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- Genotoxicity in peripheral blood leukocytes and reticulocytes of e-waste management workersPublication . Aimonen, K.; Silva, Maria João; Tavares, Ana; Moreira, Rodrigo; Louro, Henriqueta; Catalán, J.; Duca, R.; Godderis, L.; Mahiout, S.; Martins, C.; Martinsone, I.; Matisane, L.; Namorado, S.; Van Nieuwenhuyse, A.; Pinhal, Hermínia; Porras, S.; Remes, J.; Verdonck, J.; Viegas, S.; Scheepers, P.; Santonen, T.The European Commission has recently adopted a new Circular Economy Action Plan, which recognizes the critical role of material circulation in achieving sustainable development. The waste management sector will play a pivotal role in this, and an increase in the number of workers involved in waste recycling is expected. However, a recent multi-centric study conducted as part of the European Human Biomonitoring Initiative (HBM4EU) highlights potential occupational health risks associated with e-waste management. This study reports the exposure of e-waste workers from six European countries to metals and the early genotoxic effects from exposure to a wide array of toxic chemicals (and their mixtures) in the occupational environment. The results showed that e-waste workers are exposed to higher levels of hazardous metals such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and chromium (Cr) than controls. Significantly higher levels were detected in the post-shift urine and blood samples of different subcategories of e-waste workers. Especially the level of Pb was elevated in urine and blood samples among all worker categories, and the highest values were detected in battery recycling workers. Genotoxic effects were assessed by the micronucleus frequencies in peripheral blood lymphocytes (MNPBL) and reticulocytes (MNRET). MNPBL were analyzed in 95 workers and 50 controls, and MNRET in 82 workers and 41 controls. While there were no statistically significant differences between all workers and controls, the subgroup of battery recycling workers showed significantly higher frequency of MNPBL than controls or other exposed subgroups such as workers handling white goods, metals and plastics or miscellaneous e-waste. The highest MNPBL and MNRET frequencies were observed in workers handling brown goods, but the difference to controls, or to the other worker categories, was not statistically significant. Post-shift urinary levels of studied metals did not show positive correlation with the micronucleus frequencies, which might be partially explained by the heterogeneity of activities considered and related exposure levels found. In addition to metals, the study also measured exposure to flame retardants, phthalates, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and, thereby, correlations between exposure to those compounds and effect biomarkers will be further explored. Overall, the study highlights the need to raise awareness of potential hazards and improve risk management measures in the e-waste management sector. The micronucleus results provide valuable new information on early biological effects from occupational exposures during e-waste management that also contribute to identifying worker groups that are at higher risk of adverse health effects.
- Prevalence os self-reported Common Mental Disorders in the 2015 resident population in PortugalPublication . Pinheiro-Guedes, Lara; Gaio, Vânia; Sousa-Uva, Mafalda; Martinho, Clarisse; Matias Dias, Carlos; da Conceição, Virgínia; Gusmão, RicardoAntecedentes: As doenças mentais comuns, designadamente as patologias depressivas e ansiosas, constituem as principais causas de doença mental. Estimativas de 2019 do Global Burden of Diseases indicam que Portugal é um dos países da União Europeia com maior prevalência destas patologias. Os dados do último estudo nacional de prevalência em doenças mentais comuns datam de 2009. Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi estimar a prevalência de doenças mentais comuns, ao nível regional e nacional, globalmente e de acordo com fatores sociodemográficos, na população residente em Portugal em 2015. Métodos: Realizámos um estudo transversal descritivo, de base populacional, representativo ao nível regional e nacional. Analisámos dados do Inquérito Nacional de Saúde com Exame Físico (2015), realizado numa amostra probabilística de 4911 indivíduos dos 25 aos 74 anos, através de entrevistas presenciais conduzidas por profissionais de saúde. Estimámos a prevalência de patologias depressivas e ansiosas (autorreporte de diagnóstico médico de depressão ou ansiedade crónica), por região de saúde, sexo, grupo etário, escolaridade e ocupação profissional, e respetivos intervalos de confiança a 95% (IC95%). As estimativas foram ponderadas para as diferentes probabilidades de seleção e distribuição da população. Resultados: A prevalência de patologias depressivas foi 9,7% (IC95%: 8,2-11,5) e de patologias ansiosas 7,1% (IC95%: 5,7-8,8). As mulheres apresentaram prevalências de patologias depressivas e ansiosas superiores relativamente aos homens (15,2% e 9,1% vs 3,6% e 4,9%, respetivamente). Os indivíduos com ≥ 50 anos, escolaridade até ao 1º ciclo do ensino básico e sem atividade profissional (não desempregados) foram os que apresentaram prevalências superiores. As regiões com maior frequência destas condições foram o Alentejo e o Algarve. Conclusões: Os resultados deste estudo sugerem que entre 2009 e 2015 ocorreu um aumento da prevalência de patologias depressivas (de 6,8% para 9,7%) e da prevalência de patologias ansiosas (de 2,1% para 7,1%), em Portugal
