Browsing by resource type "editorial"
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- EditorialPublication . Carvalho, José António Beleza; Beleza Carvalho, José António(Excerto editorial) Voltamos à vossa presença com mais uma publicação da nossa revista “Neutro-à-Terra”. Ao fim de 16 anos continuamos a intervir, semestralmente, na área científica da Engenharia Eletrotécnica, com a publicação de vários artigos técnicos e científicos que procuram ser uma mais valia na resolução de problemas nesta vertente da Engenharia, mas também uma forma de apoio aos estudantes e a todos os profissionais de Engenharia Eletrotécnica.
- Editorial comments on “Multiarray screening identifies plasma proteins associated with Th17 cell differentiation and viral defense in coincident asthma and obesity”Publication . Rufo, João Cavaleiro; Chauhan, Jitesh; Kalayci, Ömer; Eigenmann, Philippe; Cavaleiro Rufo, JoãoThe clinical associations between asthma and obesity remain poorly understood. The increasing prevalence ofboth conditions occurring may represent a modern clinical paradox. It is unclear whether reduced physical activ-ity in children with asthma leads to obesity, or if asthma-like symptoms in obese children result directly from theassociated excessive abdominal fat, impaired lung function, and heightened Th2 inflammation. Determining theetiology of both diseases and their interconnection is therefore an important research avenue.A recent study has sought to investigate this through a cross-sectional analysis of Australian children, bothwith and without asthma, examining their levels of physical activity. Interestingly, the study found no evidencethat asthma hindered physical activity.1 On the other hand, although most studies have shown obesity is linkedto a higher risk of asthma, the exact mechanism remains unclear. Many studies refer to obesity as an exacerbationfactor for asthma symptoms rather than a direct contributor to the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms ofasthma. 2 This highlights the need for continued research to untangle the complex interplay between these twoconditions.In 2019, a study investigating the associations between exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals andchildhood asthma identified a specific pattern of volatile organic compounds that were significantly linked to theearly onset “obese-asthma” phenotype, but not to asthma or obesity independently. 3 This suggests that asthmaand obesity may share common risk factors that trigger disease onset of both conditions during early childhood.Supporting this hypothesis, subsequent research has identified 29 genes associated with the obese-asthma phe-notypes, including GBP5 and SOCS, which further highlights the genetic underpinnings of this dual condition. 4In this issue, Manell et al. offer valuable insights by investigating novel plasma protein biomarkers specificallyassociated with the coexistence of asthma and obesity in an adolescent population. 5 The cross-sectional studyinvolved 390 children and adolescents, aged 10 to 19, who were categorized into four groups: healthy controls,individuals with asthma, individuals with obesity, and those with both obesity and asthma (OA).A proximity extension assay was used to assess the relative plasma concentrations of 113 proteins associatedwith inflammation and immune response. The study identified five plasma proteins—CCL8, IL-33, IL-17C, FGF-23,and CLEC7A—that were significantly and specifically elevated in the OA group compared to controls. However,after adjusting for age, sex, and sIgE levels, only CCL8 and CLEC7A remained significantly elevated. This suggeststhat the high levels observed for IL-33, IL-17C, and FGF-23 in the OA group may be partially attributable to atopy.Drawing on previously published evidence and considering the role of CCL8 in mucosal chemotaxis and Th2inflammation, Manell et al. propose that viral defense at mucosal barriers may play an important role in obesity-related asthma in children and adolescents. 5 While the exact pathophysiological mechanism behind CCL8 over-expression remains unclear, it is noteworthy that prior studies have confirmed no association between CCL8and atopy. 6 This, along with the evidence that CCL8 levels are regulated in obese individuals without asthma,strengthens the argument for this chemokine as a promising biomarker for obese-asthma phenotypes.Additionally, FGF-23, IL-17C, and IL-33, which are linked to mucosal host defense against viral infections andTh17 cell activation, were also regarded as potential biomarkers for concomitant asthma and obesity, though toa lesser extent. 5 Conversely, the elevated levels of CLEC7A in the OA group appear to be additive, reflecting thecombined effects of asthma and obese observed separately.
- Engenharia Remota e Instrumentação VirtualPublication . García-Zubía, Javier; Alves, Gustavo R.A 9ª edição da conferência internacional sobre Engenharia Remota e Instrumentação Virtual (REV), realizada na Universidade de Deusto, Bilbao, Espanha, de 4 a 6 de Julho de 2012, permitiu reunir um conjunto notável de investigadores, de primeira linha, a nível mundial, na temática dos laboratórios remotos e virtuais. A publicação de três artigos selecionados da conferência, da autoria de investigadores ibero-americanos, na revista IEEE- RITA, surge como uma prova de que esta comunidade tem procurado manter-se ao nível do que melhor se faz em termos de ferramentas tecnológicas de apoio ao ensino experimental de Ciência, Tecnologia, Engenharia e Matemática.
- Foreword to the special section on Recent Advances in Graphics and Interaction (RAGI 2023)Publication . Sá, Vítor J.; Marto, Anabela; Silva, Paula Alexandra; Chalmers, Alan; Sá, Vítor J.This special section on Recent Advances in Graphics and Interaction features the papers submitted to Computers & Graphics and presented at the 2023 edition of the International Conference on Graphics and Interaction (ICGI’2023), which was held on November 2 and 3, 2023 at Tomar, as a joint organization between the Polytechnic University of Tomar and the Eurographics Portuguese Chapter (GPCG). The ICGI conference focuses on novel ideas in the areas of Computer Graphics, Image Processing, Computer Vision, Information Visualization, and Human-Computer Interaction, as well as related fields such as Virtual and Augmented Reality, Modelling, Rendering, Digital Arts, and Information Visualisation. The conference further aims to bring together and inspire collaboration among practitioners, users, and researchers. This special issue of Computers & Graphics received sixteen submissions, nine of which were accepted for publication after they had been fully peer-reviewed by at least three experts, according to the standards of Computers & Graphics.
- Healthy and safe environments across occupational and environmental contexts: A holistic perspectivePublication . Carvalhais, Carlos; Pereira, Cristiana C.; Santos, JoanaAccording to the World Health Organization (WHO), “good health depends on clean air, a stable climate, and a preserved natural environment, as well as access to adequate water, sanitation, and hygiene. It also requires protection from harmful radiation, unsafe chemical management, and unhealthy working conditions. A healthy environment could prevent nearly a quarter of the global disease burden”. In line with this, environmental health is defined as the science that “addresses all the physical, chemical, and biological factors external to a person, and all the related factors impacting behaviors. It encompasses the assessment and control of those environmental factors that can potentially affect health. It is targeted towards preventing disease and creating health-supportive environments”.