Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2022-11"
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- Suitability of salivary leucocytes to assess DNA repair ability in human biomonitoring studies by the challenge-comet assayPublication . Fernández-Bertólez, Natalia; Lema-Arranz, Carlota; Fraga, Sónia; Teixeira, João Paulo; Pásaro, Eduardo; Lorenzo-López, Laura; Valdiglesias, Vanessa; Laffon, BlancaThe challenge-comet assay is a simple but effective approach that provides a quantitative and functional determination of DNA repair ability, and allows to monitor the kinetics of repair process. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) are the cells most frequently employed in human biomonitoring studies using the challenge-comet assay, but having a validated alternative of non-invasive biomatrix would be highly convenient for certain population groups and circumstances. The objective of this study was to validate the use of salivary leucocytes in the challenge-comet assay. Leucocytes were isolated from saliva samples and challenged (either in fresh or after cryopreservation) with three genotoxic agents acting by different action mechanisms: bleomycin, methyl methanesulfonate, and ultraviolet radiation. Comet assay was performed just after treatment and at other three additional time points, in order to study repair kinetics. The results obtained demonstrated that saliva leucocytes were as suitable as PBMC for assessing DNA damage of different nature that was efficiently repaired over the evaluated time points, even after 5 months of cryopreservation (after a 24 h stimulation with PHA). Furthermore, a new parameter to determine the efficacy of the repair process, independent of the initial amount of damage induced, is proposed, and recommendations to perform the challenge-comet assay with salivary leucocytes depending on the type of DNA repair to be assessed are suggested. Validation studies are needed to verify whether the method is reproducible and results reliable and comparable among laboratories and studies.
- Characterization of Portuguese Wildland firefighters before a Wildfire Season: Looking at the cytogenetic effectsPublication . Esteves, Filipa; Costa, Solange; Madureira, Joana; Teixeira, João PauloBiological monitoring represents a valuable tool for assessing the potential health effects related to hazardous exposures. The increasing risk of wildfires episodes and longer fire seasons highlight the need for occupational studies enrolling wildland firefighters. Woodsmoke is a complex mixture of pollutants, some of which are listed as probable or known carcinogens. IARC has classified firefighting as potentially carcinogenic to humans. Still, few studies have been focused on the health effects associated with wildland firefighter exposure. Bio4Fox aims to establish a panel of biomarkers for the surveillance of firefighters’ occupational health during different phases (pre-, during and post- fire season). Around 173 northern Portuguese wildland firefighters (144 males and 29 females; mean age of 38.13±10.93 and 36.55±10.37, respectively) were enrolled in the pre-fire season. Data on sociodemographic factors, lifestyle, health status and occupational history were collected through a validated questionnaire. We observed statistically significant results within cytogenetic effects accessed through the Buccal Micronucleus Cytome assay (BMCyt) and some self-reported variables. The frequency of cells with condensed chromatin (a marker of cell death) and binucleated cells (failed cytokinesis) was higher among females. No correlation between age, alcohol consumption, time of service and BMCyt data were found. Some related occupational factors increased the risk of cytogenetic effects (i.e., being part of Permanent Intervention Teams and having past occupational exposures). A weak, though statistically significant, positive association with DNA damage (i.e., nuclear buds) and smoking years, in former smokers, was found. Lower %micronuclei and %pycnotic were observed among subjects taking vitamin supplements and consuming vegetables, respectively. Other important diet and health status variables were related with BMCyt outputs. Our findings furnish a better characterization of Portuguese wildland firefighters before a wildfire season. We expect to contribute to the implementation of health and safety measures highly needed in this sector.
- Microbial gut evaluation in an angolan paediatric population with sickle cell diseasePublication . Delgadinho, Mariana; Ginete, Catarina; Santos, Brígida; Mendes, Joana; Miranda, Armandina; Vasconcelos, Jocelyne; Brito, MiguelSickle cell disease (SCD) is one of the most common genetic conditions worldwide. It can contribute up to 90% of under-5 mortality in sub-Saharan Africa. Clinical manifestations are very heterogeneous, and the intestinal microbiome appears to be crucial in the modulation of inflammation, cell adhesion and induction of aged neutrophils, the main interveners of recurrent vaso-occlusive crisis. Enterocyte injury, increased permeability, altered microbial composition and bacterial overgrowth have all been documented as microbial and pathophysiologic changes in the gut microbiome of SCD patients in recent studies. Our aim was to sequence the bacterial 16S rRNA gene in order to characterize the gut microbiome of Angolan children with SCA and healthy siblings as a control. A total of 72 stool samples were obtained from children between 3 and 14 years old. Our data showed that the two groups exhibit some notable differences in microbiota relative abundance at different classification levels. Children with SCA have a higher number of the phylum Actinobacteria. As for the genus level, Clostridium cluster XI bacteria was more prevalent in the SCA children, whereas the siblings had a higher abundance of Blautia, Aestuariispira, Campylobacter, Helicobacter, Polaribacter and Anaerorhabdus. In this study, we have presented the first microbiota analysis in an Angolan paediatric population with SCD and provided a detailed view of the microbial differences between patients and healthy controls. There is still much to learn before fully relying on the therapeutic approaches for gut modulation, which is why more research in this field is crucial to making this a reality.
- HBM4EU chromates study - Usefulness of measurement of blood chromium levels in the assessment of occupational Cr(VI) exposurePublication . Ndaw, Sophie; Leso, Veruscka; Bousoumah, Radia; Rémy, Aurélie; Bocca, Beatrice; Duca, Radu Corneliu; Godderis, Lode; Hardy, Emilie; Janasik, Beata; van Nieuwenhuyse, An; Pinhal, Hermínia; Poels, Katrien; Porras, Simo P.; Ruggieri, Flavia; Santonen, Tiina; Santos, Sílvia Reis; Scheepers, Paul T.J.; Silva, Maria João; Verdonck, Jelle; Viegas, Susana; Wasowicz, Wojciech; Iavicoli, Ivo; HBM4EU Chromates Study TeamOccupational exposures to hexavalent Chromium (Cr(VI)) can occur in welding, hot working stainless steel processing, chrome plating, spray painting and coating activities. Recently, within the human biomonitoring for Europe initiative (HBM4EU), a study was performed to assess the suitability of different biomarkers to assess the exposure to Cr(VI) in various job tasks. Blood-based biomarkers may prove useful when more specific infor-mation on systemic and intracellular bioavailability is necessary. To this aim, concentrations of Cr in red blood cells (RBC-Cr) and in plasma (P–Cr) were analyzed in 345 Cr(VI) exposed workers and 175 controls to understand how these biomarkers may be affected by variable levels of exposure and job procedures. Compared to controls, significantly higher RBC-Cr levels were observed in bath plating and paint application workers, but not in welders, while all the 3 groups had significantly greater P–Cr concentrations. RBC-Cr and P–Cr in chrome platers showed a high correlation with Cr(VI) in inhalable dust, outside respiratory protective equipment (RPE), while such correlation could not be determined in welders. In platers, the use of RPE had a significant impact on the relationship between blood biomarkers and Cr(VI) in inhalable and respirable dust. Low correlations between P–Cr and RBC-Cr may reflect a difference in kinetics. This study showed that Cr-blood-based biomarkers can provide information on how workplace exposure translates into systemic availability of Cr(III) (extracellular, P–Cr) and Cr(VI) (intracellular, RBC-Cr). Further studies are needed to fully appreciate their use in an occupational health and safety context.
- Programa Nacional de Rastreio Neonatal: relatório 2021Publication . Vilarinho, Laura; Garcia, Paula; Pinho e Costa, Paulo; Comissão Executiva do ProgramaRelatório anual do Programa Nacional de Rastreio Neonatal (PNRN) referente às atividades desenvolvidas em 2021. O documento refere todos os casos detetados, bem como os Centros de Tratamento em que estão a ser seguidos e as incidências das doenças rastreadas, entre outra informação estatística. Criado em 1979, este programa de saúde pública conhecido como “teste do pezinho” tem como objetivo primário o rastreio neonatal de doenças raras, de forma a evitar a evolução da patologia rastreada, através do diagnóstico pré-sintomático e da institucionalização precoce de terapia adequada. A Unidade de Rastreio Neonatal, Metabolismo e Genética do Departamento de Genética Humana do Instituto Ricardo Jorge, que funciona no seu Centro de Saúde Pública Doutor Gonçalves Ferreira no Porto, é o braço laboratorial do Programa, sendo a Unidade composta pelo Laboratório Nacional de Rastreios, Laboratório de Metabolismo e Laboratório de Genética Molecular.
