Fungal contamination assessment in Portuguese elderly care centers

Individuals spend 80-90% of their day indoors and elderly subjects are likely to spend even a greater amount of time indoors. Thus, indoor air pollutants such as bioaerosols may exert a significant impact on this age group. The aim of this study was to characterize fungal contamination within Portuguese elderly care centers. Fungi were measured using conventional as well as molecular methods in bedrooms, living rooms, canteens, storage areas, and outdoors. Bioaerosols were evaluated before and after the microenvironments' occupancy in order to understand the role played by occupancy in fungal contamination. Fungal load results varied from 32 colony-forming units CFU m(-3) in bedrooms to 228 CFU m(-3) in storage areas. Penicillium sp. was the most frequently isolated (38.1%), followed by Aspergillus sp. (16.3%) and Chrysonilia sp. (4.2%). With respect to Aspergillus genus, three different fungal species in indoor air were detected, with A. candidus (62.5%) the most prevalent. On surfaces, 40 different fungal species were isolated and the most frequent was Penicillium sp. (22.2%), followed by Aspergillus sp. (17.3%). Real-time polymerase chain reaction did not detect the presence of A. fumigatus complex. Species from Penicillium and Aspergillus genera were the most abundant in air and surfaces. The species A. fumigatus was present in 12.5% of all indoor microenvironments assessed. The living room was the indoor microenvironment with lowest fungal concentration and the storage area was highest.

Ecosapentanoic acid (EPA) does not affect cell kinetics in peripheral lymphocites from patients with Crohn's disease (CD) according to IL6 174G/C polymorphism

Rationale: Omega 3 fatty acids have been shown to be of potential benefit in patients with CD. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether EPA can modulate the inflammatory response according to different genotypes of IL6G174G/C polymorphism. Methods: Peripheral blood cells were collected from CD patients with different genotypes for IL6 174G/C (GG, n = 16, GC, n = 8, CC, n = 7), and lymphocytes were established in culture media. Replicates with the addition of EPA (25 mM) were analysed in a period of 24h, 48h and 72h. Expression of IL6 e a PGE2 was assessed by ELISA. Apoptosis and cellular proliferation was determined by flow cytometry.

A gestão dos custos da qualidade: Modelo A.B.Q.C. aplicado à Mercauto

Mestrado em Controlo e Gestão dos Negócios

Prevalência, fatores de risco e genótipos da hepatite C entre usuários de drogas

OBJETIVO: Estimar a prevalência e fatores associados à infecção pelo vírus da hepatite C em usuários de drogas e identificar os genótipos e subtipos virais circulantes. MÉTODOS: Estudo realizado com 691 usuários de drogas de 26 centros de tratamento de uso de drogas filantrópicos, particulares e públicos de Goiânia (GO) e Campo Grande (MS), entre 2005 e 2006. Dados sociodemográficos e fatores de risco para infecção pelo HCV foram obtidos por meio de entrevistas. Amostras sangüíneas foram testadas para a detecção de anticorpos para o HCV. As amostras positivas foram submetidas à detecção do RNA-HCV pela reação em cadeia da polimerase com iniciadores complementares às regiões 5' NC e NS5B do genoma viral e genotipadas pelo line probe assay (LiPA) e por seqüenciamento direto, seguido de análise filogenética. Prevalência e odds ratio foram calculados com intervalo de 95% de confiança. Os fatores de risco com p<0,10 pela análise univariada foram analisados por regressão logística hierárquica. Valores de p<0,05 foram considerados estatisticamente significantes. RESULTADOS: A prevalência para anti-HCV foi 6,9% (IC 95%: 5,2;9,2). A análise multivariada de fatores de risco indicou que idade superior a 30 anos e uso injetável de drogas se mostraram associados à infecção pelo HCV. O RNA-HCV foi detectado em 85,4% (41/48) das amostras anti-HCV positivas. Trinta e três amostras foram do genótipo 1 pelo LiPA, subtipos 1a (63,4%) e 1b (17,1%), e 8 (19,5%) do genótipo 3, subtipo 3a. A análise filogenética da região NS5B mostrou que 17 (68%), 5 (20%) e 3 (12%) amostras foram dos subtipos 1a, 3a e 1b, respectivamente. CONCLUSÕES: Os resultados mostram uma prevalência elevada da infecção e do subtipo 1a do HCV em usuários de drogas, sendo o uso injetável de drogas o principal fator de risco para essa infecção.

