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- Challenges in risk assessment of multiple mycotoxins in foodPublication . Assunção, Ricardo; Silva, M.J.; Alvito, PaulaMost fungi are able to produce several mycotoxins simultaneously and, consequently, to contaminate a wide variety of foodstuffs. Therefore, the risk of human co-exposure to multiple mycotoxins is real, raising a growing concern about their potential impact on human health. Besides, government and industry regulations are usually based on individual toxicities, and do not take into account the complex dynamics associated with interactions between co-occurring groups of mycotoxins. The present work assembles, for the first time, the challenges posed by the likelihood of human co-exposure to these toxins and the possibility of interactive effects occurring after absorption, towards knowledge generation to support a more accurate human risk assessment. Regarding hazard assessment, a physiologically-based framework is proposed in order to infer the health effects from exposure to multiple mycotoxins in food, including knowledge on the bioaccessibility, toxicokinetics and toxicodynamics of single and combined toxins. The prioritisation of the most relevant mixtures to be tested under experimental conditions that attempt to mimic human exposure and the use of adequate mathematical approaches to evaluate interactions, particularly concerning the combined genotoxicity, were identified as the main challenges for hazard assessment. Regarding exposure assessment, the need of harmonised food consumption data, availability of multianalyte methods for mycotoxin quantification, management of left-censored data, use of probabilistic models and multibiomarker approaches are highlighted, in order to develop a more precise and realistic exposure assessment. To conclude, further studies on hazard and exposure assessment of multiple mycotoxins, using harmonised methodologies, are crucial towards an improvement of data quality and a more reliable and robust risk characterisation, which is central for risk management and, consequently, to prevent mycotoxins-associated adverse effects. A deep understanding of the nature of interactions between multiple mycotoxins will contribute to draw real conclusions on the health impact of human exposure to mycotoxin mixtures.
- Cancer Survivor Study (CASUS) on colorectal patients: longitudinal study on physical activity, fitness, nutrition, and its influences on quality of life, disease recurrence, and survivalPublication . Soares-Miranda, Luísa; Abreu, Sandra; Silva, Marco; Peixoto, Armando; Ramalho, Rosa; Correia da Silva, Pedro; Costa, Carla; Teixeira, João Paulo; Gonçalves, Carla; Moreira, Pedro; Mota, Jorge; Macedo, GuilhermePurpose: Evidence suggests that being physically active in combination with a healthy diet contributes to diminish colorectalcancerrisk.However,ifthisistruefor colorectalcancer primary prevention, the same is not clear for its recurrence after colorectal cancer treatments. Data on cancer survival are scarce, and there is a need for greater attention on these survivors’ lifestyle behavior. This manuscript describes rationale and design of the Cancer Survival Study (CASUS) on colorectalpatients,alongitudinalobservationalstudywiththe aim of investigating how physical activity, physical fitness, and dietary intakeare related with their quality of life, disease recurrence, and survival. Methods: The CASUS on colorectal patients is a longitudinal cohort study on colorectal survivors, aged 18 years or older, recruited 6,12,and 24 months after surgery.Upon recruitment, patients fill in a battery of questionnaires about physical activity, dietary intake, and quality of life, donate blood samples,do physical fitness tests, and use an accelerometer during 7 days. Repeated analyses will be performed to assess changes over time in physical activity, physical fitness, dietary intake, and other factors in relation t recurrence and survival. Conclusions: Results will contribute to highlight the role of physical activity, physical fitness, and nutrition in the quality of life of colorectal cancer survivors, recurrence, and survival. This study will provide important information for policy makers on the potential benefits of future physical activity and nutritional interventions, which are inexpensive, as a way to improve general health of colorectal cancer survivors.
- Leguminosas: como as escolher, armazenar e desfrutarPublication . Viegas, Silvia; Fernandes, Paulo; Brazão, Roberto; Coelho, MarianaAs leguminosas são alimentos com grandes benefícios nutricionais e para a saúde, para além de serem economicamente acessíveis. Na aquisição/armazenagem destes alimentos, deverá ter alguns cuidados.