERIA project is to carry out a risk assessment involving: identification of multiple factors potentially affecting health and quality of life; quantification of human exposure to pollutants, and evaluation of the individual’s response to these stimuli.