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- Co-Inheritance of alpha-thalassemia and sickle cell disease in a cohort of Angolan pediatric patientsPublication . Santos, Brígida; Delgadinho, Mariana; Ginete, Catarina; Germano, Isabel; Miranda, Armandina; Arez, Ana Paula; Faustino, Paula; Brito, MiguelIntrodution: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a recessive hereditary disease and a major global health problem, affecting over 300.000 newborn infants each year, and it is estimated that 75% of these births occur in Sub-Saharan Africa. SCD is a monogenic disease; the clinical manifestations are very heterogeneous due to environmental and genetic factors; in particular, the co-inheritance of alpha-thalassemia and an innate ability to produce fetal haemoglobin are two major modifiers that substantially impact disease pathophysiology. Objectives: This study explores the association between alpha-thalassemia, fetal haemoglobin, haematological indices, and clinical adverse events in pediatric Angolan sickle cell disease pediatric patients. Methods: A total of 200 SCD children were selected, after guardian written informed consent. None of them was treated with hydroxyurea or transfusion in the last 3 months. A venous blood sample was collected from each participant in the context of the routine medical and used for hematological analyses, fetal hemoglobin quantification, and genotyping of 3.7 kb alpha-thalassemia deletion by GAP-PCR. Mean values, standard deviation, and frequency distributions were performed to estimate the hematological, clinical, and genetic data. Results: The frequency of the 3.7 kb alpha-thalassemia deletion in homozygosity was 12.5%, and in heterozygosity was 55.0%. An increase in alpha-thalassemia frequency was observed in children older than 5 years old (11.7% vs. 13.00%). Furthermore, 3.7 kb alpha-thalassemia deletion homozygotes had a significantly higher age of the first manifestation, lower number of blood transfusions by year, higher haemoglobin, lower mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, and lower hemolytic rate observed by a lower number of reticulocytes count. There were no differences in fetal haemoglobin between the three genotypes. Moreover, the number of stroke events, osteomyelitis, splenomegaly, splenectomy, and hepatomegaly were lower when alpha-thalassemia was co-inherited. Conclusion: The effect of alpha-thalassemia deletion in SCD was analysed, and results reinforce that this trait influences the haematological and clinical aspects and produces a milder phenotype.
- Occurence of persistent environmental pollutants in freshwaterPublication . Jordão, Luisa; Mansilha, Catarina; Melo, Armindo; Nogueira, Isabel; Veber, Alexander; Puskar, Ljiljana; Schade, UlrichFreshwater pollution is a huge concern. Occurence of 2 groups of persistent pollutants with similar chemical properties (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and microplastics) in Alqueva’s surface water were evaluated during 2021. Samples were collected, once per season, at 3 spots related to touristic activities. Biofilm presence on plastic and natural materials was monitored and compared.
- World Youth Day 2023 - non-endemic infectious disease surveillance through wastewater analysesPublication . Valério, Elisabete; Palminha, Paula; Neves, Raquel; Cadinha, Luis; Ferreira, João Duarte; Correia, Paulo; Medeiros, InêsThe World Youth Day (WYD) is an event that mobilizes millions of people from all over the world. It is an event promoted by the Catholic Church mainly focused on young people and aims to bring together representatives from all Catholic countries. In 2023, WYD was held in Portugal, hosted in Lisbon between August 1st and 6th. Other satellite events prior to WYD were promoted throughout the country. Portimão Municipality agreed to collaborate with the “Welcome to Paradise” festival between the 26th and 31st of July, before traveling to Lisbon for WYD. THE PROBLEM: 4000 young people were expected to arrive from 27 countries, on 5 continents, that were accommodated in 10 schools in the municipality of Portimão. There was a very diverse epidemiological context, namely the endemic diseases in the origin countries. Taking into account the high proximity of the different groups in provisionary accommodation establishments, we could suppose that the conditions could favor the spread of a non-endemic infectious disease with the potential to pressure available health services beyond their capacity to respond. AIM Monitor possible introduction of non-endemic infectious disease into the community, through analyses of the wastewater. THE APPROACH: The Barlavento Public Health Unit carried out a survey of endemic diseases in each country of origin of the participants. In order to monitor the possible introduction of a non-endemic disease into the community, focused on poliovirus, a protocol was established with the National Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge to monitor some diseases through the analysis of wastewater from the Portimão WWTP before, during and after the event. Research was carried out on non-endemic Poliovirus, and other endemic agents as control: Non Polio Enterovirus, adenovirus, Hepatitis A virus and Norovirus GI and GII search. RESULTS: Monitoring carried out on wastewater in Portimão before arrival, upon departure and 10 days after departure was always negative for Poliovirus and Hepatitis A virus and always positive for Norovirus I and II, Non Polio Enterovirus and Adenovirus. CONCLUSIONS: This Case Study of the wastewater monitoring performed allowed to discard the worries raised with such a high dimension event. This kind of approach is important, since we have already verified that wastewater analysis might be a relevant early warning system for public health risks.
