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A pessoa que apresenta alteração nos seus órgãos sensoriais tem capacidade reduzida em perceber o real envolvimento do processo saúde-doença bucal na sua qualidade de vida. A pesquisa avaliou o impacto da condição de saúde bucal na qualidade de vida das pessoas com deficiência visual que frequentam o Instituto Roberto Miranda, em Londrina-PR. Na análise qualitativa proposta, foi usado o índice Perfil do Impacto da Saúde Oral na sua versão reduzida, estruturado no Google Forms, com 14 perguntas objetivas, abordando sete dimensões: limitação funcional; dor física; desconforto psicológico; incapacidade física, incapacidade psicológica, incapacidade social e desvantagem; aplicado a 54 deficientes visuais adultos. O formulário foi impresso em papel A4, aplicado presencialmente pelos pesquisadores na instituição de ensino frequentada pelos envolvidos na pesquisa, em dias e horários pré-estabelecidos pela sua equipe pedagógica. As respostas obtidas foram tabuladas e organizadas em documento Microsoft® Excel® para Windows 10® e tratadas pela estatística descritiva, com análise baseada no método de adição. No último ano, não houve impacto do processo saúde-doença bucal na qualidade de vida dos respondentes. A categoria 0 (nunca) foi predominante em 60,72 % das respostas. As dimensões dor física, desconforto psicológico e incapacidade psicológica foram mais impactantes na vida dos respondentes. A ausência de visão reduz a capacidade de percepção das pessoas e sugere que interferiu na análise subjetiva dos respondentes desta pesquisa. Se faz necessário mais estudos que correlacionem o auto relato da pessoa com deficiência visual com os dados clínicos sobre a sua condição de saúde bucal.

The tobacco is one of the biggest public health threats, smoking kills more than 7 million people/year worldwide and more than 890,000 are deaths resulting from exposure to Second Hand Smoke (SHS). In adults, SHS is associated to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, including coronary heart disease and lung cancer, through pathological and molecular mechanisms not yet understood. We aimed to investigate the SHS effects on airway proteome in exposed workers. Nasal epithelium was collected from hospitality workers (non-smokers=40; smokers=12), long-term exposed and non-exposed to SHS at the workplace. Samples were analyzed by shotgun proteomics using an ESI-LQT Orbitrap XL mass spectrometer. The generated MS raw data was submitted to ‘PatternLab for Proteomics’ for peptide identification and relative quantification by label-free - extracted ion chromatograms (XIC). Golden rules were applied to obtain reliable data: in the identification of a protein at least one unique peptide must had to be present in more than 80% of the individuals, and consequently each inferred protein had to be detected in 80% to 100% of the cohort. Two proteins were found to be differentially expressed in the no-smokers exposed to SHS compared with the control: BPI fold-containing family A member 1 (BPIFA1) and Heat shock Protein Beta-1 (HSPB1). The first protein plays a role in the airway inflammatory response after exposure to irritants substances and the second is associated as a regulator of actin filament dynamics. Our findings support the indication that in non-smokers the prolonged exposure to SHS can lead to airway proteome modulation. When validated, the uncovered proteins can be promising candidates to “susceptibility/risk” and/or “predictive” biomarkers for SHS exposure. Gulbenkian Institute of Science; Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT); National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge; Faculty of Sciences of the University of Lisbon; Protein Technology Laboratory - Department of Immunotecnology, Lund University, Sweden; Center of Toxicogenomics and Human Health. N/A

