ESS - SA - Posters apresentados em eventos científicos
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Browsing ESS - SA - Posters apresentados em eventos científicos by Author "Almeida, Agostinho"
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- Association between aluminium levels and cognitive decline in environmentally exposed eldersPublication . Gerardo, Bianca; Pinto, Marina Cabral; Nogueira, Joana; Almeida, Agostinho; Pinto, Edgar; Simões, Mário Rodrigues; Freitas, SandraNormal brain functioning depends on metals homeostasis, as imbalances may increase oxidative stress and cause other detrimental intracellular events that lead to cell loss. Furthermore, environmental exposure to toxic metals is hypothesized to induce neuroinflammation and neuropathology, paving the way to neurodegeneration. The aim of this study was to examine whether such Potentially Toxic Elements (PTE) are associated with cognitive performance over time in a sample of elderly individuals of environmentally contaminated regions. A total of 146 elders permanently residing in environmental risk areas were recruited. Participants completed the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) for cognitive assessment and were biomonitored for several PTE through hair and urine analysis. After 5 years, the cognitive assessment was repeated. Cognitive performance significantly declined from baseline to follow-up (p < 0.001), with participants scoring on average 4.41 less points on MMSE (Baseline: M = 25.79, SD = 3.520, Md = 27.00; Follow-up: M = 21.38, SD = 5.343, Md = 21.00). Regression analysis on the relationship between PTE and cognitive performance revealed that Aluminium (β = -0.322, p = 0.32) and Zinc (β = -0.372, p = 0.15) in hair and Aluminium in urine (β = -0.368, p = 0.010) significantly predicted MMSE scores past 5 years of biomonitoring (p = 0.002). Higher contents of these PTE were associated with worse cognitive performance at follow-up, after controlling the effects of age, education and supplement intake. Higher levels of Aluminium significantly predict worse general cognitive performance 5 years after biomonitoring across different biological samples. Environmental exposure to this metal may constitute a risk factor for cognitive decline.
- A detailed and comparative elemental analysis (Poland vs. Portugal) of espresso coffeePublication . Almeida, Agostinho; Cunha, Ana; Pinto, Edgar; Azevedo, Rui; Seroczynska, Kinga; Konieczynski, Pawel; Wesolowski, MarekCoffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world. There are many different types of coffee, but “espresso” has become the favourite in many countries. In Portugal, 80% of people drink coffee daily and prefer to make it as an espresso. Annual per capita coffee consumption (dry beans) is estimated at 5 kg, being higher in many other Western European countries, namely the Nordic countries. In Poland, also more than 80% of adults consume coffee every day, but instant coffee still takes up the largest share. National per capita consumption (2021) is estimated at between 0.72.5 kg. Espresso coffee is prepared by passing water at high temperature (88-92 ºC) and under high pressure (8-10 bar) through ground coffee (6-8 g) for 20-30 seconds to produce around 25-40 ml of beverage. The extraction of substances existing in coffee powder is very efficient, so their concentration in coffee (beverage) is also very high. In this work, we carried out a comparative study of the elemental composition (n=34 macrominerals and trace elements) of espresso coffee from two different European origins: Northern Poland (n=60, areas of Gdańsk, Gdynia and Elbląg) and Northern Portugal (n=22, Porto Metropolitan Area). Samples (5-10 ml) were taken from the beverage as served in cafes, restaurants and gas stations. In order to better document the contribution of coffee (powder) to the final composition of the beverage, water samples were taken in parallel at the same locations. The analysis was performed by ICP-MS. In both cases, espresso coffee proved to be a concentrated source of many elements (Table 1), with levels much higher than those of water from the same location. Polish waters were globally much more mineralized than Portuguese waters, and generally Polish coffee also showed significantly higher levels of macrominerals and trace elements than the Portuguese ones.
- Distribution of Arsenic Tolerance Genes (arsA) among Enterococcus spp. from different sources, continents and timeframes (<1906-2015).Publication . Rebelo, Andreia; Mourão, Joana; Freitas, Ana; Coque, Teresa; Almeida, Agostinho; Peixe, Luísa; Antunes, Patrícia; Novais, CarlaSuccessful bacteria accumulate different genetic features shaping their evolution and fitness to diverse environments/hosts. Arsenic-compounds are widespread in nature and possibly contribute to selection of particular strains. The aim of this study was to evaluate the dispersion of arsA genes among Enterococcus from different sources, continents and timeframes. The arsA genes (coding for arsenical-pump-driving-ATPases) were searched in GenBank Enterococcus genomes and used to construct a maximum-likelihood phylogenetic-tree. A PCR scheme+sequencing was developed to detect arsA alleles from all phylogenetic subgroups identified among 333 isolates (Portugal; human/animal/environment/food; 1996-2012)1. Na2HAsO4 susceptibility was evaluated by agar dilution (0,25 to 128mM; n=143 isolates).
