DAN - Artigos em revistas internacionais
URI permanente para esta coleção:
Navegar
Entradas recentes
- Obesity rise plateaus in developed nations and accelerates in developing nationsPublication . NCD Risk Factor Collaboration ConsortiumGlobal reporting of obesity is commonly based on comparisons over multiple decades and lacks a granular and systematic analysis of its dynamics. We used 4,050 population-based studies with measured height and weight data on 232 million participants to assess the worldwide dynamics of obesity from 1980 to 2024. The rise in obesity decelerated in school-aged children and adolescents throughout the 1990s in many high-income countries, and subsequently plateaued in most at age-standardized prevalences spanning 20 percentage points, from 3-4% for girls in Japan, Denmark and France to 23% for boys in the USA. There were indications of a small decline in obesity in children and adolescents in some high-income western countries (for example, Italy, Portugal and France) since the 2000s. Similar trends were seen in some countries in Central and Eastern Europe. In adults, the rise in obesity slowed down in high-income western countries about a decade after children, followed by a plateau or possibly a small reversal of the rise in some countries (for example, Spain). In most low-income and middle-income countries, the annual absolute change in prevalence has remained stable or increased over time, even though prevalence has surpassed that of high-income countries. These highly varied dynamics suggest that the social, economic and technological trends that influence the availability, affordability and use of different foods may have helped control the rise in obesity in high-income countries, but require policy interventions in low-income and middle-income countries.
- Evidence of Endocrine Disruption and Oxidative Stress in Mytilus galloprovincialis Exposed to 17α-EthinylestradiolPublication . Copeto, Sandra; Ferreira, Inês João; Mansilha, Catarina; Melo, Armindo; Motta, Carla; Silva, Marco; Diniz, MárioThe presence of endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs) in aquatic environments has raised significant concerns, particularly regarding their impact on marine biota. Among these compounds, 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2), a synthetic estrogen widely used in oral contraceptives, is highly persistent and biologically active at very low concentrations. This study evaluated the effects of EE2 exposure on oxidative stress responses and endocrine disruption in Mytilus galloprovincialis, exposed for 28 days to three EE2 concentrations (10, 30, and 300 ng·L−1). Biomarkers of oxidative stress, including the enzymatic activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione-S-transferase (GST), as well as Lipid Peroxidation (MDA levels), total ubiquitin (UBI) and the endocrine disruption marker, vitellogenin-like protein (VTG) were assessed. Results showed significant increase in GST and a decrease in CAT activities followed by an elevation at 300 ng·L−1, slightly higher than control values. Overall, results suggest an enhanced oxidative challenge. No significant changes were detected in MDA and UBI levels. VTG-like protein levels increased according to the EE2 concentrations tested, suggesting an effect on the mussel’s endocrine system. These results show the activation of detoxification and antioxidant defense mechanisms in exposed mussels as a response to mitigate oxidative stress damage. Furthermore, it highlights the importance of using biomarkers in pollution monitoring studies and environmental risk assessment.
- Bioaccessibility and cytotoxicity of arsenic and mercury in cooked seafood: Implications for food safety and human health riskPublication . Ventura, Marta; Assunção, Ricardo; Matos, Beatriz; Coelho, Inês; Delgado, Inês; Gueifão, Sandra; Santiago, Susana; Castanheira, Isabel; Martins, MartaSeafood is an important component of healthy dietary patterns. However, it can also serve as a dietary source of toxic elements that bioaccumulate in aquatic environments and biomagnify through the food web. This study quantified arsenic (As) and mercury (Hg) in cooked seafood, assessed their bioaccessibility, and evaluated the cytotoxic potential of the bioaccessible fractions using the human intestinal HT-29 cell line. The highest As concentrations were found in bivalves (3.7 ± 0.2 mg kg−1), and the highest Hg concentrations in scabbardfish (0.57 ± 0.01 mg kg−1). The bioaccessibility of As was substantially higher (ranging from 91 ± 2% to 127 ± 6%) than that of Hg (ranging from 4.8 ± 0.3% to 24 ± 8%). The highest bioaccessibility was observed in fresh tuna, 127 ± 6% and 24 ± 8% for As and Hg, respectively. Cytotoxicity assays at 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h indicated that bioaccessible Hg concentrations remained below cytotoxic thresholds. These results highlight the importance of integrating bioaccessibility and toxicological indicators into the evaluation of seafood safety.
