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- Pomegranate and grape by-products: a potential natural alternative for synthetic additivesPublication . Andrade, Mariana; Vilarinho, Fernanda; Sendón, Raquel; Castilho, M.; Khwaldia, Khaoula; Sanches Silva, A.; Ramos, F.Food waste and food lost are a major problem in today’s world. According to FAO, about one-third of the world’s food production is lost or wasted, where fruits and vegetables represent 45 % of this loss (1). More and more often, fruits reach the consumer in the form of formulations such as juices or pastes, which fruits by-products, composed by seeds, skins, peels, stems and arils, are not included, being most of the times discarded (2). However, these by-products represent a great opportunity, since their economic value is low and they present a high content of bioactive compounds that can be used as additives and active substances in food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries (3). The main objective of these study was to obtain ethanolic or aqueous extracts of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) and grape (Vitis vinifera L.) with a high content in phenolic compounds and, consequently, high antioxidant and antimicrobial activity.
- The antioxidants resveratrol and N-acetylcysteine enhance anthelmintic activity of praziquantel and artesunate against Schistosoma mansoniPublication . Gouveia, Maria João; Brindley, Paul J.; Azevedo, Carlos; Gärtner, Fátima; da Costa, José M. C.; Vale, NunoBackground: Treatment of schistosomiasis has relied on the anthelmintic drug praziquantel (PZQ) for more than a generation. Despite its celebrated performance for treatment and control of schistosomiasis and other platyhelminth infections, praziquantel has some shortcomings and the inability of this drug to counteract disease sequelae prompts the need for novel therapeutic strategies. Methods: Using a host-parasite model involving Biomphalaria glabrata and Schistosoma mansoni we established mechanical transformation of S. mansoni cercariae into newly transformed schistosomula (NTS) and characterized optimal culture conditions. Thereafter, we investigated the antischistosomal activity and ability of the antioxidants N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and resveratrol (RESV) to augment the performance of praziquantel and/or artesunate (AS) against larval stages of the parasite. Drug effects were evaluated by using an automated microscopical system to study live and fixed parasites and by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Results: Transformation rates of cercariae to schistosomula reached ~ 70% when the manipulation process was optimized. Several culture media were tested, with M199 supplemented with HEPES found to be suitable for S. mansoni NTS. Among the antioxidants studied, RESV alone or combined with anthelminthic drugs achieved better results rather N-acetylcysteine (NAC). TEM observations demonstrated that the combination of AS + RESV induced severe, extensive alterations to the tegument and subtegument of NTS when compared to the constituent compounds alone. Two anthelmintic-antioxidant combinations, praziquantel-resveratrol [combination index (CI) = 0.74] and artesunate-resveratrol (CI = 0.34) displayed moderate and strong synergy, respectively. Conclusions: The use of viability markers including staining with propidium iodide increased the accuracy of drug screening assays against S. mansoni NTS. The synergies observed might be the consequence of increased action by RESV on targets of AS and PZQ and/or they may act through concomitantly on discrete targets to enhance overall antischistosomal action. Combinations of active agents, preferably with discrete modes of action including activity against developmental stages and/or the potential to ameliorate infection-associated pathology, might be pursued in order to identify novel therapeutic interventions.
- FRIESA (FRIo Extremo na SAúde): relatório da época de inverno 2018/19Publication . Silva, Susana Pereira; Torres, Ana Rita; Rodrigues, Ana Paula; Neto, Mariana; Dias, Carlos Matias; Antunes, Silvia; Marques, Jorge; Nunes, BaltazarEntre Novembro de 2018 e Março de 2019 ocorreram poucos períodos com temperaturas mínimas baixas, tendo sido o inverno classificado pelo IPMA como quente em Dezembro, Fevereiro e Março e como normal em Novembro e Janeiro. Neste período, o sistema FRIESA identificou, tendo em conta as temperaturas mínimas e a taxa de incidência da gripe, 3 períodos no distrito de Lisboa e 2 períodos no distrito do Porto com possível impacte na mortalidade. Considerando a sobreposição entre os dias identificados para a população geral e com 65 e mais anos de idade foram analisados 2 períodos quer em Lisboa quer no Porto. O distrito de Lisboa vivenciou no entanto um maior número de dias com frio extremo com possíveis impactes na mortalidade comparativamente ao distrito do Porto.
