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- Preliminary results concerning school staff personal exposure to microbial load: worry to be considered?Publication . Pena, Pedro; Cervantes, Renata; Dias, Marta; Gomes, Bianca; Riesenberger, Bruna; Marques, Liliana; Rodriguez, Margarida; Viegas, CarlaSchool environments are potential exposure scenarios to bioaerosols. Breading such contaminants can contribute to the development of respiratory infection. Most studies performed in schools regarding air quality focus on children’s health, neglecting the personal exposure of teachers and school staff. This study aims to provide a first insight into the personal exposure of teachers and school staff to bacteria and fungi in primary schools in Portugal. Personal air samples were collected from teachers and staff with an SKC Button Aerosol Sampler (2 h sampling at 4 L/min flow rate) with a polycarbonate filter from 10 schools located in the Metropolitan Lisbon Area. Extracts were inoculated onto TSA and VRBA (7 days incubation at 30 °C and 37 °C, respectively) for bacterial quantification and onto MEA and DG18 (5–7 days incubation at 27 °C) for fungal quantification. Results showed higher bacterial contamination in teacher samples. Fungal counts followed the same pattern. Although bacterial and fungal counts were below recommended thresholds, the possible presence of potentially harmful pathogens requires qualitative assessment. These preliminary findings underscore the need for comprehensive strategies to address microbial contamination in schools, ensuring the safety and well-being of the school community.
- Levels of fungi in the air of poultry farms following different stages of birds’ growth cyclePublication . Gomes, Bianca; Dias, Marta; Pena, Pedro; Cervantes, Renata; Rodriguez, Margarida; Marques, Liliana; Riesenberger, Bruna; Carolino, Elisabete; Viegas, CarlaPoultry production intensification might influence microbial development. Concerning fungal assessment, despite the limited number of studies, several fungi have already been found in poultry pavilions. Occupational health specialists frequently overlook worker safety and biological risk assessment due to a lack of systematic knowledge regarding the agents involved. Consequently, workers, exposed to organic dust are at risk of developing various respiratory diseases. This study aimed to analyze indoor and outdoor fungal load at different stages of the poultries growth cycle. The sampling campaign was conducted in Winter in 14 poultry pavilions. Air samples from indoor (n = 47) and outdoor (n = 20) were taken before bird placement (sanitary control), followed by 1st, 2nd and 3rd weeks. The impactor MAS-100 was set at 100 L/min for 5 min. Fungal loads indoors exceed the outdoor in all stages of the production cycle. Besides, fungal occurrence was also identified during sanitary control (5%). The acquired data can provide new insights into the variation in fungal air concentrations during different phases of poultry growth. The data obtained should be complemented with qualitative research. Together, this information will support the development of mitigation techniques aiming to protect workers, animals, and environmental health and thus following a One Health approach.
- Sampling protocol to assess Aspergillus section fumigati in woodworking environmentsPublication . Dias, Marta; Gomes, Bianca; Pena, Pedro; Cervantes, Renata; Rodriguez, Margarida; Riesenberger, Bruna; Marques, Liliana; Ribeiro, Edna; Viegas, CarlaAzole fungicides are commonly used in sawmills to protect wood against the wood-destroying basidiomycete fungi. Azole-resistant Aspergillus section Fumigati has previously been identified in these environments. Here we aimed to establish a sampling protocol to efficiently isolate Aspergillus section Fumigati in woodworking environments. The sampling campaign was conducted between December 2022 and November 2023 in 13 DIY stores and 6 sawmills. Both active and passive sampling methods were used. A total of 370 Aspergillus section Fumigati isolates were recovered from the accessed environments with particularly high efficiency using DG18 incubated at 37 °C. Both active and passive sampling media had a similar number of isolates. Regarding Andersen's six-stage air sampler, stage 5 had the highest number of isolates in both woodworking environments. Data presented in this study validated the used protocol to assess Aspergillus section Fumigati in woodworking environments to enable Occupational Health Services to prioritize interventions in these specific occupational environments to perform accurate exposure assessment and detailed risk assessment and management.
- SARS-CoV-2 immunization in academic community: vaccination schemes efficiencyPublication . Almeida, Ana; Oliveira, Ketlyn; Ribeiro, EdnaBackground: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 immunoglobulin G (SARS-CoV-2-IgG) antibodies have been widely used to assist clinical diagnosis and occupational exposure risks. Objectives: This study aimed to estimate SARS-CoV-2 IgG levels acquired due to different vaccination schemes. Materials and methods: A retrospective study was performed on volunteers from the Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa. Blood samples were collected and analyzed through the ELISA methodology and a statistical analysis was conducted. Results: Among study participants, the percentage of women was higher than men, with an average age of 39.02 years. 88.5% of individuals had an mRNA vaccination versus 11.5% for a viral vector vaccination. Moderna vaccine had the highest IgG titer (9.62 index), while the lowest titer was 5.97 index, obtained by the Janssen vaccine. Data from individuals with the 2nd vaccine dose corresponded to the highest percentage of seropositive titers (62.6%). Regarding the time between vaccination and sample collection, 41.9% were collected over six months and 2.2% between 1 and 2 months. Discussion: Data demonstrated that the vaccine technology, the period between vaccination and collection, and cross-vaccination have a significant impact on SARS-CoV-2 IgG levels. In conclusion, future assessment of individual immune responses and group immunity is crucial for occupational exposure and public health.