- Self-reported dermal effects of hand sanitisers in industrial workersPublication . Costa, Carla; Carvalhais, C.; Domingos, C.; Oliveira, A.; Santos, J.Background: During COVID-19 pandemic, preventing the virus spread was extremely important to reduce the overall burden of the disease, to maintain the companies running and to remain safe. WHO recommended physical distances, appropriate use of personal protective equipment and hand hygiene practices to reduce the spread. Hand hygiene practice by using alcohol-based hand sanitisers was generalized in all sectors of activity, including those with no previous need to implement preventive measures against biological risks. Objective: The aim of this study was to obtain self-reported data on hand hygiene habits and perceived symptomatology regarding skin health effects associated with skin exposure to alcohol-based hand sanitisers of industrial workers during COVID-19 pandemic. Method: Between November 2021 and April 2022, a questionnaire-based descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using 97 study participants. Results: The reported information on hands sanitisers used show that most of the participants at work, use the hand sanitizer provided by the company a alcoholic solution of 2-propanol 70%. Nearly half of the workers disinfected their hands more than 3 times per day, but at work, there was a concern to also disinfect wrists and forearms. Self-reported dermal effects show that half of the participants noticed skin dryness with the increased use of hand sanitisers. Application: The novelty of this work is posed by the type of sample under study (industrial rather than hospital context) which allow gathering data to build knowledge in this field and to develop guidelines of good practices on how to make adequate disinfection and to promote skin health in industrial settings.
- Viability assay and DNA double strand break induction in nervous system cells exposed to cerium dioxide nanoparticlesPublication . Fernandez-Bertolez, N.; Touzani, A.; Martinez, L.; Méndez, J.; Ramos-Paz, L.; Reis, A.T.; Fraga, S.; Costa, C.; Teixeira, J.P.; Pásaro, E.; Valdiglesias, V.; Laffon, B.Cerium dioxide nanoparticles (CeO2 NP) show antioxidant enzyme mimetic properties and free radical scavenging activity. These properties make them a promising material for biomedical applications, but their potential adverse effects are not totally understood yet. Our objective was to assess the biological behaviour of CeO2 NP in human neuronal and glial cells. After carrying out the physical-chemical characterization of the CeO2 NP and analysing their ability to be taken up by neuronal and glial cells, the possible alterations in cell viability and induction of DNA double strand breaks were determined by means of MTT assay and γH2AX assay, respectively. The possible existence of interference of the NP with the assay methodologies was previously addressed and corrected when necessary. The results obtained showed that, even though there was a significant dose- and time-dependent internalization of the NP by both cell lines, the CeO2 NP generally presented scarce cyto- or genotoxicity, essentially depending on the NP exposure time and being restricted to higher doses. These results provide a better understanding of the interaction of CeO2 NP with cellular systems and their possible adverse effects, specifically at nervous system level.
- Utility of salivary leucocytes for biomonitoring of human exposure to nanomaterials by means of the comet assayPublication . Valdiglesias, Vanessa; Fernández-Bertólez, Natália; Touzani, A.; Mendéz, J.; Martinez, L.; Pásaro, E.; Reis, A.T.; Fraga, S.; Teixeira, J.P.; Costa, C.; Laffon, B.Metal-based nanoparticles (NP) are being increasingly used in a wide variety of applications in consumer products and biomedical practices. As a result, human exposure to these nanomaterials is frequent, becoming a concern to public health. Human salivary leucocytes have been proposed as a proper biological sample for the comet assay, becoming an adequate non-invasive alternative model to evaluate DNA damage. In the present study, the suitability of salivary leucocytes to respond to exposure to different nanomaterials was addressed.