Background: WHO have stated that near 900 000 deaths per year result from exposure to Second- Hand Smoke (SHS). SHS exposure has been linked to cancer, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. However, the associated underlying molecular mechanisms remain to be elucidated. The objective of this proteomics study is to uncover putative key molecules involved in these mechanisms that can be used to predict and monitor diseases risks associated with occupational SHS exposure. Methods: In total, 25 Lisbon restaurants agreed to participate. Nasal epithelium and urine samples were collected from their employees (n=52) for proteomics analysis and cotinine evaluation of SHS exposure, respectively. The subjects were classified as never smoker (N), former smoker (F) and smoker (S); exposed (NE=11; FE=10; SE=4) or non-exposed (N=11; F=8; S=8) to SHS. All subjects were healthy and showed no significant differences in parameters like age, time in the workplace, tobacco smoking habits and spirometry evaluation of pulmonary function. Urine cotinine levels showed significantly elevated in the exposed subjects compared to non-exposed, confirming SHS exposure. Nasal epithelium samples were analyzed by shotgun proteomics using an ESI-LTQOrbitrap mass spectrometer. The “MS raw data” was submitted to “PatternLab for Proteomics” software, with “Comet” search machine algorithm, from where the identified proteins were submitted to a “ClueGO” functional annotation & enrichment analyses in “Cytoscape” software, with the propose to shed some light about the molecular biology involved in the cellular response to the SHS exposition. Results: In NE subjects the SHS is associated with the biologic terms of “Lactate dehydrogenase complex” and “Pentose-Phosphatase Shunt”, also with “Glutathione peroxidase activity” and “Tcell apoptotic process”. At the other end the FE individuals present a specific proteome enriched in biologic information with terms as the “L-Lactate dehydrogenase complex” and the “Peroxisome” as was expected by the results above for the NE cohort; but there were also other different terms as: “Peripheral T cell lymphoma”, “Central carbon metabolism in cancer”, “Myelodysplastic syndrome”, “Monocyte & Granulocyte & Macrophage & Leukocyte Chemotaxis”, Nucleossome, variant H3.1-H2A2-H2B.1&Others” and finally “DNA replication-dependent chromatin assembly”. Conclusions: Proteome of nasal epithelium seems to be modulated by SHS exposure and this is a different and perhaps cumulative process between NE and FE individuals. Acknowledgements: Gulbenkian Foundation and Administração Central do Sistema de Saúde, and ToxOmics Portugal. SN, SP and VMT worked under FCT fellowships. info:eu-repo/semantics/draft

Funding: This work was funded by the Portuguese institutions Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, Administração Central do Sistema de Saúde (ACSS) and FCT/MCTES through funding to ToxOmics (UIDB/00009/2020; UIDP/00009/2020). Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) has been recognized as a major health hazard by environmental and public health authorities worldwide. In Portugal, smoke-free laws are in force for some years, banning smoking in most indoor public spaces. However, in hospitality venues such as restaurants and bars, owners can still choose between a total smoke-free policy or a partial smoking restriction with designated smoking areas, if adequate reinforced ventilation systems are implemented. Despite that, a previous study showed that workers remained continuously exposed to higher ETS pollution in Lisbon restaurants and bars where smoking was still allowed, comparatively to total smoke-free venues. This was assessed by measurements of indoor PM2.5 and urinary cotinine, a biomarkers of tobacco smoke exposure, demonstrating that partial smoking restrictions do not effectively protect workers from ETS. The aim of the present work was to characterize effect and susceptibility biomarkers in non-smokers from those hospitality venues occupationally exposed to ETS comparatively to non-exposed ones. A group of smokers was also included for comparison. The sister chromatid exchange (SCE), micronucleus (MN) and comet assays in whole peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) and the micronucleus assay in exfoliated buccal cells, were used as biomarkers of genotoxicity. Furthermore, a comet assay after ex vivo challenge of leukocytes with an alkylating agent, ethyl methanesulfonate (EMS), was used to analyze the repair capacity of those cells. Genetic polymorphisms in genes associated with metabolism and DNA repair were also included. The results showed no clear association between occupational exposure to ETS and the induction of genotoxicity. Interestingly, the leukocytes from non-smoking ETS-exposed individuals displayed lower DNA damage levels in response to the ex vivo EMS challenge, in comparison to those from non-exposed workers, suggesting a possible adaptive response. The contribution of individual susceptibility to the effect biomarkers studied was unclear, deserving further investigation. publishersversion published

Mitochondria are essential organelles whose function is upheld by their dynamic nature. This plasticity is mediated by large dynamin-related GTPases, called mitofusins in the case of fusion between two mitochondrial outer membranes. Fusion requires ubiquitylation, attached to K398 in the yeast mitofusin Fzo1, occurring in atypical and conserved forms. Here, modelling located ubiquitylation to α4 of the GTPase domain, a critical helix in Ras-mediated events. Structure-driven analysis revealed a dual role of K398. First, it is required for GTP-dependent dynamic changes of α4. Indeed, mutations designed to restore the conformational switch, in the absence of K398, rescued wild-type-like ubiquitylation on Fzo1 and allowed fusion. Second, K398 is needed for Fzo1 recognition by the pro-fusion factors Cdc48 and Ubp2. Finally, the atypical ubiquitylation pattern is stringently required bilaterally on both involved mitochondria. In contrast, exchange of the conserved pattern with conventional ubiquitin chains was not sufficient for fusion. In sum, α4 lysines from both small and large GTPases could generally have an electrostatic function for membrane interaction, followed by posttranslational modifications, thus driving membrane fusion events., Life Science Alliance, 3 (1), ISSN:2575-1077

