RCIPL
Repositório Institucional do Politécnico de Lisboa
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The need of a one health approach to tackle microbiological contamination in animal and dairy production: the case of Portuguese feedlots farms and dairies
Publication . Viegas, Carla; Gouveia, Ana Filipa; Cervantes, Renata; Pena, Pedro; Carolino, Elisabete; Twarużek, Magdalena; Viegas, Susana
With the global population rising, there is increasing demand for agricultural productivity, particularly for animal-derived proteins and products. This trend places additional pressure on natural resources and the workforce in the animal production sector. This study aims to address environmental and health factors influenced by animal production within the One Health framework, encompassing animal welfare, food security, food safety, workers' health, and climate change. In this context, three feedlot farms and two dairies from the North of Portugal, representing the worst-case exposure scenario, were engaged in this study. Samples were collected using Electrostatic Dust Cloths (EDC) placed on farm surfaces and attached to work clothing (EDCT). Additional samples were obtained from feed, used bedding material, and surface swabs from feeders, drinkers, milking parlors, and frequently touched areas in social spaces (e.g., offices and changing rooms). Microbial characterization and azole-resistance screening were performed using diverse culture media, complemented by molecular assays (qPCR) targeting toxigenic fungal species. Thirty-eight mycotoxins were analyzed across the sampled matrices. This comprehensive approach identified critical sources of microbial and mycotoxin contamination: bedding material showed the highest bacterial contamination (TSA; 5.40 X 103 CFU.g-1), while swabs (MEA; 2.5 X 104 CFU.m-2 to 9.00 X 104 CFU.m-2) and feed (MEA; ranged from 1.33 X 102 CFU.g-1 to 8.00 X 102 CFU.g-1) exhibited the greatest fungal contamination. Feed was identified as the main source of mycotoxin exposure for both animals and workers, since all 16 feed samples tested positive for mycotoxin contamination. Results revealed widespread distribution of Aspergillus sp. across environmental matrices, highlighting the need for targeted interventions. Azole-resistance screening and mycotoxin profiling further emphasize the importance of implementing targeted interventions to prevent, monitor, and remediate environmental contamination by fungi and mycotoxins across different contexts (food safety, animal health, public and occupational health), underscoring the value of a One Health approach.
Advances and practical lessons in fungal contamination exposure assessment: integrating field sampling and laboratory analyses
Publication . Viegas, Carla
The presence of microorganisms, and more specifically fungal contamination, may result from: 1) natural colonization of organic material present at the site; 2) intentional addition (e.g., in the food industry. Each collected sample is unique: its composition varies over time and space (in terms of species abundance and diversity). Assessing exposure to microbiological agents (including fungi) is a challenging task. Exposure can be estimated using a variety of sampling methods; however, each is unique and requires a specific methodology. Sampling is done to verify and quantify the presence of microorganisms in the air or contamination of materials, to identify sources of contamination, to monitor the effectiveness of implemented control measures, and to assess human exposure. Exposure assessment of microorganisms can be carried out using qualitative or quantitative methods, or a combination of both. Qualitative assessment includes visual and olfactory observations resulting from damage in indoor environments, such as damage caused by water infiltration.
Missed opportunities in nutritional care: prevalence, mortality, and resource utilization in internal medicine wards
Publication . Marinho, Ricardo C.; Craveiro, Ana; Ferreira, Susana; Carolino, Elisabete; Lopes, Marta S.; Correia, João A.; Marinho, Anibal; Santos, Marisa D.
Background: Malnutrition is a highly prevalent and underdiagnosed condition among hospitalized patients, especially in internal medicine wards. Hospital malnutrition is associated with increased morbidity, mortality, prolonged admissions, and a substantial economic burden. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the clinical and economic impact of nutritional risk in patients admitted to internal medicine wards, focusing on mortality, hospital resource utilization, and the effectiveness of nutritional interventions. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at ULS Santo António, Porto, including 1,150 hospital admissions from January to December 2022. All adult patients with nutritional risk screening (NRS-2002) in the first 48 h of admission were included. Data were collected from hospital information systems on demographic, clinical, and economic variables, with outcomes including in-hospital mortality, readmissions at 30, 90, and 180 days, and one-year post-discharge mortality. Results: Nutritional risk (NRS-2002 ≥ 3) was identified in 42.4% of patients (n = 488), while ICD-10 malnutrition coding at discharge was recorded in only 0.7% of admissions. Of patients at nutritional risk, 74.4% (n = 363) received no nutritional supplementation. Nutritional risk was associated with higher in-hospital mortality, longer length of stay, and increased costs across all resource categories. In the time-dependent Cox model, patients at nutritional risk without supplementation showed a markedly higher hazard of in-hospital death at admission (HR 23.32, 95% CI 13.09-41.56), with this excess hazard attenuating over time. Patients at nutritional risk who received supplementation also showed elevated early risk (HR 6.15, 95% CI 2.96-12.80), though lower than unsupplemented patients. A similar pattern was observed for one-year post-discharge mortality. Total hospitalization costs were approximately 79% higher in at-risk patients, driven mainly by longer length of stay. Conclusion: Nutritional risk affected 42.4% of internal medicine inpatients and was associated with higher mortality and resource use. The finding that 74.4% of at-risk patients received no nutritional intervention represents a substantial missed opportunity. Patients who received nutritional supplementation showed a pattern of lower mortality risk than unsupplemented at-risk patients, consistent with but not proving a beneficial association. These findings support systematic nutritional screening and timely intervention in hospital care.