Colloidal dipolar interactions in 2D smectic-C films

We use a two-dimensional (2D) elastic free energy to calculate the effective interaction between two circular disks immersed in smectic-C films. For strong homeotropic anchoring, the distortion of the director field caused by the disks generates topological defects that induce an effective interaction between the disks. We use finite elements, with adaptive meshing, to minimize the 2D elastic free energy. The method is shown to be accurate and efficient for inhomogeneities on the length scales set by the disks and the defects, that differ by up to 3 orders of magnitude. We compute the effective interaction between two disk-defect pairs in a simple (linear) configuration. For large disk separations, D, the elastic free energy scales as similar to D-2, confirming the dipolar character of the long-range effective interaction. For small D the energy exhibits a pronounced minimum. The lowest energy corresponds to a symmetrical configuration of the disk-defect pairs, with the inner defect at the mid-point between the disks. The disks are separated by a distance that, is twice the distance of the outer defect from the nearest disk. The latter is identical to the equilibrium distance of a defect nucleated by an isolated disk.

How patchy can one get and still condense? The role of dissimilar patches in the interactions of colloidal particles

We investigate the influence of strong directional, or bonding, interactions on the phase diagram of complex fluids, and in particular on the liquid-vapour critical point. To this end we revisit a simple model and theory for associating fluids which consist of spherical particles having a hard-core repulsion, complemented by three short-ranged attractive sites on the surface (sticky spots). Two of the spots are of type A and one is of type B; the interactions between each pair of spots have strengths [image omitted], [image omitted] and [image omitted]. The theory is applied over the whole range of bonding strengths and results are interpreted in terms of the equilibrium cluster structures of the coexisting phases. In systems where unlike sites do not interact (i.e. where [image omitted]), the critical point exists all the way to [image omitted]. By contrast, when [image omitted], there is no critical point below a certain finite value of [image omitted]. These somewhat surprising results are rationalised in terms of the different network structures of the two systems: two long AA chains are linked by one BB bond (X-junction) in the former case, and by one AB bond (Y-junction) in the latter. The vapour-liquid transition may then be viewed as the condensation of these junctions and we find that X-junctions condense for any attractive [image omitted] (i.e. for any fraction of BB bonds), whereas condensation of the Y-junctions requires that [image omitted] be above a finite threshold (i.e. there must be a finite fraction of AB bonds).

Shear-induced lamellar phase of an ionic liquid crystal at room temperature

The phase behaviour of a number of N-alkylimidazolium salts was studied using polarizing optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction. Two of these compounds exhibit lamellar mesophases at temperatures above 50 degrees C. In these systems, the liquid crystalline behaviour may be induced at room temperature by shear. Sheared films of these materials, observed between crossed polarisers, have a morphology that is typical of (wet) liquid foams: they partition into dark domains separated by brighter (birefringent) walls, which are approximately arcs of circle and meet at "Plateau borders" with three or more sides. Where walls meet three at a time, they do so at approximately 120 degrees angles. These patterns coarsen with time and both T1 and T2 processes have been observed, as in foams. The time evolution of domains is also consistent with von Neumann's law. We conjecture that the bright walls are regions of high concentration of defects produced by shear, and that the system is dominated by the interfacial tension between these walls and the uniform domains. The control of self-organised monodomains, as observed in these systems, is expected to play an important role in potential applications.