- Impact of renovations on EDC levels and school children's health: bridging science-policy gaps by addressing scientific uncertaintiesPublication . Hatem, G.; Salamova, A.; Haninnen, O.; Faria, A.M.; Costa, C.; Slezakova, K.; Teixeira, J.P.; Madureira, J.Building renovations may yield emissions of various air chemicals that can disrupt normal human endocrine functions. However, only a few endocrine disruptive health outcomes (e.g., respiratory, behavioural, or learning domains) have been comprehensively addressed among susceptible populations, particularly schoolchildren. This project investigates the role of school building renovations on childrenís exposure to indoor Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) and the associated respiratory and cognitive health risks.
- Urinary biomonitoring in firefighters: baseline data of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons metabolitesPublication . Barros, B.; Oliveira, M.; Paiva, M.; Fernandes, A.; Alves, S.; Vaz, J.; Esteves, F.; Slezakova, K.; Alves, M.J.; Madureira, J.; Pereira, M.C.; Morais, S.Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are among the most relevant pollutants in the firefighting context and urine the most straightforward and interesting matrix for biomonitoring. Recent studies have found elevated levels of PAH metabolites in firefighters in comparison to the general population. Since Portuguese firefighters are poorly characterized, the aim of this study was to determine the baseline data (i.e., with no recent exposure to fire emissions) of several urinary monohydroxyl-PAHs (OHPAHs; 1-hydroxynaphthalene, 1-hydroxyacenaphthene, 2-hydroxyfluorene, 1-hydroxyphenanthrene, 1- hydroxypyrene, 3-hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene) in this occupational group. A total of 106 Portuguese firefighters were enrolled in this study and characterized through a previously validated questionnaire. Individual OHPAHs were detected with a frequency of 90-99%, except for 3-hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene (biomarker of exposure to carcinogenic PAHs) that was not identified. The individual levels of 1-hydroxypyrene (the established biomarker for PAHs exposure) were lower than the recommended biological exposure limit proposed by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (0.93 µmol/mol creatinine). This study characterized the baseline data of PAHs exposure in Portuguese firefighters by urinary biomonitoring, which enables comparison with occupational studies from other countries and contributes to fill a research gap in Portugal
- Effect of individual's characteristics on volatile organic compoounds profile analysed by an electronic nosePublication . Slezakova, Klara; Cavaleiro-Rufo, J.; Esteves, F.; Costa, D.; Pereira, M.C.; Teixeira, J.P.; Madureira, J.Breath analysis using an electronic nose (eNose) is a technology for exhaled volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that has shown potential in the diagnosis of respiratory diseases. However, the effect of an individual’s characteristics in the exhaled VOCs profile is far from fully understood. This pilot study aimed to identify the relevant characteristics of participants that may influence the VOCs profiles by the eNose. The study population consisted of 91 volunteers (57.1% males) with an average age of 38 years, randomly recruited among nonexposed individuals to VOCs in Porto, Portugal. Exhaled breath air samples were analysed using the Cyranose® 320. Physiological (e.g. height, weight) and sociodemographic characteristics, behavioural patterns, and occupational/environmental exposures were collected through a self-administered questionnaire. Other data (e.g. type of consumed food, liquids and oral hygiene) was recorded via face-to-face interviews. Results showed that exhaled VOCs profiles are influenced by water intake prior to breath sample air collection. It is suggested that individuals should abstain from drinking water for 2.5 h before VOC analysis. This work will support other ongoing research in occupational exposure scenarios, such as forest firefighters’, to further the understanding of this under-explored scientific area, since we hypothesise that VOCs patterns will differ between persons occupationally exposed to VOCs and those unexposed.
- From forests to health impacts: integrating human biomonitoring on wildfire researchPublication . Esteves, Filipa; Madureira, Joana; Pires, Joana; Teixeira, João Paulo; Costa, SolangeAbout the impact of Wildfires, that can cause significant impacts on the environment, economy, and people.