National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge
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New approach methodologies to enhance human health risk assessment of immunotoxic properties of chemicals - a PARC (Partnership for the Assessment of Risk from Chemicals) project
No full textAs a complex system governing and interconnecting numerous functions within the human body, the immune system is unsurprisingly susceptible to the impact of toxic chemicals. Toxicants can influence the immune system through a multitude of mechanisms, resulting in immunosuppression, hypersensitivity, increased risk of autoimmune diseases and cancer development. At present, the regulatory assessment of the immunotoxicity of chemicals relies heavily on rodent models and a limited number of Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) test guidelines, which only capture a fraction of potential toxic properties. Due to this limitation, various authorities, including the World Health Organization and the European Food Safety Authority have highlighted the need for the development of novel approaches without the use of animals for immunotoxicity testing of chemicals. In this paper, we present a concise overview of ongoing efforts dedicated to developing and standardizing methodologies for a comprehensive characterization of the immunotoxic effects of chemicals, which are performed under the EU-funded Partnership for the Assessment of Risk from Chemicals (PARC).This project is funded by the European Partnership for the Assessment of Risks from Chemicals (PARC) under the Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Programme, Grant Agreement No. 101057014
Democratising participatory health promotion: power and knowledge involved in engaging European adolescents in childhood obesity prevention
No full textPublic policy aimed at preventing undesired phenomena has increasingly sought to engage representatives of the target population. Little is known, however, about how power dynamics function to shape the processes and outcomes of risk governance engagement interventions. In order to study the ways in which, and the extent to which, power differentials can be reduced in participatory health promotion initiatives, we develop a conceptual framework synthetising theories of participatory action, phenomenology and governmentality. Based on the empirical research into youth participation in the EU project CO-CREATE, involving 15–19-year-old adolescents in five European countries (2019–2021), we show that diverse forms of knowledge may become available in engagement interventions. We analyse the use and relative inclusion and exclusion of these different forms of knowledge in terms of a three-level framework of different depths of democratisation in participatory health promotion: risk management, risk definition and risk negotiation. Advanced democratisation can only be achieved if risk negotiation is carried out in ways which embrace and encourage a range of different, and potentially conflicting forms of knowing.The work was supported by the Directorate-General XII, Science, Research, and Development [774210]
Residual Longevity of Recaptured Sterile Mosquitoes as a Tool to Understand Field Performance and Reveal Quality
No full text(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biology, Ecology and Management of Mosquitoes Affecting Humans and Animals)Invasive mosquito species, such as Aedes albopictus, pose significant threats to both ecosystems and public health due to their role in transmitting diseases, such as dengue, Zika, and chikungunya. The Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) is a promising vector control strategy aimed at reducing mosquito populations by releasing sterile males to mate with wild females and reduce their reproduction rates. In this study, we employed the captive cohort method, which assesses the remaining longevity of randomly caught released individuals, to assess the longevity and frailty dynamics of sterile and non-sterile Ae. albopictus males. Using a mark–release–recapture approach (MRR), we compared the residual lifespan of sterile and non-sterile released males with that of wild, non-sterile males, aiming to understand the frailty dynamics of released males and, therefore, their quality and field performance. Contrary to expectations, our results revealed that released sterile males showed increased longevity compared to non-sterile males. Further, the marking process did not impact the longevity between lab-kept and marked males, suggesting that the marking process does not adversely affect survival under controlled conditions. These findings underscore the importance of optimizing pre-release and mass-rearing practices to enhance the effectiveness of SIT programs. Our study also demonstrates for the first time the use of the captive cohort method for understanding