National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge
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A walk in the PARC: developing and implementing 21st century chemical risk assessment in Europe
Get PDFLetter to the EditorCurrent approaches for the assessment of environmental and human health risks due to exposure to chemical substances have served their purpose reasonably well. Nevertheless, the systems in place for different uses of chemicals are faced with various challenges, ranging from a growing number of chemicals to changes in the types of chemicals and materials produced. This has triggered global awareness of the need for a paradigm shift, which in turn has led to the publication of new concepts for chemical risk assessment and explorations of how to translate these concepts into pragmatic approaches. As a result, next-generation risk assessment (NGRA) is generally seen as the way forward. However, incorporating new scientific insights and innovative approaches into hazard and exposure assessments in such a way that regulatory needs are adequately met has appeared to be challenging. The European Partnership for the Assessment of Risks from Chemicals (PARC) has been designed to address various challenges associated with innovating chemical risk assessment. Its overall goal is to consolidate and strengthen the European research and innovation capacity for chemical risk assessment to protect human health and the environment. With around 200 participating organisations from all over Europe, including three European agencies, and a total budget of over 400 million euro, PARC is one of the largest projects of its kind. It has a duration of seven years and is coordinated by ANSES, the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety.Open Access funding enabled and organized by Projekt
DEAL. The European Partnership for the Assessment of Risks from
Chemicals has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon
Europe research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No
101057014. Co-funding for the UK contribution via Innovate UK project ID 1752317 as part of the Horizon Europe Guarantee fund.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
External Quality Assessment in Laboratory Safety Area (PNAEQ-1S Segurança Laboratorial 2023)
Get PDFIntroduction: The National External Quality Assessment Program (PNAEQ) provides tools for carrying out external quality assessment in Laboratory Safety area. These tools allow the identification of occurrences and/or critical points in the operation, installations or equipment, that could have impact on the safety of patients and workers, beyond prioritize the necessary improvement actions.
Objective: Presentation of the methodology implemented in PNAEQ in 2023, for the External Quality Assessment (EQA) in Laboratory Safety area.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Comparative Analysis of Two Candida parapsilosis Isolates Originating from the Same Patient Harbouring the Y132F and R398I Mutations in the ERG11 Gene
Get PDFThis article belongs to the Special Issue Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Multiple Drug Resistance (MDR)This work presents a comparative analysis of two clinical isolates of C. parapsilosis, isolated
from haemoculture (HC) and central venous catheter (CVC). Both strains harboured Y132F and
R398I mutations in the gene ERG11 associated with resistance to fluconazole (FLC). Differences
between the HC and CVC isolates were addressed in terms of virulence, resistance to FLC, and
lipid distribution. Expression of the ERG6 and ERG9 genes, lipid analysis, fatty acid composition,
and lipase activity were assessed via qPCR, thin-layer chromatography/high-performance liquid
chromatography, gas chromatography, and spectrophotometry, respectively. Regulation of the ERG6
and ERG9 genes did not prove any impact on FLC resistance. Analysis of lipid metabolism showed
a higher accumulation of lanosterol in both the isolates regardless of FLC presence. Additionally,
a decreased level of triacylglycerols (TAG) with an impact on the composition of total fatty acids
(FA) was observed for both isolates. The direct impact of the ERG11 mutations on lipid/FA analysis
