139 research outputs found
ENVIE Co-ordination action on indoor air quality and health effects; WP3 Final report â Characterisation of spaces and source
Human exposure to environmental pollutants occurs via various pathways. For many
pollutants, especially the volatile ones, air exposure is the dominant pathway.
Exposure via air occurs both outdoors and indoors, with diverse types of indoor
spaces playing a role, e.g., home, workplace, and passenger cabins of means of
transportation. In average people spend over 90% of their time indoors, that
percentage being particularly high for some specific groups as new-born,
elderly, disabled or sick people. The global exposure to air contaminants is
therefore drastically determined by indoor conditions. It is now well
established that indoor air pollution contributes significantly to the global
burden of disease of the population. For a majority of indoor air contaminants,
particularly in the presence of common indoor sources, however, indoor
concentrations usually exceed outdoor concentrations, for some pollutants even
with an indoor/outdoor ratio of 10 or 20. Emissions are identified, accordingly
to the EnVIE approach and grouped into four categories: building materials and
related sources, including dampness and moulds; ventilation, natural and
mechanical, including, or not, heating, cooling and humidification/
dehumidification; consumer products, furnishing, cleaning and household
products; and occupant activities. Emission of chemical substances from
construction materials and products in buildings to the indoor air have been
reported and reviewed for a wide range of substances, including those formed
during secondary reactions, causing complaints of irritation and odour. During
the last two decades there has been increasing advances in construction
technology that have caused a much greater use of synthetic building materials.
Whilst these improvements have led to more comfortable buildings, they also
provide indoor environments with contaminants in higher concentrations than are
found outside. Wood and cork are now frequently used as a building product for
floor coverings, because the material is often regarded as ânaturalâ and
âhealthyâ. However, industrial products, even based on natural raw materials,
may contain a number of artificial ingredients and the chemical emissions will
strongly depend on the type of additives and the manufacturing process. Modern
interior paints are usually based on a polymeric binder. In order to fulfil
requirements on e.g., durability, paint contains various functional chemicals.
Water-borne paints usually also contains small amounts of approved biocides.
Polymeric binders with a very low content of residual monomers have been
developed for paint. Besides the release of substances to the indoor air due to
primary emission, damp building materials may give rise to volatile substances
formed during secondary reactions. Semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOCs) are
now receiving much more attention than heretofore. The HVAC (Heating,
Ventilation and Air Conditioning) systems as providers, among others, of
services of cleaning and dilution of pollutants in the indoor air are also
recognized as potential pollution sources. Several studies have shown that the
prevalence of SBS symptoms is often higher in air conditioned buildings than in
buildings with natural ventilation. 8 The outdoor air introduced indoors through
either ventilation systems or natural means is also an important and not always
controllable source for the intake of some outdoor pollutants. Outdoor air used
for ventilation may also be source of pollution containing particulate matter,
particulates of biological origin (microorganisms, pollen, etc.) and various
gases like NOx and O building structures which is a driving force for the
airflows which will transport to indoors water vapour and gaseous or particulate
contaminants. Volatile organic compounds are emitted from a wide variety of
household and consumer products with emission rates that are strongly dependent
on the type of application and are distributed over several orders of magnitude.
A number of product classes are identified and information on ingredients and
available data on emissions from individual products are presented. Human
activities and the associated use of products encompass a wide range of indoor
sources involving release of inorganic gases, particles and organic compounds as
a consequence of the activity. For some releases such as with air fresheners the
release is a necessary part of the activity to achieve the intended effect
whereas for others, such as the release of combustion fumes from a gas
appliance, the purpose of the action (in this case generation of heat) is
different from the emission. Combustion processes are an important source of a
range of air pollutants as carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide,
particulates and associated inorganic and organic chemicals, organic vapours
e.g. formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and benzene. Sources of these are present in
both ambient and indoor environments. The concentrations present in the ambient
air provide a baseline for the level of pollutant found indoors as this air
enters indoors by processes of infiltration and ventilation. However, the
concentration indoors will be modified by processes of sorption to surfaces and
chemical reaction depending on the chemical and physical properties of the
pollutant and internal surfaces. People themselves are a source of emissions of
chemicals and gases, notably CO range of organic compounds that are referred to
as body odours. The removal of such body odours is a prime objective of
ventilation in order to achieve a satisfactory indoor environment. WP3 aims at
to characterize spaces and sources in order to understand where and how to act
to guarantee good IAQ. From the two strategies for good IAQ, source control and
ventilation, the precautionary principle suggests that first priority shall be
given to source control, avoiding, mitigating or simply managing sources of
emissions. An overview of all policies on IAQ or related to IAQ, existing or in
preparation, directly related to indoor air sources, but also covering outdoor
air and industrial emissions, which could affect indirectly IAQ is made.