the biological dynamics of sterile mosquito populations in SIT programs, providing valuable insights for improving vector control strategies.Simple Summary: The current study focused on understanding the longevity and frailty of sterile, non-sterile, and wild male mosquitoes subjected to different treatments, using the novel captive cohort method. Key findings include that marking mosquitoes, following IAEA protocols, had an insignificant effect on longevity under controlled conditions, and that sterilization had no negative effect on male longevity. Moreover, we recorded that exposure to the wild increased post-capture longevity, particularly for sterile males, with longer time in the wild correlating with extended lifespan. Interestingly, the wild experience seems to benefit sterile males more than non-sterile ones, possibly due to demographic selection or hormetic effects. This suggests a possible advantage in field performance for sterile males, which is a key consideration for SIT programs. These findings underscore the importance of ongoing research to optimize rearing, sterilization, and transportation methods for sterile males, ultimately enhancing their performance and longevity in field applications.This study was supported by the projects: (A) the project moSquITo: Innovative approaches for monitoring and management of the Asian tiger mosquito with emphasis on the Sterile Insect Technique (TAEΔK06173), financed by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, Greece 2.0 and EU Funding—Next Generation EU; (B) the project entitled A systematic surveillance of vector mosquitoes for the control of mosquito-borne diseases in the Region of Attica, financed by the Region of Attica; (C) the project Research Infrastructures for the control of vector-borne diseases (Infravec2), financed by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 731060; (D) the project IDAlert https://idalertproject.eu, accessed on 22 October 2024 financed by Horizon Europe grant no. 101057554 which is part of the EU climate change and health cluster https://climate-health.eu, accessed on 22 October 2024; (E) the project E4Warning: Eco-Epidemiological Intelligence for early Warning and response to mosquito-borne disease risk in Endemic and Emergence setting (https://www.e4warning.eu, accessed on 22 October 2024) financed by Horizon Europe grant no. 01086640; (F) the TC Project RER/5/022, Establishing Genetic Control Programmes for Aedes Invasive Mosquitoes, and the programme of Coordinated Research Activities, Quality control bioassays for irradiated Aedes albopictus males (CRP Contract No: 23915), financed by the IAEA.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Valorisation of sea urchin (Paracentrotus lividus) gonads through canning
No full textFresh sea urchin (Paracentrotus lividus) gonads are a delicacy with short seasonal availability, very often heterogeneous in size and intrinsic characteristics. This study aimed to valorise this resource through the preparation of canned products (with/without Porphyra spp.) and evaluate their physicochemical and sensory quality (3–12 months). Canning contributed to a decrease in protein, K and most carotenoids contents; and a concentration of lipids, ash, Na and Se levels. A simulated 12-month ageing led to decrease the protein and β-carotene contents; and the Na and lutein levels concentration. The macroalgae addition resulted in an orange, darker and less soft product, with higher carbohydrates, Na, Se and carotenoids contents. A 25 g-dose contributes to significant daily intakes of protein (8–9%), EPA+DHA (47–53%), I (35–62%) and Se (30–47%). The products were commercially stable/sterile and had good sensory acceptance. Overall, canning constitutes a strategy to provide a nutritionally balanced product available all year-round.Highlights: - Canned sea urchin gonads (with/without macroalgae) were prepared with light brine; - Canning and ageing resulted in some nutritional changes; - The macroalgae addition led to higher carbohydrates, Na, Se and carotenoids levels; - A 25 g dose contributes to significant daily intakes of protein, EPA+DHA, I and Se; - The stable and sterile products were sensorially well accepted for up to 12 months.This work was developed within the scope of “BLUE BIOECONOMY INNOVATION PACT” (Project N ◦ . C644915664-00000026) financed by NextGenerationEU, under the incentive line “Agendas for Business Innovation” of the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR). CAVIAR project - Market valorisation of sea urchin gonads through dietary modulation (FA_05_2017_015) (financed through the Fundo Azul programme) also contributed with financial support.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Recurrence, Microevolution, and Spatiotemporal Dynamics of Legionella pneumophila Sequence Type 1905, Portugal, 2014-2022