- Low serum bromine levels in chronic hemodialysis patients - is there any clinical impact?Publication . Duro, Mary; Novakova, Gergana; Bonev, Presian; Azevedo, Rui; Couto, Cristina; Pinto, Edgar; Almeida, AgostinhoPatients on chronic hemodialysis therapy are at high risk for disturbed trace element status due to both the underlying disease and the hemodialysis process itself. Data on serum bromine levels in these patients are scarce. Using an ICP-MS analytical procedure, serum bromine levels were determined in a cohort of end-stage renal disease patients on chronic hemodialysis (n=57; 68.9±14.0 years old; male/female ratio: 1.37). The results were compared with those of a control group (individuals without evidence of kidney disease according to standard clinical laboratory criteria who attended the same clinical laboratory for routine analyses: n=59; 57.4±17.9 years old; male/female ratio: 0.90). Hemodialysis patients had much lower serum bromine levels than controls: 1086±244 vs. 4137±770 µg/L; P<0.0001. Bromine (bromide in plasma) showed to be extensively removed from plasma due to the hemodialysis process. The actual impact of this bromine “deficiency” is unknown. Bromine has not generally been considered an “essential” element, however, evidence of possible essentiality has been growing. In particular, bromine has been linked to brain metabolism: it is used as a sedative to induce sleep, increases in animals during hibernation as well as in sleeping humans; and a bromine compound with REM sleep-inducing and anti-choline esterase activities (1-methylheptyl gammabromoacetoacetate) was identified in human cerebrospinal fluid. On the other hand, estimates suggest that 40-85% of hemodialysis patients have sleep disorders, mainly insomnia. Thus, the possibility has been raised that the bromine “deficiency” found in these patients may be associated with sleep the disorders that affect them. This is an interesting hypothesis that requires further clinical investigation.
- Population structure of the brazilian carapeba eugerres brasilianus in a complex of lagoon systems from southwest atlantic ocean Inferred from otolith elemental and shape signatures †Publication . Almeida, Paulo; Costa, Marcus; Oliveira, Raiane; Pinto, Edgar; Almeida, Agostinho; Azevedo, Rui; Monteiro-Neto, Cassiano; Correia, Alberto TeodoricoThe Brazilian mojarra, Eugerres brasilianus, is an economically important species for the artisanal fisheries that exist in the estuarine environments along the Southwest Atlantic Ocean. Despite this, knowledge about its population structure is scarce, and no management strategies have been applied to ensure the sustainability of E. brasilianus fisheries in Brazil. Thus, the present study intended to understand the population structure of E. brasilianus in a complex system of lagoons in the Southwest Atlantic Ocean. A total of 90 individuals were collected in the lagoons of Piratininga-Itaipu (IP), Saquarema (SQ) and Araruama (AR) between December 2019 and March 2020. For the analyses, 30 individuals per location from the same age group (2 years old), following age estimation by counting the annual growth increments, were used. The contour of the shape of each otolith was evaluated using elliptical Fourier descriptors (EFD). Multi-elemental signatures (MES) of the whole otoliths were obtained using solution-based inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Data were analyzed using univariate and multivariate statistics to assess the degree of separation between individuals from different lagoons. EFD data showed differences between regions. MES exhibited distinct regional patterns, mainly driven by differences in Sr/Ca, Mg/Ca, Mn/Ca, Li/Ca and Cu/Ca ratios. Reclassification accuracy rates obtained from linear discriminant function analyses using both EFD and MES of otoliths were 100% (IP), 90% (SQ) and 97% (AR). Therefore, a clear distinction between the population groups was observed, probably related to the inherent characteristics of each lagoon system, their semi-restricted connectivity with the adjacent coastal zone, as well as the estuarine-opportunistic behavior of the species. Thus, the results suggest that these fisheries should be managed as different population-units.