Genetic variants in red blood cell adhesion-related genes influence the severity of sickle cell anemia in a malaria-endemic region
Publication . Matos, Irina; Santos, Brígida; Gonçalves, Elisângela; Lopes, Pedro; Brito, Miguel; Arez, Ana Paula; Faustino, Paula
Background: Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is a genetic disease marked by abnormal hemoglobin S and sickle-shaped red blood cells. It is highly prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa, especially in Angola, where SCA and malaria are major causes of childhood mortality. This study aimed to explore whether genetic variants in genes associated with red blood cell adhesion to the vascular endothelium influence the manifestations of SCA in Angolan pediatric patients in the context of malaria. Methods and results: The study enrolled 65 pediatric SCA patients living in Luanda or Caxito. Their clinical, hematological, and biochemical profiles were monitored through longitudinal pediatric follow-up appointments. Fifteen polymorphic sites were genotyped in CD36 and ICAM-1 genes using PCR, Sanger sequencing, and fragment analysis by capillary electrophoresis. Malaria infection was evaluated by detecting Plasmodium species DNA through PCR analysis of blood spot samples. The CD36 variant rs3211891_C is revealed for the first time as a potential modulator of anemia severity in SCA. Additionally, the CD36 variant rs3211938_G, along with the ICAM-1 variants rs5491_T and rs5496_A, significantly impacted the severity of the hematological phenotype in SCA. Furthermore, SCA patients carrying the ICAM-1 rs5494_T variant showed a 5.63-fold increased risk of having malaria infection compared to those with the wild-type genotype. Conclusions: This study enhances our understanding of genetic modifiers of red blood cell adhesion to the vascular endothelium and their influence on the severity of pediatric SCA in the context of frequent concomitant malaria infection in Angola.
Políticas em Portugal para a Dança: um estudo preliminar a escutar quem dança
Publication . De Lima, Cecília; Neto, Ângelo; Santos, Ezequiel
Partindo de um estudo exploratório do setor da dança em Portugal, inserido na rede de pesquisa Observatório Ibero-Americano de Políticas para a Dança, pretende-se, com o presente artigo, iniciar um trabalho para o futuro mapeamento nacional da caracterização, atividades, recursos e desafios das estruturas e agentes do setor, sendo o objetivo deste artigo o de apresentar os resultados preliminares do estudo. A recolha baseou-se na metodologia de Grupos Focais (Morgan 1996), em formato online, num total de oito participantes, partilhando o mesmo guião de perguntas sobre várias dimensões do seu trabalho. Um grupo envolveu estruturas formais de ensino da dança, englobando professores e diretores, e, outro grupo, profissionais, bailarinos e coreógrafos. Os autores investigaram as perceções de ambos os grupos. As entrevistas, gravadas sob consentimento informado e transcritas foram posteriormente sujeitas a análise de conteúdo utilizando duas dimensões apriorísticas: as políticas educativa e cultural em Portugal no que concerne à dança. Os resultados são analisados, discutidos e teorizados com base na literatura revista trazendo um contributo para o diagnóstico da situação profissional em Portugal. No que se refere ao primeiro grupo, existe uma diversidade de opções para a formação em dança, é descrito o reduzido financiamento, instalações desadequadas e a necessidade de desenvolver uma ideia de comunidade e sinergia entre instituições. Quanto ao segundo grupo, observa-se uma oscilação entre a estabilidade e a precariedade, salienta-se a importância da formação multidisciplinar, a sobrecarga burocrática e o desejo de obter financiamento através de programas nacionais mais moldados pela ética e menos pelos efeitos políticos rápidos.