Assessing photocatalytic asphalt mixtures: practical and laboratory methods for measuring air quality

Air pollution in urban areas has become a major global concern, leading to a series of programs and regulations to be implemented to reduce it. Among the various pollutants that affect air quality is nitrogen monoxide (NO), which, once in the atmosphere, oxidizes into nitrogen dioxide (NO2). The combination of NO and NO2 refer to the nitrogen oxides (NOx), which, besides being harmful to health, have a negative impact on the environment with acid rain and intensify the greenhouse effect. This issue is exacerbated in large cities due to the high concentration of pollutant-emitting vehicles. To mitigate this problem by cleaning the air, researchers are investing in photocatalytic capability that can be applied to the surface of various substrates. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is a highly utilized material, especially when aiming to attain both photocatalytic and self-cleaning abilities. The application of TiO2 over asphalt pavements has become an important topic in Transportation Engineering as a way of functionalized conventional pavement into a substrate where it becomes feasible to alleviate the environmental damage related to pollutant emissions, mainly NOx. The application of photocatalytic materials on asphalt pavements has the necessary conditions to increase the success of reducing pollutant levels. Pavements present a large area and are closer to vehicle exhausts. In addition, a major part of asphalt pavements is exposed to sunlight, which can activate the photocatalytic reaction. Due to these benefits, researchers have conducted studies that evaluate photocatalytic efficiency on surfaces of asphalt pavements.When evaluating photocatalytic efficiency, the literature describes a series of methods based on laboratory and field tests. In the laboratory, efficiency can be evaluated by degrading different organic dyes and degradation gas tests. For the first method, some dyes are widely used, such as methylene orange (MO), methylene blue (MB) and rhodamine B (RhB). For testing, samples of asphalt mixtures are immersed in an initial dye solution and exposed to light irradiation. Over time, changes in the solution absorbance (and, consequently, concentration) are monitored using spectrophotometry. The photocatalytic efficiency is calculated as a function of the maximum absorbance of the dye and the time. The second test follows the ISO 22197-1 standard, which specifies a test method for determining the air purification performance of materials with photocatalysis on the surface. To simulate and ensure the photocatalytic reactions occur, the experimental setup must contain an air compressor, pollutant source, humidifier, photoreactor, light source and pollutant analyzer. The photocatalytic asphalt mixture sample is placed inside the photoreactor and exposed to a controlled amount of pollutants, light and humidity. The gas flow is continuously injected into the photoreactor and subjected to light irradiation, and gas concentration is monitored over a period of time. The photocatalytic efficiency can be assessed by the net amount of pollutants that the sample removes.In field applications, one method that can be used to evaluate the efficiency is the air quality monitoring stations by conducting a comparative analysis of pollutant concentrations in a specific area before and after installing photocatalytic asphalt pavements. Those stations have sensors that collect outdoor air and distribute it through analyzers. These analyzers continuously and automatically measure various atmospheric pollutants, determining their concentrations in the ambient air "in real-time". Typically, they are fixed at strategic points in large cities, limiting assessment in more remote locations. Usually, these stations can measure several types of pollutants, such as NOx, SO2, CO2, particulate matter, among others, and the meteorological conditions, for example temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and direction , etc. Another method to evaluate the performance in field studies is to use passive sampling. The passive sampling approach is a low-cost, non-electrical, and simplified solution for the distribution of samples. The principle of the passive sampler involves gas collection through the diffusion of atmospheric air, which enters the device through one of its ends, travels through the body of the sampler (in the form of a tube) until it reaches its other end, which is sealed and contains a filter paper previously impregnated with a specific absorbent solution designed to react with the targeted pollutant to be collected. Measurement of photocatalytic efficiency is crucial in determining the performance of photocatalytic pavements and their impact on air quality. Thus, this study aims to provide a comprehensive elucidation of how to evaluate the photocatalytic efficiency of photocatalytic asphalt pavements functionalized with TiO2 nanoparticles through various methods, encompassing laboratory approaches and field studies.This research was funded by FCT: NanoAir PTDC/FISMAC/6606/2020, MicroCoolPav EXPL/EQU-EQU/1110/2021, UIDB/04650/2020, UIDB/04029/2020, 2022.00763.CEECIND and 2023.02795.BD. Also, it was funded by FUNCAP: MLC-0191-00144.01.00/22 and CNPq: 404978/2021-5 – Chamada CNPq/MCTI/FNDCT Nº 18/2021.

