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- Vitamin C content in fruits: comparison with food composition databasesPublication . Santos, I.C.; Albuquerque, T.G.; Silva, M.A.; Costa, H.S.Introduction: Vitamin C, which is naturally present in fruits and vegetables, is a water-soluble vitamin, with crucial functions in humans. Several studies have shown an inverse correlation between the regular consumption of fruits and vegetables and the development of chronic diseases (1). Their beneficial features are linked to their nutritional and bioactive composition, where dietary fibre, vitamins and minerals content are included. According to Costa et al. (2) Food Composition Databases (FCDBs) are sources of information which provide detailed information on nutrients and other components in foods (2). However, for some foods there is a need to update the vitamin C content in some FCDBs. The aim of this study was to measure vitamin C content of 14 types of fruits and to compare the analytical results with the Portuguese and American FCDBs (3, 4). Materials and Methods: In 2016, 14 types of fruits were purchased on commercial areas in Lisbon (pineapple, kiwi, papaya, orange, lemon, raspberries, strawberries, cantaloupe, mango, banana, blueberries, pear, avocado and peach). Samples were manually separated between edible portion and non-edible portion. The content of vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid and dehydroascorbic acid) was determined by a previously validated HPLC method (1, 5). Results: The vitamin C content in the samples analysed ranged from 3.8 to 59.4 ± 1.1 mg/100 g of edible portion for peach and pineapple, respectively. The vitamin C content (mg/100 g) of some analysed samples, such as banana (11.4 ± 0.4 mg/100 g), avocado (4.2 ± 0.3 mg/100 g) and peach (3.8 ± 0.02 mg/100 g) were more similar to the ones reported in the Portuguese FCDB (10, 3 and 4 mg/100 g of edible portion, respectively) than to the values reported in the American FCDB (9, 10, 7 mg/100 g of edible portion, respectively) (3, 4). However, other fruits, such as kiwi, papaya and lemon, showed significant differences between the analysed samples and the reported amounts in the Portuguese FCDB. Discussion and Conclusions: Vitamin C content of the analysed samples differ more from the results reported in USDA Nutrient Database than from the Portuguese FCDB, which enhances the importance of analysing the fruits consumed in our country. Moreover, regarding the comparison with the data reported in the Portuguese FCDB, considerable differences were found, indicating that it is crucial to continuously update the existing information, since this data is fundamental for the assessment of dietary intake and health impact. References: (1) Valente A, Sanches-Silva A, Albuquerque TG, Costa HS. Development of an orange juice in-house reference material and its application to guarantee the quality of vitamin C determination in fruits, juices and fruit pulps. Food Chem. 2014; 154: 71–77. (2) Costa HS, Vasilopoulou E, Trichopoulou A, Finglas P. New nutritional data on traditional foods for European food composition databases. Eur. J. Clin. Nutr. 2010; S73-S81. (3) Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge. Tabela Portuguesa de composição de alimentos, PortFIR. [Web page]. Available in: https://insa.foodcase.ch/# (4) United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service, USDA Branded Food Products Database. [Web page] Available in: https://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/search/list?fgcd=Branded+Food+Products+Database&ds=Branded+Food+Products (5) Valente A, Albuquerque TG, Sanches-Silva A, Costa HS. Ascorbic acid content in exotic fruits: A contribution to produce quality data for food composition databases. Food Res Int. 2011; 44: 2237–42.
- Genetics and functional genomics of Familial HypercholesterolemiaPublication . Bourbon, MafaldaGenetics and functional genomics of Familial Hypercholesterolemia.
- PesticidasPublication . Vilarinho, FernandaO termo pesticida advém da palavra “peste”, a qual se aplica a qualquer animal, planta ou microrganismo que prolifera e vive em ambientes onde não é desejado pelo Homem. Pesticidas são todas as substâncias ou misturas, fabricados em laboratório ou de origem natural, que têm como objetivo impedir, destruir, repelir ou mitigar qualquer praga ou peste. Súmário: Definição de pesticida; Classificação dos pesticidas; Breve história dos pesticidas (Verde de Paris; DDT); Resíduos de pesticidas em alimentos na Saúde Publica (Legislação; Determinação dos LMRs); Conclusões
- Rare diseases - Open your heart and keep an open mindPublication . Amaral, Olga; Duarte, JoanaLysosomal storage disorders (LSDs) are rare diseases which frequently have multisystemic involvement. Several of these pathologies affect the heart, among other organs. Well-known LSDs recognized to have cardiac involvement are Pompe, Danon, Fabry, some Mucopolysaccharidoses (MPSs), and Gaucher disease. Various cardiac symptoms may be observed including cardiomyopathy, coronary disease, and valvular disease. Nevertheless, coronary artery disease is also the leading cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide and its prevalence is expected to increase in the near future. Results obtained from research regarding the mechanisms of rare diseases may be extrapolated to other, more common, diseases increasing the application and impact of research in health care. Recent advances using cell models may allow the development of revolutionary methods to deal with these, and other, disorders. On one hand, we now have access to new sequencing approaches that allow rapid identification of the affected genes avoiding inadequate therapies and allowing the prediction of different responses to pharmaceutical agents. On the other hand, there are emerging molecular techniques that allow editing in order to better understand the mechanisms involved and possibly allow targeted and timely interventions. The future applications of biotechnology are certainly promising and, with genuine attentiveness and confidence, it may provide new solutions and deeper awareness of pathologies that affect a variety of different organs.
- Influenza season 2016/17: PortugalPublication . Rodrigues, Ana Paula; Guiomar, Raquel; Pedro, Pechirra; Silva, Susana Pereira; Nunes, BaltazarInfluenza-like illness incidence rate; Influenza-like illness: medical appointments at primary health care; Laboratorial surveillance; Whole Genome Sequencing; Influenza cases in ICU.
- Progress in ACMG/AMP-adapted guidelines for standardized variant curation in familial hypercholesterolemiaPublication . Iacocca, Michael A.; Chora, Joana; Rivera, E. Andy; DiStefano, Marina T.; Carrie, Alain; Sijbrands, Eric J.; Defesche, Joep; Freiberger, Tomas; Knowles, Joshua W.; Hegele, Robert A.; Bourbon, MafaldaBackground: - The successes of clinical genetics rely on accurate variant interpretation for the purpose of informing diagnosis and treatment: - However, this practice is often rudimentary and differs among diagnostic laboratories, leading to inconsistencies in pathogenicity classification; - In response, the Clinical Genome Resources (ClinGen) consortium approves expert panels to recommend disease-specific guidelines to achieve evidence-based, standardized variant curation practice. Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH) Working Group: - FH is a prevalent monogenic disorder, affecting ~1/250 individuals; - It is characterized by extreme LDL cholesterol levels and premature atherosclerosis causing cardiovascular disease; - Genetic testing is increasingly offered worldwide as a central part of diagnosis.
- Indoor fungal diversity in primary schools may differently influence allergic sensitization and asthma in childrenPublication . Cavaleiro Rufo, João; Madureira, Joana; Paciência, Inês; Aguiar, Lívia; Pereira, Cristiana; Silva, Diana; Padrão, Patrícia; Moreira, Pedro; Delgado, Luís; Annesi-Maesano, Isabella; Oliveira Fernandes, Eduardo; Teixeira, João Paulo; Moreira, AndréChildhood exposure to microbiologic agents may influence the development of allergic and respiratory diseases. Apart from home, children spend most of their time at school, which represents an environment of significant exposure to indoor air microbes. Therefore, we aimed to assess how the prevalence of allergic sensitization and asthma in schoolchildren is affected by microbiologic exposure within classrooms.
- Hyperprolinemia as a clue in the diagnosis of a patient with psychiatric manifestationsPublication . Duarte, Marco; Afonso, Joana; Moreira, Ana; Antunes, Diana; Ferreira, Cristina; Correia, Hildeberto; Sequeira, SilviaLately, microdeletions of the 22q region, responsible for DiGeorge syndrome or velocardiofacial syndrome, have been increasingly related to neuropsychiatric disorders including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. These manifestations seem to be related to certain genes located in the hemideleted region such as the proline dehydrogenase (PRODH) and the catechol-o-methyltransferase (COMT) genes. We describe a teenager who started his adolescent psychiatric care presenting cognitive impairment, irritable mood and aggressive behaviour with schizophrenia-like symptoms that scored 153 in the Positive and Negative Symptoms Scale (PANSS) assessment. Worsening of symptoms when the patient was treated with valproic acid, and plasma aminoacids showing an increase in alanine and proline, suggested a mitochondrial involvement of the proline metabolic pathway. Mild dysmorphic features also suggested a possible 22q11 deletion syndrome that was confirmed. A mutation for Hyperprolinemia type I was also detected. Knowledge of the correct diagnosis was crucial for an adequate treatment.
- Implementação de um Banco de TecidosPublication . Alves, HelenaTransplantation is an effective and well-established treatment that can significantly benefit citizens facing illness, disability or premature death. Demand for organs for transplantation continues to exceed supply. Despite the improvements in donation and transplantation outcomes, countries have not met the increasing demand for organs transplantation
- Worldwide comparison on trans fatty acids content in edible fats and oils: current trends and future challengesPublication . Albuquerque, T.G.; Silva, M.A.; Oliveira, M.B.P.P.; Costa, H.S.In view of the impact of trans fatty acids (TFA) intake on human health, these have been related with multiple cardiovascular risk factors and are associated with higher risk of coronary heart disease. One of the sources of TFA is partial hydrogenation which converts liquid vegetable oils into solid or semi-solid fats with appropriate melting properties suitable for the production of shortenings and margarines, increasing oxidation stability and the shelf-life of the oil. In this study a worldwide comparison regarding the TFA content in edible oils and fats was performed. Oils and fats, from vegetable and animal origin, are essential ingredients for a variety of food products. The major dietary sources of TFA are foods containing partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, namely butter, shortenings and/or margarines, while edible vegetable oils, in general have low contents. The content of TFA from vegetable oils can increase when subjected to heating, for example when cooking methods such as deep-fat frying and baking in the oven are used. However, TFA formation strongly depends on several factors, namely, frying conditions (type of fryer, duration and temperature), frying material (oil/fat and the food itself), among others. In conclusion, a great variability between countries was observed for example for margarines, where Canada is one of the countries with the highest percentage of TFA (42.9% of total fatty acids) for margarines produced with partially hydrogenated vegetable oils. On the other hand, in Germany, Portugal, Austria and Canada as well, the identified margarines with lower content of TFA are mainly produced with non-hydrogenated fats. With respect to edible vegetable oils, in general, these have lower contents of TFA than margarines, shortenings and butters.