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- Dietary synergy of chub mackerel and quinoa in reducing cognitive decline and retinal degeneration in the 5XFAD Alzheimer's mouse modelPublication . Gomes-Bispo, Ana; Mello-Sampayo, Cristina; Camacho, Pedro; Rego, Beatriz; Carvalho, Sandra; Lopes, Paula A.; Gomes, Romina; Oliveira, Susana; Lourenço, Maria; Pinto, Rui; Motta, Carla; Correia, Jorge; Afonso, Cláudia; Cardoso, Carlos; Bandarra, Narcisa M.; Prates, José A. M.Alzheimer's disease (AD) is marked by cognitive decline and retinal degeneration. This study aimed to explore the potential of dietary chub mackerel (Scomber colias), rich in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and vitamin B12, and quinoa, a source of vitamin B9, to prevent or delay these effects in a 5XFAD mouse model of AD. Thirty-two five-week-old male mice were divided into four groups: control, 10% chub mackerel, 5% quinoa, and 10% chub mackerel plus 5% quinoa, over 28 weeks. After 28 weeks, behavioural tests confirmed that none of the tested diets induced confounding effects related to anxiety-like behaviour or motor impairment. The diet combining chub mackerel and quinoa improved selected memory-associated outcomes and protected retinal integrity (p < 0.05), particularly within the neural layers. This diet also improved the brain n-3/n-6 PUFA ratio, primarily by reducing n-6 PUFA levels rather than by a significant increase in DHA. These benefits likely result from the complementary effects of key nutrients, including DHA and vitamins B9 and B12. The preservation of retinal thickness observed with the combined diet supports the use of retinal layer assessment as a potential non-invasive readout of AD-associated neurodegeneration. These findings indicate that combining chub mackerel and quinoa may help mitigate selected neurodegenerative and retinal alterations in the 5XFAD model, positioning them as promising components of a dietary strategy to support neuroprotection and retinal health during AD-related decline.
- A microRNA atlas of CD4+ T cell subsets in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis identifies regulators of disease pathogenesisPublication . Cunha, Carolina; Inácio, Daniel; Romero, Paula Vargas; Pais, Ana Teresa; Pelicano, Catarina; Costa, Marina; Mensurado, Sofia; Gonçalves-Sousa, Natacha; Papotto, Pedro H.; Neves, Daniel; Sobral, Daniel; Enguita, Francisco; Silva-Santos, Bruno; Gomes, AnitaMicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of CD4+ T cell differentiation, but how they contribute to the course of an autoimmune disease in vivo remains poorly studied. Given the known roles in autoimmunity of pro-inflammatory T helper 1 (Th)1 and Th17 cells, and anti-inflammatory Foxp3+ regulatory cells, we established a triple-reporter mouse for Ifng, Il17, and Foxp3. We subjected it to experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) to characterize the miRNomes of the corresponding CD4+ T cell subsets. We identified 110 miRNAs differentially expressed between the pro-inflammatory (Th1 and Th17 cells) and the Treg cell subsets. Among these, we found novel functions for miR-122-5p and miR-1247 as regulators of Th17 cell proliferation and Th1 cell differentiation, thus impacting the course or severity of EAE, respectively. Importantly, their expression patterns suggest that miR-122-5p and miR-1247 act as peripheral brakes on CD4+ T cell pathogenicity that are subverted in the inflamed central nervous system.
- Impact of a health and sustainability menu option on consumer perception of food service in PortugalPublication . Costa, Carmen; Viegas, Cláudia; Rocha, AdaIntroduction: 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.
- Detection of TR34/L98H pan-azole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus in poultry farm environmentsPublication . Gomes, Bianca; Dias, Marta; Cervantes, Renata; Gonçalves, Lídia; Carolino, Elisabete; Ramos, Miguel J. N.; Nunes, Mónica; Dias, Ricardo; Viegas, CarlaIntroduction: 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.
- NeuroPORTRESS: prevalence, clinical spectrum, and factors associated with neurological involvement in Sjögren’s diseasePublication . Costa, Roberto Pereira da; Bandeira, Matilde; Silvério-António, Manuel; Lopes, Ana R.; Cunha-Santos, Filipe; Pereira, Paulo J.; Raimundo, Diana Belchior; Cunha, Anita; Oliveira, Cláudia Pinto; Duarte, Ana C.; Dias, João Madruga; Santos, Mariana Emília; Gonçalves, Maria JoãoObjectives: Neurological involvement is a heterogeneous complication of Sjögren's disease (SjD). We aimed to describe its prevalence and spectrum and identify factors associated with peripheral (PNS) and central nervous system (CNS) involvement. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional, multicentre study based on PORTRESS, the Portuguese SjD registry. Demographic and clinical data were compared between groups. Independent associations of overall neurological, PNS, and CNS involvement were identified through logistic regression models using complete-case analysis. Results: Among 1234 patients, 62 (5.0%) had neurological involvement: 46 (3.7%) PNS, 17 (1.4%) CNS, with one patient having both. Patients with neurological manifestations had higher ESSDAI, more cryoglobulinaemia, purpura/cutaneous vasculitis and monoclonal gammopathy, and higher mortality. Cryoglobulinaemia and higher baseline ESSDAI (excluding neurological domains) were independently associated with neurological involvement. PNS involvement was associated with older age at symptom onset, cryoglobulinaemia, lymphopenia and higher ESSDAI. A sensitivity analysis revealed that low C4, persistent salivary gland swelling, and purpura/cutaneous vasculitis were also independently associated with PNS involvement. CNS involvement was associated with male sex and younger age at diagnosis. Conclusion: Neurological involvement in SjD was infrequent. PNS involvement clustered with vasculitic and B-cell-driven features and worse outcomes, whereas CNS manifestations appeared to show a distinct demographic profile, characterised by younger age and male sex. These findings support separate evaluation of PNS and CNS involvement and may help identify patients requiring neurological surveillance. Given the limited number of cases, particularly of CNS involvement, these findings remain exploratory and require confirmation in larger cohorts.
