ESS - CISA - Posters apresentados em eventos científicos
Permanent URI for this collection
Browse
Recent Submissions
- Segurança e eficácia do uso de inibidores da PARP no tratamento do cancro do ovário e mama metastizadoPublication . Jesus, Ângelo; Pinto, Rafaela; Jesus, ÂngeloO cancro da mama é um dos cancros mais comuns na mulher. O cancro do ovário, embora tenha uma taxa de incidência relativamente baixa, quando é detetado está geralmente numa fase muito avançada, o que resulta num mau prognóstico e, consequentemente, numa elevada taxa de mortalidade. Estes cancros têm uma forte componente genética de onde resulta uma perda da proteína funcional através da linha germinal ou mutação somática, levando a uma maior dependência de mecanismos de reparação de DNA mais propensos a erros, promovendo a carcinogénese. Os PARPies são uma classe de agentes de supressão da atividade das enzimas PARP. Objetivo: Analisar a segurança e eficácia dos inibidores PARP no tratamento do cancro do ovário e mama metastático, possuindo como medidas as reações adversas major a PFS.
- 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.
- Challenging invasive fungal infections: development of innovative electrochemical nanogenosensors to detect Candida spp.Publication . Castanheira, Michelle; Morais, Stephanie L.; Seguro, Isabel; Santos, Marlene; Lima, Luís; Pacheco, João; Barroso, M. FátimaDespite the considerable advances in the prevention and treatment of fungal infections, invasive fungus such as Candida spp., continues to be one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality. The Global Action Fund Infections reported that, annually, more than 300 million people are infected with fungal infection, from these, about 1.5 million ends up dying. Candida albicans is the most important fungal 66 opportunistic pathogen, it can cause superficial or invasive infections. Candida, often, causes superficial infections, per example in skin or mucous membranes with simple and effective treatment, however, also can break to the bloodstream and disseminate to internal organs. It has been observed among high-risk patients such as allogeneic stem-cell transplant recipients and with acute leukemia receiving highdose chemotherapy. These patients are at a heightened risk of developing infections due to the suppression of their immune system during the transplantation process. The diagnosis of systemic fungal infections persists as a problematic issue. Therefore, the development of more efficient, sensitive and specific methods for early diagnosis is need. In this study, an easy, rapid, and accurate detection methods for fungal infections in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) was designed. To address this challenge, it was developed an electrochemical nanogenosensor for the detection of Candida albicans.This nanogenosensor was assembled in an innovative low-cost electrochemical paper based analytical devices (ePAD). A sandwich hybridization reaction was used to enhaced the sensitivity of the electrochemical signal. Preliminary results demonstrated that using this nanogenosensors it was possible to detect Candida spp., in synthetic fungus sample. Despite these results, the optimization of the nanogenosensor in terms of quantifying Candida albicans is being carried out, which will be validated in future studies.The applicability in hospital environment relatively to sensitivity, accuracy, quickness response, challenges and opportunities will be discuss in future developments.
- 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.
- Bioaccessibility and changes on cylindrospermopsin concentration in edible mussels over storage and processing time.Publication . Freitas, Marisa; Azevedo, Joana; Carvalho, António Paulo; Mendes, Vera; Manadas, Bruno; Campos, Alexandre; Vasconcelos, VítorThe cyanotoxin cylindrospermopsin has been recognized of increased concern due to the global expansion of its main producer, Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii. Previous studies have shown that aquatic organisms, especially bivalves, can accumulate high levels of cylindrospermopsin. Based on the potential for human health risks, a provisional tolerable daily intake of 0.03 µg/kg body-weight has been recommended. However, human exposure assessment has been based on the cylindrospermopsin concentration in raw food items. This study aimed to assess the changes on cylindrospermopsin concentration in edible mussels over storage and processing time as well as cylindrospermopsin bioaccessibility. Mussels, (Mytilus galloprovincialis) fed cylindrospermopsin-producing C. raciborskii, were subjected to the treatments and then analyzed by LC-MS/MS. Mussels stored frozen allowed a significantly higher recovery of cylindrospermopsin (52.5%/48 h and 57.7%/one week). The cooking treatments did not produce significant differences in cylindrospermopsin concentration in mussel matrices (flesh), however, cylindrospermopsin was found in the cooking water, suggesting that heat processing can be used to reduce the availability of cylindrospermopsin in this food item. The in vitro digestion with salivary and gastrointestinal juices considerably decreased the cylindrospermopsin availability in uncooked and steamed mussels, highlighting the importance in integrating the bioaccessibility in the human health risk assessment.