- Co‐creating obesity prevention policies with youth: Policy ideas generated through the CO‐CREATE projectPublication . Conway‐Moore, Kaitlin; Knai, Cécile; Finegood, Diane; Johnston, Lee; Brinsden, Hannah; Aguiar, Anaely; Kopainsky, Birgit; Önal, Furkan; Helleve, Arnfinn; Klepp, Knut‐Inge; Lien, Nanna; Luszczynska, Aleksandra; Rito, Ana Isabel; Rønnestad, Alfred Mestad; Ulstein, Madeleine; Blanchard, Laurence; Savona, Natalie; Rutter, HarryDespite growing recognition of the importance of applying a systems lens to action on obesity, there has only been limited analysis of the extent to which this lens has actually been applied. The CO-CREATE project used a youth-led participatory action research approach to generate policy ideas towards the reduction of adolescent overweight and obesity across Europe. In order to assess the extent to which these youth-generated policy ideas take a systems approach, we analyzed them using the Intervention Level Framework (ILF). The ILF ascribes actions to one of five system levels, from Structural Elements, the least engaged with system change, up to Paradigm, which is the system's deepest held beliefs and thus the most difficult level at which to intervene. Of the 106 policy ideas generated by young people during the CO-CREATE project, 91 (86%) were categorized at the level of Structural Elements. This emphasis on operational rather than systems level responses echoes findings from a previous study on obesity strategies. Analyzing the distribution of systems level responses using the ILF has the potential to support more effective action on obesity by allowing identification of opportunities to strengthen systems level responses overall.
- Effectiveness of antimicrobial interventions directed at tackling antimicrobial resistance in animal production: A systematic review and meta-analysisPublication . Costa, Miguel Mendes; Cardo, Miguel; Ruano, Zita; Alho, Ana Margarida; Dinis-Teixeira, José; Aguiar, Pedro; Leite, AndreiaBackground: In the last decades, a more prudent and rational use of antimicrobials has been progressively directed towards animal production to reduce antimicrobial selective pressure and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in microorganisms and safeguard the antimicrobial efficacy of treatments in human medicine. This systematic review evaluated the effectiveness of interventions that have been applied to reduce or improve veterinary antimicrobial usage and aimed at decreasing resistant bacteria in chicken broiler and pig production contexts. Methods: Original articles were identified by searching PubMed™, Scopus™, The Cochrane Library™, and Web of Science™, and grey literature by searching DANS EASY™, WorldCat™ and RCAAP™. Inclusion criteria included: chicken broiler or pig populations (predestined for meat production), interventions intended to reduce/improve antimicrobial use, comparator with standard or no use of antimicrobials, outcomes related to prevalence of resistant bacteria, farm level studies, original data, and analytical observational studies. Data was extracted from eligible studies and meta-analysis using random or fixed effects models was conducted for combinations including type of intervention, bacterial species, production type and animal populations. Models were selected according to heterogeneity between studies. The effectiveness of interventions was assessed using pooled odds ratio of resistance to antimicrobial substances/classes by bacteria for associations between animal populations with and without intervention. Results: A total of 46 studies were eligible for review. For chicken broilers, most interventions were identified as antimicrobial restrictions on all non-therapeutic use (46%), complete restriction (27%), and prohibition on antimicrobials used for growth promotion (23%). As for pig populations, restrictions were mainly observed on all non-therapeutic use (37%), complete restriction (37%) and group treatments (22%). For meta-analysis, 21 studies were pooled after assessment of existing combinations. These combinations demonstrated a protective effect for most antimicrobial classes in Escherichia coli, Campylobacter and Enterococcus isolates from samples of chicken broilers as well in Escherichia coli and Campylobacter spp. from samples of pigs, compared to animals raised under conventional production or without intervention. Increased odds of resistance were only observed for cephalosporins in E. coli and broilers raised without antimicrobials, and to fluoroquinolones and quinolones in Campylobacter and pigs raised without antimicrobials, compared to conventional production. Conclusions: Our study indicates that organic production, antimicrobial-free farms, and group treatment restrictions are recommended for AMR reduction, providing information that may support decision-making to tackle AMR and better reporting to improve comparability of results between studies.