Breast cancer targeted photothermal therapy mediated by hyaluronic acid functionalized reduced graphene oxide

The use of graphene-based nanomaterials in cancer photothermal therapy (PTT) is an emerging alternative to the currently available cancer treatments. In this regard, reduced graphene oxide (rGO) has been widely explored for cancer PTT due to its excellent photothermal capacity. However, rGO has some limitations, such as low colloidal stability and water insolubility, as well as absence of targeting capacity towards cancer cells. Herein, rGO produced by an environmentally- friendly method was functionalized with an amphiphilic polymer based on hyaluronic acid (HA-rGO) through hydrophobic-hydrophobic interactions for application in targeted breast cancer PTT. The functionalization improved rGO colloidal stability and cytocompatibility towards normal and breast cancer cells, as well as conferred targeting capacity towards CD44 overexpressing breast cancer cells. In addition, the photothermal effect mediated by HA-rGO upon laser irradiation reduced breast cancer cells’ viability. Overall, HA-rGO demonstrated a great potential for being used on-demand and selective treatment of breast cancer cells.Rita Lima-Sousa and Cátia G. Alves acknowledge funding from the grant UBI Santander/Totta.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Nutritional intake and food sources in an adult urban Kenyan population

Publisher Copyright: © 2022 The Authors. Nutrition Bulletin published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of British Nutrition Foundation.Urbanisation is hastening the transition from traditional food habits to less healthy diets, which are becoming more common among Kenyans. No up-to-date studies on usual dietary intake and the main food sources of adult Kenyans are available. The aim of the present study was to identify the main food sources of nutrients in the diet of urban adult Kenyans and explore potential associations with demographic variables including age, sex, level of education, occupation and body mass index. The study adopted a cross-sectional design. The dietary intake of 486 adult Kenyans from Nairobi was assessed using a validated, culture-sensitive, semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Binary logistic regression models were used to evaluate associations between food sources and demographic variables. Macronutrient intakes as a proportion of total energy intake (TEI) were within international dietary guidelines. Cereals and grain products (34.0%), sugar, syrups, sweets and snacks (9.8%), fruits (9.7%) and meat and eggs (8.8%) were the major contributors to TEI. Cereals and grain products contributed 42.5% to carbohydrates, followed by fruits (12.4%) and sugar, syrups, sweets and snacks (10.6%). The most important sources of protein and total fat were cereals and grain products (23.3% and 19.7%, respectively) and meat and eggs (22.0% and 18.7%, respectively). Sex, age and level of education were associated with the choice of food groups. Although macronutrient intakes were within guidelines, the Kenyan diet was revealed to be high in sugars, salt and fibre, with differences in food sources according to demographic variables. These results can act as an incentive to national authorities to implement nutritional strategies aiming to raise awareness of healthier dietary patterns among Kenyans.Peer reviewe

Portugal Doenças Respiratórias em Números, 2015

A evolução do panorama das Doenças Respiratórias, em Portugal e no Mundo, tem colocado desafios crescentes aos sistemas de saúde, relacionados com uma mudança de paradigma epidemiológico caracterizada por um aumento crescente das doenças respiratórias crónicas (DRC) em oposição a um decréscimo das doenças respiratórias agudas. O aumento do peso das DRC está relacionado não só com os efeitos a curto e longo prazo do tabagismo, mas também com o aumento progressivo da esperança de vida das populações, surgindo as DRC como uma importante causa de morbilidade e mortalidade nas fases avançadas da vida. A mortalidade respiratória atinge sobretudo as faixas etárias acima dos 65 anos de idade, não sendo portanto prematura. Em termos comparativos internacionais, Portugal apresenta um dos melhores valores de taxa padronizada de mortalidade por asma e por Doença Pulmonar Obstrutiva Crónica (DPOC). Contudo, os valores para a taxa de padronizada de mortalidade por pneumonias são um dos piores da Europa

A RELAÇÃO ENTRE A ENDOMETRIOSE E A INFERTILIDADE FEMININA

  Endometriosis and female infertility are interconnected in complex ways. Infertility is defined as the inability to conceive after twelve months of regular sexual intercourse, and endometriosis, an estrogen-dependent condition, has a well-established association with difficulty conceiving. Although the exact cause and cause-and-effect relationship remain controversial, endometriosis affects fertility in several ways. Peritoneal lesions, ovarian endometrioma and deep endometriosis negatively influence reproductive health, which can lead to anatomical distortions, endocrine and immunological dysfunctions. Identify the factors of endometriosis that affect female infertility. Data collection was conducted through the following databases: Nursing Database (BDENF), Scientific Electronic Library Online (SCIELO), PubMed, Latin American Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences (LILACS). Various types of publications were consulted, including scientific articles, monographs and magazines, with the aim of obtaining relevant information on the topic. The results revealed a substantial correlation between the severity of endometriosis and infertility rates, highlighting the importance of early detection and appropriate management. Additionally, therapeutic interventions such as laparoscopic surgeries and IVF treatments have been associated with improvements in conception rates. The discussion emphasizes the need for multidisciplinary approaches, integrating gynecology and assisted reproduction, to optimize reproductive results in women with endometriosis. In summary, endometriosis presents itself as a significant factor in the occurrence of female infertility, negatively impacting conception. Understanding this relationship is crucial to guide clinical approaches and treatment strategies, aiming to improve the chances of pregnancy in women affected by this condition.A endometriose e a infertilidade feminina estão interligadas de maneira complexa. A infertilidade é definida como a incapacidade de conceber após doze meses de relações sexuais regulares, e a endometriose, uma condição estrogênio-dependente, apresenta associação bem estabelecida com a dificuldade de engravidar. Embora a causa exata e a relação de causa e efeito permaneçam controversas, a endometriose afeta a fertilidade de várias maneiras. Lesões peritoneais, ovário endometrioma e endometriose profunda influenciam negativamente na saúde reprodutiva, podendo levar a distorções anatômicas, disfunções endócrinas e imunológica. Identificar os fatores da endometriose com o acometimento da infertilidade feminina. A coleta de dados, esta foi conduzida por meio dos bancos de dados: Base de Dados em Enfermagem (BDENF), Scientific Electronic Library Online (SCIELO), PubMed, Literatura Latino-Americana do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde (LILACS). Foram consultados diversos tipos de publicações, incluindo artigos científicos, monografias e revistas, com o objetivo de obter informações relevantes sobre o tema. Os resultados revelaram uma correlação substancial entre a gravidade da endometriose e as taxas de infertilidade, destacando a importância da detecção precoce e do manejo adequado. Além disso, intervenções terapêuticas, como cirurgias laparoscópicas e tratamentos de fertilização in vitro, foram associadas a melhorias nas taxas de concepção. A discussão enfatiza a necessidade de abordagens multidisciplinares, integrando a ginecologia e a reprodução assistida, para otimizar os resultados reprodutivos em mulheres com endometriose. Em síntese, a endometriose apresenta-se como um fator significativo na ocorrência de infertilidade feminina, impactando negativamente a concepção. A compreensão dessa relação é crucial para orientar abordagens clínicas e estratégias de tratamento, visando melhorar as chances de gestação em mulheres afetadas por essa condição

Country activities of Global Alliance against Chronic Respiratory Diseases (GARD): focus presentations at the 11th GARD General Meeting, Brussels

© Journal of Thoracic Disease. All rights reserved.The Global Alliance against Chronic Respiratory Diseases (GARD) is a voluntary network of national and international organizations, institutions and agencies led by the World Health Organization (WHO), working towards the vision of a world where all people breathe freely (1). GARD is supporting WHO in successfully implementing the WHO’s Global Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) 2013–2020. The GARD report on GARD activities is published on a regular basis. Collaboration among GARD countries is critical for sharing experiences and providing technical assistance to developing countries based on each country’s needs (2). The annual GARD meeting is a unique opportunity for assembling all of the GARD participants from developed and developing countries: European countries, North and South American Countries, China, Vietnam as well as Eastern Mediterranean, and African countries. Coordinator for Management of NCDs in the WHO Department for Management of Noncommunicable Diseases, Disability, Violence and Injury Prevention (Cherian Varghese) is present at this meeting. The annual meeting of GARD is a forum for exchanging opinions in order to improve care for chronic respiratory diseases (CRDs) and to achieve the GARD goal—a world where all people breathe freely. Experts—in collaboration with WHO—are helping developing countries to achieve their projects regarding teaching, research and programming for CRD. Each year, there is a poster presentation session on country activities. Each participant is able to present his/her country activities that have been achieved since the last meeting. This is followed by discussion. In this paper, we summarize the posters presented during the 11th GARD general meeting. We hope that this will give readers of the GARD section an opportunity to learn for their countries. We can find all posters on the link: https://gard-breathefreely.org/resources-poster/.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Dinâmicas de (investig)ação em contextos de promoção da língua portuguesa: a presença do CIDTFF na rede Camões, I.P.

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ARIA 2016 : Care pathways implementing emerging technologies for predictive medicine in rhinitis and asthma across the life cycle

The Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) initiative commenced during a World Health Organization workshop in 1999. The initial goals were (1) to propose a new allergic rhinitis classification, (2) to promote the concept of multi-morbidity in asthma and rhinitis and (3) to develop guidelines with all stakeholders that could be used globally for all countries and populations. ARIA-disseminated and implemented in over 70 countries globally-is now focusing on the implementation of emerging technologies for individualized and predictive medicine. MASK [MACVIA (Contre les Maladies Chroniques pour un Vieillissement Actif)-ARIA Sentinel NetworK] uses mobile technology to develop care pathways for the management of rhinitis and asthma by a multi-disciplinary group and by patients themselves. An app (Android and iOS) is available in 20 countries and 15 languages. It uses a visual analogue scale to assess symptom control and work productivity as well as a clinical decision support system. It is associated with an inter-operable tablet for physicians and other health care professionals. The scaling up strategy uses the recommendations of the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing. The aim of the novel ARIA approach is to provide an active and healthy life to rhinitis sufferers, whatever their age, sex or socio-economic status, in order to reduce health and social inequalities incurred by the disease.Peer reviewe

ARIA digital anamorphosis : Digital transformation of health and care in airway diseases from research to practice

Digital anamorphosis is used to define a distorted image of health and care that may be viewed correctly using digital tools and strategies. MASK digital anamorphosis represents the process used by MASK to develop the digital transformation of health and care in rhinitis. It strengthens the ARIA change management strategy in the prevention and management of airway disease. The MASK strategy is based on validated digital tools. Using the MASK digital tool and the CARAT online enhanced clinical framework, solutions for practical steps of digital enhancement of care are proposed.Peer reviewe