has not been confirmed. The higher lipase activity observed for C. parapsilosis HC isolate could be
correlated with the significantly decreased level of TAG. The very close relatedness between both the
isolates suggests that one isolate was derived from another after the initial infection of the host.This research was funded by the Slovak Research and Development Agency under contracts of SK-PT-18-0006 as part of the Bilateral Cooperation Program (2019–2022), APVV-21-0302 and grant VEGA 2/0036/22 from the Ministry of Education, Science, Research, and the Sport of the Slovak Republic.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Iodine profile in foods consumed in vegetarian diets
No full textVegetarian diets have gained popularity in the last decade, and it has been found that increased consumption of plant-based foods has numerous health benefits [1]. The number of vegetarians has quadrupled in the last ten years, currently representing around 9% of the population residing in Portugal [2,3]. Therefore, the nutritional study of the foods most consumed by the vegetarian population becomes important. Iodine is an essential nutrient for the synthesis of thyroid hormones. If the supply of iodine is compromised, the consequences may be hypothyroidism, goitre or the formation of nodules. When nutritional deficits occur in lactating or pregnant women, irreversible repercussions on babies or foetuses may occur[1,4,5]. The objective of this study was to evaluate the iodine content, by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), in 37 foods most consumed by the vegetarian population. Food selection was based on the National Food and Physical Activity Survey. Among the analysed foods, Nori seaweeds have the highest levels of iodine, 6511 ± 321 μg/100 g, followed by dairy products, namely cheeses (between 53.4 ± 0.4 and 28.0 ± 0.9 μg/100 g) and yoghurts (between 17.2 ± 0.2 and 14.4 ± 0.1 μg /100 g). When resorting only to food, the vegetarian and vegan population may have difficulty to achieve the daily iodine requirement (150 μg/day). In the case of pregnant and lactating vegetarians or vegans, nutritional deficiency can be a more worrying situation, taking into account that it can cause neurodevelopmental changes in the foetuses and baby. It is necessary to consider alternatives that can alleviate the nutritional deficits of iodine and prevent possible consequences on health. These may include using iodised salt, crop fortification, food fortification or supplementation.Este trabalho foi desenvolvido com o apoio da FCTN/
Influence of pharmacogenetic variants on drug use: importance of the DPYD gene as a predictive marker of fluoropyrimidine toxicity
Get PDFA presença de determinadas variantes em genes responsáveis pela
codificação de proteínas com função de transportadores ou recetores
envolvidos em vias de metabolização de xenobióticos, pode condicionar
a resposta individual a determinados fármacos, comprometendo
a resposta terapêutica e o prognóstico clínico. Desta forma, a
farmacogenética é, nos tempos atuais, uma ferramenta essencial na
medicina personalizada, uma vez que estudos genéticos permitem ao
clínico prever a probabilidade de eficácia e de toxicidade de determinados
fármacos, podendo assim individualizar o tratamento e melhorar
a segurança dos doentes. A título de exemplo, podemos referir as
variantes associadas ao gene FMO3 (Trimetilaminúria) que condicionarão
a eficácia do tratamento com Sulindac, variantes no gene CBS
(Homocistinúria clássica) que influenciarão a resposta dos doentes à
terapia com Piridoxina (vitamina B6) bem como as variantes no gene
DPYD (deficiência em dihidropirimidina desidrogenase) que originarão
diferentes manifestações fenotípicas em indivíduos tratados com
fluoropirimidinas (5-Fluorouracil, Capecitabina e Tegafur). O objetivo
deste trabalho é alertar para a necessidade do estudo genético de
indivíduos em tratamento com fármacos que sofram metabolização
hepática. Pretende-se avaliar a importância de variantes já identificadas
no gene DPYD, bem como de outras potencialmente relevantes,
enquanto marcadores preditivos de toxicidade associada às fluoropirimidinas.