- Raw milk cheeses from Beira Baixa, Portugal: A contributive study for the microbiological quality assessmentPublication . Mendonça, Rita; Furtado, Rosália; Coelho, Anabela; Belo Correia, Cristina; Suyarco, Elena; Pista, Ângela; Batista, RitaIn Portugal, traditional cheeses are part of the gastronomic culture, with the accessibility to products of high microbiological quality being valued to guarantee the safety of the consumer's population. These artisanal cheeses are normally made from raw milk, having a complex microbiota that will influence the characteristics, quality and shelf life of the final manufactured products. In this study we evaluated the presence of Escherichia coli, Coagulase Positive Staphylococci (CPS), Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella spp. in 98 cured raw milk cheeses produced in the Beira Baixa region. Conventional methods (based on ISO standards) and alternative methods (TEMPO®, VIDAS® and VITEK®2) for the quantification, detection or identification of each bacterium were used. Subsequent phenotypic characterization (serotyping and antimicrobial resistance – AMR), as well as genotyping by Whole-Genome Sequencing (WGS) were also performed. The results obtained indicate the presence of E. coli, CPS, L. monocytogenes and Salmonella spp. in 64.3%, 51.0%, 4.1% and 1.0% of the samples, respectively. AMR was present in 41.5% of the E. coli isolates, from which 5.1% were multidrug resistant. In the 2 samples with CPS>4.9x104 cfu/g, staphylococcal enterotoxins (A, B, C, D, E) were not detected in 25 g. Salmonella (S. enterica enterica ser. Duisburg) was detected in one sample. Furthermore, WGS and bioinformatics analysis of L. monocytogenes isolates unveiled clusters of high closely related isolates and correlated links to cheese processing facilities. The findings of this study may indicate, among other factors, a lack of adherence to good hygiene and manufacturing practices along one or more phases of the food chain, e.g. in the milk collection/ storage, in the cheesemaking process and in the distribution, or during shelf-life whilst placed in the market. The results also highlight for the importance of the information provided by the WGS data integration, helping in public health surveillance while revealing possible infection contamination routes and epidemiological links, which contributes to the investigation of potential foodborne outbreaks.
- Aflatoxin B1 accumulation in Tenebrio molitor: a preliminary assessmentPublication . Andrade, M.A.; Cardoso, D.N.; Silva, A.R.R.; Prodana, M.; Santos, J.; Loureiro, S.; Alvito, PaulaWith the population growth rate, there are some concerns that food production will not be able to keep up with this growth. Edible insects seem to present a sustainable solution. Farming these insects presents an opportunity to drain the production of the by-products by reusing them as bio-feedstocks and reintroducing these components into the food value chain. However, these products can present several contaminations, including mycotoxins, which can be accumulated in insects after exposure to the contaminant, and be detected at the end of the food chain. The ENTOSAFE project aims to address these concerns and evaluate the potential risk for the consumer. The principal aim of this study was to evaluate the mycotoxin aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) accumulation in Tenebrio molitor (yellow Mealworm, YMW) exposed to a spiked AFB1 feed subtract at maximum levels in cereals and products derived from cereals (2 µg/kg) and ten times higher (20 µg/kg). AFB1 contents were quantified in both feed substrate and T. molitor samples, before and after a 14-days of exposure and mycotoxins (aflatoxins and ochratoxin A, OTA), detected by HPLC-FD detection. Results concerning non-contaminated feed substrate revealed absence of AFB1 and presence of OTA, the latter (0,8 µg/kg) presenting values below the legislated value of 3 µg/kg, for cereals and products derived from cereals (European Commission, 2023). AFB1 spiked feed substrates revealed values slightly higher (4 and 23 µg/kg) than the theoretical contamination levels of 2 and 20 µg/kg. OTA values remain close to the previously reported. No changes occurred in contamination levels at beginning and 14-days AFB1 exposure assays. Results concerning T. molitor larvae, revealed absence of OTA along exposure assays and different AFB1 contamination levels. AFB1 contents in low (0.011 µg/kg) and high (0.022 µg/kg) AFB1 contamination levels were close, and below the 2 µg/kg legislated level for cereals and products derived from cereals (European Commission, 2023), after the 14-days exposure. The reported results are preliminary, so several aspects need to be improved as mycotoxin analytical method validation, mycotoxin contamination procedure and a higher number of samples to get representative results on AFB1 accumulation in insect larvae.
