RCIPL
Repositório Institucional do Politécnico de Lisboa
Entradas recentes
A cohort study of forced vital capacity, airway obstruction, and survival in the multinational Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease study
Publication . Burney, Peter G. J.; Bagkeris, Emmanouil; Potts, James; Nielsen, Rune; Devereux, Graham; El Rhazi, Karima; Aquart-Stewart, Althea; Nafees, Asaad A.; Koul, Parvaiz; Mahesh, Padukudru Anand; Agarwal, Dhiraj; Juvekar, Sanjay; Gislason, Thorarinn; Dias, Maria Hermínia Monteiro Brites
Background: In the USA, higher forced vital capacity (FVC) is linked with longer survival, and FVC is associated with survival independently of ethnicity. The implications for the low FVC values in parts of Asia and Africa are unknown. Methods: We used data from 16 sites of the multinational Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease (BOLD) study that completed follow-up of participants between 2019 and 2021 and reported at least five deaths between baseline and follow-up. We assessed the association of mortality with FVC and Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1)/FVC ratio within each site using Cox proportional hazards models. These models were adjusted for age, smoking, height, and weight. Effect estimates from all sites were combined using meta-analysis. Systematic regional differences were investigated. Results: Of 9927 study participants with follow-up data, 1120 (11.3%) had died [mean follow-up = 8.7 years, standard deviation (SD) = 3.3 years]. Baseline post-bronchodilator FVC and FEV1/FVC were inversely associated with mortality. When both FVC and FEV1/FVC were mutually adjusted for each other, the decreased mortality rates were more pronounced for each SD higher FVC at baseline [44% (95% confidence interval (CI): 25%, 58%) for men and 28% (95% CI: 11%, 41%) for women] than for FEV1/FVC at baseline [14% (95% CI: 8%, 20%) for men and 7% (95% CI: -10%, 21%) for women]. The probability of true regional differences was low. Conclusions: People with a higher FVC adjusted for age, sex, and height have a longer survival. Regional adjustments to lung function standards are inappropriate when assessing prognosis.
Comparison of gonadal dose estimation using treatment planning systems and Monte Carlo methods in pelvic radiotherapy
Publication . Ribeiro, D. R.; Campos, G.; Carolino, Elisabete; Martins, L. S.; Borrego, M.; Sá, Ana Cravo
Introduction: Unintended irradiation of organs outside the target volume remains a concern in pelvic radiotherapy, particularly for radiosensitive structures such as the gonads. Analytical dose calculation algorithms used in treatment planning systems (TPS) may underestimate out-of-field doses. Monte Carlo (MC) methods provide improved dosimetric accuracy. This study compared gonadal dose estimates from a clinical TPS with those obtained using MC simulations. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 30 patients treated for rectal or gynaecological malignancies using 3D conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) and volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT). Plans were generated in Eclipse using the Anisotropic Analytical Algorithm (AAA). Gonads were retrospectively contoured, and maximum (Dmax) and mean (Dmean) doses were extracted from dose-volume histograms. MC simulations were performed using PRIMO, previously validated against measurements. Differences were assessed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results: MC simulations agreed with measurements (<1%). MC-derived Dmax values were higher than TPS estimates, with median values of 47.89 Gy vs 46.58 Gy (right gonad) and 48.37 Gy vs 46.81 Gy (left gonad). Maximum differences reached 5.54 Gy and 5.64 Gy. Discrepancies were greater in low-dose regions, highlighting TPS limitations in out-of-field estimation. No significant differences were observed for Dmean or between techniques. Conclusion: TPS may underestimate maximum gonadal dose, particularly outside the treatment field. MC simulations provide more accurate estimates, supporting improved fertility risk assessment. Implications for practice: MC-based evaluation may improve the accuracy of gonadal dose assessment, particularly in out-of-field regions. This approach can support more robust plan evaluation, encourage consideration of gonads as organs at risk, and facilitate more individualised patient counselling regarding fertility risks. Increased awareness of unintended gonadal exposure may also promote optimisation strategies to minimise dose.
Snapshot assessment to fungal load in wood departments from “Do It Yourself” (DIY) stores
Publication . Dias, Marta; Pena, Pedro; Gomes, Bianca; Cervantes, Renata; Viegas, Susana; Viegas, Carla; Arezes, Pedro M.; Melo, Rui B.; Carneiro, Paula; Castelo Branco, Jacqueline; Colim, Ana; Costa, Nélson; Costa, Susana; Duarte, Joana; Guedes, Joana C.; Perestrelo, Gonçalo; Baptista, J. Santos
Workers are exposed to airborne dust at various phases of the woodworking and manufacturing processes, beginning with the tree-felling stage and varying in particle size, concentration, and composition. Fungi are the most well-known microorganisms present in this setting, which, under the correct circumstances, can flourish on wood products that have been stored. Woodworkers who were exposed to wood dust contaminated with fungi have reported cases of allergic alveolitis and asthma. This study aimed to perform a snapshot assessment regarding exposure of woodworking employees to fungal load, identifying the most critical workstations in local DIY stores. The sampling campaign was conducted between December 2022 and February 2023 in 8 DIY stores located in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area. An active sampling method was applied (device MAS−100), collecting 200L at a flow rate of 140 L/min. The higher counts were obtained in the wood exhibition and checkout areas. These results corroborate the employed sampling approach as a first step to obtain a snapshot assessment regarding fungal load in a DIY store. It was also possible to predict the spread of the fungal load through the store, highlighting the importance of a One Health approach in this specific setting.
Transcender fronteiras: o que cabe ao futuro da encenação?
Publication . França, Lucas Rezende; Parreira, Francisco Luís
Este trabalho analisa as transformações da encenação teatral na contemporaneidade, investigando o surgimento da dramaturgia expandida e suas relações com a performance e o corpo do ator. Aborda o papel da cidade como espaço de criação e os desafios da "globalização perversa" e da "indústria cultural" para o teatro. Propõe uma reflexão sobre a busca por um teatro que transcenda as fronteiras tradicionais e se afirme como ferramenta de transformação social e cultural.
Impact of a health and sustainability menu option on consumer perception of food service in Portugal
Publication . Costa, Carmen; Viegas, Cláudia; Rocha, Ada
Introduction: Food Service aims to provide nutritionally balanced, safe, and increasingly sustainable meals for specific population groups. In recent years, the sector has faced growing challenges driven by changing consumer expectations, public health priorities, and sustainability demands, particularly regarding menu composition and dietary patterns. Objective: To evaluate the association between the implementation of a health and sustainability menu option (flexitarian menu) and consumers' perceptions of Food Service in Portugal. Methods: A quasi-experimental repeated cross-sectional study was conducted among adult consumers attending a Food Service unit in Portugal. Consumer perceptions were assessed using paper-based questionnaires administered to three independent samples before implementation of the intervention and 3 and 9 months afterwards. The questionnaires evaluated perceptions of Food Service products, services, companies, and overall sector performance. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were performed. Results: Overall, the implementation of the flexitarian menu option was associated with generally favorable trends in consumer perceptions over time. After 9 months, more favorable evaluations were observed for perceived product quality, innovation, adequacy of meals to consumers' needs and expectations, and organizational attributes related to environmental and social responsibility. Although only limited statistically significant differences were identified, overall consumer evaluations of Food Service became progressively more favorable following implementation. Conclusions/Originality: This study provides real-world evidence suggesting that the sustained implementation of a health and sustainability menu option may be associated with more favorable consumer perceptions of Food Service. The findings contribute to the emerging evidence supporting menu-based sustainability interventions as a feasible strategy for promoting healthier and more sustainable institutional food environments.