Este estudo também contribuirá para alargar o espectro
mutacional associado ao gene DPYD, para além das variantes incluídas
nos kits comerciais do gene, que podem também influenciar a
terapêutica/toxicidade com fluoropirimidinas.The presence of certain variants in genes responsible for encoding
transporters or receptors involved in xenobiotic metabolism pathways
can influence an individual's response to certain drugs, compromising
therapeutic efficacy and clinical prognosis. Therefore, pharmacogenetics
is currently an essential tool in personalized medicine, as
genetic studies allow clinicians to predict the likelihood of efficacy
and toxicity of specific drugs, enabling individualized treatment and
improving patient safety. As an example, we can mention variants
associated with the FMO3 gene (Trimethylaminuria) that affect the
effectiveness of Sulindac treatment, variants in the CBS gene (Classical
homocystinuria) that influence patients' response to Pyridoxine
(vitamin B6) therapy, as well as variants in the DPYD gene (dihydropyrimidine
dehydrogenase deficiency) that result in different phenotypic
manifestations in individuals treated with fluoropyrimidines
(5-Fluorouracil, Capecitabine, and Tegafur). The aim of this study is to
highlight the need for genetic testing of individuals undergoing treatment
with drugs that undergo hepatic metabolism. Additionally, we
intend to evaluate the importance of already identified variants in
the DPYD gene, as well as other potentially relevant ones, as predictive
markers for fluoropyrimidine-associated toxicity. Furthermore, we
also aim to contribute to expanding the mutational spectrum associated
with the DPYD gene, beyond the variants included in commercial
gene kits, which could also influence the therapy/toxicity of fluoropyrimidines.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Caracterização nutricional de fermentados de casca de melão (Cucumis melo L.): fermentação lática e alcoólica
No full textNos últimos anos temos presenciado um crescente interesse em abordagens sustentáveis para a gestão de resíduos nos setores alimentares, impulsionado por preocupações ambientais, e pela garantia de acesso de alimentos suficientes, seguros e nutritivos a toda a comunidade. Nesse contexto, os subprodutos de melão, anteriormente negligenciados, têm sido alvo de investigação por forma a explorar o seu potencial considerando um cenário de economia circular.
O objetivo deste trabalho foi desenvolver e caracterizar a composição nutricional de farinhas da casca de melão expostas a dois processos fermentativos, lático e alcoólico.
As amostras de subprodutos de melão (casca) foram recolhidas numa unidade hoteleira no centro de Lisboa e fermentadas em sacos de vácuo selados a 99%, com as seguintes formulações: adição de 2% de sal de mesa do peso total de casca de melão (fermentação lática) e adição de 2% de açúcar branco granulado do peso total de casca de melão (fermentação alcoólica). A fermentação foi monitorizada durante 7 dias a uma temperatura média de 27 °C ± 1 °C. Após processo fermentativo, as cascas foram desidratadas e trituradas até obtenção de um produto com textura de farinha. A composição nutricional das farinhas foi determinada analiticamente, e o valor energético e os hidratos de carbono foram calculados.
Com base nos resultados obtidos, observou-se que a farinha de casca de melão submetida a fermentação alcoólica apresentou um teor de fibra alimentar aproximadamente 1,5 vezes superior ao da farinha sujeita à fermentação lática (41,1 ± 0,56 e 27,0 ± 0,56 g/100 g, respetivamente); em contrapartida o teor de cinza total da amostra de farinha que sofreu fermentação lática resultou em cerca de três vezes mais que a farinha de fermentação alcoólica (26,3 ± 0,01 e 7,05 ± 0,01 g/100 g). A nível de teor de sal, a farinha de fermentação lática apresentou um teor três vezes superior que a farinha de fermentação alcoólica (4,66 ± 0,01 e 1,37 ± 0,04 g/100 g).
A fermentação de subprodutos de melão, independentemente do processo fermentativo selecionado, permite obter um produto com alto teor em fibra. A aplicação destas formulações demonstram ser uma via que permite a diminuição do desperdício alimentar e contribuir para a sustentabilidade no setor alimentar. Contudo, a farinha de fermentação alcoólica parece mais promissora para obtenção de um produto alimentar com propriedades benéficas para a saúde.Este trabalho foi financiado pela FCT no âmbito do projeto Food4DIAB (EXPL/BAA-AGR/1382/2021).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Effects on antioxidant activity, total phenolics and flavonoids of different mixtures of red fruits and green leafy vegetables
No full textCurrently, several studies have shown an inverse relationship between fruits and vegetables consumption and the appearance of noncommunicable chronic diseases, due to their richness in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Despite these benefits, their consumption is still lower than recommended by the World Health Organization (400 g per day).
