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- Biomarkers, Human HealthPublication . Coelho, P.; Teixeira, João PauloHuman health is constantly affected by a multitude of agents present in the surrounding environment. Biomarkers are key factors, both in clinical health risk assessment and in environmental risk assessment. Traditionally, they are classified in three different classes: exposure, effect, and susceptibility. Their main usefulness relies on their ability to link hazard exposure to the pathogenesis of human disease. The development and validation of biomarkers as early predictors of clinical disease is a top priority, improving health risk assessment and contributing to new disease prevention policies in environmental and occupational settings.
- BiomonitoringPublication . Costa, C.; Teixeira, João PauloBiomonitoring concerns the systematic measurement of compounds and/or detection of cell or cell molecules alterations in living organisms with the purpose of identifying or assessing potential hazardous exposure and effects to chemicals. Biomonitoring presents a wide range of advantages over environmental monitoring and has been considered to be a valuable tool for both ecological and human health surveillance. Cautious interpretation of data is one of the most sensitive issues on this matter. Still, the development and application of biomonitoring lead to improved knowledge of the effects of chemicals on living organisms and at the same time to increased protection of public health and environment.
- CarcinogenesisPublication . Botelho, M.; Teixeira, João PauloCancer, or neoplasia, is a complex disease with multiple causes. Many intrinsic and extrinsic factors influence the development of cancer. Intrinsic or host factors include age, sex, genetic constitution, immune system function, metabolism, hormone levels, and nutritional status. Extrinsic factors include substances eaten, drunk, or smoked; workplace and environmental (air, water, and soil) exposures; natural and medical radiation exposure; sexual behavior; and elements of lifestyle such as social and cultural environment, personal behavior, and habits. Intrinsic and extrinsic factors can interact with one another to influence the development of cancer. In this article, we will discuss all the varied aspects of research that will ultimately lead to the prevention of cancer in man.
- Comet AssayPublication . Costa, Solange; Teixeira, João PauloComet Assay is a simple and sensitive approach to assess genotoxic damage in different cell types, using only a small number of cells. Over the last decades it has gained wide acceptance as an important tool in fundamental DNA damage and repair studies with applications ranging from molecular epidemiology to genetic toxicology. In short, after alkaline DNA unwinding, subsequent electrophoresis causes the relaxed and broken fragments of DNA to move toward the anode away from the nucleoid core, appearing like a ‘comet.’ The distribution of DNA within the comet relates to the extent of DNA damage present in the cells.
- Exploring Dangerous Connections between Klebsiella pneumoniae Biofilms and Healthcare-Associated InfectionsPublication . Bandeira, Maria; Carvalho, Patricia Almeida; Duarte, Aida; Jordão, LuísaHealthcare-associated infections (HAI) are a huge public health concern, particularly when the etiological agents are multidrug resistant. The ability of bacteria to develop biofilm is a helpful skill, both to persist within hospital units and to increase antibiotic resistance. Although the links between antibiotic resistance, biofilms assembly and HAI are consensual, little is known about biofilms. Here, electron microscopy was adopted as a tool to investigate biofilm structures associated with increased antibiotic resistance. The K. pneumoniae strains investigated are able to assemble biofilms, albeit with different kinetics. The biofilm structure and the relative area fractions of bacteria and extracellular matrix depend on the particular strain, as well as the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) for the antibiotics. Increased values were found for bacteria organized in biofilms when compared to the respective planktonic forms, except for isolates Kp45 and Kp2948, the MIC values for which remained unchanged for fosfomycin. Altogether, these results showed that the emergence of antimicrobial resistance among bacteria responsible for HAI is a multifactorial phenomenon dependent on antibiotics and on bacteria/biofilm features.
- Exposure to emissions from cleaning products in primary schools: a test chamber studyPublication . Cavaleiro Rufo, João; Madureira, J.; Paciência, I.; Sousa, J.; Oliveira Fernandes, E.; Slezakova, K.; Pereira, M.C.; Aguiar, L.; Teixeira, J.P.; Pinto, M.; Delgado, L.; Moreira, A.The aim of this study was to investigate volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions from floor cleaning products (FCPs) used in primary schools and compare them with emissions from a previously recognised low-emitting product (control sample). Samples of FCPs used in 3 primary schools and a control sample were collected and subsequently examined in a test chamber. Measurements were performed at t = 0, 60, 120, 240 and 480 min after application. The analysis was performed by GC-MS. The results showed that VOC emissions were higher during t = 0 than in the subsequent measurements, with the exception of benzaldehyde and benzene, being significant for toluene and m/p-xylene. VOC emissions from the control FCP were not significantly lower than the schools FCPs. To prevent the exposure of children to VOCs, the school cleaning should be performed at the end of the classes.
