Loading...
3 results
Search Results
Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
- Benefícios das fibras e polifenóis na diminuição dos níveis de colesterol: perceção da população PortuguesaPublication . Marques, Alexandra; Coelho, Ana; Paulos, Ema; Bellém, Fernando; Almeida, Ana; Ladeira, CarinaAs doenças cardiovasculares constituem a principal causa de morte em Portugal. Os indivíduos que desenvolvem esta classe de patologias apresentam uma condição clínica subjacente, designada aterosclerose, consistindo no estreitamento de artérias devido à formação e desenvolvimento de placas ateroscleróticas. A condição de hipercolesterolemia surge como um fator de risco major ao desenvolvimento de aterosclerose e, consequentemente, de doenças cardiovasculares. Deste modo, é possível afirmar que a prevenção de casos de hipercolesterolemia constitui uma medida preventiva de doenças cardiovasculares. Diversos estudos têm sugerido que, quando consumidos em doses adequadas, as fibras e os polifenóis alimentares – encontrados em alimentos de origem vegetal - possuem a capacidade de reduzir os níveis de colesterol total e lipoproteínas de baixa densidade (LDL), além de exercerem alguns efeitos sobre outros fatores de risco da aterosclerose. Tendo por base a questão investigacional “Qual a perceção da população portuguesa em relação aos efeitos de fibras e polifenóis alimentares sobre o perfil lipídico?”, o estudo foi realizado com o objetivo de perceber qual o conhecimento da população portuguesa sobre os efeitos dos referidos compostos no perfil lipídico e consequente prevenção das doenças cardiovasculares. Neste sentido, foi aplicado um questionário online, respondido por 302 indivíduos com idades compreendidas entre os 18 e os 76 anos. Este estudo demonstrou que a população reconhece os benefícios das fibras alimentares no controlo dos níveis de colesterol, enquanto que, relativamente aos polifenóis, as respostas dadas não revelaram conhecimentos seguros sobre os mesmos. Verificou-se, ainda, que a grande maioria das pessoas não demonstra curiosidade em saber o conteúdo destes compostos nos alimentos. Concluiu-se, assim, que é importante apostar na sensibilização dos indivíduos relativamente aos compostos em estudo, de modo a reforçar os seus benefícios e dar a conhecer os alimentos onde se encontram.
- Cyanobacteria in freshwater: influence in liver morbidity in expose Alentejo’s population between 2000 and 2010Publication . Bellém, Fernando; Santos, Carlos Silva; Carolino, Elisabete; Morais, ManuelaTaking nutrients from the water column, phytoplankton can present high levels of growth and blooms arise if growth rates reach densities over 2.000 cells/ml. Cyanobacteria (prokaryotic, photosynthetic microorganisms) is one group of this community and can produce toxins responsible for human injury after the acute or systematic exposition. The main goal of this work is to correlate cyanobacteria blooms in Alentejo reservoirs and liver morbidity (cancer disease) in the human exposed population, through direct or indirect water consumption. In Portugal, seven reservoirs used to produce drinkable water located in the Alentejo region were selected and studied between 2000 and 2008. Reservoirs were characterized in physical and chemical aspects, as well as phytoplanktonic communities, through identification and counting of main present groups along the study period. In expressive blooms circumstances, liver toxin producers were founded, namely Microcystis aeruginosa, Aphanizomenon SPP and Oscillatoria, and liver condition indicators showed the highest levels in exposed populations. Liver cancer incidence was also more expressive in the exposed population, compared to nonexposed population. It was concluded that cyanotoxins' systematic exposition promotes liver morbidity in the exposed population, attested by high levels of liver enzymes, cancer disease incidence and relative and attributable risks values, compared to non-exposed population's values.
- Assessment and impact of the risk of exposure of Portuguese biomedical scientists in the context of COVID-19Publication . Tavares, Ana Sofia; Bellém, Fernando; Abreu, Renato; Leitão, Maria do Céu; Medeiros, Nuno; Alves, Patrícia; Calmeiro, LuísCurrently, the main public health concern worldwide is the COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, which was recently discovered and described. Due to its high pathogenicity and infectiousness, it is necessary to determine the risk healthcare professionals face every day while dealing with infected patients and contaminated biological samples. The purpose of this study was to assess Portuguese Biomedical Scientists' risk of COVID-19 exposure and related stress appraisals. One hundred and forty participants completed online versions of the WHO's Risk Assessment and Management of Exposure Survey and the Stress Appraisal Measure. Participants worked mainly in outpatient settings (45%), and in emergency services (28%). Twenty-three percent of participants were exposed to COVID-19 through community exposure, and 39% through occupational exposure. Although 95% reported using personal protective equipment (PPE), 83.6% were at high risk of infection. However, the use of some types of PPE was related to the risk of exposure. Participants reported moderate perceptions of stress and threat, but also moderate perceptions of control over the situation. These results may contribute to more efficient risk management of these professionals and prevent disease transmission in hospitals and communities.