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- Potenciais riscos para a saúde dos trabalhadores decorrentes da exposição a corantes sintéticos e naturais na indústria têxtilPublication . Ramos, Cristiana; Martins, Rosário; Rufo, João; Freitas, Marisa; Martins, Rosario; Cavaleiro Rufo, João; Freitas, MarisaA Indústria Têxtil (IT) apresenta um elevado impacte ambiental, sendo a etapa de tingimento particularmente crítica devido à poluição causada pelos componentes utilizados, nomeadamente pelos corantes sintéticos. A reintrodução de corantes naturais pode constituir uma alternativa face ao uso de corantes sintéticos, no entanto, o conhecimento dos seus potenciais efeitos para a saúde dos trabalhadores é ainda limitado, devido a escassez de investigação sobre o tema. Aprofundar o conhecimento sobre os potenciais riscos associados à exposição dos trabalhadores a corantes sintéticos e naturais, através da integração de dados de efeitos na saúde reportados pelos trabalhadores, monitorização ambiental e avaliação toxicológica in vitro. O estudo foi desenvolvido na área de tingimento de 3 empresas do setor têxtil e com uma amostra de 33 profissionais. Foi solicitado aos profissionais o preenchimento de um questionário para a caracterização dos potenciais efeitos na saúde. Nas áreas de pesagem de corantes, foi realizada a monitorização ambiental de parâmetros físico químicos, nomeadamente de PM10 e PM2,5. A avaliação da toxicidade in vitro de corantes sintéticos e naturais realizou-se em linhas celulares representativas da pele (HaCaT, 3T3-L1 e B16F10). Os resultados relativos aos potenciais efeitos na saúde reportados pelos trabalhadores demonstraram que 30.3% apresentam tosse matinal, dos quais 20% referiram agravamento no local de trabalho. Além disso, 42.4% dos trabalhadores manifestam ter eczema, sendo que 57.1% destes referiram agravamento no local de trabalho. A monitorização ambiental revelou concentrações elevadas de PM10 e PM2.5 nas áreas de pesagem de corantes e picos de concentração associada à pesagem dos corantes da classe reativos. Os ensaios de viabilidade celular revelaram que a maioria dos corantes sintéticos induziu citotoxicidade para as linhagens HaCaT e B16F10 (500µg/mL e 250µg/mL). Os corantes naturais apresentaram uma taxa de viabilidade celular maior (entre os 80%). Este estudo preliminar proporciona uma visão dos potenciais riscos à saúde enfrentados pelos trabalhadores expostos a corantes sintéticos e naturais. A monitorização ambiental nas áreas de pesagem de corantes, combinada com a recolha sistemática de sintomas reportados pelos trabalhadores, torna-se importante para compreensão dos riscos e apoio no desenvolvimento de estratégias de prevenção.
- Exploring the diverse properties of Mentha piperita L.: a systematic reviewPublication . Ferreira, Inês; Sousa, Mariana; Sequeira, Susie; Cruz, AgostinhoMentha piperitaL., widely recognized as peppermint, is globally renowned and popular due to its versatile applications in medicine, industry, and cuisine[1]. This perennial plant has a worldwide distribution, with origins in Europe and Middle East. As member of the Lamiaceae family it’s a natural hybrid of Mentha aquaticL. and Mentha spicataL.[1]. Traditionally, it has been used for alleviating gastrointestinal and respiratory symptoms[2]. Currently, it is utilized in medicine tomanage respiratory diseases, in cosmetics for incorporation into toothpaste, and in food preservation or preparation purposes[3]. This review systematizes the known properties of Mentha piperitaL. based on the current literature, presenting its state-of-the-art. Based on PRISMA 2020 guidelines, the search involved three databases: Web of Science, PubMed, and Science Direct, using the search terms "Mentha piperita" and "properties"combined with Boolean operators “AND”. Inclusion criteria considered original research articles in Portuguese or English, without year restrictions. This search yielded 497 resultsof which 20 original articles were fully analysed. Peppermint can be characterised by its smooth stems, dark green leaves with pointed tips, coarsely toothed margins, bare fibrous roots and the presence of purple flowers. This botanical specimen can be recognised by its unique organoleptic characteristics, which include an aromatic odour and a pungent, fiery taste, culminating in a refreshing sensation. The literature suggests a wide range of properties such as antimicrobial, antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-aging, antibiofilm, cytotoxic, larvicidal, fungicidal, fungistatic, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory and anti-Alzheimer, among others. This review underscores the remarkable versatility and diverse array of properties exhibited by Mentha piperitaL., shedding light on its potential applications across various domains. Peppermint's distinctive characteristics and wide-ranging utility position it as a species of significant relevance, with applications extending beyond health to various other study subjects.