This research intends to assess the synergistic, antagonistic and additive effects of 20 mixtures (M1-M20) of red fruits (strawberry I1, raspberry I2, and blueberry I3) and green leafy vegetables (spinach I4 and lettuce I5) in different proportions, considering their in vitro antioxidant content. Analytical methods for antioxidant activity (DPPH•), total phenolics and flavonoids were carried out in ingredients and their mixtures. For each mixture, expected values were calculated by adding the results of ingredients considering their amount and, then, compared with observed values. When significant differences were found (p expected value) or antagonistic (observed value 0.05), the effect was considered additive.
Concerning DPPH•, the majority of the effects in mixtures were synergistic. However, M15 and M16 had antagonistic effects and M13 was the only one with additive effect. M6 (34% I2 and 34% I3) had the most highlighted synergistic interaction. Regarding total flavonoids, all mixtures presented synergistic effects, with M4 (50% I4) having the highest synergy (observed value = 331.7 mg of epicatechin equivalents/100 g of sample > expected value = 137.8 mg of epicatechin equivalents /100 g of sample) and M12 (35% I5) the lowest. When considering total phenolics, synergistic effects in all mixtures were observed, with M6 and M8 (68% red fruits) being highlighted and M5 (50% I5) having the weakest interaction.
In general, most of the mixtures had synergistic interactions, which means gathering ingredients in those proportions enhances antioxidant content and, therefore, can promote health benefits. In these assays, M6 is highlighted, except on total flavonoids. Also, these mixtures can be used to reduce inadequate consumption of fruits and vegetables.This work was financially supported by INSA, I.P., under the project TradFRUIT (2012DAN668) and by European Union (FEDER funds through COMPETE), under the Partnership Agreement PT2020, and National Funds (FCT, Foundation for Science and Technology) through projects UIDB/50006/2020 and by AgriFood XXI I&D&I project (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000041) co-financed by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), through the NORTE 2020 (Programa Operacional Regional do Norte 2014/2020).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Deficiência em Desidrogenase da Glicose-6-fosfato – Caracterização Molecular
No full textFolheto técnico sobre a caracterização molecular da Deficiência em Desidrogenase da Glicose-6-fosfato.N/
Safety and efficacy of the feed additive consisting of protease produced by Bacillus licheniformis DSM 33099 (ProAct 360) for use in poultry species for fattening or reared for laying/breeding (DSM Nutritional Products Ltd)
Get PDFFree PMC article:Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of a protease (ProAct 360) produced by a genetically modified strain of Bacillus licheniformis (DSM 33099) as a zootechnical feed additive for poultry species for fattening or reared for laying/breeding. The production strain and its recombinant DNA were not detected in an intermediate concentrated product representative of the final formulation. The final product did not trigger a safety concern with regard to the genetic modification. The Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) concluded that ProAct 360 is considered safe for all growing poultry species at the recommended inclusion level of 30,000 NFP/kg complete feed. The use ProAct 360 as a feed additive did not give rise to concerns for the consumers or the environment. The additive is not an eye or a dermal irritant but should be considered a respiratory sensitiser. In the absence of data, no conclusions could be reached on the skin sensitisation potential of the additive. The FEEDAP Panel concluded that the additive has the potential to be efficacious at 30,000 NFP/kg complete feed for all poultry species for fattening or reared for laying/breeding.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Vigilância do vírus sincicial respiratório em crianças menores de 2 anos em Portugal, 2022/23
Get PDFO vírus sincicial respiratório (Respiratory Syncytial Virus - RSV) é um dos principais agentes etiológicos de infeções respiratórias do trato respiratório inferior, com elevado impacto na morbilidade e mortalidade em crianças menores de 5 anos. É por isso considerado um problema de saúde pública pela Organização Mundial de Saúde, com prioridade na vigilância e prevenção. Este trabalho pretende descrever e caraterizar os casos de infeção por RSV identificados no sistema de vigilância VigiRSV durante a época 2022/23.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio