ESS - APCT - Comunicações em eventos científicos
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- Decoding host-environment interactions in progressive pulmonary fibrosis: insights from hypersensitivity pneumonitisPublication . Meneses, Alexandra; Cardoso, Catarina G.; Coelho, David B.; Melo, Natália; Mota, Patrícia C.; Guimarães, Susana; Moura, Conceição S.; Carvalho, André; Sokhatska, Oksana; Beltrão, Marília; Delgado, Luís; Morais, António; Saraiva, Margarida; Bastos, Hélder N.; Santos, Rita F.Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) comprise a heterogeneous group of parenchymal lung disorders characterized by diffuse infiltration of immune effector cells, fibroblasts, myofibroblasts, and extracellular matrix deposition at various pulmonary compartments. These conditions can progress to end-stage fibrosis, respiratory failure, and eventually, death. In 2020, we initiated the first national ILD registry and biobank under the FIBRALUNG project, which has enrolled over 950 cases to date, with over 40% of the cases being fibrotic ILDs. The most represented fibrotic ILD groups are Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis (HP) (46%), Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) (20%), and unclassifiable ILD (8%). HP is the leading cause of pulmonary fibrosis, nearly doubling the number of IPF cases, which contrasts with numbers from other countries. This underscores the importance of investigating non-IPF progressive pulmonary fibrosis within our setting. Longitudinal patient follow-up and biological sample collection were performed allowing patient stratification according to progression criteria. Our work so far has highlighted a potential role of CCL2-CCR2 axis in fibrotic HP disease progression. Elevated serum CCL2 strongly associated with disease progression and acute exacerbations, with baseline levels above 1080 pg/mL predicting oneyear progression/mortality. To complement these findings, we are conducting blood transcriptome analyses across different HP patient groups to identify progression-specific signatures. Simultaneously, lung microbiome profiling is underway to explore its role in fibrotic progression. These integrative approaches aim to uncover novel biomarkers and mechanistic pathways, paving the way for tailored therapeutic interventions.
- Dissecting the sensory defects of bbs mutants in Caenorhabditis elegansPublication . Vitória, Filipa; Rocha, Sónia; Rocha, Helder; Abreu, Carla M. C.; Dantas, Tiago J.Ciliopathies encompass a group of genetic disorders affecting multiple organs due to dysfunction in cilia: highly conserved organelles found in most human cells. Bardet-Biedl Syndrome (BBS) is a rare ciliopathy characterized by multisystem abnormalities. BBS arises from defects in assembly, composition, or localization of the BBSome, a conserved eight-subunit protein complex crucial in ciliary transport. Sensory neurons rely on cilia to detect environmental stimuli and transduce signals essential for perception. In BBS, defective cilia function disrupts these processes, leading to impaired sensory responses. Despite advances in BBS genetics, the role of ciliary defects in sensory neuron dysfunction remains unclear. To address this gap, we utilize Caenorhabditis elegans as a model organism to dissect the sensory impairments associated with BBS mutations. Unlike mammalian systems, C. elegans can survive severe ciliary dysfunction, making it ideal for studying BBS mutations. We analyzed bbs-1 mutants to investigate sensory defects in ciliated neurons, conducting behavioral assays to assess responses to environmental stimuli, and dye-filling assay to evaluate ciliary integrity. Preliminary findings indicate disruptions in sensory neuron function, correlating with defects in ciliary morphology. Additionally, defective dye uptake in bbs-1 mutants suggests compromised ciliary integrity. Our findings emphasize the importance of ciliary function in sensory processing in C. elegans, reinforcing the role of BBS genes in ciliary integrity. The defects in sensory behavior and ciliary morphology lay the groundwork for further studies on BBS mutations.
- Comunicação em saúde: O desafio de novos públicos em formatos inovadoresPublication . Dores, Artemisa Rocha; Salgado, Ana; Villhena, Jéssica; Teixeira, Catarina; Oliveira, Telma; Silva, ReginaO desenvolvimento das tecnologias da informação e da comunicação e a sua democratização trouxeram novos desafios aos profissionais da ciência e da saúde, nomeadamente desenvolver um processo de produção de ciência participativo e próximo da sociedade. No domínio da comunicação, o desafio deixou de ser o de partilhar a informação científica unicamente com os pares, para implicar a transmissão de informação a públicos diversos, em formatos inovadores e o de ouvir esses públicos ao longo do processo de construção de conhecimento. No entanto, comunicar sobre temas de saúde, conciliando qualidade e rigor científico, com simplicidade e atratividade, é uma tarefa que requer competências específicas. A unidade curricular (UC) de “Comunicação em Saúde”, do 1º ano, do Mestrado em Técnicas Laboratoriais em Biopatologia, tem como objetivo o desenvolvimento de competências de comunicação de ciência e de promoção de literacia em saúde através da produção de conteúdos digitais e interativos, fichas informativas e outro material didático a ser disponibilizados em plataformas,repositórios digitais abertos, construídos para o efeito, ou apresentados sob a forma de ações de formação e de sensibilização, em formatos presencial ou a distância, como forma de chegar a novos e diversificados públicos-alvo com estratégias personalizadas. A avaliação desta UC tem dois elementos de avaliação: (1) o desenvolvimento de um projeto digital de promoção de literacia em saúde e/ou de comunicação de ciência; (2) a apresentação oral do projeto. O binómio ciência-tecnologia requer uma atualização dos conteúdos nos curricula e novos métodos de ensinoaprendizagem para capacitar os futuros profissionais de saúde, investigadores e cidadãos participativos, para esta nova exigência, aproximando a ciência e o conhecimento da sociedade. É essa experiência pedagógica, com resultados positivos, que aqui se reflete e as aprendizagens daí resultantes.
- Sound exposure of garage rock bands musiciansPublication . Almeida, João; Silva, Daniel; Carmo, Paulo; Neves, Paula; Rodrigues, Matilde A.Previous studies have been shown that musicians are exposed to high sound levels in the course of rehearsals and performances (Rodrigues et al .,2014), which can be the source of hearing damages (Jansen et al ., 2009). However, other musical groups can also be exposed to high sound levels, as is the case of the garage rock bands musicians. This particular group of musicians, due to the style of the music played, can be exposed to dangerous sound levels. This situation can be even worse if considered the conditions of the rooms where the rehearsals and performances are being done. In fact, in most of cases, rock musicians play in rooms with small dimensions and with poor acoustic conditions. Despite the importance of this issue, few studies analyzed this issue, particularly integrating two important issues, the sound exposure and to hearing damages.
- Efeito da espessura do corte histológico na qualidade da impregnação argênticaPublication . Coelho, Carolina; Silva, Susana; Cardoso, Ana Rita; Almeida, João Carlos; Silva, ReginaO estroma hepático é constituído maioritariamente por colagénio do tipo III, formando uma complexa rede de fibras reticulares anastomosadas que fornece suporte aos hepatócitos e aos capilares sinusoides. Diversas condições patológicas provocam destruição, colapso ou alterações do padrão normal das fibras de reticulina, que podem ser evidenciadas por métodos de impregnação argêntica. A qualidade destes métodos pode ser afetada por diversos fatores, como a fixação, o processamento e a espessura dos cortes histológicos.
- Algoritmos de inteligência artificial para diagnóstico do cancro da próstataPublication . Pinho, Bia; Vale, João; Malhão, Fernanda; Silva, ReginaO cancro da próstata (CP) é o segundo tipo de cancro mais incidente nos homens. O diagnóstico histológico está sujeito à subjetividade e variabilidade interobservador pois baseia-se no reconhecimento visual de padrões morfológicos. A Patologia Digital e a aplicação de algoritmos de Inteligência Artificial (IA) às imagens digitais podem auxiliar os patologistas, reduzindo a subjetividade, permitindo um diagnóstico mais célere e fiável.
- Digital pathology in the immunohistochemical evaluation of biomarkers in breast cancerPublication . Lopes, J.; Silva, S.; Monteiro, J.; Pinto, I.M.; Silva, ReginaCurrently, the evaluation of biomarkers HER-2 and ER is critical for targeting therapy for breast cancer and is performed by experienced pathologists, which takes time and causes a certain interobserver variability. The use of histological slide scanners coupled with the application of software for immunoexpression quantification can be profitable in pathological laboratories routine. This study aims to compare the quantification of HER-2 and ER immunoexpression employing automatic algorithms, using as standard the evaluation performed by a pathologist.
- Comprehensive assessment of environmental fungus-reactive T cells response in hypersensitivity pneumonitis patientsPublication . Santos, Rita F.; Coelho, Andreia L.; Rufo, João C.; Coelho, David; Gonçalves, Melany; Gonçalves, Samuel L.; Cunha, Cristina; Carvalho, Agostinho; Delgado, Luís; Morais, António; Saraiva, Margarida; Novais-Bastos, HélderHypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is an interstitial lung disease that results in parenchymal and small airways inflammation and culminates in breathlessness, negatively impacting patient’s quality of life and survival. HP is initiated by an exaggerated immune response triggered by the inhalation of a variety of environmental antigens. The identification of the triggering antigen is a cornerstone of the diagnostic algorithm, and importantly, exposure avoidance ameliorates the clinical outcomes. However, the inciting antigen is not identified in a large proportion of patients. A difficult to identify, but common inciting antigen, is exposure to household fungi.
- Family caregiver support—a facilitator to empower family caregiversPublication . Fernandes, Sílvia; Portugal, Paula; Mullins, Lhara; Power, Martin; Letica-Crepulja, Marina; Stevanović, Aleksandra; Frančišković, Tanja; Silva, ReginaMental disorders are highly prevalent, placing an enormous burden on individuals, society and economy. Research shows that family members who provide care to individuals with chronic or disabling mental conditions are themselves at risk. As a response to this problem, the project ‘Family Caregiver Support - Strategies and tools to promote the mental and emotional health of caregivers’ emerged, funded by Erasmus + Program and carried out by 8 European partners including ESS|P.PORTO.
- CytoPath®Easy processing method validation through cervical self-samplingPublication . Fernandes, Sílvia; Martins, C.; Silva, ReginaLiquid-based cytology is mostly used for the identification of pre-neoplastic and neoplastic cells of cérvix uteri, and many manual and automatic methodologies are available on the market. This study aims to validate a new manual liquid-based processing method - the CytoPath® Easy Kit, for its routine use in some cytology laboratories.