- Vagus nerve stimulation for the management of immune-mediated inflammatory diseasesPublication . Tarn, Jessica; Pinto, Ines Figueiredo; Ng, Wan-Fai; Staats, P. S.; Ayata, C.; Abd-Elsayed, A.The vagus nerve is a key component of several homeostatic axes including the cholinergic antiinflammatory pathway, hypothalamic–pituitary-adrenergic axis, and the brain-gut axis, all of which play important roles in the regulation of the immune system. Autonomic dysfunction has been described in many immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs). In addition, several pilot studies have shown that vagus nerve stimulation leads to improvement in several IMIDs. Taken together, the vagus nerve is a promising novel therapeutic target for the management of IMIDs.
- Design and (im)materiality: designing for a regenerative and socially ethical food systemPublication . Duarte, Verónica; Félix, Maria João; Viegas, Cláudia; Borges, Miguel de AboimFood systems are facing serious challenges in the social, economic, and environmental dimensions. This article aims to revitalise the role of design in the transition to a regenerative food system, adopting ethical principles. A literature review was carried out that crossed different themes, to stimulate reflection on the involvement of design in the food system. Next, four evolutionary stages were planned and presented, complemented by conceptual models that resulted from the research carried out and related to the different theoretical subjects, to generate new perspectives on the topic addressed. The effective contribution of this study lies in demonstrating that designers, together with other stakeholders, can design useful solutions and generate interdisciplinary knowledge related to the food system. Furthermore, it is understood that a greater contribution from social design and inclusive design is needed to address several of the problems of the food system, and, consequently, significant and mutually beneficial changes occur. The expected results focus on the need to carry out additional research to deepen the relationship between design and the food system, to minimise adverse impacts on the environment, human health, and future generations.
- Alterations of the abdominal wall during pregnancyPublication . Mota, PatríciaPregnancy and becoming a mother is one of the most exciting times in a woman’s life. Besides all the hormonal and physiological changes affecting women during this period, probably the most obvious morphological alteration during pregnancy is the increasing weight and dimensions of the uterus, influencing maternal trunk musculoskeletal morphology, particularly the abdominal musculature. Diastasis recti abdominis (DRA), or increased inter rectus distance (IRD), is characterized by the separation of the rectus abdominis muscles. It has its onset during pregnancy and the first weeks following childbirth. The lack of evidence for the consequences of this condition and the effect of abdominal strengthening exercises in the reduction of DRA indicates a need for identification of the prevalence and risk factors of DRA. This chapter will cover the anatomy and reliability of the methods for the assessment of the morphology of the abdominal wall, describe DRA prevalence, and risk factors, and provide an overview of the response on the IRD induced by two typical strengthening exercises: the drawing in and abdominal crunch exercises.
- LIS postsecondary and undergraduate educationPublication . Sanches, Tatiana; Antunes, Maria Da Luz; Lopes, CarlosAn overview of the evolution, challenges, and future trends in Library and Information Science (LIS) education is presented. Traces the historical development of LIS worldwide, emphasizing the shift from practical training to academic recognition. The LIS programs’ structure is discussed, fundamentally covering undergraduate courses. Essential skills for LIS professionals include knowledge organization, use of technology, management, and customer service. Future trends highlight the importance of aligning curriculum with global changes in digital literacy, emerging technologies, and diversity. The profession׳s commitment to ethical values and user-centered services is emphasized, ensuring graduates are well-equipped for the complexities of the information age.
- Literacia alimentar e nutricional ao serviço da literacia e saúdePublication . Costa, VâniaA alimentação é reconhecida, nas várias fases do ciclo de vida, como um determinante da saúde dos indivíduos, com elevado impacto na redução do risco de doença e no tratamento de doença. Atualmente, em Portugal, está demonstrado que a alimentação inadequada é uma das principais causas evitáveis de doenças crónicas não transmissíveis (p. ex., obesidade, diabetes, cancro, hipertensão, entre outras), perda da qualidade de vida e mortalidade prematura. De um modo transversal às populações, a insuficiente compreensão, as competências limitadas e a dificuldade na utilização da informação sobre a alimentação e a nutrição podem ser importantes contributos para a alimentação inadequada. Este capítulo aborda- rá a importância do investimento das organizações, das escolas e da sociedade na literacia relacionada com a alimentação e nutrição como um domínio específico da literacia em saúde.
- A influência da alimentaçãoPublication . Costa, VâniaO que comemos tem um grande impacto na forma como nos sentimos. Comer todos os dias os alimentos que protegem o nosso corpo pode ajudar a melhorar os níveis de energia, o sistema imunitário e os níveis de dor. A alimentação é um dos componenteschave do estilo de vida que pode melhorar ou contrariar os vários efeitos da dor, principalmente da dor crónica. A investigação científica tem demonstrado que a alimentação saudável fortalece o sistema imunitário, pode ajudar a reduzir e combater a inflamação e, por isso, ajuda também no combate à dor crónica. Quais são algumas das situações em que a alimentação pode ajudar no combate da dor?