RCIPL
Repositório Institucional do Politécnico de Lisboa
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Detection of TR34/L98H pan-azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus in poultry farm environments
Publication . Gomes, Bianca; Dias, Marta; Cervantes, Renata; Gonçalves, Lídia; Carolino, Elisabete; Ramos, Miguel J. N.; Nunes, Mónica; Dias, Ricardo; Viegas, Carla
Introduction: Poultry farms have been recognized as environments prone to fungal contamination. However, the occurrence of azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus and its cytotoxic potential remain insufficiently characterized. This study aimed to characterize the occurrence, cytotoxic potential, and azole-resistance profile of Aspergillus section Fumigati in poultry farms.Methods: A total of 420 samples, including air (n = 47), electrostatic dust cloths (n = 87), bedding (n = 87), feed (n = 95), swabs (n = 87), workers’ masks (n = 2), and broiler breast (n = 15), were obtained. Fungal characterization was performed through culture-based methods (27 °C and 37 °C), followed by azole resistance screening according to EUCAST guidelines. Resistant isolates were subjected to whole-genome sequencing and a targeted analysis of cyp51A mutations. The cytotoxicity potential of fungal isolates and environmental samples was evaluated using selected cell lines representing respiratory organs (human alveolar [A549]) and detoxification organs (swine kidney [SK]/hepatocellular carcinoma [HepG2]). Results: Seven putative Aspergillus fumigatus isolates exhibited pan-azole resistance (MICs: ≥ 2 mg/L ITR/VOR; ≥ 1mg/L for POS). Four isolates carried the TR34/L98H mutation and were recovered from bedding (n = 3) and air (n = 1), suggesting the presence of resistant A. fumigatus in poultry farm matrices. Although 12% of isolates induced toxicity on both cell lines (17/145), no significant association was observed between isolate cytotoxicity and environmental sample toxicity, suggesting that additional biological and chemical components may contribute to the overall toxicological profile of farm environments. Discussion: The study highlights the occurrence of azole-resistant A. fumigatus in poultry farms and supports integrated surveillance approaches addressing antifungal resistance and environmental exposure risks in poultry production.
Perception of consumers about Portuguese food service
Publication . Costa, Carmen; Viegas, Cláudia; Rocha, Ada
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Food Service is the provision of meals and drinks to well-defined groups of people. It aims to provide nutritionally balanced, safe, and sustainable meals compatible with the client's conditions and needs. Food service companies must meet the client’s expectations while simultaneously satisfying consumers in their daily meals. Objectives: To identify the general perception of Portuguese consumers about food service, more precisely their characterisation of this sector, its products and services, and companies operating in Portugal. Methodology: This cross-sectional study is based on a survey of the Portuguese population, aged above 18 years or older, and who is currently, or has already been, a food service consumer. The study’s sample consisted of 1900 consumers. Results: Overall, 42% of respondents considered that food service satisfies both their needs and expectations, while 44% reported that it satisfies their needs but not their expectations. Most consumers recognised key characteristics of food service, namely good location and accessibility (88%), operating schedules adapted to users’ activities (85%), and provision of social interaction during meals (82%). Hygiene and food safety were the most highly valued attributes of both products (82%) and services (81%), followed by meal temperature (78%). Regarding food service companies, trustworthiness was the most appreciated characteristic (71%), whereas innovation received the lowest ratings across products (41%), services (45%) and companies (43%). Conclusions: Portuguese consumers generally have a positive perception of food service in Portugal, particularly regarding hygiene and food safety, meal temperature, accessibility, and trust. Innovation remains a key area for improvement to better meet consumer expectations.
Unidade Curricular de Guionismo e Narrativas Digitais - 3.º semestre do 2.º ano da Licenciatura em Audiovisual e Multimédia, no ano letivo de 2024-2025
Publication . Sousa, Vanda
O presente documento reúne os materiais pedagógicos da Unidade Curricular de Guionismo e Narrativas Digitais, lecionada no 3.º semestre do 2.º ano da Licenciatura em Audiovisual e Multimédia, no ano letivo de 2024-2025. Organizado numa articulação teórico-prática, apresenta conceitos fundamentais da construção narrativa e da escrita para audiovisual a partir de diferentes autores, entre os quais Aristóteles, Horácio, Edgar Allan Poe, Doc Comparato, Robert McKee, John Yorke e Kelly McErlean. São abordadas as principais etapas e componentes do desenvolvimento de um guião, incluindo ideia, premissa, conflito, story line, personagens, sinopse, estrutura, ação dramática, incidente incitante, clímax, resolução, ponto de vista e diálogo. O documento integra igualmente conceitos específicos das narrativas digitais, designadamente não linearidade, interatividade, multiplicidade de perspectivas e formas narrativas próprias dos meios digitais. A componente conceptual é acompanhada por exercícios práticos que permitem aos estudantes aplicar progressivamente os conteúdos à criação e desenvolvimento dos seus próprios projetos narrativos, estabelecendo uma relação continuada entre reflexão teórica e prática de escrita audiovisual.
Rebis: estudo coreográfico do corpo que cria
Publication . Labau, Nuno; Bentes,, Amélia
O presente relatório insere-se no âmbito de uma investigação em práticas artísticas, centrando-se no desenvolvimento do projeto performativo REBIS, enquanto processo coreográfico influenciado por metodologias de investigação. O trabalho tem como principal objetivo explorar a construção e desconstrução da masculinidade hegemónica através do corpo performativo, articulando referências da alquimia, da antropologia e dos estudos de género com práticas contemporâneas da dança.
Metodologicamente, o projeto adota um modelo de investigação influenciadora da prática, baseado na relação cíclica entre criação artística e produção de conhecimento. Através de diferentes fases performativas, incluindo projetos anteriores e estudos intermédios, foram implementadas estratégias de testagem, como entrevistas, apresentações públicas e momentos de confronto direto com o público, permitindo a recolha de dados qualitativos que informaram o desenvolvimento coreográfico.
O processo criativo organiza-se simbolicamente a partir das fases alquímicas Nigredo, Albedo, Citrinitas e Rubedo, entendidas como estados de transformação do corpo enquanto construção social, política e simbólica. No contexto do estúdio, estas fases materializam-se em decisões coreográficas específicas, que vão desde a imobilidade e relação com o chão, até à exploração da pausa, da presença e do movimento segmentado. A utilização de elementos como o figurino, a videografia e a proximidade com o público contribui para a criação de um espaço performativo liminar e dissidente.
Os resultados evidenciam que a prática coreográfica pode constituir um campo ativo de produção de conhecimento, no qual o corpo deixa de ser apenas objeto de representação para se afirmar como agente de transformação. Conclui-se que a articulação entre investigação e criação permite desenvolver novas abordagens sobre o corpo, contribuindo para a reflexão crítica sobre masculinidades contemporâneas e para a expansão dos limites da prática artística no contexto académico.
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.