- Dietary exposure to essential and toxic trace elements in the portuguese population: A total diet study approachPublication . Ventura, Marta; Rego, Andreia; Gueifão, Sandra; Delgado, Inês; Coelho, InêsThe World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recognise Total Diet Studies (TDS) as an essential public health tool for assessing dietary exposure to beneficial and harmful substances through food. This study provides occurrence data for nine trace elements (As, Cd, Co, I, Mo, Pb, Se, Sn, and Sr) in representative foods consumed by the Portuguese population, using a harmonised TDS methodology. The study also fills previously missing data in the Portuguese Food Composition Database, strengthening its value for nutritional monitoring and exposure assessment. The results show that the lowest concentration of all trace elements were observed in the “Water and water-based beverages” group while the highest concentrations were found in “Fish, seafood, amphibians, reptiles, and invertebrates” (As, Cd, I, Pb, Se, Sr), “Sugar confectionery and water-based sweet desserts” (Co), “Legumes, nuts, oilseeds and spices” (Mo), and “Fruit and fruit products” (Sn). Importantly, all measured levels of trace elements were below the applicable legal limits, indicating that the analysed foods do not pose a risk for consumer health. Furthermore, the data can support risk assessment, regulatory decisions, and the development of public health policies related to trace element intake. These findings also facilitate comparisons with international TDS data, contributing to global understanding of dietary exposures.
- Urinary multi-mycotoxin exposure in the Portuguese population and associated sociodemographic determinantsPublication . Maris, Elias; Namorado, Sónia; Chen, An; Pero-Gascon, Roger; De Boevre, Marthe; De Saeger, Sarah; Silva, Maria João; Alvito, PaulaEuropean human biomonitoring (HBM) studies have increasingly adopted multi-mycotoxin approaches to capture complex exposure scenarios encountered in real-life diets. This nation-wide study provides the characterization, for the first time, of the mycotoxin profile of 295 urine samples collected from the Portuguese population in the continent and islands (archipelagos of Madeira and Azores), using an optimized and validated LC-MS/MS method for the characterization of 39 mycotoxins/metabolites. Nearly all study participants (99.3%) were exposed to at least one mycotoxin, with around half (54.2%) being co-exposed to only 2 detectable mycotoxins. Free-deoxynivalenol (free-DON, 84.7%) and tenuazonic acid (TeA, 95.6%) were the most prevalent mycotoxins. Citrinin (CIT, 11.5%), α-zearalenone (α-ZEL, 10.5%) and ochratoxin A (OTA, 9.5%) showed detection rates near 10%. Median concentrations (P50) for the two predominant mycotoxins were 0.79 μg/L (0.72 μg/g creatinine) for free-DON and 2.45 μg/L (2.08 μg/g creatinine) for TeA, with maximum values of 11.77 μg/L (10.06 μg/g creatinine) and 90.91 μg/L (114.15 μg/g creatinine), respectively. Sociodemographic patterns showed lower exposure in the Centre region and higher free-DON exposure in southern Portugal and the archipelagos. TeA exposure differed significantly by region and was lowest in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area and Algarve compared to the Center reference region. Low educational levels and spring sampling correlated with higher exposure for both toxins, but only education levels showed statistical significance in the linear regression analyses. For both TeA and free-DON, no differences in exposure were observed by sex, occupational status, or degree of urbanization. Overall, these findings underscore the importance of continuous surveillance, particularly under the current climate change scenario, and highlight the relevance of integrating human biomonitoring into national food safety and public health strategies.
- Bioaccumulation and elimination kinetics of metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in Hermetia illucens larvae: Implications for risk mitigation of selected contaminants in insect farmingPublication . Mostafaie, Amid; Silva, Patricia V.; Prodana, Marija; Silva, Ana Rita R.; Pinto, José N.; Duarte, Regina M.B.O.; Alvito, Paula; Coelho, Inês; Rego, Andreia; Lopes, Iva G.; Brooks, Bryan W.; Loureiro, Susana; Cardoso, Diogo N.Rapidly expanding insect farming industries worldwide are raising concerns about introducing contaminants into food chains. One of the dominant species in this new bioindustry, the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens), offers diverse benefits ranging from protein production to waste management, biofuel, and pharmaceutical applications. Recent studies have highlighted the ability of insects to accumulate metals; however, knowledge of their ability to eliminate contaminants is needed. Similarly, information regarding the accumulation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is lacking. This study aimed to understand how H. illucens larvae accumulate and eliminate metals and PAHs from contaminated substrates. We performed two-phase bioaccumulation experiments followed by toxicokinetic modelling to estimate uptake and elimination rate constants and half-lives in H. illucens. During the uptake phase, insects were exposed for five days to contaminated substrates at EU maximum feed concentrations: 2 mg kg−1 for As and Cd, 10 mg kg−1 for Pb, and 12.5 μg kg−1 for each of four PAHs (benzo[a]pyrene, benz[a]anthracene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, chrysene). In the second phase, insects were exposed to non-contaminated substrates for five days to evaluate elimination. Results showed metal accumulation with kinetic bioaccumulation factors of 4.26, 1.16, and 1.31 for Cd, As, and Pb, respectively. A one-day depuration reduced As and Pb below regulatory thresholds; Cd required three days. Minimal to no accumulation was observed for B[a]P and B[b]F, with higher uptake for B[a]A. PAH half-lives were under one day. These findings, from controlled experiments with limited contaminants, support incorporating a depuration phase for risk mitigation in H. illucens waste-to-protein systems.
