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- Recommendations for estimating and reporting vaccine effectiveness by time since vaccination: a COVID-19 case studyPublication . Kissling, Esther; Nunes, Baltazar; Hooiveld, Mariëtte; Martínez-Baz, Iván; Monge, Susana; Robertson, Chris; Knolm, Mirjam; Sève, Noémie; Mlinarić, Ivan; Domegan, Lisa; Machado, Ausenda; Whitaker, Heather; Lazar, Mihaela; Meijer, Adam; Enkirch, Theresa; Casado, Itziar; Pérez-Gimeno, Gloria; William, Naoma; Enouf, Vincent; Kurečić Filipović, Sanja; McKenna, Adele; Rodrigues, Ana Paula; de Lusignan, Simon; Timnea, Olivia-Carmen; Latorre-Margalef, Neus; Castilla, Jesús; Pozo, Francisco; Hamilton, Mark; Masse, Shirley; Ilić, Maja; Basile, Luca; O’Donnell, Joan; Guiomar, Raquel; Riess, Maximilian; Popescu, Rodica-Manuela; M C Rose, Angela; Andrews, Nick; Bacci, Sabrina; Pastore Celentano, Lucia; Valenciano, Marta; Moren, Alain; Beutels, Philippe; Hens, Niel; I-MOVE-COVID-19 and ECDC primary care study teamsEstimating COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness (VE) by time since vaccination (TSV) is essential for understanding how protection may change over time and enables meaningful comparisons across studies. This is important for accurate comparisons of VE against different SARS-CoV-2 variants/sublineages, across age groups, during different periods post vaccination campaign, or by vaccine type/brand. We provide recommendations for case–control VE studies on estimating and reporting VE analyses by TSV, with the aim of improving quality of these estimates. Our recommendations cover study design and pre-analysis considerations, descriptive analyses, choice of categories of TSV, categorical and continuous modelling approaches, and best practices for reporting VE by TSV. Using a real-life case–control study, we apply these recommendations, and include accompanying statistical scripts in R and Stata. These recommendations will serve as a practical resource for researchers conducting VE analyses by TSV. We encourage ongoing refinement of them through input from other study groups.
- Aquaponics as a Novel and Alternative Food Production System: Integrating Health and Environmental Sustainability PerspectivesPublication . Assunção, Ricardo; Motta, Carla; Santos, Mariana; Batista, Rita; Albuquerque, Tânia; Bento, AlexandraAim: In an era marked by climate change, environmental resource depletion, and growing global population, the need for sustainable and resilient food systems has become increasingly urgent. Conventional food production systems contribute significantly to environmental degradation and inefficient resource use. In response, key international strategies emphasize the development of innovative solutions that foster circular economies and ensure access to nutritious and sustainable diets. Aquaponics, a closed-loop system that combines aquaculture and hydroponics, has emerged as a promising alternative, known for its efficient resource use and potential to produce nutrient-dense foods. This study aims to explore and critically assess the health and environmental sustainability impacts of aquaponically produced foods compared to conventional food systems. Method: A structured literature review and critical evaluation of peer-reviewed studies were conducted to identify key health and environmental sustainability indicators associated with aquaponic food production. Health-related factors included the presence of nutrients and potential contaminants (chemical and microbiological), while environmental assessment focused on Life Cycle indicators such as global warming potential, eutrophication, water footprint, land use, acidification, and ecotoxicological impact. Studies were selected based on comparability to conventional food production systems. Results: The obtained results indicated that aquaponic systems can produce foods with comparable or enhanced nutritional profiles relative to conventional systems. On the environmental side, aquaponics demonstrated reduced water use, land requirements, and nutrient discharge, though energy use and system complexity vary depending on design and operational parameters. Life Cycle indicators highlighted significant reductions in eutrophication and land use impacts, particularly when fish and plants are optimally integrated. Conclusion: Aquaponics presents a viable and innovative approach to future food production, offering measurable health and environmental benefits compared to traditional systems. However, broader adoption will require further research to provide evidence-based integration into food policy frameworks. These findings support the potential of aquaponics as a sustainable alternative aligned with the food system transformation goals.
