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- Safety assessment of the process NGR LSP used to recycle post‐consumer PET into food contact materialsPublication . EFSA Panel on Food Contact Materials (FCM); Lambré, Claude; Crebelli, Riccardo; Silva, Maria de; Grob, Koni; Milana, Maria Rosaria; Pronk, Marja; Rivière, Gilles; Ščetar, Mario; Theodoridis, Georgios; Van Hoeck, Els; Waegeneers, Nadia; Dudler, Vincent; Papaspyrides, Constantine; Tavares Poças, Maria de Fátima; Comandella, Daniele; Lioupis, Alexandros; Lampi, EvgeniaThe EFSA Panel on Food Contact Materials (FCM) assessed the safety of the recycling process NGR LSP (EU register number RECYC328). The input is hot washed and dried poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) flakes mainly originating from collected post‐consumer PET containers, with no more than 5% PET from non‐food consumer applications. The flakes are dried (step 2), melted in an extruder (step 3) and decontaminated during a melt‐state polycondensation step under high temperature and vacuum (step 4). In step 5, the material is granulated. Having examined the challenge test provided, the Panel concluded that the melt‐state polycondensation (step 4) is critical in determining the decontamination efficiency of the process. The operating parameters to control the performance of step 4 are the pressure, the temperature, the residence time and the characteristics of the reactor. It was demonstrated that this recycling process ensures that the level of migration of potential unknown contaminants into food is below the conservatively modelled migration of 0.0481 or 0.0962 μg/kg food, depending on the molar mass of a contaminant substance. Therefore, the Panel concluded that the recycled PET obtained from this process is not of safety concern, when used at up to 100% for the manufacture of materials and articles for contact with all types of foodstuffs, including drinking water, for long‐term storage at room temperature or below, with or without hot‐fill. Articles made of this recycled PET are not intended to be used in microwave and conventional ovens and such uses are not covered by this evaluation.
- Metabolomics insights into doxorubicin and 5-fluorouracil combination therapy in triple-negative breast cancer: a xenograft mouse model studyPublication . Hassanein, Mai M.; Hagyousif, Yousra A.; Zenati, Ruba A.; Al-Hroub, Hamza M.; Khan, Farman Matloob; Abuhelwa, Ahmad Y.; Alzoubi, Karem H.; Soares, Nelson C.; El-Huneidi, Waseem; Abu-Gharbieh, Eman; Omar, Hany; Zaher, Dana M.; Bustanji, Yasser; Semreen, Mohammad H.Background: Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent malignancies and a leading cause of death among women worldwide. Among its subtypes, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) poses significant clinical challenges due to its aggressive behavior and limited treatment options. This study aimed to investigate the effects of doxorubicin (DOX) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) as monotherapies and in combination using an established MDA-MB-231 xenograft model in female BALB/C nude mice employing advanced metabolomics analysis to identify molecular alterations induced by these treatments. Methods: We conducted comprehensive plasma and tumor tissue sample profiling using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-QTOF-MS). Results: Each treatment group exhibited unique metabolic profiles in plasma and tumor analysis. Univariate and enrichment analyses identified alterations in metabolic pathways. The combination treatment of DOX + 5-FU induced the most extensive metabolic alterations disrupting key pathways including purine, pyrimidine, beta-alanine, and sphingolipid metabolism. It significantly reduced critical metabolites such as guanine, xanthine, inosine, L-fucose, and sphinganine, demonstrating enhanced cytotoxic effects compared to individual treatments. The DOX treatment uniquely increased ornithine levels, while 5-FU altered sphingolipid metabolism, promoting apoptosis. Significance: This in vivo study highlights TNBC's metabolic alterations to chemotherapeutics, identifying potential biomarkers like L-fucose and beta-alanine, and provides insights for improving treatment strategies.
- Expert perspectives on tuberculosis screening procedures for migrantsPublication . Pinheiro, Marina; Moreira, David N.; Aguiar, Ana; Duarte, RaquelObjective: To evaluate the perspectives of tuberculosis experts from different countries regarding national screening procedures. Methods: This was a qualitative descriptive study. Data were collected by using electronic, anonymized surveys with experts in tuberculosis in seven different countries within two World Health Organization regions (Europe and Africa). Thematic analysis was employed. Results: The survey results indicate that there are varied perceptions of and experiences with national guidelines on screening for and treatment of tuberculosis (especially in the population tested), the appropriate timing of screening, types of tests, best practices, barriers, and limitations of the screening. The participants highlighted the importance of integrating health care services into the community to achieve people-centered health care. The study also sheds light on the importance of involving trained nurses and social workers in the screening process and of networks to ensure continuity of care. Conclusions: The overall perceptions of the respondents underscore the importance of standardized screening guidelines. The ongoing collaboration between public health services, the private sector, and the community is essential to reduce tuberculosis transmission, as well as to provide substantial public health and economic benefits.
- Perceptions and experiences of directly observed treatment in tuberculosis: insights from a mixed-methods cross-sectional studyPublication . Amorim, Diana; Ramos, João Pedro; Barbosa, Pedro; Vieira, Mariana; Duarte, RaquelObjective: The demanding nature and psychosocial burdens of directly observed treatment (DOT) have opened a path to alternative strategies such as video-observed therapy (VOT), which offers comparable treatment outcomes and patient satisfaction while potentially saving time and reducing costs. The objective of this study was to evaluate the perceptions and experiences of patients and health care professionals regarding DOT and other treatment strategies implemented in Portugal. Methods: Patients with a confirmed diagnosis of tuberculosis, treated at the Vila Nova de Gaia Outpatient Tuberculosis Centre in the last two years, were asked to complete a brief questionnaire, as were health care professionals working in the northern region of Portugal. Differences were analysed with chi-square tests, complemented by thematic analysis. Results: A total of 62 individuals completed the questionnaire: 29 health care professionals and 33 patients. There were significant differences between the two groups in their views regarding the impact of DOT on treatment outcomes, with health care professionals perceiving a higher degree of negative effects and patients expressing greater satisfaction. Long travel distances, transportation issues and high costs were some of the challenges mentioned by the patients. Significant differences were also found regarding the role DOT plays in ensuring treatment adherence, with patients emphasising personal responsibility and its importance in preventing loss to follow-up and strengthening relationships with health care professionals. Dose dispensing was favoured for its convenience in specific situations, and VOT was generally preferred to reduce constant travelling. Both parties raised some concerns. Conclusions: Existing discrepancies suggest a misalignment between patient experiences and health care provider perceptions, underscoring the need for enhanced communication and a more nuanced understanding of patient perspectives when designing and implementing different tuberculosis treatment adherence strategies.
- Editorial: Advanced techniques against food fraudPublication . Lei, Hongtao; Castanheira, Isabel; Guan, TianNo abstract available