- Overview of in vitro approaches to investigate chemical contaminants intestinal transportPublication . Alves de Sousa, B.; Faria, M.; Miralles, B.; Alvito, PaulaThe occurrence of chemical contaminants in food products is a serious threat to public health and can lead from mild gastroenteritis to fatal liver, kidney and neurological syndromes. The main route of exposure to chemical contaminants is ingestion, with the intestine being the first organ to come into contact with these compounds. In vitro intestinal cell assays may constitute a useful tool to predict the impact of chemical contaminants on the intestinal barrier. Differentiated Caco-2 cells cultivated in porous Transwell inserts, as an in vitro model to evaluate the intestinal transport of food chemical contaminants, is recurrent. These toxicants can be transported via transcellular (transport that occurs through the epithelial cell) or paracellular (transport that occurs in between cells) pathway. This study aims to make an overview of in vitro approaches to investigate chemical contaminants intestinal transport and associated pathways. A bibliographical search was carried out in two databases of scientific publications, “PUBMED” and “WEB OF SCIENCE”, using the keywords “food”, “chemical contaminants”, “cell transport”, in scientific publications from 1999 to 2021. Forty publications were used for data extraction. In sum, Caco-2 cells were the most frequently used model for the evaluation of the food contaminants intestinal transport. In a few works, this cell line was combined with the human HT-29 cells. In other studies, specifically evaluating the implication of membrane transporters, Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells were used. HTC-8 intestinal organoids were also reported and gastric absorption of food toxicants was described in a single work using NCI-N87 cells. The use intestinal mucosa explants mounted in Ussing chambers, in studies of food contaminants intestinal transport in farmed animals, was also reported, although in much less extension. The transcellular route was the most reported pathway for chemical contaminants, with paracellular being less referred (mycotoxins and chloropropanols). Further studies concerning absorption and transport of chemical contaminants are needed to better characterize its permeability across epithelial membranes which will contribute to a comprehensive understanding of its impact on human health. In addition, their frequent co-occurrence raises an additional number of questions that can only be answered using high throughput in vitro methods.
- What policies are there and what policies are missing? A Photovoice study of adolescents' perspectives on obesity‐prevention policies in their local environmentPublication . Banik, Anna; Knai, Cecile; Klepp, Knut‐Inge; Rutter, Harry; Rito, Ana; Lien, Nanna; Baillergeau, Evelyne; Szczuka, Zofia; Boberska, Monika; Kulis, Ewa; Luszczynska, AleksandraThe aim of this study was to investigate adolescents' critical awareness of whether obesity prevention policies targeting physical activity (PA) and nutrition were operating in their local community. Participants were 41 adolescents (aged 16–18, 90%women) recruited from three communities in Poland. Prior to this study, they were involved in obesity-prevention participatory initiatives (conducted within the CO-CREATE project), where obesity-related public policy limitations were analyzed in a youth-led discussion. A Photovoice exercise was designed to capture obesity-related public policies that were either present or absent in young people's local environments. The photographs (N=213) were coded and mapped according to the policy themes they illustrated, using the MOVING and NOURISHING frameworks. The public policies represented in the photographs are most frequently related to: healthy retail or food service environments; food advertising or promotion; structures and surroundings that promote PA; and infrastructure and opportunities that support public or active transport. Adolescents are critically aware of the presence and lack of specific public policies operating in their local environment, particularly policies affecting structural aspects of food and PA environments. Policy-oriented photovoice exercises may prompt critical awareness among adolescents and empower them to contribute to obesity prevention policy processes.KEYWORDSadolescence, framework, obesity prevention policies, PhotovoiceAbbreviations:CO-CREATE, confronting obesity: co-creating policy with youth; PA, physical activity; SES, socioeconomic status; YPAR, youth-led participatory action research.Received: 11 April 2023 Revised: 15 June 2023 Accepted: 13 July 2023DOI: 10.1111/obr.13617This is an open access article under the terms of theCreative Commons Attribution-NonCommercialLicense, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited and is not used for commercial purposes.