- Transcriptomic response of Mytilus galloprovincialis to emerging contaminants: Data analysis workflowPublication . Copeto, Sandra; Ferreira, Inês; Duarte, Silvia; Vieira, Luís; Ferrão, José; Silva, Marco; Diniz, Mário; Motta, CarlaIntroduction: Environmental pollutants such as tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA), perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) like perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), and endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) as 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) are commonly detected in coastal ecosystems. The Mediterranean mussel, Mytilus galloprovincialis, is a species of significant ecological and economic importance. Recent genomic studies have revealed an open pan-genome structure, with approximately 25–30% of protein-coding genes varying among individuals due to presence/absence variation (PAV). Assessing their molecular effects on marine organisms requires robust experimental models that reflect realistic exposure scenarios. Aim: Investigate transcriptomic alterations in M. galloprovincialis following exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of TBBPA, PFOA, and EE2 under controlled laboratory conditions. Methods: Adult mussels were collected from Guincho coast (Portugal) and acclimated for 5 days under laboratory conditions (20 ± 1°C; salinity 33 ± 1 g·L⁻¹; pH 8.1). Mussels were then exposed for 28 days to TBBPA (1, 10, 100 µg/L), PFOA (1, 100 µg/L), or EE2 (10, 1000 ng/L), with and unexposed group (control). Each treatment consisted of four biological replicates (two males and two females). At the end of the exposure period, mussels were dissected, and soft tissues were preserved at −80°C. RNA was extracted from whole-body homogenates, and only samples with an RNA Integrity Number (RIN) > 9.0 were selected for sequencing. Results: RNA libraries were prepared using the Illumina TruSeq Stranded mRNA protocol and sequenced on a NextSeq 2000 platform (2×100 bp paired-end), generating over 85 Gbp of high-quality data (>84% bases with Q30). Raw reads underwent quality control using FastQC and MultiQC. Reads were aligned to the M. galloprovincialis reference genome using the splice-aware aligner STAR. Differential gene expression analysis was performed with DESeq2, and functional interpretation was based on Gene Ontology (GO) and KEGG pathway enrichment. Conclusion: This approach demonstrates the utility of mussel transcriptomics for ecotoxicogenomic assessment of marine pollution.
- Chub Mackerel as a Sustainable Source of Bioaccessible Nutrients: A Seasonal and Culinary AnalysisPublication . Rego, Andreia; Vilarinho, Fernanda; Bispo, Ana; Cardoso, Carlos; Afonso, Claúdia; Bandarra, Narcisa; Castanheira, Isabel; Armando, José; Motta, CarlaAim: Chub mackerel (Scomber colias), a widely available and underutilised fish species in the Atlantic, has gained attention due to its rich content of essential nutrients, such as omega-3 fatty acids (DHA and EPA) and vitamin B12. These nutrients play a key role in human health, particularly in brain function and preventing cognitive decline. Despite its potential, limited research exists on the seasonal variations in the nutritional composition of mackerel, as well as the effects of cooking on nutrient bioaccessibility. This study aims to assess the nutritional composition of chub mackerel, focusing on fatty acids and vitamin B12, and to evaluate the bioaccessibility of these nutrients. It compares the nutritional profiles of raw and cooked mackerel, emphasising seasonal changes in the raw fish and the impact of cooking methods such as boiling and grilling. Method: Chub mackerel captured in the Atlantic Portuguese waters was sampled over several months to capture seasonal variations in its nutritional composition. Mackerel and its bioaccessible fraction were analyzed for fatty acids and vitamin B12 using gas chromatography (GC) and ultrahigh-pressure liquid chromatographer with a triple quadrupole mass spectrometric detection (UPLC-MS/MS). To determine the bioacessibility, the static digestion method from INFOSGEST was used. Based on the raw fish results, a subsample from August was cooked (boiled and grilled) and analyzed for its fatty acid profile and B12 to calculate the retention factors and bioacessibility. Results: The raw mackerel exhibited significant seasonal variations, particularly in omega-3 fatty acids (DHA and EPA) and vitamin B12; the cooking samples showed no significant variations in the fatty acids profile. The bioaccessibility of nutrients in raw mackerel was high, with fatty acids showing over 80% bioaccessibility and vitamin B12 at 77-83%. A 100 g portion of mackerel provides around 100% of the daily intake of B12. Conclusion: Chub mackerel is a highly bioaccessible source of essential nutrients, including omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin B12. The findings underscore the potential of chub mackerel as a sustainable and nutritious food source, particularly in promoting health and preventing cognitive decline due to its vitamin B12 and DHA content.