- A practical case of mentoring in higher education at a health schoolPublication . Saúde, Miguel; Ferraz, Ricardo; Silva, Vítor; Barreto, João; Portugal, Paula; Santos, Joana; Vieira, Mónica; Vieira, Mónica; Santos, Joana; Barreto, João Francisco; Simões-Silva, VitorThe rapid advancement of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools is reshaping higher education, particularly in creative fields such as design, multimedia, and audiovisuals. Students increasingly seek faster solutions for academic challenges, often relying on AI-generated content rather than engaging in research, critical analysis, and validation through credible sources or instructors. This tendency weakens the "thinking vs. creating" stage of the design methodology, a fundamental cognitive process that requires deep concentration, research, and creative reasoning to materialize ideas effectively. The proposed design methodology consists of four stages: (1) Briefing—problem definition, (2) Thinking vs. Creating—ideation, (3) Materialization—execution based on Lupton’s (2016) Design Thinking principles, and (4) Solution—evaluating originality, relevance, and creativity. In practical-laboratory classroom settings, students engage in manual techniques such as mind maps and moodboards (A2 format). Initially, they hesitate to move away from digital tools but later recognize the cognitive and creative benefits of these techniques. This process reinforces the understanding that strong ideas require effort rather than instant AI-generated solutions. A survey had a total of 256 answers of students in Communication Design, Multimedia, and Audiovisuals, revealed that 64.8% use ChatGPT, 28.9% Capcut, 19.5% Copilot, 13.3% Adobe Firefly, 11.7% DALL·E, and other AI tools. However, only 41.4% critically reflect on AI-generated content, 17.6% validate it with teachers, and 14.5% verify information through online sources. This study concludes that while AI accelerates and optimizes aspects of the creative process, human cognitive engagement remains essential. The integration of AI in co-creation processes, particularly at the "thinking vs. creating" stage, enhances skill development when used as a complementary tool rather than a replacement for critical and creative thinking.
- Does attention to cardiac sensations modulate heartbeat-evoked potentials even after controlling for cognitive demands?Publication . Braga, Patrícia Vilela; Vieira, Beatriz; Carina, Fernandes; Barbosa, Fernando; Santos, Fernando Ferreira; Pereira, Mariana R.; Rocha, Nuno Barbosa; Mazer, Prune; Pasion, Rita; Schütz-Bosbach, Simone; Paiva, Tiago Oliveira; Campos, Carlos; Campos, Carlos; Rocha, Nuno; Mazer, PruneHeartbeat-evoked potentials (HEP) have been shown to be modulated by attentional focus (cardiac vs. exteroceptive attention), suggesting that HEP are a neural correlate of interoceptive prediction errors. However, this effect has not been consistently replicated, and differences in cognitive effort when contrasting interoceptive vs. exteroceptive attention may be a confounding factor. We devised a modified Heartbeat Attention Task to examine whether cardiac attention can modulate HEP amplitude even when cognitive demands are matched across interoceptive and exteroceptive conditions. In exteroceptive blocks, subjects were required to count subtle bursts of volume increase embedded within a continuous white noise. The bursts’ volume was individually tailored for each participant (near absolute threshold) and were presented in a rhythmic pattern replicating a typical heart rate. In interoceptive blocks, participants were asked to count their heartbeats, whilst the white noise was still presented, ensuring that the neural effects were driven by the attention shift rather than sensory changes. The task was first completed by 50 participants (25F; 28.44y) during a 9-electrode EEG recording: frontal, central and parietal sites. No significant differences were found regarding counted heartbeats (M=122.00) vs white noise bursts (M=118.86) as well as on perceived attentional efforts (heart M=65.00 vs bursts M=67.00), indicating similar task demands across conditions. No significant differences between conditions were found on HEP amplitude across all electrodes (p > .137 for all), suggesting no attentional modulation of HEP amplitude after accounting for cognitive demands. Due to the reduced number of electrodes, a follow-up sample of 26 participants (13F; 21.73y) completed the task using a new EEG geodesic 64-channel sensor net. This dataset is currently under processing and will allow for a more comprehensive data-driven analytic approach (cluster-based permutation test) to ensure whether the attentional modulation of HEP amplitude is indeed absent when accounting for cognitive demands.
- Mammogram retrieval system: Aggregating image classifiers for enhanced breast cancer diagnosisPublication . Roriz, Cátia; Moreira, Inês; Vasconcelos, Verónica; Domingues, Inês; Moreira, Inês C.Breast cancer remains a significant global health concern. This study presents an image retrieval system to aid specialists in the analysis of mammogram images. The system employs individual classifiers for eight dimensions: laterality, view, breast density, BI-RADS classification, masses, calcifications, distortions, and asymmetries. Four pre-trained networks, ResNet50, VGG16, InceptionV3, and InceptionResNetV2, were used to train these classifiers. The retrieval model combines these classifiers through a weighted sum. Four weight assignment strategies were explored, ranging from equal weights to weights based on empirical, literature-based, and specialist-informed considerations. Results are illustrated using the INBreast database, which comprises 410 images. Besides the native annotations, ground truth to validate retrieval models had to be acquired. Classification accuracy is as high as 100% for some of the dimensions. Results also demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed weighted-sum approach, with variations in weight assignments impacting model performance.
- Sustainability in medical imaging and radiotherapy education and practice: a survey of the student perspectives in a Portuguese Allied Health SchoolPublication . Saúde, José Miguel; Adubeiro, Nuno; Nogueira, Luísa; Ribeiro, Inês; Xavier, Ana; Carvalhais, Carlos; Alberto Alves Carvalhais, CarlosHigher education institutions play an important role as they prepare the professionals, decision-makers, and democratic citizens of the future. In Allied Health education, it is crucial to develop a professional that, in addition to the technical and clinical content, also have a critical sense regarding environmental and social aspects. This study aims to survey medical imaging and radiotherapy (MIR) students’ perceptions and knowledge about environmental sustainability in MIR education and practice.
- Bdnf-NRF2 crosstalk in depression disorderPublication . Santos, Marlene; Caldevilla, Renato; Morais, Stephanie; Carvalho, Serafim; Medeiros, Rui; Barroso, Maria FátimaThe World Health Organization estimates that major depressive disorder (MDD) affects over 264 million individuals globally, posing a significant public health challenge. Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) represents a severe form of MDD with poor treatment outcomes. Genetic variations are known to impact MDD treatment responses, yet genome-wide association studies have struggled to identify consistent marker alleles. Previous research has linked the Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) genetic polymorphism with TRD. BDNF is essential for neuronal survival and neuroplasticity, processes influenced by antidepressant treatment, and regulated by transcription factors like Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2). NRF2 regulates antioxidant and anti-inflammatory responses and plays a crucial role in depression pathogenesis. NRF2 knockout mice exhibit reduced BDNF levels and depression-like behaviors, indicating that NRF2activation enhances BDNF expression and antidepressant efficacy. The BDNF rs6265 (Val66Met) polymorphism is associated with variations in antidepressant response rates. Research suggests that the interaction between BDNF and NRF2 pathways could enhance antidepressant effectiveness. NRF2 activation, such as through the compound sulforaphane, has demonstrated rapid antidepressant effects by increasing BDNF expression. Lower levels of NRF2 and BDNF are observed in stress-induced depression models, and ketamine treatment influences NRF2-related genes. Simultaneously, there is a growing need for efficient genotyping methods, and genosensors offer a promising solution. This presentation will address the interplay between BDNF and NRF2 in depression, explore its relationship in antidepressant response, and present a putative genosensor for BDNF rs6265 (Val66Met) polymorphism identification, improving antidepressant treatment outcome.