No full textWe investigated molecular evolution and spatiotemporal dynamics of atypical Legionella pneumophila serogroup 1 sequence type 1905 and determined its long-term persistence and linkage to human disease in dispersed locations, far beyond the large 2014 outbreak epicenter in Portugal. Our finding highlights the need for public health interventions to prevent further disease spread
Epidemiological Data and Antimicrobial Resistance of Campylobacter spp. in Portugal from 13 Years of Surveillance
No full text(This article belongs to the Special Issue Epidemiology and Molecular Pathogenesis of Antimicrobial Resistance and Virulence for Foodborne Pathogens)This study extensively analyzed campylobacteriosis surveillance in Portugal from 2009 to 2021, aiming to investigate demographic shifts, seasonal variations, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) within Campylobacter isolates. Surveillance network and sentinel laboratory-based system data revealed a substantial under-notification of campylobacteriosis cases, suggesting an underestimated disease burden. Notification rates exhibited a paradigm shift, with a notable prevalence among the pediatric population, particularly in children aged 1-4 years, diverging from European reports. Additionally, an emerging trend of Campylobacter infections in younger adults (15-44 years) was observed. The study unveiled a unique seasonal distribution of cases, defying typical summer peaks seen elsewhere. AMR analysis revealed high resistance to ciprofloxacin and tetracycline, in both C. jejuni (93.7% and 79.2%, respectively) and C. coli (96.5% and 93.2%, respectively), stable throughout the studied period (2013-2021). C. coli exhibited significantly higher resistance to erythromycin, gentamicin, ampicillin and ertapenem compared to C. jejuni (p < 0.001). Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST) data demonstrated the distribution of resistance markers across diverse sequence types, challenging the notion of a clonal origin for multidrug-resistant isolates. In conclusion, the study highlights the need for enhanced surveillance and raises concerns about alarming AMR levels, recommending the implementation of whole-genome sequencing (WGS)-based surveillance for a deeper comprehension of disease patterns and an evolving AMR landscape.This work was partly supported by funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation program under grant agreement No 773830: One Health European Joint Program. Maria-Leonor Lemos is the recipient of a PhD grant (2022.10133.BD) from Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT)
Evaluation of the cyto- and genotoxicity of two types of cellulose nanomaterials using human intestinal cells and in vitro digestion simulation
No full textEmerging cellulose nanomaterials (CNMs) may have commercial impacts in multiple sectors, being their application particularly explored in the food sector. Thus, their potential adverse effects in the gastrointestinal tract should be evaluated before marketing. This work aimed to assess the safety of two CNMs (CNF–TEMPO and CMF–ENZ) through the investigation of their cytotoxicity, genotoxicity (comet and micronucleus assays), and capacity to induce reactive oxygen species in human intestinal cells, and their mutagenic effect using the Hprt gene mutation assay. Each toxicity endpoint was analysed after cells exposure to a concentration-range of each CNM or to its digested product, obtained by the application of a standardized static in vitro digestion method. The results showed an absence of cytotoxic effects in intestinal cells, up to the highest concentration tested (200 µg/mL or 25 µg/mL, for non-digested and digested CNMs, respectively). Of note, the cytotoxicity of the digestion control limited the top concentration of digested samples (25 µg/mL) for subsequent assays. Application of a battery of in vitro assays showed that CNF–TEMPO and CMF–ENZ do not induce gene mutations or aneugenic/clastogenic effects. However, due to the observed DNA damage induction, a genotoxic potential cannot be excluded, even though in vitro digestion seems to attenuate the effect. The lowest digested CNF–TEMPO concentration induced chromosomal damage in Caco-2 cells, leading to an equivocal outcome. Ongoing research on epigenotoxic effects of these CNMs samples may strengthen the lines of evidence on their safety when ingested, paving the way for their innovative application in the food industry.This research was funded by the Portuguese Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P. (FCT), through national funds PTDC/SAU–PUB/32587/2017 and PTDC/SAU–PUB/29481/2017. Research was co-funded by UIDB/00009/2020 (https://doi.org/10.54499/
UIDP/00009/2020) and UIDP/00009/2020 (https://doi.org/10.54499/ UIDB/00009/2020), both for the Centre for Toxicogenomics and Human Health—ToxOmics, FCT— Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia.