- Raw chicken meat is a vehicle of Ampicillin-multidrug-resistant Enterococcus faecium: is it a on health problem?Publication . Novais, Carla; Freitas, Ana R.; Rebelo, Andreia; Ferreira, Carolina; Duarte, Bárbara; Ribeiro, Sofia; Mourão, Joana; Scholes, Christopher; Antunes, Patrícia; Peixe, LuísaResistance to ampicillin-AmpR is associated with Enterococcus faecium-Efm from hospitalized-humans (clade-A1) and at lesser extent with community-based isolates (clade-A2: human and animal strains; clade-B: human-commensal strains). Recently, AmpR combined with specific putative virulence factors were proposed as molecular markers of Efm linked to human infections, which can have an impact in Efm risk assessment in different public health contexts (PMID:29519512). Here we evaluated the occurrence of AmpR-Efm with potential public health impact in chicken-meat samples.
- 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).
- Testing a cloudless model of light pollution propagation on two dark sky regions in PortugalPublication . Lima, Raul CerveiraLight pollution (LP) affects Mainland Portugal in accordance to its asymmetric demographic distribution. The strongest LP sources are distributed along the densely populated coastal line, whereas the interior north and south of the country is still generally well preserved due to a much lower demographic density. In the period 2010-2014, on selected moonless and cloudless nights, we assessed the skyglow of two dark sky regions (the Peneda-Gerês National Park, a mountain region, and the Lake Alqueva region, typically plain) with a portable Unihedron SQM-L unit pointed handheld to the zenith. The data from the field measurements was used to compare to one light pollution propagation model (Kocifaj, 2007), using calibrated VIIRS DNB satellite upwards radiance (calibration by Zamorano et al, 2012) as input to the model. The results obtained from the model are favourably compared to the field measurements. We proceeded to a set of tests with the model (programmed in MATLAB) to find the best fit. Our best results were achieved by analysing the data by night rather than the global set of data. Our results were used to apply to the classification of the Alqueva as a Starlight Tourism Destination and light pollution guidelines were implemented in the Peneda-Gerês Park’s Management Plan.
- Estudo comparativo de comportamentos associados ao uso de medicamentos entre a comunidade universitária de Portugal e AngolaPublication . Fernandes, Sara; Monteiro, Daniela; Pais, Patrick; Samba, Nsevolo; Serra, Cristina; Teixeira, Ricardo; Prudêncio, CristinaO uso de medicamentos de forma correta e consciente permite tirar o maior benefício dos mesmos. Porém os medicamentos nem sempre são usados de uma forma correcta, levando ao risco de aparecimento de situações que podem acarretar graves problemas de saúde pública, quando não identificadas precocemente. As características socioecónomicas e os níveis educacionais são dois fatores que condicionam por vezes as situações anteriores e consequentemente ao uso incorreto de medicamentos. As diferenças verificadas entre Portugal e Angola ao nível destes fatores, traduzem-se em diferenças significativas nos padrões de uso de medicamentos. Avaliar comportamentos associados ao uso de medicamentos entre a comunidade universitária de Portugal e Angola. Trata-se de um estudo transversal, observacional e descritivo que teve como base uma amostra constituída por 110 indivíduos da comunidade escolar universitária da Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto (FCUP), em Portugal e 36 indivíduos da Escola Superior Politécnica de Kwanza Norte (ESPKN) da Universidade Kimpa Vita, em Angola. A recolha dos dados, foi efetuada a aplicação de um questionário validado (Soares, 2009) online e presencial , durante fevereiro de 2013. As informações recolhidas foram analisadas através de SPSS