Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2023-05-05"
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- Neuron and Glial Cells Exposed to Cerium Dioxide Nanoparticles: Results from MTT and γH2AX AssaysPublication . Fernández-Bertólez, Natalia; Touzani, Assia; Martínez, Luisa; Méndez, Josefina; Reis, Ana Teresa; Costa, Carla; Fraga, Sonia; Teixeira, João Paulo; Pásaro, Eduardo; Laffon, Blanca; Valdiglesias, VanessaCerium dioxide nanoparticles (CeO2NP) show antioxidant enzyme-like properties and reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging activity, making them a promising material for potential therapeutic applications in neurodegenerative diseases. The objective of this work was to assess the biological behavior of CeO2NP in human SH-SY5Y neuronal and A172 glial cells by means of the MTT assay and the γH2AX assay. Despite the significant dose- and time-dependent NP internalization by both cell lines, nanoceria generally presented scarce cytotoxicity or genotoxicity, essentially restricted to the highest NP doses and longest exposure times. In conclusion, a high biocompatibility of CeO2NP was observed under the conditions tested.
- Reasons for non-uptake of Influenza Vaccination: comparison between high-risk and non-high risk groups in the Portuguese populationPublication . Santos, Ana João; Kislaya, Irina; Machado, Ausenda; Matias, Carlos Matias; Neto, MarianaBackground & objective: In Portugal, the Influenza Vaccine (IV) coverage remains bellow the coverage goals proposed by the European Union. Understanding motives for IV non-uptake, particularly for high-risk groups is essential for intervention purposes. The Health Belief Model (HBM) has been one of the most used theoretical frameworks to understand vaccination. This study aims to describe the Portuguese non-uptake and differences between HBM dimensions (susceptibility, severity, benefits, barriers and cues for action) frequency for high-risk and non-high-risk groups. Methods: A cross-sectional study was developed using the panel of families, a probabilistic dual-sampling frame telephone household panel of Portugal. The survey was conducted between June and September 2021-2013, with data collected by questionnaire applied to one element of each household unit with 18+ years (n=1050). Content thematic analysis was conducted in one open question about the reasons for IV non-uptake and included in HBM dimensions. Statistical analysis focused on estimating non-adherence to IV and frequency of the HBM categories stratified by target group recommended for vaccination. Results were weighted by age group and region Results: The response rate was 68%. Of the total sample (n=1050), 671 individuals did not uptake the IV (69.3%, CI95%:64.8-73.5). For the population recommended for the IV, non-uptake was 49.8 (CI95%:43.6-55.9). The perception of low Susceptibility was more common in individuals who did not belong to the target group (74%, CI95%:63.4-82.3 vs. 26%, CI95%:17.7-36.6). By contrast, the Barriers dimension was more frequently mentioned by the target population (45%, CI95%:32.4-58.2 vs. 55%, CI95%:41.8-67.6), namely due to unavailability of stock. Conclusion: IV non-uptake was lower for high-risk group of the Portuguese population, compared to the general population. Differences between the reasons not to take the IV, suggest that the group to whom the IV is recommended, due to increased risk of complications, is aware of increased susceptibility. Overall, these results indicate that vaccination campaign seem to be successfully targeting high-risk group, even then efforts need to be maintained to decrease non-uptake.
- Use of quasi-experimental studies to evaluate causal effects of public health interventions in Portugal: a scoping reviewPublication . Leite, Andreia; Kislaya, Irina; Machado, Ausenda; Aguiar, Pedro; Nunes, Baltazar; Matias Dias, CarlosBackground and Objective: Evaluating causal effects of public health interventions using traditional randomized controlled trials might not be feasible. Quasi-experimental designs are a valid option but still not widely used in Portugal. Knowing their application in real public health problems will support the development of this research area. We thus performed a scoping review aiming at identifying and characterising the use of quasi-experimental studies to evaluate causal effects of public health interventions in Portugal. Methods: We included studies that used a quasi-experimental design to assess causal effects of one or more public health intervention in Portugal. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and CINHAL were searched from inception, combining free text and controlled vocabulary terms. Grey literature was identified through screening of tables of contents of non-indexed publications and institutional repositories of national Public Health PhD and MSc programmes theses. Studies were selected after title and abstract followed by full-text, double-screening. Searches were supplemented by reference mining and contact with authors of eligible studies. We extracted information on the intervention assessed, study design, statistical analysis approach and reporting guidelines followed using a standardised extraction form. Results: This study is ongoing, we present preliminary results from the databases search. After deduplication we identified 500 studies, 38 were included for full-text screening, and 25 were eligible. Studies assessed interventions in various areas, namely healthcare services (40.0%), tobacco and drugs control policy (20.0%), and pharmaceutics policy (16.0%), among others. Study designs were mainly interrupted time series (44.0%), followed by difference-in-differences approaches (40.0%). Conclusion: There is a paucity of studies in this area with interrupted time series and difference-in-differences approaches being the most often used study designs. Training in this area might promote the use and dissemination of quasi-experimental studies.