- Toxicity testing of simvastatin, sertraline, 4-MBC propylparaben and triclocarban using zebrafish and sea urchin embryos bioassaysPublication . Torres, Tiago; Ribeiro, Sílvia; Cunha, Isabel; Martins, Rosário; Santos, Miguel MachadoIn the past decade, many emergent compounds, including some active substances and ingredients of Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs) have been detected in water at levels that can negatively impact aquatic ecosystems (Lapworth et al., 2012; Jiang et al., 2013). The recent knowledge of their occurrence has raised concerns about human health effects and ecosystem risks. Although these compounds are frequently detected at concentrations that are not likely to induce adverse effects in humans and may be too low to cause acute effects in other organisms, there is still a serious lack of information about the effects in non-target species, particularly considering chronic exposure or effects resulting from interactions between them (Lapworth et al., 2012). Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products enter the aquatic environment from different point and nonpoint sources and wastewater treatments plants cannot ensure complete removal of many compounds, and therefore they may be present at significant concentrations in effluents (Jiang et al., 2013). Hence, it is essential to understand the effects of these substances on aquatic organisms. Owing to the large number of new chemicals that must go through toxicity testing, short-term early-life-stages have been frequently used as an alternative to long-term exposures due to its high sensitivity and logistic advantages.
- Toxicological assessment of ibuprofen, paracetamol and metformin in terrestrial ecosystemsPublication . Moreira, Inês; Silva, Cláudia; Barros, Piedade; Nunes, MafaldaPharmaceuticals (PhACs) are a class of emerging contaminants that have, in recent years, been associated with potential risks for the environment (Fent, Weston & Caminada, 2006). Pharmaceutical substances are often engineered for persistence, so they remain unaltered as they pass through the organism. This leads to the persistence of these substances when they are excreted, leading to potential environmental problems (European Environment Agency, 2010). Residues of pharmaceuticals have been detected at trace quantities in aquatic systems, with studies finding over 80 PhACs from various prescription classes in sewage, surface and groundwater, in several countries all over the world (Heberer, 2002). These facts make the evaluations of potential effects of pharmaceuticals on ecosystems relevant and necessary. Acute aquatic toxicity has been more extensively studied since aquatic organisms are more easily identifiable as important targets, as they might be exposed to wastewater over their whole life. However, only little is known about the ecotoxicological effects of pharmaceuticals on terrestrial organisms (Fent et al., 2006). Residues of PhACs may reach the terrestrial environment through several sources/routes (Heberer, 2002) but, since removal of PhACs in Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) is many times not efficient, contamination comes mostly from applying contaminated sludge in agriculture.
- Occupational and environmental exposure to anticancer drugsPublication . Teles, Luís; Fernandes, Sara; Cruz, Agostinho; Vieira da Silva, Manuela; Amorim, Manuela; Vieira, Mónica; Barros, PiedadeThe use of anticancer drugs is not restricted to a single type of drug (Connor et al. , 1999; Suspiro & Prista, 2012). These are varied and present diverse mechanisms of action, which may be causes of occupational exposure. Despite the restricted and controlled use of cytotoxic agents, the risk involved is not confined to individuals who administer them but also to all health care professionals and general population directly or indirectly in contact with them (Suspiro & Prista, 2012). The presence of pharmaceuticals products in natural surface waters and in the effluent sewage treatment plants have been reported since 1980s. More recently, these products have been detected in ground and drinking water. However, there is little information about the risks these drugs and their metabolites in the water, have, for the human health (Ferrando-Climentet al. , 2013).There are few published studies with detailed information about the significance of pharmaceuticals compounds in water for humans (Ferrando- Climentet al. , 2013). The major concern with genotoxic/carcinogenic pharmaceuticals compounds is a cancer risk, at any level of exposure because there is no threshold dose below which no carcinogenic effect may occur (Garcia-AC et al., 2011). The pharmaceutical compounds are excreted to wastewater and become potential water contaminants. Currently, very little is known about the presence and elimination process of cytostatic drugs in wastewater treatment plants. The lack of methods and knowledge about the specific risk of pharmaceutical products in aquatic environment may be consider a public health problem.