e Microsoft Office Excel®. Da totalidade de inquiridos,50,7% eram do sexo feminino e 49,3% do sexo masculino, situando-se na faixa etária dos 17 aos 32 anos. Através da análise estatística verificaram-se diferenças significativas entre as duas comunidades, nomeadamente nos grupos farmacoterapêuticos mais consumidos, sendo que em Portugal eram os psicofármacos e os antiasmáticos e broncodilatadores os mais consumidos. Em Angola, eram os analgésicos/antipiréticos, os antimaláricos e os antibacterianos. Em termos de padrão de incumprimento de terapêutica, hábitos de automedicação e adesão à terapêutica, os resultados não foram muito diferentes, verificando-se padrões satisfatórios nas duas comunidades. Porém em Angola verificou-se um elevado grau de desconhecimento das indicações terapêuticas de cada medicamento e dos riscos associados ao seu uso inadequado. Apesar da informação disponível sobre medicamentos e sua utilização, ainda existem comportamentos de risco, principalmente em países menos desenvolvidos que comprometem o sucesso de muitas terapêuticas. Assim, torna-se preponderante implementar medidas que permitam dotar as populações de conhecimentos acerca da forma mais correta da utilização dos medicamentos, de modo a contribuir para uma melhoria da saúde pública da comunidade.
- Análise da informação disponibilizada em websites que comercializam suplementos alimentares à base de GINSENG (PANAX GINSENG)Publication . Pereira, Alex; Pinho, CláudiaAo longo dos últimos anos a compra de produtos à base de plantas sofreu um aumento acentuado em todo o mundo e Portugal não foi exceção. De acordo com a informação disponibilizada em alguns websites quanto aos produtos mais procurados pelos utilizadores da categoria “suplementos alimentares”, os produtos para o cérebro e memória, figuram no topo da lista de vendas, junto com outros produtos. A internet adquiriu assim na atualidade uma importante fonte de informação e uma plataforma comercial onde é possível comprar qualquer tipo de produto natural. Contudo, nem sempre a informação existente nos websites é a mais segura e completa, pois não existe controlo dos dados disponíveis. Assim, o trabalho tem como principal objetivo avaliar a quantidade e qualidade da informação disponibilizada aos consumidores, em websites portugueses que comercializam produtos à base de ginseng. Trata-se de um estudo transversal, descritivo simples, onde se utilizou o motor de busca Google e as palavras-chave ‘’suplementos com ginseng’’, de forma a selecionar websites que comercializam suplementos com ginseng. As informações presentes nos websites foram recolhidas através de um formulário e os dados analisados e comparados com a literatura e o Decreto-Lei que regulamenta os suplementos alimentares. Foram analisados 44 produtos presentes em 15 websites, quanto às informações disponibilizadas para os suplementos à base de ginseng que comercializam. Verificou-se que as informações predominantes eram as indicações de uso (95,5%), enquanto que, informações como contra-indicações e interações medicamentosas constavam em 20,5% e 6,8% dos produtos, respetivamente. Para além das indicações de uso apenas a posologia (79,5%), conselhos de utilização (63,6%) e composição quantitativa (61,4%) estavam presentes em mais de 50% dos produtos. Os resultados sugerem que a informação disponibilizada nos websites é escassa e incompleta na generalidade dos produtos estudados. Diante do promissor mercado de venda on-line de suplementos alimentares, torna-se importante analisar a informação disponibilizada pelos websites, uma vez que, quem compra, não tem o suplemento ao seu dispor, nem uma fonte fidedigna de informação, como acontece nos estabelecimentos que podem fornecer um aconselhamento adequado. Desta forma, seria importante a criação de legislação que regulasse uma venda on-line de qualidade, salvaguardando a segurança do consumidor.