- Determinants of satisfaction with the detection process of autism in Europe: Results from the ASDEU studyPublication . Guillon, Quentin; Baduel, Sophie; Bejarano-Martín, Álvaro; Canal-Bedia, Ricardo; MagÁn-Maganto, María; FernÁndez-Álvarez, Clara; Martín-Cilleros, María Victoria; SÁnchez-Gómez, María Cruz; García-Primo, Patricia; Rose-Sweeney, Mary; Boilson, Andrew; LinertovÁ, Renata; Roeyers, Herbert; Van der Paelt, Sara; Schendel, Diana; Warberg, Christine Kloster; Cramer, Susanne; Narzisi, Antonio; Muratori, Filippo; Scattoni, María Luisa; Moilanen, Irma; Yliherva, Anneli; Saemundsen, Evald; Jonsdottir, Sigridur Loa; Efrim-Budisteanu, Magdalena; Arghir, Aurora; Papuc, Sorina Mihaela; Vicente, Astrid; Rasga, Celia; Xenia Kafka, Johanna; Poustka, Luise; Kothgassner, Oswald D.; Kawa, Rafal; Pisula, Ewa; Sellers, Tracey; Posada de la Paz, Manuel; Rogé, BernadetteProfessional guidance and support in response to first concerns appears to be an important predictor of the level of satisfaction with the detection process of autism in young children. In this study, we analyzed the views of 1342 family members, including 1278 parents, who completed an online survey form collecting information about their experience and satisfaction with the early detection of autism in their child. Specifically, we were interested in how specific experiences with the detection process relate to the satisfaction with it and whether we could identify important predictors of satisfaction. The detection process is an emotionally charged period for parents, often described as painful, chaotic, and lengthy. A better understanding of their experiences is important to take appropriate action to improve the detection process. In our sample, the level of satisfaction with the detection process varied greatly from one respondent to another. Among the different experiences we considered, whether or not respondents received professional guidance and support in response to first concerns explained most of this variation. We also found that difficulty finding information about detection services, lack of professional guidance and support in response to first concerns, having to find a diagnostic service on one's own, and longer delays between confirmation of concerns and first appointment with a specialist were experiences associated with a greater likelihood of being unsatisfied. The findings of this study highlight the importance of the parent-professional relationship in the detection process and have important practical implications for health administrations to improve the detection process.
- Relationship between DNA damage measured by the comet-assay and cognitive functionPublication . Lorenzo-López, Laura; Lema-Arranz, Carlota; Fernández-Bertólez, Natalia; Costa, Solange; Costa, Carla; Teixeira, João Paulo; Pásaro, Eduardo; Valdiglesias, Vanessa; Laffon, BlancaRecent studies exploring the relationship between DNA damage measured by the comet assay (single-cell gel electrophoresis) and cognitive function in both animal models and humans are reviewed and summarized. This manuscript provides an overview of studies exploring cognitive dysfunction related to DNA damage due to biological ageing process, cancer treatment, adverse environmental or occupational exposures, and prenatal genotoxic exposure. The review confirms the potential of comet assay to further explore the link between DNA damage, as indicative of genomic instability, and cognitive impairment in different research and clinical areas. Analysed studies support, in fact, the significant relationship between DNA damage and cognitive impairment, mainly affecting attention, working memory and executive functions. These cognitive domains are crucial to daily functioning and occupational performance, with important clinical implications. Although evidence support the relationship between DNA damage measured by the comet assay and cognitive function in different settings, further longitudinal research is needed to disentangle the temporal relationship between them over time, and to explore the potential of comet assay-detected DNA lesions to predict response to interventions.