Question: Tobacco is one of the biggest public health threats. Smoking kills more than 7 million people/year worldwide and more than 890,000 of deaths resulted from exposure to Second Hand Smoke (SHS). SHS is associated to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, including coronary heart disease and lung cancer, through pathological and molecular mechanisms not yet understood. In Portugal, the partial tobacco smoking ban legislation in public venues allows smoking in restaurants with designed rooms larger than 100m2. We aimed to investigate the SHS effects on the respiratory tract proteome from exposed workers. Methods: Nasal epithelia was collected from hospitality workers (non-smokers=40; smokers=12), long-term exposed and non-exposed to SHS at the workplace. All subjects were healthy with normal spirometry values (FVE1/FVC

The purpose of this study was to monitor improvements in the hygiene and sanitation conditions, and milk safety after application of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) to milking. A total of 106 farms were assessed in four stages of six months in the regions named agreste, dairy region, mid-backlands and high backlands of Alagoas. Two activities were executed in the project: monitoring of milk quality and safety; and application of GMP to pre-milking and milking processes. Milk samples underwent determination of Somatic Cell Count (SCC), Total Bacterial Count (TBC) and composition. The results correspond to milk components, determination of mammary health indicative parameters - SCC and milking hygiene - TBC. Regarding SCC, 73% of producers complied with the standards established by normative instruction IN 62 as of 2017. Regarding TBC, the use of GMP increased from 46.75% to 59.87% the average of all assessed properties that complied with the established standards. Less than 4% of the properties presented one million or higher TBC/mL of milk.Results of SCC after application of GMP remained basically the same. Regarding TBC, rate changes deriving from the application of GMP were significant., O presente trabalho objetivou monitorar as melhorias das condições higiênico-sanitárias do leite no processo de ordenha após o uso das boas práticas de produção (BPP) aplicadas na ordenha. Foram trabalhadas 106 fazendas em quatro períodos de seis meses nas regiões denominadas Agreste, bacia leiteira, médio sertão e alto sertão de Alagoas. A execução do projeto foi constituída por duas ações: 1. Monitoramento da qualidade do leite. 2. Aplicação das BPP na pré-ordenha e no processo de ordenha. As amostras de leite foram submetidas à determinação da Contagem de Células Somáticas (CCS), Contagem Bacteriana Total (CBT) e composição. Os resultados são apresentados para os componentes do leite, determinações de parâmetros indicativos de sanidade mamária - CCS e higiene da ordenha – CBT. Com relação à CCS, 73% das fazendas alcançaram os padrões estabelecidos pela IN 62/2011. Os resultados de CCS após a aplicação de BPP permaneceram praticamente inalterados, demonstrando apenas diferença significativa no grupo estudado de 401 a 500 CCS (x 1,000)/mL. Com relação à CBT observou-se que o uso das BPP elevou de 237 (46,75%) para 380 (59,94%) a média de todas as amostras estudadas que estavam dentro dos padrões estabelecidos, mas esse aumento foi significativo apenas no grupo de até 100 (x 1,000)/mL, não sendo significativas as mudanças ocorridas nos índices alcançados por ocasião da aplicação de BPP nos outros extratos estudados. Menos de 4% das amostras apresentaram um milhão ou mais CBT/mL de leite&nbsp

Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is recognized as an occupational hazard in the hospitality industry. Although Portuguese legislation banned smoking in most indoor public spaces, it is still allowed in some restaurants/bars, representing a potential risk to the workers’ health, particularly for chronic respiratory diseases. The aims of this work were to characterize biomarkers of early genetic effects and to disclose proteomic signatures associated to occupational exposure to ETS and with potential to predict respiratory diseases development. A detailed lifestyle survey and clinical evaluation (including spirometry) were performed in 81 workers from Lisbon restaurants. ETS exposure was assessed through the level of PM 2.5 in indoor air and the urinary level of cotinine. The plasma samples were immunodepleted and analysed by 2D-SDSPAGE followed by in-gel digestion and LC-MS/MS. DNA lesions and chromosome damage were analysed innlymphocytes and in exfoliated buccal cells from 19 cigarette smokers, 29 involuntary smokers, and 33 non-smokers not exposed to tobacco smoke. Also, the DNA repair capacity was evaluated using an ex vivo challenge comet assay with an alkylating agent (EMS). All workers were considered healthy and recorded normal lung function. Interestingly, following 2D-DIGE-MS (MALDI-TOF/TOF), 61 plasma proteins were found differentially expressed in ETS-exposed subjects, including 38 involved in metabolism, acute-phase respiratory inflammation, and immune or vascular functions. On the other hand, the involuntary smokers showed neither an increased level of DNA/chromosome damage on lymphocytes nor an increased number of micronuclei in buccal cells, when compared to non-exposed non-smokers. Noteworthy, lymphocytes challenge with EMS resulted in a significantly lower level of DNA breaks in ETS-exposed as compared to non-exposed workers (P