How foam-like is the shear-induced lamellar phase of an ionic liquid crystal?

Philosophical Magazine Letters Volume 88, Issue 9-10, 2008 Special Issue: Solid and Liquid Foams. In commemoration of Manuel Amaral Fortes

Assessment of genotoxic effects in nurses handling cytostatic drugs

Several antineoplastic drugs have been classified as carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) on the basis of epidemiological findings, animal carcinogenicity data, and outcomes of in vitro genotoxicity studies. 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU), which is easily absorbed through the skin, is the most frequently used antineoplastic agent in Portuguese hospitals and therefore may be used as an indicator of surface contamination. The aims of the present investigation were to (1) examine surface contamination by 5-FU and (2) assess the genotoxic risk using cytokinesis-block micronucleus assay in nurses from two Portuguese hospitals. The study consisted of 2 groups: 27 nurses occupationally exposed to cytostatic agents (cases) and 111 unexposed individuals (controls). Peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) were collected in order to measure micronuclei (MN) in both groups. Hospital B showed a higher numerical level of contamination but not significantly different from Hospital A. However; Hospital A presented the highest value of contamination and also a higher proportion of contaminated samples. The mean frequency of MN was significantly higher in exposed workers compared with controls. No significant differences were found among MN levels between the two hospitals. The analysis of confounding factors showed that age is a significant variable in MN frequency occurrence. Data suggest that there is a potential genotoxic damage related to occupational exposure to cytostatic drugs in oncology nurses.

Aspergillus flavus contamination in two Portuguese wastewater treatment plants

Filamentous fungi from genus Aspergillus were previously detected in wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) as being Aspergillus flavus (A. flavus), an important toxigenic fungus producing aflatoxins. This study aimed to determine occupational exposure adverse effects due to fungal contamination produced by A. flavus complex in two Portuguese WWTP using conventional and molecular methodologies. Air samples from two WWTP were collected at 1 m height through impaction method. Surface samples were collected by swabbing surfaces of the same indoor sites. After counting A. flavus and identification, detection of aflatoxin production was ensured through inoculation of seven inoculates in coconut-milk agar. Plates were examined under long-wave ultraviolet (UV; 365 nm) illumination to search for the presence of fluorescence in the growing colonies. To apply molecular methods, air samples were also collected using the impinger method. Samples were collected and collection liquid was subsequently used for DNA extraction. Molecular identification of A. flavus was achieved by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using the Rotor-Gene 6000 qPCR detection system (Corbett). Among the Aspergillus genus, the species that were more abundant in air samples from both WWTP were Aspergillus versicolor (38%), Aspergillus candidus (29.1%), and Aspergillus sydowii (12.7%). However, the most commonly species found on surfaces were A. flavus (47.3%), Aspergillus fumigatus (34.4%), and Aspergillus sydowii (10.8%). Aspergillus flavus isolates that were inoculated in coconut agar medium were not identified as toxigenic strains and were not detected by RT-PCR in any of the analyzed samples from both plants. Data in this study indicate the need for monitoring fungal contamination in this setting. Although toxigenic strains were not detected from A. flavus complex, one cannot disregard the eventual presence and potential toxicity of aflatoxins.

Occupational exposure to Aflatoxin B1 in Portuguese swine farms

In 1987, the International Agency for Research on Cancer concluded that there was sufficient evidence for carcinogenicity of naturally occurring aflatoxins in humans. Regarding occupational exposure to this chemical agent, farmers and other agricultural workers present a higher risk due to airborne aflatoxin via inhalation of dust. This study was carried out in 7 swine farms located at the district of Lisbon, Portugal. Blood samples were collected from a total of 11 workers. In addition, a control group (n = 25) was included that conducted administrative tasks in an educational institution without any type of agricultural activity. Results obtained suggest that occupational exposure to AFB1 by inhalation occurs and represents an additional risk in this occupational setting that need to be recognized, assessed and, most important, prevented.

