Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2015-08"
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- Urinary cotinine levels and environmental tobacco smoke in mothers and children of Romania, Portugal and Poland within the European human biomonitoring pilot studyPublication . Lupsa, Ioana-Rodica; Nunes, Baltazar; Ligocka, Danuta; Elena Gurzau, Anca; Jakubowski, Marek; Casteleyn, Ludwine; Aerts, Dominique; Biot, Pierre; Den Hond, Elly; Castaño, Argelia; Esteban, Marta; Kolossa-Gehring, Marike; Fiddicke, Ulrike; Knudsen, Lisbeth E.; Schoeters, Greet; Fátima Reis, M.The aim of this study was to explore data from the DEMOCOPHES study population for Romania, Portugal and Poland, in order to assess smoking patterns and the extent of ETS exposure and compare the national study samples with reference to the respective anti-smoking laws. The subset of the DEMOCOPHES study sample consisted of 360 children and their mothers (120 in each of the three countries - Romania (RO), Portugal (PT) and Poland (PL). Smoking was assessed using a detailed questionnaire for the participants, which addresses both active and passive smoking. This assessment uses exposure-relevant questionnaire data, in particular on the home environment and residence, socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle such as nutrition, smoking behavior, other exposure-relevant behavior and occupational history, as well as urinary cotinine and creatinine measurements. We performed general statistical analysis and innovative receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses. Smoking prevalence as evaluated by the questionnaire was generally high, and higher than official statistics, which suggests some under-reporting in the countries, particularly in Romania. Urinary cotinine levels provided biochemical confirmation of the high and similar smoking prevalence for the three countries. Concerning ETS exposure, Romania presented significantly higher levels, for children as well as for non-smoking mothers, with Portugal showing significantly lower levels. Compared to non-smoking mothers, the children showed relatively higher ETS exposure levels in all three countries. The established country-specific optimal cut-off values in urinary cotinine to distinguish smokers from non-smokers vary more than those to discriminate ETS exposure extent in non-smoking mothers and children. Although different between countries, these values are a valuable output to monitor effectiveness of both national antismoking laws and educational programs in the three countries. The findings of this study point to the urgent need for stronger, more effective and well enforced smoke-free legislation in the three countries.
- Lipid, Oxidative and Inflammatory Profile and Alterations in the Enzymes Paraoxonase and Butyrylcholinesterase in Plasma of Patients with Homocystinuria Due CBS Deficiency: The Vitamin B12 and Folic Acid ImportancePublication . Vanzin, C.S.; Mescka, C.P.; Donida, B.; Hammerschimidt, T.G.; Ribas, G.S.; Kolling, J.; Scherer, E.B.; Vilarinho, Laura; Nogueira, Célia; Coitinho, A.S.; Wajner, M.; Wyse, A.T.; Vargas, C.R.Cystathionine-β-synthase (CBS) deficiency is the main cause of homocystinuria. Homocysteine (Hcy), methionine, and other metabolites of Hcy accumulate in the body of affected patients. Despite the fact that thromboembolism represents the major cause of morbidity in CBS-deficient patients, the mechanisms of cardiovascular alterations found in homocystinuria remain unclear. In this work, we evaluated the lipid and inflammatory profile, oxidative protein damage, and the activities of the enzymes paraoxonase (PON1) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) in plasma of CBS-deficient patients at diagnosis and during the treatment (protein-restricted diet supplemented with pyridoxine, folic acid, betaine, and vitamin B12). We also investigated the effect of folic acid and vitamin B12 on these parameters. We found a significant decrease in HDL cholesterol and apolipoprotein A1 (ApoA-1) levels, as well as in PON1 activity in both untreated and treated CBS-deficient patients when compared to controls. BuChE activity and IL-6 levels were significantly increased in not treated patients. Furthermore, significant positive correlations between PON1 activity and sulphydryl groups and between IL-6 levels and carbonyl content were verified. Moreover, vitamin B12 was positively correlated with PON1 and ApoA-1 levels, while folic acid was inversely correlated with total Hcy concentration, demonstrating the importance of this treatment. Our results also demonstrated that CBS-deficient patients presented important alterations in biochemical parameters, possibly caused by the metabolites of Hcy, as well as by oxidative stress, and that the adequate adherence to the treatment is essential to revert or prevent these alterations.
- B-Raf-induced senescence in colorectal cells is antagonized by expression of tumour-related Rac1bPublication . Henriques, Andreia; Barros, Patrícia; Moyer, Mary; Matos, Paulo; Jordan, PeterMutations in the BRAF oncogene have been identified as a tumour-initiating genetic event in mainly melanoma, thyroid and colon cancer, resulting in an initial proliferative stimulus that is followed by a growth arrest period known as oncogene-induced senescence (OIS). It remains unknown what triggers subsequent escape from OIS to allow further tumour progression. A previous analysis revealed that around 80% of colorectal tumours carrying a mutation in BRAF also overexpress splice variant Rac1b. We used normal NCM460 colonocytes as a model to express oncogenic B-Raf-V600E in the presence or absence of co-transfected Rac1b and analysed the effect on expression the senescence marker β-galactosidase and of the cell-cycle inhibitors p14, p15 and p21. We provide evidence that co-expression of splice variant Rac1b counteracts B-Raf-induced senescence. When oncogenic B-Raf-V600E was expressed we observed the induction of the senescence marker β-galactosidase and of the cell-cycle inhibitors p14, p15 and p21. Upon co-expression of splice variant Rac1b, the B-Raf-induced senescence was relieved and expression of the cell-cycle inhibitor proteins downregulated. Our data indicate the selection for increased Rac1b expression as one potential mechanism by which colorectal tumour cells can escape from B-Raf-induced OIS.