Considering the presented it could be concluded that IAQ is yet poorly regulated
at EU level, and in view of that some recommendations are made. The
recommendations on policies have taken into account the existing related to IAQ
policies such as new EU policies on chemicals (REACH; 2006/121/EC), consumer
products (GPSD; 2001/95/EC), construction products (CPD; 89/106/EC) and energy
performance of buildings (EPBD; 2002/91/EC) all refer to IAQ issues - suggesting
that they could, and probably should, contribute to IAQ policy development and
advocate an integrative and comprehensive policy approach centred
Estudo de emissĂ”es de COVs por materiais usados em interiores de edifĂcios
Dissertação de Doutoramento em QuĂmica apresentada Ă Faculdade de CiĂȘncias da Universidade do PortoA qualidade do ar interior em ambientes residenciais e de trabalho nĂŁo industrial tem vindo a ser objecto de atenção crescente por parte da comunidade cientĂfica e do pĂșblico em geral. O nĂșmero de casos de queixas de mal-estar (sĂndroma dos edifĂcios doentes), de alergias e outras doenças relacionĂĄveis com os edifĂcios tem aumentado, levando Ă necessidade de mais estudos, e mais aprofundados, sobre o ambiente interior e o seu impacto no homem. Uma das estratĂ©gias apontadas para melhorar a qualidade do ambiente interior dos edifĂcios, designada por controlo na fonte, passa pelo recurso a materiais menos poluentes e a sistemas de ventilação optimizados.O presente trabalho, provavelmente o primeiro realizado em Portugal neste tĂłpico, teve como primeiro objectivo a implementação de toda uma metodologia para o estudo das emissĂ”es de compostos orgĂąnicos volĂĄteis (COVs) por materiais de revestimento de interiores. Tratou-se de um trabalho interdisciplinar que englobou contribuiçÔes das ĂĄreas da QuĂmica e da Engenharia MecĂąnica. A escolha de materiais de construção de baixa emissĂŁo implica a prĂ©via caracterização do seu potencial poluidor. PorĂ©m, a caracterização de emissĂ”es dos materiais de construção de um edifĂcio in situ Ă© extremamente difĂcil, devido ao grande nĂșmero de parĂąmetros que influenciam as concentraçÔes dos poluentes do ar, tais como, temperatura, humidade relativa, taxa de ventilação e velocidade do ar Ă superfĂcie do material. Por isso, o estudo das emissĂ”es de COVs passa, em geral, pela utilização de cĂąmaras de teste. As amostras geradas na cĂąmara de teste foram recolhidas por adsorção, em tubos contendo Tenax TA, desadsorvidas termicamente e identificadas/quantificadas por cromatografia gasosa com detectores selectivo de massa/ionização de chama. Apenas os aldeĂdos e cetonas de baixa massa molecular foram recolhidos em cartuchos de sĂlica recoberta por dinitrofenilhidrazina, e analisados por cromatografia lĂquida de alta eficiĂȘncia. Foi dada uma impor ..
Impact of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy on Resting Cardiac Parameters and Cortisol in Patients with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has been associated with changes in psychophysiological and neuroendocrinal parameters. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is considered the treatment of choice for PTSD and is able to regularize altered neurobiological parameters; however, little is known about its effects on these parameters when measured during the therapeutic process. This pilot study aimed to evaluate the impact of CBT on cortisol and cardiac parameters measured at rest during the treatment of PTSD with comorbid major depression. 14 patients were randomized to four months of CBT or a waiting list. As expected, the experimental group had a greater reduction in PTSD symptoms and a large effect size. There was a reduction in the low frequency component of heart rate variability, which achieved borderline statistical significance and a large effect size. Salivary cortisol tended to track the progress of therapy, rising in the period of exposure and decreasing by the end of treatment. Despite the small sample size, this study opens the way for further research into the impact of CBT on the different biological markers of PTSD during the therapeutic process. This can hopefully help to optimize and personalize therapeutic studies while providing clues about modifications in bio behavioral pathological manifestations
Nanopharmaceutics: Part II - Production scales and clinically compliant production methods
Due the implementation of nanotechnologies in the pharmaceutical industry over the last few decades, new type of cutting-edge formulationsnanopharmaceuticshave been proposed. These comprise pharmaceutical products at the nanoscale, developed from different types of materials with the purpose to, e.g., overcome solubility problems of poorly water-soluble drugs, the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles of known drugs but also of new biomolecules, to modify the release profile of loaded compounds, or to decrease the risk of toxicity by providing site-specific delivery reducing the systemic distribution and thus adverse side effects. To succeed with the development of a nanopharmaceutical formulation, it is first necessary to analyze the type of drug which is to be encapsulated, select the type matrix to load it (e.g., polymers, lipids, polysaccharides, proteins, metals), followed by the production procedure. Together these elements have to be compatible with the administration route. To be launched onto the market, the selected production method has to be scaled-up, and quality assurance implemented for the product to reach clinical trials, during which in vivo performance is evaluated. Regulatory issues concerning nanopharmaceutics still require expertise for harmonizing legislation and a clear understanding of clinically compliant production methods. The first part of this study addressing Nanopharmaceutics: Part IClinical trials legislation and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) of nanotherapeutics in the EU has been published in Pharmaceutics. This second part complements the study with the discussion about the production scales and clinically compliant production methods of nanopharmaceutics.The financial support was received from Portuguese Science and Technology Foundation (FCT/MCT)
