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- Residual Longevity of Recaptured Sterile Mosquitoes as a Tool to Understand Field Performance and Reveal QualityPublication . Balatsos, Georgios; Blanco-Sierra, Laura; Karras, Vasileios; Puggioli, Arianna; Osório, Hugo Costa; Bellini, Romeo; Papachristos, Dimitrios P.; Bouyer, Jérémy; Bartumeus, Frederic; Papadopoulos, Nikos T.; Michaelakis, AntoniosInvasive mosquito species, such as Aedes albopictus, pose significant threats to both ecosystems and public health due to their role in transmitting diseases, such as dengue, Zika, and chikungunya. The Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) is a promising vector control strategy aimed at reducing mosquito populations by releasing sterile males to mate with wild females and reduce their reproduction rates. In this study, we employed the captive cohort method, which assesses the remaining longevity of randomly caught released individuals, to assess the longevity and frailty dynamics of sterile and non-sterile Ae. albopictus males. Using a mark–release–recapture approach (MRR), we compared the residual lifespan of sterile and non-sterile released males with that of wild, non-sterile males, aiming to understand the frailty dynamics of released males and, therefore, their quality and field performance. Contrary to expectations, our results revealed that released sterile males showed increased longevity compared to non-sterile males. Further, the marking process did not impact the longevity between lab-kept and marked males, suggesting that the marking process does not adversely affect survival under controlled conditions. These findings underscore the importance of optimizing pre-release and mass-rearing practices to enhance the effectiveness of SIT programs. Our study also demonstrates for the first time the use of the captive cohort method for understanding the biological dynamics of sterile mosquito populations in SIT programs, providing valuable insights for improving vector control strategies.
- Flavouring group evaluation 420 (FGE.420): Hesperetin dihydrochalconePublication . Castle, Laurence; Andreassen, Monica; Aquilina, Gabriele; Bastos, Maria; Boon, Polly; Fallico, Biagio; FitzGerald, Reginald; Frutos Fernandez, Maria Jose; Grasl-Kraupp, Bettina; Gundert-Remy, Ursula; Gürtler, Rainer; Houdeau, Eric; Kurek, Marcin; Louro, Henriqueta; Morales, Patricia; Passamonti, Sabina; Degen, Gisela; Engel, Karl-Heinz; Fowler, Paul; Carfí, Maria; Civitella, Consuelo; Dino, Borana; Gagliardi, Gabriele; Mech, Agnieszka; Zakidou, Panagiota; Martino, Carla; EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Flavourings (FAF)The EFSA Panel on Food Additives and Flavourings (FAF) was requested to evaluate the safety of hesperetin dihydrochalcone [FL-no: 16.137] as a new flavouring substance, in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1331/2008. The substance is structurally related to the group of flavonoids evaluated in FGE.32 and is the aglycone of neohesperidine dihydrochalcone. Based on the data provided for [FL-no: 16.137], the Panel considered that a read-across between hesperetin dihydrochalcone and the substances in FGE.32 is not needed. Nevertheless, the flavonoids evaluated in FGE.32 were considered in a cumulative exposure assessment. The information provided on the manufacturing process, the composition and the stability of [FL-no: 16.137] was considered sufficient. The Panel concluded that there is no concern with respect to genotoxicity. No absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME) studies on [FL-no: 16.137] were provided, but studies investigating the ADME of neohesperidine dihydrochalcone were submitted. The Panel noted that [FL-no: 16.137] has the same fate in the organism, as that of neohesperidine dihydrochalcone and considered that [FL-no: 16.137] can be anticipated to be metabolised to innocuous products only. In a prenatal developmental toxicity study, no maternal or foetal toxicity was observed. In a 90-day toxicity study, indications were obtained that the substance affects thyroid hormone levels at all doses tested (100-1000 mg/kg bw per day). Since these changes were not accompanied by apical findings indicative of hypothyroidism, the Panel considered these hormonal effects as not adverse. Using 1000 mg/kg bodyweight (bw) per day as reference point, adequate margins of exposure were calculated for adults and children, when considering the chronic added portions exposure technique (APET) dietary exposure estimates. Cumulative chronic exposure estimates to [FL-no: 16.137] and the four structurally related substances evaluated in FGE.32 do not raise a safety concern. The use of [FL-no: 16.137] as food flavouring, under the proposed conditions of use, does not raise a safety concern.