Determination of carbamate and urea pesticide residues in fresh vegetables using microwave-assisted extraction and liquid chromatography

An analytical multiresidue method for the simultaneous determination of seven pesticides in fresh vegetable samples, namely, courgette (Cucurbita pepo), cucumber (Cucumis sativus), lettuce (Lactuca sativa, Romaine and Iceberg varieties) and peppers (Capsicum sp.) is described. The procedure, based on microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) and analysis by liquid chromatography– photodiode array (LC–PDA) detection was applied to four carbamates (carbofuran, carbaryl, chlorpropham and EPTC) and three urea pesticides (monolinuron, metobromuron and linuron). Extraction solvent and the addition of anhydrous sodium sulphate to fresh vegetable homogenate before MAE were the parameters optimised for each commodity. Recovery studies were performed using spiked samples in the range 250–403 µgkg- 1 in each pesticide. The pesticide residues were extracted using 20mL acetonitrile at 60 ºC, for 10 min. Acceptable recoveries and RSDs were attained (overall average recovery of 77.2% and RSDs are lower than 11%). Detection limits ranged between 5.8 µgkg- 1 for carbaryl to 12.3 µgkg- 1 for carbofuran. The analytical protocol was applied for quality control of 41 fresh vegetable samples bought in Oporto Metropolitan Area (North Portugal). None of the samples contained any detectable amounts of the studied compounds.

Screening of carbamates and ureas in fresh and processed tomato samples using micowave-assisted extraction and liquid chromatography

An analytical method, based on microwave-assisted extraction and liquid chromatography with diode array detection, for the determination of six carbamate and three urea pesticides in fresh and processed tomato samples is described. Significant parameters affecting extraction efficiency were optimized. Under optimum microwave-assisted extraction conditions (20mL acetonitrile, for 10 minutes, at 60º C), pesticides were extracted with recoveries ranging from 57.6 to 102% (RSDs<7%). Quantification limits between 6.5 and 39.6 µg=kg were obtained. A total number of 28 different fresh tomato samples and 6 processed tomato products were analysed. Confirmation of suspicious samples was performed by LC-MS.

Adsorptive stripping voltammetric determination of venlafaxine in urine with a mercury film microelectrode

An adsorptive stripping voltammetric procedure for the determination of the antidepressant venlafaxine in urine using a mercury film microelectrode wasdeveloped. The method is based on controlled adsorptive accumulation of the drug at the potential of 1.00V (vs. Ag/AgCl) in the presence of 1.25 x10 -2 molL- 1 borate buffer (pH 8.7). Urine samples were analyzed directly after performing a ten-fold dilution with the supporting electrolyte but without other pretreatment. The limit of detection obtained for a 30 s collection time was 0.693x 10- 6 mol L -1. Recovery experimentsgave good results at the 10 -6 mol L- 1 level (bias less 5% were obtained).

Benzo[c]thiophene chromophores linked to cationic Fe and Ru derivatives for NLO materials: synthesis characterization and quadratic hyperpolarizabilities

5-Monocyclopentadienyliron(II)/ruthenium(II) complexes of the general formula [M(5-C5H5)(PP)(L1)][PF6] {M = Fe, PP = dppe; M = Ru, PP = dppe or 2PPh3; L1 = 5-[3-(thiophen-2-yl)benzo[c]thiophenyl]thiophene-2-carbonitrile} have been synthesized and studied to evaluate their molecular quadratic hyperpolarizabilities. The compounds were fully characterized by NMR, FTIR and UV/Vis spectroscopy and their electrochemical behaviour studied by cyclic voltammetry. Quadratic hyperpolarizabilities () were determined by hyper-Rayleigh scattering measurements at a fundamental wavelength of 1500 nm. Density functional theory calculations were employed to rationalize the second-order non-linear optical properties of these complexes.