- Short run control charts as an internal quality control toolPublication . Matos, Ana Sofia; Requeijo, José; Coelho, Inês; Gueifão, Sandra; Castanheira, IsabelA novel methodology based on short run control charts was developed to establish simultaneous intra and inter daily control of instrumental blank samples for trace elements analysis through inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Eleven inorganic trace elements were analyzed, where chromium was selected to illustrate the methodology. The use of joint control charts, both based on the Quesenberry Q-statistics, revealed to be a suitable tool in detecting possible instrument contaminations as well as evaluating IPC-MS stability.
- Iodine database: content of this trace element in foodPublication . Delgado, Inês; Coelho, Inês; Castanheira, Isabel; Calhau, Maria AntóniaIodine is an essential trace element in human and animal diets. However iodine deficiency is reported in most of the countries. Food is the natural source of iodine. Traceable analytical values to SI units are required to guarantee reliable measurement results which are used to estimate iodine intake overtime at national and international level. The aim of this study was to create an iodine database containing analytical values, methods of analysis and metrological concepts, described in scientific publications reporting food data. This database will be used as a starting tool to define the iodine key foods as part of national diet programme.
- Genotoxic potential of nanomaterials: in vitro evaluation of iron oxide nanoparticlesPublication . Valdiglesias, Vanessa; Fernández-Bertólez, Natalia; Kiliç, Gozde; Costa, Carla; Costa, Solange; Teixeira, João Paulo; Pasaro, Eduardo; Laffon, BlancaThe rapidly growing industrial and medica! use of nanomaterials, particularly metal oxide nanoparticles, has led to growing concern about their toxicity. Moreover, human beings are commonly exposed to their potential harmful effects since these nanomaterials are frequently present in a number of industrial products of very regular use. Among them, iron oxide nanoparticles (ION) have been widely used in various biomedical applications, for both diagnosis and therapy, due to their unique magnetic properties.
- Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative: COSI Portugal 2013Publication . Rito, Ana; Graça, PedroO Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI)/World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe é o sistema europeu de vigilância nutricional infantil coordenado pelo Gabinete Regional Europeu da Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS). Tem como principal objetivo criar uma rede sistemática de recolha, análise, interpretação e divulgação de informação descritiva sobre as caraterísticas do estado nutricional infantil de crianças dos 6 aos 8 anos, que se traduz num sistema de vigilância que produz dados comparáveis entre países da Europa e que permite a monitorização da obesidade infantil a cada 2-3 anos.
- Electron-microscopy characterization of cells infected with a new phlebovirus isolated in sandflies from south PortugalPublication . Amaro, Fátima; Zé-Zé, Líbia; Alves, M.J.; Alves de Matos, A.P.Phlebovirus genus is comprised by arthropod-borne viruses and is one of the five genera that compose Bunyaviridae family [1]. Viruses within this family mature intracellularly and their RNA replicates in the cytoplasm, while the viral proteins transit through the Endoplasmic Reticulum and Golgi apparatus [2]. Serological studies in human Portuguese populations have proven that Toscana virus, a neurotropic phlebovirus, is present in Portugal but there were no data about phleboviral activity in arthropod vectors [3]. In this context, and in order to detect sandflies naturally infected by phleboviruses, an entomological surveillance was conducted in Arrabida region, in the south of Portugal.
- Children and Sand Play: Screening of Potential Harmful Microorganisms in Sandboxes, Parks, and BeachesPublication . Romão, Daniela; Sabino, Raquel; Veríssimo, Cristina; Viegas, Carla; Barroso, Helena; Duarte, Aida; Solo-Gabriele, Helena; Gunde-Cimerman, Nina; Babič, Monika Novak; Marom, Tal; Brandão, JoãoSand serves as a reservoir for potentially pathogenic microorganisms. Children, a high risk group, can acquire infections from sand in sandboxes, recreational areas, and beaches. This paper reviews the microbes in sands, with an emphasis on fungi. Currently monitoring in sandboxes is limited to measurements of Toxocara eggs, although other microbes have been documented. Recreational areas and beach sands have also been found to harbour many types of fungi and microbes. A newly emerging group of fungi of concern include the black yeast-like fungi. After establishing that sand is a reservoir for fungi, clinical manifestations of fungal infections are described with an emphasis on ocular and ear infections. Overall, we recommend environmental studies to develop monitoring strategies for sand and studies to evaluate the link between fungi exposure in sand and human health impacts.
- Micronucleus and H2AX phosphorylation assessment of silica-coated iron oxide nanoparticles in human neuronal cellsPublication . Sánchez-Flores, Maria; Valdiglesias, Vanessa; Kiliç, Gozde; Costa, Carla; Fernandez-Bertolez, Natalia; Costa, Solange; Teixeira, João Paulo; Pasaro, Eduardo; Laffon, BlancaAs clinically approved metal oxide nanoparticles, iron oxide nanoparticles (ION) hold immense potential in a vast variety of applications in various fields of biomedicine and biotechnology. With the increase in ION usage, particularly in diagnostics and therapeutics, concerns regarding their interactions with cellular components and possible deleterious effects are also growing.
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