- Impact of cooking methods on the nutritional quality of breaded fishPublication . Bertulani, M.; Silva, M.A.; Tavares, N.; Albuquerque, T.G.Introduction: The tendency to replace minimally processed foods by pre-cooked foods is increasing, mainly due to their convenience, but also because these foods have distinct organoleptic features (1, 2). This change in the population's eating pattern is linked with a high increase in the prevalence of chronic food-related diseases, namely obesity, diabetes and hypertension (2). Materials and methods: A supermarket brand and a commercial brand of pre-fried breaded fish were acquired from stores in the Lisbon region. These samples were fried and baked in the oven. Moreover, a sample of breaded fish from a fast-food restaurant, which was already cooked (fried), was also analysed. For the selected samples (pre-fried, fried and baked) total fat and salt contents were determined. Total fat determination was performed according to the acid hydrolysis method followed by Soxhlet extraction using petroleum ether; and the salt content was determined by Charpentier-Volhard’s titration (3). Results: The total fat content determined in breaded fish samples varied between 8.15 g/100 g (baked, supermarket brand) and 14.3 g/100 g (fried, commercial brand). In the samples submitted to frying, the fat content was 12.0 g/100 g (supermarket brand), 13.3 g/100 g (fast-food) and 14.3 g/100 g (commercial brand). The salt content in the analysed samples ranged from 0.945 g/100 g (pre-fried, commercial brand) and 1.29 g/100 g (fried, fast-food). Discussion and conclusions: The present work showed that the baked in the oven cooking method is preferable to the frying method, in order to reduce total fat consumption. It also revealed that the sample from the fast-food chain and the supermarket brand sample, both submitted to the frying process can be the less correct options due to the high salt content. This study will be very useful for future food recommendations and for the evaluation of nutritional intake in the Portuguese population.
- Fucus vesiculosus extract application in active food packagingPublication . Andrade, Mariana; Reboleira, J.; Bernardino, S.; Ganhão, R.; Mendes, S.; Vilarinho, F.; Ramos, F.; Sanches Silva, A.Fucus vesiculosus L.: Brown seaweed; High iodine content; Potential antioxidant activity.
- Utilização dos Cuidados de Saúde em Doentes com Multimorbilidade em Portugal, em 2015Publication . Romana, Guilherme Dias Quinaz Trigo; Dias, Carlos MatiasIntrodução: A presença de múltiplas doenças crónicas, em simultâneo, no mesmo indivíduo é um problema de saúde pública cada vez mais relevante para os sistemas de saúde. Os doentes com multimorbilidade têm necessidades de saúde acrescidas, o que representa um ónus elevado na utilização dos cuidados de saúde. Tanto nos Estados Unidos da América (EUA) como na Europa, estima-se que entre 70% a 80% do orçamento total de saúde seja destinado às doenças crónicas. Na Europa, os doentes com multimorbilidade são responsáveis por até 78% das consultas nos cuidados de saúde primários. O seu peso é igualmente elevado nos cuidados hospitalares nos EUA, com um risco até 14,6 vezes superior de internamento e com um tempo de hospitalização 25 vezes mais longo em relação aos doentes sem doenças crónicas. Métodos: Este estudo foca-se na análise da associação entre a multimorbilidade e a utilização dos cuidados de saúde na população portuguesa, entre os 25 e os 74 anos de idade, assim como na descrição da prevalência da multimorbilidade em Portugal e na análise da utilização dos cuidados de saúde por grupo de doenças crónicas específicas e por cada doença crónica adicional. Trata-se de um estudo epidemiológico, observacional, analítico e transversal que tem como fonte de informação a base de dados do Inquérito Nacional de Saúde com Exame Físico (INSEF) cuja recolha de dados decorreu em 2015. Foi estudada a associação entre as variáveis socioeconómicas e a utilização dos cuidados de saúde, nos doentes com multimorbilidade. Foi construído um modelo de regressão logística estratificado para o sexo e ajustado para as variáveis socioeconómicas. Resultados: A prevalência de multimorbilidade na população portuguesa foi de 38,3% (IC95% 35,4% a 41,3%). Nos doentes com multimorbilidade verificou-se uma maior utilização de consultas de cuidados de saúde primários, consultas hospitalares e internamentos. Nestes doentes foi observada associação estatisticamente significativa entre o sexo feminino, escalões etários mais velhos e níveis educacionais mais baixos e a maior utilização dos cuidados de saúde. A utilização dos serviços de saúde era mais elevada no grupo das doenças do foro mental e das patologias músculo-esqueléticas, embora não se tenha verificado o aumento proporcional da utilização dos cuidados por doença crónica adicional. Conclusões: Apesar da diversidade metodológica presente neste tipo de trabalhos, os resultados observados neste estudo estão em linha com a literatura internacional. A existência de evidência científica, para a realidade nacional, quanto à utilização dos serviços de saúde por doentes com multimorbilidade, poderá sustentar alterações nas políticas de saúde que permitam uma gestão mais eficiente destes doentes.
- Resultados de mercúrio: Estudos de Dieta TotalPublication . Santiago, Susana; Nascimento, Ana; Santos, MarianaApresentação de resultados TDS relativos à exposição humana ao mercúrio na alimentação.
