Percorrer por data de Publicação, começado por "2007-05"
A mostrar 1 - 4 de 4
Resultados por página
Opções de ordenação
- Molecular Epidemiology of Hepatitis A Virus in a Group of Portuguese Citizens Living in Lisbon AreaPublication . Rodrigues, Luisa; Pista, Angela; Oliveira, Ana; Água-Doce, Ivone; Manita, Carla; Paixão, TeresaHepatitis A virus (HAV) is the most important cause of acute infectious hepatitis worldwide. In Portugal, due to improvements in sanitation epidemic outbreaks of HAV infection have become less frequent. This report is the first, to our knowledge that characterized HAV in Portugal. For the detection and molecular characterization of HAV cases in a group of Portuguese individuals in the Lisbon area, 31 serum samples were tested: 8 from symptomatic children from an acute hepatitis A outbreak in a Roma (Gipsies) community (2004–2005), and 22 from patients with acuteHAV from sporadic cases (2005–2006). A sample of CSF involved in a case of meningitis was also included. IgM anti-HAV detection and nested reverse transcription (RT-PCR), with primers located at the VP1-P2a region, was undertaken to detect HAV genome. In positive samples, molecular characterization was followed by phylogenetic analysis. All samples (n¼31) were positive for IgM anti-HAV. HAV RNA was found in 96.7% of cases. All isolates were classified as genotype I: 22 belonged to sub-genotype IA (73.3%), and 8 to sub-genotype IB (26.7%). All strains obtained from an acute HAV outbreak had sub-genotype IA, in which seven isolates (87.5%) had identical sequences. In HAV sporadic cases sub-genotypes IA and IB were identified, and this may reflect the co-circulation of these two subgenotypes in Portugal. Molecular epidemiology of HAV infection in this group of Portuguese appears to be similar to other European countries. HAV phylogenetic studies can provide important information for the design of appropriate public health measures.
- A Proteomic Study to Identify Soya Allergens- The Human Response to Transgenic versus Non-Transgenic Soya SamplesPublication . Batista, Rita; Martins, Isabel; Jenö, Paul; Pinto Ricardo, Cândido; Oliveira, Maria MargaridaBackground: In spite of being among the main foods responsible for allergic reactions worldwide, soybean (Glycine max) derived products continue to be increasingly widespread in a variety of food products due to their well-documented health benefits. Soybean also continues to be one of the elected target crops for genetic modification. The aim of this study was to characterize the soya proteome and, specifically, IgE-reactive proteins as well as to compare the IgE response in soya-allergic individuals to genetically modified Roundup Ready soya versus its non-transgenic control. Methods: We performed two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of protein extracts from a 5% genetically modified Roundup Ready flour sample and its non-transgenic control followed by Western blotting with plasma from 5 soya sensitive individuals. We used peptide tandem mass spectrometry to identify soya proteins (55 protein matches), specifically IgE-binding ones, and to evaluate differences between transgenic and non-transgenic samples. Results: We identified 2 new potential soybean allergens – one is maturation associated and seems to be part of the late embryogenesis abundant proteins group and the other is a cysteine proteinase inhibitor. None of the individuals tested reacted differentially to the transgenic versus non-transgenic samples under study. Conclusion: Soybean endogenous allergen expression does not seem to be altered after genetic modification. Proteomics should be considered a powerful tool for functional characterization of plants and for food safety assessment.
- Influenza vaccine coverage and the attack rate of influenza-like illness among the elderly in Portugal: is there a correlation?Publication . Nunes, Baltazar; Falcão, Isabel; Machado, Ausenda; Rodrigues, Emanuel; Marinho Falcão, JoséVaccination of the elderly (>=65 years of age) against influenza is recommended in all European countries and believed to significantly reduce influenza-related morbidity and mortality [1]. However, there hav e been relatively few studies on the relationship between the vaccine coverage and the attack rate of influenza-like illness (ILI), and their results have differed [2,3,4]. The study described in this paper aimed at establishing the correlation between the influenza vaccine coverage rates and the rates of ILI among Portuguese population aged 65 years and older, during the influenza seasons 1998-1999 to 2006-2007.
- Micronucleus analysis in a portuguese population exposed to pesticides:preliminary surveyPublication . Costa, Carla; Silva, Susana; Coelho, Patrícia; Roma-Torres, Joana; Teixeira, João PauloThe general population is exposed in their everyday life to different chemicals namely to pesticides. Many of these compounds are capable of inducing mutations in DNA and lead to several diseases including cancer. With this study we intended to evaluate DNA damage inflicted by pesticide exposure in a population occupationally exposed to those chemicals by means of the micronucleus (MN) test. The obtained results showed a significant increase in MN frequency in occupationally exposed individuals (po0.001) compared with the control group. Higher frequencies of MN were associated with a specific workplace (greenhouses) and the lack of protective measures (gloves) during labour activities. These results reinforce that conditions in workplace should be improved to minimize exposure to these chemicals. This study also emphasizes the need to reinforce the good practices campaigns in order to enlighten those who work with pesticides on the potential hazard of occupational exposure and the importance of using protective measures.