- Individual Participant Data Meta-Analysis (IPDMA) of long-term COVID-19 outcomes in a systematic review-informed, international, multidisciplinary databasePublication . Ali, Myzoon; Brady, Marian C.; Campbell, Pauline; Rooney, Scott; Williams, Linda; Paul, Lorna; Pereira, Filipe AlexandreBackground: Identifying and addressing long-term health and societal challenges after COVID-19 is a research priority. Objectives: To create an international, multidisciplinary COVID-19 database, and synthesise long-term outcomes, predictors and costs. Design: Systematic identification of COVID-19 data sets and meta-analysis of individual participant data on long-term outcomes after COVID-19. Setting: Contributed data were collected in clinical, community and research settings. Interventions: Interventions from original studies were included as covariates in models. Data sources: MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EMBASE, Web of Science, PsycInfo® (American Psychological Association, Washington, DC, USA), Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, World Health Organization Global Index Medicus, Epistemonikos, LitCOVID; World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform; ClinicalTrials.gov and supplementary searches for studies (November 2019-November 2021) were searched for studies on > 10 people from cohort, case-control, survey or randomised controlled trial studies, across any setting, describing validated assessment instruments, symptoms, hospitalisation, discharge destination or mortality beyond 28-days after COVID-19 onset. Data were extracted by two independent reviewers. Methods: Principal investigators contributed fully anonymised individual participant data. Demography, equity and symptoms were described. Assessment instruments were mapped to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health. Factors associated with outcomes at 3-6 months, 9-12 months and beyond 12 months of index infection, for n > 500 individual participant data and > 1 data set were described using ratio of difference, point estimates, odds ratio and 95% confidence interval, as appropriate. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool described study quality; models were appraised using a Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation-informed approach; heterogeneity was described using I2. Outcome measures: Included overall perception of health, multidomain cognitive function, anxiety, depression, stress, post-traumatic stress disorder, fatigue, strength, walking ability, mobility, coping with daily life, breathlessness, mortality, later hospitalisation and health-related quality of life. Results: PRECIOUS collated 116 data sets from 40 countries (individual participant data = 62,849), comprising 20 randomised controlled trials, 13 case-control, 60 cohort 2 longitudinal, 1 survey and 20 other study types. Participants' median age was 58 years interquartile range (45-68); 34,185 (54.4%) were female; 158 unique symptoms and 137 unique assessment instruments were captured, predominantly describing International Classification of Function, Disability and Health-body functions. Women had poorer outcomes across 30/37 models, compared with men. In 15/37 models, pre-existing lung disease and increasing age were associated with poorer outcomes; hospitalisation, diabetes and chronic kidney disease were each associated with poorer outcomes in 8/37 models. Initial hospitalisation resulted in lower health-related quality of life that did not recover for up to 2 years after initial infection. Heterogeneity was low in 34/37 models; 22/37 models were of moderate and 11/37 were of low quality. Limitations: Use of secondary data limits available covariates, outcomes and time points to those included in primary data sets; evidence was primarily based on high-income countries. There was a lack of data on longer-term healthcare resource use to estimate the costs to the healthcare system. Conclusions: PRECIOUS contributes to the overall picture of long-term COVID-19 outcomes beyond the long-COVID condition and highlights poorer long-term outcomes in women and people with pre-existing comorbidities. Future work: Evidence gaps included healthcare resource use, isolation, loneliness, societal participation and return to work outcomes. Data are needed on the role of health inequity on long-term outcomes. Study registration: This study is registered as PROSPERO (CRD42020224323, IRAS ID: 293578).
- A cor que atravessa o tempo: habitar a luz em Portugal e no Brasil por entre memória e travessiasPublication . Sousa, VandaResumo PT A cor que atravessa o tempo: Habitar a luz em Portugal e no Brasil por entre memória e travessias The colour that travels through time: Dwelling in light in Portugal and Brazil, through memory and crossings Este artigo interroga a cor para além da sua mensurabilidade física, propondo compreendê-la como experiência corporal, temporal, situada e cultural. A partir de uma abordagem teórico-conceptual de orientação fenomenológico-hermenêutica, estabelece-se um percurso entre Newton, Goethe, Alexander von Humboldt e Wittgenstein e, posteriormente, Bergson, Husserl, Heidegger e Merleau-Ponty, para pensar a relação entre luz, perceção, linguagem, duração, corpo e mundo. A parede branca funciona como situação fenomenológica recorrente: permanece reconhecível enquanto a sua aparência se transforma, permitindo sustentar a hipótese de que a cor não apenas muda no tempo, mas pode tornar o próprio tempo sensível. Portugal e Brasil ampliam esta questão à paisagem e à cultura, através da relação entre luz, matéria, atmosfera, memória e práticas historicamente situadas. Com Pastoureau, Gage e Batchelor, discute-se de que modo a experiência cromática se sedimenta culturalmente sem estabelecer qualquer determinismo entre geografia e cultura. Ligados por uma história assimétrica, por uma língua comum e pelo Atlântico, Portugal e Brasil permitem pensar a permanência através da transformação: materiais, palavras, imagens e formas culturais atravessam o oceano e encontram outras luzes, corpos e memórias. Conclui-se que medir, classificar ou reproduzir uma cor não equivale a habitá-la e que a experiência cromática constitui uma relação entre corpo, tempo, lugar e cultura. Entre Portugal e Brasil, a cor não desenha, assim, uma fronteira, mas uma travessia.