- Exposure to mycoestrogens a public health concern in PortugalPublication . Martins, Carla; Vida, Arnau; De Saeger, Sarah; Nunes, Carla; Torres, D.; Goios, A.; Lopes, Carla; Assunção, Ricardo; Alvito, Paula; De Boevre, M.Alternariol (AOH) and zearalenone (ZEN) are mycotoxins that occur widely in food commodities, with particular incidence in cereals [1,2]. Both mycotoxins present estrogenic effects, therefore, it is crucial to assess the human exposure and the associated risk [2,3]. To date, there is a lack of human studies to assess exposure to ZEN and AOH through biomarkers analysis in Portugal. In the scope of the National Food, Nutrition, and Physical Activity Survey of the Portuguese General Population (IAN-AF, 2015-2016), 94 participants collected 24h-urine samples [4]. Following a salt-assisted matrix extraction, urine samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for the simultaneous determination of ZEN, α-zearalenol (α-ZEL), β -zearalenol (β-ZEL), α-zearalanol (α-ZAL), β-zearalanol (β-ZAL), zearalanone (ZAN), zearalenone-14-glucoside (ZEN-14-GlcA), α-zearalenol-glucoside (α-ZEL-GlcA), β-zearalenol-glucoside (β-ZEL-GlcA), zearalenone-14-sulfate (ZEN-14-Sulf), alternariol monomethyl ether (AME) and AOH. Risk characterization was performed using the Hazard Quotient (HQ) approach. ZEN, ZEN-14-GlcA and AOH were detected in 48%, 16% and 29% of analyzed samples, respectively, and median levels were 0.17 µg/L for ZEN and ZEN-14-GlcA and 0.28 µg/L for AOH. Participants were exposed to ZEN (n=35), AOH (n=15) and some volunteers showed co-exposure to both mycotoxins (n=12). Risk characterization of exposure to ZEN was performed and 24% of participants presented a HQ > 1, thus exceeding the Tolerable Daily Intake (TDI) of 0.250 µg/kg bw/day. There is no toxicological data available to support the establishment of a TDI for AOH, thus the risk associated with this toxin was not characterized [2,5]. The present study generated, for the first time and within a human biomonitoring study, reliable data regarding the exposure of the Portuguese population to ZEN and AOH. These data are crucial to perform a more realistic risk assessment, contributing to more effective preventive measures for health protection of the Portuguese population.
- Influenza burden in Portugal: seasons 2012-13 to 2016-17Publication . Torres, Ana Rita; Kislaya, Irina; Silva, Susana Pereira; Guiomar, Raquel; Gomez, Verónica; Mexia, Ricardo; Baltazar, Nunes; Machado, Ausenda; Rodrigues, Ana PaulaReliable influenza burden estimates are necessary to provide a true understanding of the influenza epidemics’ impact, to assist healthcare planners in informed decision-making or resource’s allocation, and for effective risk communication. However, estimating seasonal influenza burden is challenging, as there are underlying limitations due to different data sources, case definitions, and methods. This study aimed to estimate the seasonal influenza burden in Portugal from 2012/13 to 2016/17, using registry and surveillance data.
- Alimentos processados: onde estamos e para onde precisamos ir?Publication . Albuquerque, T.G.; Oliveira, M.B.P.P.; Costa, H.S.Introduction: In the last decades, with the industrialization and globalization of food systems, food processing has grown rapidly, contributing to the wide variety of foods, with different health impacts. Furthermore, consumers are increasingly looking for processed foods, which are practical, tasty, attractive, and economic. The inadequate consumption of this type of food is associated with the early development of noncommunicable diseases. It is estimated that inadequate eating habits contribute, in the Portuguese population, to the loss of 15.4% of healthy life years. The Portuguese population has an average salt intake of 10.3 g/day, which is more than the double of WHO recommendations, and it is linked with hypertension, a Public Health concern. Regarding trans fats, since the nineties, the occurrence data for Portuguese foods was not updated. The main objectives of this work were to develop and deepen the scientific knowledge regarding the nutritional quality and safety of processed foods; to deepen knowledge about the formation, occurrence and mitigation of potentially carcinogenic and toxic compounds; and to contribute with fundamental information for the implementation of food and nutrition policies aiming to improve the health and nutritional status of the population. Materials and Methods: Around 300 processed foods were acquired in the main commercial surfaces, fast-food restaurants, pastries and bakery stores of Portugal. The selected foods were evaluated concerning salt, fat and fatty acids composition; influence of cooking methods on overall nutritional quality, accuracy of labelling information and potentially carcinogenic and toxic compounds occurrence. Results: The obtained results allowed to conclude that trans fats content decreased over the years; the contents of salt and saturated fat are still high; more data on the influence of cooking methods on the nutritional quality and safety of processed foods is needed. Nevertheless, it is notable that food industry is making efforts to enhance the overall quality of their products and the information provided to consumers by means of the label. Discussion and Conclusions: The results reported wherein will be used as a starting point to know the current amount of salt, saturated and trans fats in processed foods commercialized in Portugal, as well as to monitor how their reduction in processed foods is being achieved, or to evaluate the current intake of these nutrients by the Portuguese population. Due to the high consumption of processed foods by the different age groups of the population, and their impact on health, it is fundamental to promote strategies that involve the food industry and authorities with responsibilities in Public Health and Human Nutrition, aiming to contribute to safer and nutritionally balanced processed foods.