Monitoring Food Marketing Directed to Portuguese Children Broadcasted on Television

Children are massively exposed to food marketing through television and other forms of media. Marketing strategies promote unhealthy eating behaviours and contribute to childhood obesity. The main aim of this study was to assess the potential exposure and power of food advertisements aimed at children, broadcasted on Portuguese television. Television data was recorded for two weekdays and two weekend days between 6 am and 10 pm during November 2021 from four free-access Portuguese television channels. Data was analysed according to the World Health Organization television protocol and Portuguese Legislation. We identified 5272 advertisements, of which 11.2% were for food and beverages (n = 590). Most advertised food categories for children and adolescents were chocolate and bakery products (42.0%), soft drinks (26.7%), and yoghurt (16.0%), and none met the nutritional profile outlined by the national legislation. Unhealthier food advertisements targeting youth were shown in children’s non-peak time and morning during news and entertainment programmes. Product uniqueness, humour, and fun were the most frequent primary persuasive techniques. Most advertisements showed a high use of brand logos, product images, and premium offers. In conclusion, Portuguese children and adolescents are potentially exposed to large numbers of unhealthy food advertisements on television, despite marketing regulation and restriction policies. © 2023 by the authors.Funding text 1: The authors would like to acknowledge funding support from the Best-ReMaP Joint Action. ; Funding text 2: This study was supported by the Best-ReMaP Joint Action of the European Union—Grant Agreement number. 951202, and by national funds through the FCT—Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P., within the scope of projects UIDB/04750/2020 and LA/P/0064/2020, and by Stimulus of Scientific Employment—Individual Support (CEECIND/01271/2018)

Changes in screen time from 4 to 7 years of age, dietary patterns and obesity: Findings from the Generation XXI birth cohort

Background and aims Increased screen exposure is associated with unhealthy eating behaviours and obesity. Screen time (ST) changes from pre-school to school age, and associations with dietary patterns (DP) and obesity remain unknown. We, therefore, analysed ST changes from 4 to 7 years of age, associated factors, and the relation with DP and obesity. Methods and results We included 4531 children evaluated at 4 and 7 years, as part of the Generation XXI birth cohort (Porto, Portugal). ST was assessed for weekdays and weekend, and average daily time was estimated. Associations between covariates and ST changes, and between ST changes and 3 DP previously identified (Energy-dense foods, Snacking, and Healthier) were estimated by odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95%CI), using adjusted multinomial regression models. From 4 to 7 years, 31.5% of the children decreased their ST, 21.8% increased, 16.5% maintained low (≤60 min), and 30.2% maintained high (61–120 min or >120 min) ST. After adjustment, lower maternal education (OR = 2.33, 95%CI:1.82–2.99) and lower family income (OR = 1.72, 95%CI:1.35–2.21) were associated with higher odds of increasing ST, while being a girl was associated with 35% decreased odds of increasing ST. Children that increased and those that maintained high ST showed greater odds of presenting a Snacking DP at 7 years (OR = 2.34, 95%CI:1.64–3.35) and (OR = 2.65, 95%CI:1.89–3.72), respectively. No statistically significant differences were found regarding changes in ST and the child's BMI. Conclusion Children increasing screen exposure during this period were more frequently from lower socioeconomic strata and presented unhealthier DP.The authors gratefully acknowledge the families enrolled in Generation XXI for their kindness, all members of the research team for their enthusiasm and perseverance, and the participating hospitals and their staff for their help and support. This study was supported by national funding through Programa Operacional de Saúde – Saúde XXI, Quadro Comunitário de Apoio III and Administração Regional de Saúde Norte (Regional Department of Ministry of Health) and by FCT (Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P.), under the Epidemiology Research Unit (EPIUnit), from the Institute of Public Health of the University of Porto (UIDB/04750/2020), and by the Stimulus of Scientific Employment – Individual Support (CEECIND/01271/2018) and the FCT Investigator contract IF/01060/2015

Inhibition of the formation in vitro of putatively carcinogenic metabolites derived from S. Haematobium and O. Viverrini by Combination of Drugs with Antioxidants