- Infeção VIH e SIDA em Portugal – 2022Publication . Direção-Geral da Saúde; Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo JorgeEste relatório conjunto da DGS e INSA apresenta os dados mais recentes da vigilância epidemiológica da infeção por VIH em Portugal, bem como resultantes de iniciativas de prevenção e rastreio desenvolvidas no âmbito do PNISTVIH e as orientações estratégicas em implementação para resposta a esta infeção. Por não terem sido recolhidos e analisados os dados de 2020 e publicado o respetivo relatório, no presente número inclui-se a análise das características dos casos notificados com diagnóstico em 2020 e 2021. Dos resultados e conclusões apresentados no documento, destaca-se o seguinte: − Em Portugal, segundo os dados recolhidos a 31 de outubro de 2022, foram notificados 1 803 casos de infeção por VIH no biénio 2020-2021, 870 dos quais em 2020 e 933 em 2021; − Redução de 44% no número de novos casos de infeção por VIH e de 66% em novos casos de SIDA entre 2012 e 2021; − A maioria (71,8%) dos novos casos de infeção em adolescentes e adultos (≥ 15 anos) registou-se em homens (2,5 casos por cada caso em mulheres) e a mediana das idades à data do diagnóstico foi de 39 anos. Em 63,6% dos novos casos as pessoas tinham entre 25 e 49 anos e em 27,6% tinham idade igual ou superior a 50 anos. No período em análise foram notificados 4 casos de infeção VIH em crianças (2 em 2020 e 2 em 2021); − Embora a transmissão heterossexual se mantenha como a mais frequente (51,8%), os casos em homens que têm sexo com homens (HSH) corresponderam à maioria dos novos diagnósticos em homens (56,0%). A taxa de novos diagnósticos de VIH foi mais elevada nos residentes na Área Metropolitana de Lisboa, seguida da região do Algarve; − Relativamente aos óbitos, foram comunicados 298 óbitos em pessoas que viviam com VIH (148 em 2020 e 150 em 2021). Em 24,5% dos óbitos o tempo decorrido desde o diagnóstico foi superior a 20 anos; − Analisando os dados acumulados, desde 1983 até 31 de dezembro de 2021, foram identificados em Portugal 64 257 casos de infeção por VIH, dos quais 23 399 atingiram o estádio de SIDA e ocorreram 15 555 óbitos; − Analisando os dados acumulados, desde 1983 até 31 de dezembro de 2021, foram identificados em Portugal 64 257 casos de infeção por VIH, dos quais 23 399 atingiram o estádio de SIDA e ocorreram 15 555 óbitos.
- Hygiene Indicators and Salmonellae on Surfaces of Swine Carcasses from Two Slaughterhouses in Northern PortugalPublication . Moura-Alves, Márcio; Carvalho, Marta; Baggio Ribeiro, Deise Helena; Barbosa, Joana; Silveira, Leonor; Pista, Ângela; Pinto, Helena Patrícia; Saraiva, Cristina; Teixeira, Paula; Esteves, AlexandraAbstract: The monitoring of carcass surface contamination along the slaughter line enables verification of slaughter operation hygiene and the use of good manufacturing practices. Pork meat is a common source of human nontyphoidal salmonellosis, one of the most frequently reported foodborne illnesses worldwide. This study was conducted to gather data on microbial loads before and after evisceration on the surfaces of swine carcasses in two slaughterhouses. The presence of Salmonella enterica was evaluated only after evisceration on carcass surfaces and in livers and floor drains (environmental samples) because pigs are common carriers of this pathogen. The contamination of carcass surfaces was evaluated by delimitation of surface area with sterilized templates (100 cm2), and surface samples were collected with gauze swabs. Total aerobic mesophilic bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, and Escherichia coli were enumerated. Significant differences (P < 0.05) in counts of mesophilic bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, and E. coli were found on the external carcass surfaces, with higher counts after evisceration. The neck and abdominal areas had higher levels of mesophilic bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae, and E. coli and a high prevalence of Salmonella. Salmonella was detected in only one of the studied slaughterhouses; 19 (7.3%) of 259 analyzed carcass samples were positive for Salmonella, and Salmonella was detected in two livers and two floor drains. A total of 52 Salmonella isolates (44 from carcasses, 5 from livers, and 3 from drains) were recovered. Three Salmonella serovars (Typhimurium 4,5:i- , Wernigerone, and Derby) were identified, and 53.8% of the 52 isolates were multidrug resistant. The results reveal the need for continuous improvement of slaughtering operations and implementation of good manufacturing practices to ensure the safety of pork produced in Portugal.
- Clinical and Epidemiological Characterization of Lymphogranuloma Venereum in a Sexually Transmitted Diseases Clinic in Lisbon, 2001 to 2020Publication . Bonito, Frederico; Alves, João; Lodhia, Zohra; Cordeiro, Dora; Borges, Vítor; Azevedo, Jacinta; Borrego, Maria JoséBetween 2001 and 2020, 54 LGV cases were diagnosed in a sexually transmitted disease clinic in Lisbon, most in men who have sex with men (87%), HIV negative (63%), from the anorectal mucosa (72.2%). Cases among heterosexuals were also identified (13%). Surveillance programs irrespective of sexual orientation and HIV status are needed to avoid the morbidity associated with LGV.