- Functional foods enriched with melon by products: A sustainable strategy to improve amino acid profilePublication . Silva, M.A.; Costa, H.S.; Oliveira, M.B.P.P.; Félix, N.; Albuquerque, T.G.The global population is projected to grow rapidly, posing a significant challenge in ensuring access to safe, nutritious, and healthy food for everyone. Often discarded, fruit by-products are a valuable source of fiber, protein, and bioactive compounds. Incorporating these by-products into new or enhanced food products could play a crucial role in addressing hunger and malnutrition, which remain major public health challenges. This approach also promotes the sustainable and efficient use of natural resources. This study aimed to develop four innovative types of bread enriched with melon by-products: bread with blanched melon peel flour (BBMPF), bread with blanched melon seed flour (BBMSF), bread with roasted melon peel flour (BRMPF) and bread with roasted melon seed flour (BRMSF). Additionally, a control bread was developed. The protein content and amino acid profile of these breads were evaluated. In 2022, by-products from melon production and distribution companies were recovered. The melon peels were dehydrated, and the seeds were oven-dried. Both by-products were ground to produce melon peel flour and melon seed flour. These flours were then subjected to either blanching or roasting, and used to develop the innovative types of bread. The total protein content was evaluated by Kjeldhal method, and the amino acid profile was determined using UHPLC with diode array detection. Protein content ranged from 6.3 g/100 g (BBMPF) to 8.8 g/100 g (BRMSF). The most abundant essential amino acids found in the breads were leucine, phenylalanine and valine. Breads with melon seed flours have a higher increase in amino acid content than those with melon peel flours. BRMPF (1959 mg/100 g), BBMSF (2219 mg/100 g) and BRMSF (2341 mg/100 g) had higher essential amino acid levels than the control bread (1849 mg/100 g). These results suggest that using melon flour, especially seeds flour, may be an effective strategy to improve the amino acid profile in functional foods. Furthermore, these findings not only contribute to improving public health, but also promote the valorisation of melon by-products, reducing the economic, social, and environmental impacts of these currently discarded by-products, meeting the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.
- Editorial: Empowering Early Career Researchers In Psychiatry: Advancing Autism ResearchPublication . Caruso, Angela; Rasga, Célia; Fulceri, Francesca; Scattoni, Maria Luisa; Micai, MartinaNo abstract available
- Resultados da Implementação da Orientação Técnica da DGS, Nº01/2024, sobre Pesquisa do DNA fetal, Circulante no Sangue Materno, no Rastreio de Aneuploidias do Primeiro Trimestre (Trissomia 21,18 e 13), no SNSPublication . Ferreira, Cristina; Tarelho, Ana Rita; Correia, HildebertoIntrodução: O rastreio pré-natal não invasivo (NIPS), baseado na análise de DNA fetal livre circulante no sangue materno, tem vindo a afirmar-se como o método mais sensível e específico para detetar as principais aneuploidias fetais (trissomia 21, 18 e 13). A 1 de março de 2024, a Direção-Geral da Saúde (DGS) publicou a Orientação Técnica n.º 01/2024, definindo o modelo de rastreio contingente no Serviço Nacional de Saúde (SNS), com a realização do teste genético NIPS em grávidas que apresentem risco intermédio. A execução e disponibilização do teste no SNS, ficou centralizada na Unidade de Citogenética do Departamento de Genética Humana do Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA, I.P.). Objetivos: Descrever o processo de implementação nacional do NIPS no SNS, analisar a adesão dos Centros de Diagnóstico Pré-Natal (CDPN), caracterizar o volume e perfil das amostras recebidas, assim como os resultados obtidos após o primeiro ano de atividade. Metodologia: Estudo retrospetivo descritivo baseado na análise dos pedidos de NIPS recebidos na Unidade de Citogenética entre março de 2024 e agosto de 2025. Resultados: Verificou-se larga adesão de CDPN das várias ULS ao teste, com cobertura nacional progressiva. O número de amostras cresceu sustentadamente ao longo do período em análise, tendo já ultrapassado as 2800 amostras estudadas. A maioria correspondeu a gestações únicas, dentro da janela gestacional recomendada. A percentagem de anomalias detetadas é de cerca 2%, com grande predominância da trissomia 21. A análise do universo de amostras recebidas e resultados obtidos permite identificar tendências e necessidades associadas à implementação do NIPS no SNS. Conclusões: A centralização do NIPS no INSA permitiu uma implementação eficiente e coordenada do rastreio a nível nacional, assegurando equidade no acesso. Os dados recolhidos ao longo deste primeiro ano e meio oferecem uma base sólida para a monitorização contínua do programa e para potenciais ajustes futuros.