N.V. work was funded by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P., PhD grant number 2020.07168.BD. (https://doi.org/https:// doi.org/10.54499/2020.07168.BD)
Infeção por VIH em Portugal – 2024
No full textRelatório anual sobre a evolução da infeção VIH em Portugal – 2024. Este relatório conjunto DGS/ INSA apresenta os dados mais recentes da vigilância epidemiológica da infeção por VIH em Portugal, bem como resultantes de iniciativas de prevenção e rastreio desenvolvidas no âmbito do Programa Nacional para as Infeções Sexualmente Transmissíveis e Infeção pelo VIH (PNISTVIH). O relatório disponibiliza, pela primeira vez, dados sobre a Profilaxia Pós-Exposição ao VIH (PPE).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Monitoring the intake of food additives: consumption and intake assessment tools
Get PDFCom a mudança nos hábitos alimentares dos consumidores ao longo do
tempo e a crescente disponibilidade de alimentos processados, tornou-se
difícil evitar este tipo de produtos. Esta tendência pode levar a um aumento
da ingestão de aditivos alimentares pela população. Neste contexto, com
o objetivo de implementar um sistema de monitorização da ingestão de aditivos alimentares pela população portuguesa, no âmbito do projeto “Monitaditivos”, coordenado pelo INSA, desenvolveram-se duas novas ferramentas:
o questionário de avaliação do consumo alimentar de produtos com aditivos alimentares (QCAonline), em software REDCap; e a plataforma de avaliação da ingestão de aditivos alimentares (PAIAA), em Microsoft Access ®.
As duas ferramentas permitem estimar a ingestão de aditivos alimentares
pela população estudada e ainda, avaliar o risco da Ingestão Diária Estima da ultrapassar a Dose Diária Admissível. As ferramentas provaram ser eficazes contribuindo para a implementação do sistema de monitorizaçãoDue to changes in consumers' eating habits over time and the increasing
availability of processed foods, avoiding such products has become
dif ficult. This trend may lead to a rise in the population's intake of food
additives. In this regard, with the aim of implementing a system able
to monitor the intake of food additives by the Por tuguese population,
within the scope of the project “Monitaditivos”, coordinated by National
Institute of Health Doutor Ricardo Jorge, two new tools were developed:
a questionnaire to evaluate food consumption of products with food
additives (QCAonline), in REDCap sof tware; and the food additive intake
assessment platform (PAIAA), in Microsof t Access®. Both tools enable the
estimation of food additive intake within the target population and assess
the risk that the Estimated Daily Intake may exceed the Acceptable Daily
Intake. These tools proved to be ef fective in suppor ting the monitoring
system implementation.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Monitoring of formaldehyde (HCHO) in water samples: assessment of possible risks to public health from exposure to this compound
Get PDFA literatura descreve para o formaldeído diversos efeitos nefastos para a
saúde. Contudo, não existe, até ao momento, uma limitação legal quanto
ao teor máximo admissível em uma água.
Pretende-se com este estudo avaliar a eventual presença e aferir os níveis
de formaldeído em amostras de água de diversas origens.
Das 107 amostras de água analisadas, apenas duas revelaram a presença
deste composto, uma amostra de água de processo com uma concentração
de 0,087 mg/L e uma amostra de água de piscina com 0,058 mg/L. Dado
que não existe um valor paramétrico definido legalmente, a interpretação
dos resultados baseou-se na Norma NSF/ANSI 60 - 2016 que admite uma
concentração máxima admissível de formaldeído em água de 1 mg/L.
Face aos resultados obtidos e por se tratar de um composto indesejável devido
ao risco para a saúde, considera-se de todo o interesse a sua monitorização
em amostras de água destinadas ao consumo humano de modo a
avaliar a eventual exposição e consequente risco para a saúde publica.The literature describes several harmful health ef fects for formaldehyde.
However, to date, there is no legal limitation regarding the maximum
permissible content in water.
The aim of this study is to evaluate the possible presence and compare
the levels of formaldehyde in water samples from dif ferent sources.
Of the 107 proven water samples, only two revealed the presence of this
compound, one in a process sample with a concentration of 0.087 mg/L
and another in a pool water sample with 0.058 mg/L. Given that there is no
legally defined parametric value, the interpretation of the results is based
on the NSF/ANSI 60 Standard - 2016, which admits a maximum allowable
concentration of formaldehyde in water of 1mg/L.
In view of the results obtained and because it is an undesirable compound
due to possible health risk, it is considered to be of great interest to
monitor it in water samples intended for human consumption in order to
assess possible exposure and risk to public health.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio