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Framework para Ações de Sensibilização em “Uma Saúde”: Uma Abordagem Multidisciplinar para a Literacia

Sun, 07 Sep 2025 23:00:00 GMT

Title: Framework para Ações de Sensibilização em “Uma Saúde”: Uma Abordagem Multidisciplinar para a Literacia Authors: Payan-Carreira, R.; Capela e Silva, F.; Vilhena, M.; Simões, M. Abstract: O conceito “Uma Saúde” (One Health) reconhece a interdependência entre saúde humana, animal e ambiental, assumindo especial relevância face aos desafios globais contemporâneos, nomeadamente as alterações climáticas, a perda de biodiversidade, a resistência antimicrobiana e a emergência de doenças zoonóticas. A abordagem “Uma Saúde” debruça-se especificamente sobre os problemas que ocorrem na interface Homem-Animal-Ambiente, procurando obter a informação e conhecimento necessários à tomada de decisão ou a implementação de ações que permitam prevenir os efeitos negativos decorrentes dessa interação. A sua operacionalização deve envolver profissionais de diferentes áreas do conhecimento que atuem de forma complementar e integrada para prevenir riscos, promover equidade e reforçar a resiliência das comunidades. Por conseguinte, uma abordagem integrada da saúde, e o estabelecimento e aplicação de políticas governamentais com base no conceito “Uma Saúde”, permitirão ultrapassar os referidos desafios, e assim concretizar os Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável (ODS) que integram a Agenda 2030, para o que é fundamental a literacia em “Uma Saúde”. Este trabalho propõe o desenvolvimento de uma framework (ou modelo conceptual/estrutura metodológica) para ações de sensibilização em “Uma Saúde”, direcionada para públicos diversos — desde diferentes níveis de ensino (incluindo superior) até à sociedade em geral. A framework valoriza a participação cocriativa de stakeholders (Intervenientes/parceiros/Entidades participantes) multidisciplinares, incluindo profissionais da saúde, ciências ambientais e sociais, agentes educativos e membros da comunidade, visando gerar propostas formativas adaptadas a contextos específicos.

C135. PERITONEAL DIALYSIS EFFLUENT-DERIVED MESOTHELIAL CELLS AS A MODEL TO STUDY ARYL HYDROCARBON RECEPTOR

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Title: C135. PERITONEAL DIALYSIS EFFLUENT-DERIVED MESOTHELIAL CELLS AS A MODEL TO STUDY ARYL HYDROCARBON RECEPTOR Authors: Sequeira, Diogo; Teixeira-Santos, Luísa; Anão, Sofia; Pimpão, António B.; Calça, Rita; Monteiro, Emília; Branco, Patrícia; Sousa, Cátia; Pereira, Sofia A. Abstract: Introduction: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a home-based renal replacement therapy that relies on the dialytic properties of the peritoneal membrane [1]. However, progressive membrane dysfunction, mesothelial-to-mesenchymal transition events and fibrosis remain major limitations to long-term PD success [2]. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand activator transcription factor that has been implicated in fibrotic processes [3], including in the peritoneal membrane in animal models [4]. Our aim was to investigate AhR activation in human primary mesothelial cells (HPMCs) and its relation to patients' clinical variables. The underlying concept is that PD effluent, collected after each dwell, reflects the peritoneal membrane microenvironment and serves as a non-invasive liquid biopsy, providing access to patient-specific cellular and molecular information. Materials & Methods: HPMCs were isolated from PDE obtained from nine PD patients at Unidade Local de Saúde de Lisboa Ocidental (Ethics Committee approval:094/2025/CEFCM). The total volume of effluent in each PDE bag was centrifuged at 430×g, the supernatant discarded, and the cellular fraction washed with PBS 1X, pH 7.4 and plated in 48-well plates. Cells reached adequate confluence up to 30 days after plating and their morphology was assessed by phase-contrast microscopy and classified as epithelial-like or non-epithelial-like features by blind evaluation, as previously described [5,6]. Total cell lysates were prepared and CYP1A1 protein expression was assessed by Western blot as a readout of AhR activation. GAPDH was used as loading control. Associations between CYP1A1 expression and clinical and anthropometric variables (age, time on PD, sex, peritoneal transport type, and medication use) were explored using appropriate statistical analyses, with statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Results: Nine adult PD patients were included (mean age 60 ± 16 years), of whom 6 were men and 3 were women. Five patients were incident (PD duration <1 year) and four were prevalent. Four patients were treated with the drug class X, whereas five were not. PDE-derived HPMCs were successfully isolated and cultured from PD patients, demonstrating the feasibility of this approach as a non-invasive window into peritoneal membrane biology. At confluence, HPMCs displayed either epithelial-like (n=5) or non-epithelial (n = 4) morphologies. Most epithelial-like cultures were derived from incident PD patients (4 of 5), whereas only one incident patient exhibited a non-epithelial phenotype. This distribution suggests a possible association between HPMC morphology and earlier stages of PD, although no causal inference can be made. CYP1A1 protein levels did not differ between phenotypes. Inter-individual variability in CYP1A1 protein expression was observable (CV=20%), with an inverse correlation with patient age (r=-0.780; p=0.013). No significant associations were detected for sex, time on PD, or peritoneal transport type. X treatment was associated with lower CYP1A1 levels (p=0.039). Conclusions: This hypothesis-generating pilot study establishes PD effluent-derived primary HPMC as a human experimental model to explore AhR pharmacology and its association with PD long-term success.