- Moving towards a core measures set for patient safety in perioperative care: An e-Delphi consensus studyPublication . Dinis-Teixeira, J.P.; Nunes, Ana Beatriz; Leite, Andreia; Schäfer, Willemijn L.A.; Valli, Claudia; Martínez-Nicolas, Ismael; Seyfulayeva, Ayshe; Carvalho, Pedro Casaca; Rodríguez, Anna; Arnal-Velasco, Daniel; Leon, Irene; Orrego, Carola; Sousa, Paulo; on behalf of the SAFEST Consortium and the SAFEST Scientific Advisory GroupA Core Measures Set (CMS) is an agreed standardized group of measures that should be assessed and reported in research for a specific condition or clinical area. This study undertook the development of a CMS for Patient Safety through a two-round, web-based Delphi consensus approach, in the context of the "Improving quality and patient SAFEty in surgical care through STandardisation and harmonization of perioperative care in Europe" (SAFEST) project-a collaborative, patient-centered and evidence-based European Union-funded project that aims to generate action-oriented evidence in perioperative care. We developed an Initial List of Measures via an umbrella review following the deployment of an e-Delphi method with an inclusive panel of experts to prioritize measures towards a consensualized Final List of Measures. All measures were rigorously assessed for both importance and feasibility. After the two rounds of the e-Delphi consensus method we observed 13 preoperative measures (40.6% of the initial number), 24 intraoperative measures (66.7%), 25 postoperative measures (20.3%) and 23 mixed period measures (41.1%) met consensus criteria for both importance and feasibility. Higher scores were detected in importance ratings compared to feasibility across all groups of measures. Importantly, numeric averages regarding pain-related measures differed in the assessment of patients when compared to that of Healthcare Professionals (HCPs). This work not only informs future SAFEST iterations but also sets a precedent for research into valid, patient-centered, and action-oriented perioperative safety measures.
- Pesquisa de Deleções/Duplicações em Genes Associados a Cancro Hereditário por MLPA DigitalPublication . Alves, Beatriz Correia; Gonçalves, João; Melo, Maria Joana Lima BarbosaA presença, na linha germinativa, de Variações do Número de Cópias (CNV) em genes de predisposição para cancro hereditário pode aumentar a suscetibilidade a esta doença. A identificação de uma CNV patogénica ou provavelmente patogénica num doente oncológico tem um impacto significativo na gestão clínica do indivíduo afetado e dos seus familiares. Tradicionalmente, a pesquisa de CNV no diagnóstico molecular de cancro hereditário é realizada apenas para alguns genes através do MLPA (Multiplex Ligation-dependent Probe Amplification) convencional. Nos últimos anos, o desenvolvimento de softwares de análise in silico de CNV com base em dados de NGS (Next-Generation Sequencing) representou um avanço significativo, ao possibilitar a pesquisa de deleções e duplicações em múltiplos genes em simultâneo. No entanto, estas ferramentas apresentam ainda limitações. Dada a relevância de uma análise abrangente que integre o maior número possível de genes relevantes no âmbito da patologia em causa, este trabalho teve como principal objetivo implementar uma nova metodologia de pesquisa de CNV em genes associados a cancro hereditário, que combina os princípios do MLPA convencional com a capacidade da NGS de analisar vários genes em simultâneo: o MLPA digital. Neste estudo, foi realizada a pesquisa de CNV por MLPA digital em amostras de doentes com história clínica e familiar de cancro, seguida de validação dos resultados utilizando outras metodologias de genética molecular e classificação das variantes identificadas segundo as recomendações da CanVIG-UK. O MLPA digital demonstrou ser eficaz na deteção de deleções e duplicações em genes associados a cancro hereditário, apresentando um desempenho adequado para a utilização em laboratórios clínicos, com sensibilidade de 100% e especificidade de 98%. A eficácia dos softwares de pesquisa in silico panelcn.MOPS e DRAGEN Enrichment foi confirmada através da concordância entre os resultados destas ferramentas e do MLPA digital. Foram identificadas cinco variantes patogénicas ou provavelmente patogénicas nos genes APC, BRCA1, BRCA2 e CHEK2, que justificam os fenótipos dos doentes. Este estudo demonstra que o MLPA digital é uma alternativa ao MLPA convencional na primeira fase de pesquisa molecular de CNV germinativas em genes associados a cancro hereditário, permitindo a análise de múltiplos genes em várias amostras em simultâneo.