Infections caused by Schistosoma haematobium and Opisthorchis viverrini are classified as carcinogenic. Although carcinogenesis might be a multifactorial process, it has been postulated that these helminth produce/excrete oxysterols and estrogen-like metabolites that might act as initiators of their infection-associated carcinogenesis. Current treatment and control of these infections rely on a single drug, praziquantel, that mainly targets the parasites and not the pathologies related to the infection including cancer. Thus, there is a need to search for novel therapeutic alternatives that might include combinations of drugs and drug repurposing. Based on these concepts, we propose a novel therapeutic strategy that combines drugs with molecule antioxidants. We evaluate the efficacy of a novel therapeutic strategy to prevent the formation of putative carcinogenic metabolites precursors and DNA adducts. Firstly, we used a methodology previously established to synthesize metabolites precursors and DNA adducts in the presence of CYP450. Then, we evaluated the inhibition of their formation induced by drugs and antioxidants alone or in combination. Drugs and resveratrol alone did not show a significant inhibitory effect while N-acetylcysteine inhibited the formation of most metabolite precursors and DNA adducts. Moreover, the combinations of classical drugs with antioxidants were more effective rather than compounds alone. This strategy might be a valuable tool to prevent the initiation of helminth infection-associated carcinogenesis.This work was financed by FEDER-Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional funds through the COMPETE 2020-Operational Programme for Competitiveness and Internationalisation (POCI), Portugal 2020, and by Portuguese funds through FCT-Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, in the framework of the projects "Institute for Research and Innovation in Health Sciences" (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007274). N.V. also acknowledges support from FCT and FEDER (European Union), award number IF/00092/2014/CP1255/CT0004. FUNDING TEXT 2: Funding: This work was financed by FEDER-Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional funds through the COMPETE 2020-Operational Programme for Competitiveness and Internationalisation (POCI), Portugal 2020, and by Portuguese funds through FCT-Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, in the framework of the projects “Institute for Research and Innovation in Health Sciences” (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007274). N.V. also acknowledges support from FCT and FEDER (European Union), award number IF/00092/2014/CP1255/CT0004

Intraspecific variability of dihydrochalcone, chromenes and benzoic acid derivatives in leaves of Piper aduncum L.(Piperaceae)

Chemical analysis carried out in leaves of 18 specimens of Piper aduncum L. (Piperaceae) occurring at Ripasa Reserve, Araraquara, SP, Brazil indicated two distinct populations when investigated over aperiod of 14 months (January 2000 to February 2001) and then submitted to cluster analysis. The two groups were characterized by accumulation of prenylated benzoic acids, chromenes and dihydrochalcone, respectively. A total of seven compounds were identified by HPLC analysis and compared with standards including two prenylated benzoic acid [aduncumene (1) and 3-(3’-7’-dimethyl- 2’-6’-octadienyl)-4-methoxy-benzoic acid (5)], four chromenes [methyl 2,2-dimethyl-8-(3’-methyl-2’-butenyl)-2H-1-chromene-6-carboxylate (4), methyl 2,2-dimethyl-2H-1-chromene-6-carboxylate (2b), methyl 8-hydroxy-2,2-dimethyl-2H-1-chromene-6-carboxylate (3) and 2,2-dimethyl-2H-1-chromene-6- carboxylic acid (2a)] and one dihydrochalcone [2’,6’-dihydroxy-4’-methoxy- dihydrochalcone (6)]

Severe Mucositis Without a Rash Induced by a Mycoplasma Pneumoniae Infection

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Tinea Capitis in Adults. A Diagnosis to Consider?

A tinea capitis, uma infecção por fungos dermatófitos do couro cabeludo, é uma patologia rara no adulto, mesmo em áreas geográficas onde a doença é prevalente. Nestes casos está muitas vezes, mas não exclusivamente, associada a imunodepressão e habitualmente surge por exposição ao agente infeccioso em contactantes próximos. São fundamentais uma história clínica e um exame objectivo minuciosos que permitam equacionar a tinha do couro cabeludo como hipótese diagnóstica e proceder à colheita de amostras para exame micológico. Esta metodologia pode evitar a realização de exames complementares exaustivos ou a prescrição de tratamentos inadequados. Os autores descrevem três casos de tinea capitis em mulheres adultas – dois casos de infecção por Microsporum audouinii e um caso por Trichophyton soudanense. É apresentado o registo iconográfico dos casos e é efectuada breve revisão da literatura

SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in healthcare workers: The experience of a Portuguese COVID-19 front-line hospital during the 1st pandemic wave

Background: Healthcare workers (HCW) are at increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Here, we describe the SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in HCW who work daily at a COVID-19 front-line hospital in Portugal. Methods: To this end, the seroprevalence of 1027 HCW, assessed after the peak of the first pandemic wave, was determined using the following immunoassays: Euroimmun Anti-SARS-CoV-2 ELISA IgG (Euroimmun, Luebeck, Germany), Abbott SARS-CoV-2 IgG (Abbott Laboratories, Chicago), and Elecsys Anti-SARS-CoV–2 Total (Roche Diagnostics, Basel, Switzerland). Results: We found a 2.7% seroprevalence, very close to the one determined in the community (2.9%) for the same period. Conclusions: This low SARS-CoV–2 seroprevalence highlights the effectiveness of infection prevention and control measures implemented very early in the pandemic, namely the use of appropriate personal protective equipment.This research was supported by a grant from FCT Research4-COVID–19 (Project n° 186_596855206 – CertCOV)

"Freshwater killer whales": beaching behavior of an alien fish to hunt land birds

The behavioral strategies developed by predators to capture and kill their prey are fascinating, notably for predators that forage for prey at, or beyond, the boundaries of their ecosystem. We report here the occurrence of a beaching behavior used by an alien and large-bodied freshwater predatory fish (Silurus glanis) to capture birds on land (i.e. pigeons, Columbia livia). Among a total of 45 beaching behaviors observed and filmed, 28% were successful in bird capture. Stable isotope analyses (δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N) of predators and their putative prey revealed a highly variable dietary contribution of land birds among individuals. Since this extreme behavior has not been reported in the native range of the species, our results suggest that some individuals in introduced predator populations may adapt their behavior to forage on novel prey in new environments, leading to behavioral and trophic specialization to actively cross the water-land interface

Sex differences in presenting symptoms of acute coronary syndrome: the EPIHeart cohort study

Objectives Prompt diagnosis of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) remains a challenge, with presenting symptoms affecting the diagnosis algorithm and, consequently, management and outcomes. This study aimed to identify sex differences in presenting symptoms of ACS. Design Data were collected within a prospective cohort study (EPIHeart). Setting Patients with confirmed diagnosis of type 1 (primary spontaneous) ACS who were consecutively admitted to the Cardiology Department of two tertiary hospitals in Portugal between August 2013 and December 2014. Participants Presenting symptoms of 873 patients (227 women) were obtained through a face-to-face interview. Outcome measures: Typical pain was defined according to the definition of cardiology societies. Clusters of symptoms other than pain were identified by latent class analysis. Logistic regression was used to quantify differences in presentation of ACS symptoms by sex. Results Chest pain was reported by 82% of patients, with no differences in frequency or location between sexes. Women were more likely to feel pain with an intensity higher than 8/10 and this association was stronger for patients aged under 65 years (interaction P=0.028). Referred pain was also more likely in women, particularly pain referred to typical and atypical locations simultaneously. The multiple symptoms cluster, which was characterised by a high probability of presenting with all symptoms, was almost fourfold more prevalent in women (3.92, 95% CI 2.21 to 6.98). Presentation with this cluster was associated with a higher 30-day mortality rate adjusted for the GRACE V.2.0 risk score (4.9% vs 0.9% for the two other clusters, P<0.001). Conclusions While there are no significant differences in the frequency or location of pain between sexes, women are more likely to feel pain of higher intensity and to present with referred pain and symptoms other than pain. Knowledge of these ACS presentation profiles is important for health policy decisions and clinical practice.This study was funded by FEDER through the Operational Programme Competitiveness and Internationalization and national funding from the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT; Portuguese Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education) (FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-028709), under the project ’Inequalities in coronary heart disease management and outcomes in Portugal' (Ref. FCT PTDC/DTP-EPI/0434/2012) and Unidade de Investigação em Epidemiologia—Instituto de Saúde Pública da Universidade do Porto (EPIUnit) (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006862; Ref. UID/DTP/04750/2013)