- Trace element imbalances in hemodialysis patients: new data from a cohort of Portuguese patientsPublication . Duro, Mary; Azevedo, Rui; Costa, Félix; Pinto, Edgar; Almeida, AgostinhoPatients with end-stage renal disease undergoing hemodialysis (HD) therapy are at risk of developing deficiencies of essential trace elements and/or overload of toxic trace elements, both of which may significantly affect their clinical status. Those imbalances may result from the disease itself but also from the therapy, namely the hemodialysis process. This work aimed at evaluate the current trace elements status in a cohort of patients under hemodialysis therapy. Serum (n=88) and whole blood samples (n=108) from HD patients, collected during the routine periodic control of Al levels, were analyzed for a wide panel of trace elements using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) (HD group). For comparison purposes, both serum (n=16) and whole blood samples (n=59) of individuals attending the same Clinical Laboratory but with no evidence of renal disease according to standard laboratory analytical criteria were also analysed (Control group).
- Unveiling the contribution of ars operon for arsenic tolerance among clinically-relevant Salmonella serotypes/clonesPublication . Mourão, Joana; Rebelo, Andreia; Machado, Jorge; Almeida, Agostinho; Peixe, Luísa; Novais, Carla; Antunes, PatríciaArsenic environmental contamination by anthropogenic activities, including in animal-farming management (e.g. coccidiostatics/pesticides/waste), may represent a long-term selective pressure driving the selection of multidrug-resistant (MDR) emergent Salmonella serotypes/clones. Diverse arsenic tolerance (AsT) mechanisms were described, although dispersion and association with a tolerance phenotype remains unknown in Salmonella. Our objective was to study the occurrence of genes coding for arsenical efflux pumps and their implications in tolerance phenotypes in diverse Salmonella serotypes and clones, including emergent MDR and/or copper/silver tolerant ones. 283 Salmonella isolates (2000-2016; humans/foods/animal/environment) from 57 serotypes (including the most frequent: Enteritidis/n=16; Typhimurium/n=49; 4,[5],12:i:-/n=63; Rissen/n=15) were selected based in PFGE-types and/or STs obtained by MLST and different profiles of antibiotic-resistance or metal-tolerance (Cu/Ag/Hg/Te)1,2. Screening of arsenic tolerance genes, arsB and acr3 (both coding for arsenical pump membrane proteins) was performed by PCR/sequencing. MICNa2HAsO4 were determined in aerobic and anaerobic atmospheres by the agar dilution method.
- Unveiling the geographical influence on honey's physicochemical profile: a case study from Montesinho Natural ParkPublication . Soares, Sónia; Magalhães, Leandro; Moreira, Manuela M.; Rede, Diana; Fernandes, Virgínia Cruz; Viegas, Olga; Pinto, Edgar; Almeida, Agostinho; Azevedo, Rui; Delerue-Matos, CristinaIn recent years, global honey consumption has significantly increased due to the rising demand for natural products with health benefits. Consumers are particularly drawn to honey recognized for its superior quality, such as Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) honey or honey produced in protected areas, which is associated with distinctive characteristics. Portugal stands among the top producers of PDO honey, with Montesinho Natural Park (MNP) being a notable example of high-quality Portuguese honey. Despite its reputation, environmental challenges threaten both honey production and quality in this region. This study aims to evaluate the physicochemical parameters and nutritional characteristics of honey from MNP and investigate the correlation between these properties and the geographical location of the apiaries. Honey samples (n=13) were collected from local producers and supermarkets. Standard physicochemical parameters, including 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), diastase activity, moisture and ash content, free acidity, electrical conductivity, and pH, were analysed following honey legislation guidelines. Additional parameters, such as colour, protein content, low-molecular-weight carbohydrates, and mineral composition, were also assessed. The findings indicate that all honey samples complied with legal standards and align with previously published data, showing a high degree of homogeneity across the physicochemical properties analysed. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed that parameters such as colour, HMF, and specific minerals (Mg, Ca, K, Mn, Sr, Cu, Ba) contributed to the clustering of honey samples, suggesting that geographical variations among apiary locations might influence these properties. However, these differences do not affect the overall quality of the PDO honey produced in MNP. This study represents the first comprehensive characterization of honey from different apiaries within MNP. While the results demonstrate the consistency and quality of MNP honey, further research is necessary to explore the relationship between geographic origin and quality under varying environmental conditions. These insights could be valuable for maintaining sustainable beekeeping practices in the region and preserving the unique attributes of MNP honey.