- A importância dos biofilmes em otorrinolaringologia pediátricaPublication . Duarte, Aida; Jordão, Luisa; Subtil, JoãoPontos-chave: Saber o que é um biofilme e como a sua estrutura é relevante par os micro-organismos; Saber que é ubiquitário na natureza e no nosso organismo; Reconhecer a sua importância clínica.
- Indoor Environments and Elderly Health (Chapter 2)Publication . Mendes, Ana; Teixeira-Gomes, Armanda; Costa, Solange; Laffon, Blanca; Madureira, Joana; Teixeira, João PauloBook description: Elderly Care: Options, Challenges and Trends examines the demographic shifts Lebanon has experienced over the last few decades, indicating that it is a rapidly aging country. Such an aging population may need various levels of support including access to nursing care in nursing homes, either for short-term rehabilitation or for extended periods of time, when individual dependency outstrips family-based resources. Next, a review is provided on the latest studies and evidences regarding the influence of indoor environment on elderly health. A set of recommendations to improve elderly environmental health are presented, considering the most recent state-of-the-art on this field. Following this, the authors share their real-world experiences from an ongoing large-scale project on IoT-enabled community eldercare. Technology-centric challenges that need to be addressed are identified so that such systems can be sustainably implemented and adopted by key stakeholders. In a separate chapter, the book analyzes hospice care in China, which is still far from meeting its needs caused by the profound aging of China’s population. The analysis indicates that the Chinese Government should formulate a development plan for hospice care and include hospice care services in the National Healthcare Insurance System. Additionally, NGOs should continue to play their part in hospice care development. The perspectives of aging and frailty syndrome are explored later, focusing on the role of biomarkers and environmental exposure in its development. Currently, there are several gaps in the scientific literature regarding frailty syndrome, namely in their definition, models, causal-effects and prevention or treatments. Afterwards, rib fractures in the elderly are addressed. Although plain radiographic films are diagnostic, a large number of patients will need CAT scans for more precise locations of rib fractures. The management of complications as a direct result of rib fractures; mostly hemopneumothorax or visceral injury, will be dealt with accordingly. In an additional study, the factors for hospital admissions associated with adverse drug events are studied. Drug related hospital admissions in the elderly are commonly influenced by polypharmacy and inappropriate prescribing. (Nova Biomedical)
- Integrating Fungi in the Drinking Water Regulation and in Guidelines for Materials in Contact With Drinking Water. Is there Room for Change?Publication . Novak Babič, Monika; Brandão, João; Gunde-Cimerman, NinaDrinking water is essential for life. To ensure its safe use, up to date regulation is promoted by the World Health Organization, but ultimately established by individual countries and states federations. The European Union uses directives transposed to Member-states legislation. This regulation targets specific bacterial pathogens, but changes, like climate alterations, increasing human population and antimicrobial resistance bring along the necessity to adjust regulation to emerging threats. The authors herewith discuss the integration of fungi in drinking water regulation and in guidelines for materials in contact with drinking water. Core species should be established with possible indicators and specificities of water distribution to more susceptible users.
- Mining activities: health impactsPublication . Candeias, Carla; Ávila, Paula; Coelho, Patrícia; Teixeira, João P.Mining is an important economic activity with potential to contribute to the development of economies. At the same time, environmental and health impacts of mining on surrounding communities are of major concern. Potential human health risks occur at most stages of the mining life cycle, from exploration to mine closure, and may result from both surface and subsurface mines. Mining activities include the use of toxic chemicals and waste disposals with health impacts on miners and local populations and also with adverse environmental impacts on the surrounding environment. Human health impacts result from long term and systematic exposure, ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact with toxic heavy metals, acidic drainage and toxic chemicals. Inhalations of dust and air particulate matters are among the significant pathways of carcinogenic pollutants into the human body. Health impacts can also result from soil and water pollution due to the mine contaminants migration by erosion and weathering and chemical dispersion such as acid drainages from mine wastes and tailings. By applying appropriate practices, health effects due to mining activities can by mitigated or avoided. Legislation requires that mine administrators manage health and safety properly to provide safe places to work and live.