A THIOL BASED TOOL TO EXPLORE PERITONEAL MEMBRANE PROTECTIVE DRUG CANDIDATES

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Title: A THIOL BASED TOOL TO EXPLORE PERITONEAL MEMBRANE PROTECTIVE DRUG CANDIDATES Authors: Anão, Sofia; Teixeira-Santos, Luísa; Sequeira, Diogo; Sousa, Cátia; Gonçalves, Joana; Monteiro, Emília C.; Calça, Rita; Branco, Patrícia; Pereira, Sofia A. Abstract: Introduction: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a renal replacement therapy that offers several advantages, including greater patient autonomy. However, peritoneal membrane fibrosis and loss of membrane integrity remain the main limiting factors for the long-term success of PD [1]. At SPF 2024, our group reported an association between peritoneal membrane fibrosis and aminothiol levels, namely cysteine, in PD effluent. Based on these findings, we hypothesized that pharmacological targeting endogenous thiols—the thiolome—may represent a strategy to preserve peritoneal membrane integrity. Our objective was to compare the thiolome of PD patients chronically treated with a specific drug class with known antioxidant effects with those whose therapeutic regimen did not include this drug class. Materials & Methods: Cysteine (Cys), homocysteine (HCys), cysteinylglycine (CysGly), glutathione (GSH), and urinary N-Acetyl cystine (NAC) were quantified in plasma and in PD effluent by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection [2]. PD effluent was obtained during the peritoneal equilibration test (PET), a 4-hour standardized clinical test in which a supraphysiological glucose-based solution is used as a stimulus to assess the peritoneal membrane’s transport characteristics collected at 0, 2, and 4 hours. PET is performed in the morning at the hospital. Thiols were also quantified in the bag obtained in the night before PET (overnight PD effluent). Ethical approvals: NMS 120/2023/CEFCM; ULSLO 2024-63. Statistical analyses included principal component analysis (PCA), between- group comparisons using Student’s t-test or Mann–Whitney U test as appropriate, and chi- square test for categorical variables. Results: A total of 41 PD patients were included; 59% were treated with drug class X. Patients from X-treated group were older (63±11 vs 51±13 years, p=0.0003), while the proportion of women was comparable between groups (21% vs 24%, p=ns), as it was the proportion of patients with more than 1 year on PD; 75% vs 53%, p=ns). Integrated PCA did not reveal a clear separation between groups treated vs. non-treated in each fluid, nor when all fluids were included. However, treatment with drug X was associated with significantly higher GSH levels in overnight PDE (p=0.010), 2-h and 4-h PET effluents (p=0.026 and p=0.006, respectively), while plasma GSH levels remained unchanged. The CysGly/GSH ratio was used as a proxy for γ-glutamyltransferase activity, a marker of chronic oxidative stress and fibrosis [3]; this ratio was decreased in patients with drug X across overnight PDE (p=0.024) and 2h-PET effluent (p=0.025), suggesting membrane protective activity. Conclusion: Since PD effluent reflects the peritoneal membrane microenvironment, the observed changes in GSH levels and the CysGly/GSH ratio in PD effluent, but not in plasma, appear to be informative indicators of membrane status, supporting a mechanistic involvement of thiol pathways in the pathophysiology of membrane fibrosis. These pilot results demonstrate the potential of our approach in drug repurposing studies aimed at peritoneal membrane protection.

Identifying bioaerosol diversity in theatmosphere of Vilnius, Lithuania, by molecular methods:Hints to clarify human bio-exposome.

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Title: Identifying bioaerosol diversity in theatmosphere of Vilnius, Lithuania, by molecular methods:Hints to clarify human bio-exposome. Authors: Antunes, C; Saulinene, I; Zemmer, F; Lara, B; Celenk, S; Costa, A R; Pogner, C; Galveias, A; Cristofori, A; Grewling, L; Penha, A; Pérez-Badia, R; Ribeiro, H; Xhetani, M; Orbik, P; Gonzalez Roldan, N; Magyar, D; Bruffaerts, N; Sukiene, L; Pereira, S; Lika, M; Keriene, I; Sozinova, O; Martínez-Bracero, M; Pallavicini, A; Tischner, Z; Muggia, L; Rodinkiva, V; Philliam, A G; O´connor, D; Muyshondt, B; Skjoth, C Abstract: Background: Monitoring biological air particles is fundamental to prevent the spread of airborne allergic and infectious diseases. Traditional aerobiological identifications to track some bioaerosols, such as fungi, bacteria and viruses, poses significant challenges as accurate identification can be exceedingly difficult. Molecular methods can be useful to identify the biodiversity of the human exposome. The aim of this work was to compare de efficacy of different sample collectors for monitoring bioaerosols by molecular methods. Method: The work was performed within the framework of the COST-ADOPT program. Sampling was performed using 4 different volumetric air samplers (VAS), each adjusted to 2 m3: a) 7-day multi-vial cyclone (Burkard); b) Coriolis μ (Bertin); c) Personal Volumetric Air Sampler (PVAS); d) microbiological air sampler (SAS). Collection surfaces on PVAS (c) consisted of filter paper or glass slide, while SAS (d) consisted of polypropylene surface dry or Vaseline coated. The two cyclones, Burkard (a) and Coriolis μ (b) used dry sampling. Sampling was done in June 2023 at 4 locations at Vilnius (Lithuania) vicinity: airfield (A); chicken farm (CF); dump site (D); university campus (UC). Total DNA was obtained using the NZY mag viral RNA/DNA isolation kit. DNA yield ([DNA]) was measured using a NanoDrop One. Results: Significant differences were observed in the total [DNA] between different volumetric equipment (p = 0.009). The highest [DNA], 7.13 ± 3.07 ng/m3, was obtained with the Coriolis μ (b), compared to 4.02± 2.99, 3.85 ± 2.32 PVAS (c) and for the cyclone-B (a), respectively, and 2.02 ± 1.10 ng/m3 for SAS (d). We found no difference in [DNA] when changing sampling media on either the SAS (d) or the PVAS (c) sampler. Considering the different locations, high variability was observed with the Chicken Farm exhibiting the lowest [DNA]. Conclusion: These results indicate that the choice of sampling methodology significantly impacts the total amount of DNA collected, limiting the molecular sequencing opportunities and biodiversity analysis. This work contributes to a better understanding of the efficiency of different sampling methodologies, providing valuable insights on airborne biodiversity and human bioaerosol exposure.