- Assessment of multiple mycotoxins in maize flour samples from Portugal under SafeGrains projectPublication . Duarte, S.; Magro, A.; Oliveira, C.; Rosim, R.; Alvito, Paula; Carvalho, M.O.One of the most relevant problems in stored grains is the contamination by insects and mycotoxin-producing fungi. Tribolium castaneum is one of the most common insect pests of stored products. Its presence makes cereals more susceptible to the spread of the fungi Aspergillus flavus, which may produce mycotoxins. The aim of this work was to evaluate the mycotoxin profile of maize flour infested by T. castaneum adults, alone or in combination with mycotoxigenic A. flavus strain (MUM-UMinho). Maize collected directly from fields was stored at 4 ºC and then ground and sieved to obtain maize fl our. Multiple mycotoxin profile of maize flour was determined in three different assays: i) controls (n=8), ii) inoculated with T. castaneum adults (insect assay, n = 24), iii) inoculated with A. flavus conidia (fungus assay, n = 8) and iv) inoculated with both organisms (mixed assay, n = 24). Samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) according to Franco et al. (2019) for determination of aflatoxins (AFs) B1, B2, G1 and G2, deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone(ZEN) and fumonisins (FBs) B1 and B2. The limits of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) of the analytical method were 6.1 and 18.0 μg/ kg for DON, respectively. For AFs, ZEN and FBs, LOD and LOQ varied between 0.2 – 0.9 and 0.6 – 2.5 μg/kg, respectively. DON, ZEA, FB1 and FB2 were detected in control assays at mean levels ranging from 33-50, 2-6, 112-144 and 49-75 μg/kg, respectively. AFs were not detected in controls. Insect, fungi and mixed assays presented the same mycotoxin profile (with contents in the same order of magnitude), except for AFB1, which was detected only in mixed assays. Although the levels of mycotoxins are below the legislated ones (Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/915), they point out to the presence of multiple mycotoxins in raw maize flour and to a potential impact between insects and mycotoxigenic strains in which concerns AFB1. Data presented here agree with previous assays from this team describing significantly higher concentration in the maize flour inoculated with both organisms (Duarte et al, 2021).
- Assessing Contaminant Uptake and Elimination in Insects: Implications for Sustainable Food Production and Waste ManagementPublication . Cardoso, Diogo; Silva, Ana; Duarte, Regina; Brandão, Pedro; Epifânio, Joana; Azevedo, Abraão; Prodana, Maria; Mostafaie, Amid; Pinto, José; Silva, Patrícia; Coelho, Inês; Rego, Andreia; Alvito, Paula; Brooks, Bryan; Loureiro, SusanaConsidering the global food crisis and the pressing issue of waste generation, sustainable solutions for food demand are crucial. Insects have emerged as a promising protein source for food and feed due to their efficient bioconversion capacity and ability to utilize nonvaluable products. However, ensuring the safety of insects for food and feed is essential. This study aims to comprehensively evaluate the uptake and elimination of contaminants by insects, going beyond conventional measurements of contamination levels. Methodology: The study employed two-phase bioaccumulation studies involving an uptake phase with a contaminated substrate followed by an elimination phase in a clean substrate. Data from these studies were used in toxicokinetic modelling. The objective was to assess the bioaccumulation capacity of mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), arsenic (As), and various polycyclic aromatic compounds (benzo[a] pyrene [B[a]P], benz[a]anthracene [B[a]A], benzo[b]fluoranthene [B[a] F], and crysene [Cry]) in black soldier fly (BSF) larvae (Hermetia illucens). Although high metal bioaccumulation potential (e.g., for Hg, Cd, Pb, As) in edible insects has already been identified as risk, there is a gap regarding hazard assessment of the organic contaminants (e.g., B[a]P, B[a]A, B[a]F, Cry). The findings indicate that when insects were exposed to the maximum allowed levels of metals according to European Union feed regulations, they accumulated contaminant levels unsuitable for feeding other animals. However, after a depuration period, the insects could reduce the contaminant concentrations to comply with the existing legislation. For instance, a 4 to 5 days depuration period was found sufficient for safer consumption of insects exposed to Hg, while a longer period was required for Cd elimination. Interestingly, no significant accumulation of polycyclic aromatic compounds was observed when insects were fed at the maximum allowed levels. Conclusion: These findings have significant implications, particularly when insects are employed as waste converters, where concerns arise regarding contaminants. This study supports the implementation of a depuration period after exposure to waste that may vary depending on the classes of contaminants involved. Toxicokinetics is an adequate tool for the safety assessment of insects as feed and food, but it also defines the conditions that will assure their sustainable use in waste management.