- Editorial: Advanced techniques against food fraudPublication . Lei, Hongtao; Castanheira, Isabel; Guan, TianNo abstract available
- The first harmonised total diet study in Portugal: Arsenic, cadmium and lead exposure assessmentPublication . Vasco, Elsa; Dias, Maria da Graça; Oliveira, LuísaThe aim of this study was to estimate the 18-74 years old Portuguese population's baseline exposure to inorganic arsenic, cadmium and lead and the risk of exceeding the respective Health Based Guidance Value, using a harmonised Total Diet Study (TDS) methodology. TDS food samples representative of the whole diet were prepared as consumed and analysed for total arsenic, cadmium and lead. European Food Safety Authority's conservative approach was used to estimate inorganic arsenic. Exposure was assessed using the Monte Carlo Risk Assessment software. At upper bound approach, the mean baseline exposure was estimated at 0.28 and 0.35 μg kg body weight day for inorganic arsenic and lead, respectively, and 1.36 μg kg body weight week for cadmium. Margins of exposure of below or close to one were found for inorganic arsenic and lead, whereas 5.4 % of individuals exceeded the Tolerable Weekly Intake for cadmium. These results indicate that adverse health effects cannot be ruled out. Bread was the common main contributor for the exposure to all three elements.
- Voices of youth: youth participation in the CO-CREATE ProjectPublication . Meshkovska, Biljana; Moerman, Gerben; Baillergeau, Evelyne; Bröer, Christian; Lien, Nanna; Luszczynska, Aleksandra; Rito, Ana Isabel; Knai, Cécile; Helleve, ArnfinnIntroduction: Applying youth participatory action research (YPAR) has become common practice in public health. However, there are challenges in applying YPAR and there is a need for improving the process by learning from youth that has participated in such projects. This study explores youth involvement in the CO-CREATE project which focused on developing overweight and obesity prevention policies. Methods: This is a qualitative study, based on three data sources: 1) fieldnotes taken by project staff during observation of youth (approximately 150 observations) 2) semi-structured interviews with project staff (n = 12) 3) direct feedback from participating youth through feedback forms (n = 51). Data was analyzed in NVivo, following the principles of reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Five themes were generated which showcase youth involvement in CO-CREATE: 1) an inspired and engaged youth; 2) insights through respectful interactions; 3) a strength of voice and call to action; 4) challenges in understanding project and disengagement; and 5) interpersonal conflict and pressure to participate. Conclusion: Taking the time to build trust and create a feeling of equality is important. It is also important to allow youth to take the lead when they wish so and have clear ideas of how to do so. Voices of rebelliousness can be a show of strength and help reach the goals of the project. Participation in CO-CREATE may have contributed toward individual empowerment of youth.
- Measuring minerals in pseudocereals using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry: what is the optimal digestion method?Publication . Nascimento, Ana C.; Motta, Carla; Rego, Andreia; Delgado, Inês; Santiago, Susana; Assunção, Ricardo; Matos, Ana Sofia; Santos, Mariana; Castanheira, Isabel; .Pseudocereals have gained attention due to their adaptability to different climates, high nutritional value, and suitability for gluten-free and plant-based diets. However, a challenge lies in the necessary adaptations in the diet pathways, mainly due to the lack of matrix-matching metrological tools. To address this problem, we developed a classification system to support laboratory decisions without shaped Proficiency Testing (PT) or Certified/Standard References Material. This system evaluates method performance through limit of detection (LOD), maximum uncertainty, and statistical comparison. For that matter, the mineral contents (Cu, Mn, Fe, Zn, Mg, P, Ca, K, and Na) of quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa), amaranth (Amaranthus caudatus), and buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) were determined, using three different digestion methods, including dry-ashing, microwave, and graphite block acid digestion. A decision was reached concerning the optimal digestion method to be employed, with the results classified into three categories: (i) “rejected if results failed in two categories; (ii) “use with caution” if results were not satisfactory in one category; or (iii) “accepted”, if the results passed in all the categories. The system efficacy was exemplified by the effectiveness of dry-ashing and graphite block acid digestion by comparison with microwave digestion. Neither dry-ashing nor graphite block acid digestion can be recommended as an alternative method to the microwave digestion method when all the prioritized nutrient minerals are understudied. Although the microwave method is preferable for multi-elemental analysis, it is possible to obtain, with caution, comparable results from all the digestion methods if a higher relative combined uncertainty is defined (target uncertainty < 11%) under the assumption that this is suitable for the study.