and from European Funds (PRODER/COMPETE) for the projects MâERAâNETâ0004/2015âPAIRED and
UIDB/04469/2020 (strategic fund), coâfinanced by FEDER, under the Partnership Agreement PT2020. Authors
thank the support of the project: Nutraceutica come supporto nutrizionale nel paziente oncologico; CUP:
B83D18000140007.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Updating the role of matrix metalloproteinases in mineralized tissue and related diseases
Bone development and healing processes involve a complex cascade of biological events requiring well-orchestrated synergism with bone cells, growth factors, and other trophic signaling molecules and cellular structures. Beyond health processes, MMPs play several key roles in the installation of heart and blood vessel related diseases and cancer, ranging from accelerating metastatic cells to ectopic vascular mineralization by smooth muscle cells in complementary manner. The tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMPs) have an important role in controlling proteolysis. Paired with the post-transcriptional efficiency of specific miRNAs, they modulate MMP performance. If druggable, these molecules are suggested to be a platform for development of âsmartâ medications and further clinical trials. Thus, considering the pleiotropic effect of MMPs on mammals, the purpose of this review is to update the role of those multifaceted proteases in mineralized tissues in health, such as bone, and pathophysiological disorders, such as ectopic vascular calcification and cancer
Nanopharmaceutics: Part IClinical trials legislation and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) of nanotherapeutics in the EU
The latest advances in pharmaceutical technology are leading to the development of cutting edged approaches to produce what is now known as the âHoly Grailâ of medicineânanopharmaceutics. Over the latest decade, the pharmaceutical industry has made important contributions to the scale up of these new products. To ensure their quality, efficacy, and safety for human use, clinical trials are mandatory. Yet, regulation regarding nanopharmaceuticals is still limited with a set of guidelines being recently released with respect to compliance with quality and safety. For the coming years, updates on regulatory issues about nanopharmaceuticals and their use in clinical settings are expected. The use of nanopharmaceuticals in clinical trials depends on the approval of the production methods and assurance of the quality of the final product by implementation and verification of the good manufacturing practices (GMP). This review addresses the available legislation on nanopharmaceuticals within the European Union (EU), the GMP that should be followed for their production, and the current challenges encountered in clinical trials of these new formulations. The singular properties of nanopharmaceuticals over their bulk counterparts are associated with their size, matrix composition, and surface properties. To understand their relevance, four main clinical trial guidelines, namely, for intravenous iron-based nanopharmaceuticals, liposomal-based nanopharmaceuticals, block copolymer micelle-based nanopharmaceuticals, and related to surface coating requirements, are described here.The financial support was received from Portuguese Science and Technology Foundation (FCT/MCT)
and from European Funds (PRODER/COMPETE) for the projects MâERAâNETâ0004/2015âPAIRED and
UIDB/04469/2020 (strategic fund), coâfinanced by FEDER, under the Partnership Agreement PT2020. Authors
thank the support of the project: Nutraceutica come supporto nutrizionale nel paziente oncologico; CUP:
B83D18000140007.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Indoor air quality improvement using nature-based solutions: Design proposals to greener cities
Low indoor air quality is an increasingly important problem due to the spread of urbanization. Because people spend most of their time inside, poor indoor air quality causes serious human health issues, resulting in significant economic losses. In this work, the current state of affairs is presented and analyzed, focusing on the current problems and the available solutions to improve the quality of indoor air, and the use of nature-based solutions. These involve the cultivation of microalgae in closed photobioreactors. In these systems, photosynthetic organisms can capture CO2 and other pollutants generated in indoor environments, which they use to grow and develop biomass. Several possible layouts for the implementation of microalgae-based indoor air cleaning systems are presented, taking into account the systems that are currently available at a commercial scale. A critical analysis of the microalgae indoor purification systems is presented, highlighting their advantages and disadvantages, and suggesting potential improvements and future lines of research and development in the area. (c) 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland
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