Josiana Vaz
@ipb.pt
Instituto Politécnico de Bragança
Scopus Publications
Scopus Publications
Bianca R. Albuquerque, Tiane C. Finimundy, José Pinela, Tânia C.S.P. Pires, Ricardo C. Calhelha, Josiana Vaz, Rúbia C.G. Corrêa, M. Beatriz P.P. Oliveira, and Lillian Barros
Elsevier BV
Bela Barros, Ana Margarida Paiva, Marta Oliveira, Sara Alves, Filipa Esteves, Adília Fernandes, Josiana Vaz, Klara Slezakova, Solange Costa, João Paulo Teixeira,et al.
Frontiers Media SA
IntroductionAvailable literature has found an association between firefighting and pathologic pathways leading to cardiorespiratory diseases, which have been linked with exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). PAHs are highlighted as priority pollutants by the European Human Biomonitoring Initiative in occupational and non-occupational contexts.MethodsThis cross-sectional study is the first to simultaneously characterize six creatinine-adjusted PAHs metabolites (OHPAHs) in urine, blood pressure, cardiac frequency, and hemogram parameters among wildland firefighters without occupational exposure to fire emissions (> 7 days), while exploring several variables retrieved via questionnaires.ResultsOverall, baseline levels for total OHPAHs levels were 2 to 23-times superior to the general population, whereas individual metabolites remained below the general population median range (except for 1-hydroxynaphthalene+1-hydroxyacenaphtene). Exposure to gaseous pollutants and/or particulate matter during work-shift was associated with a 3.5-fold increase in total OHPAHs levels. Firefighters who smoke presented 3-times higher total concentration of OHPAHs than non-smokers (p < 0.001); non-smoker females presented 2-fold lower total OHPAHs (p = 0.049) than males. 1-hydroxypyrene was below the recommended occupational biological exposure value (2.5 μg/L), and the metabolite of carcinogenic PAH (benzo(a)pyrene) was not detected. Blood pressure was above 120/80 mmHg in 71% of subjects. Firefighters from the permanent intervention team presented significantly increased systolic pressure than those who performed other functions (p = 0.034). Tobacco consumption was significantly associated with higher basophils (p = 0.01–0.02) and hematocrit (p = 0.03). No association between OHPAHs and blood pressure was found. OHPAHs concentrations were positively correlated with monocyte, basophils, large immune cells, atypical lymphocytes, and mean corpuscular volume, which were stronger among smokers. Nevertheless, inverse associations were observed between fluorene and pyrene metabolites with neutrophils and eosinophils, respectively, in non-smokers. Hemogram was negatively affected by overworking and lower physical activity.ConclusionThis study suggests possible associations between urinary PAHs metabolites and health parameters in firefighters, that should be further assessed in larger groups.
K. Slezakova, F. Esteves, J. Vaz, S. Costa, M. J. Alves, J. Madureira, B. Barros, A. Fernandes, J. P. Teixeira, S. Morais,et al.
Springer Nature Switzerland
Gabriela Catuzo Canônico Silva, Mariane de Almeida Machado, Karina Sakumoto, Rodrigo Sadao Inumaro, José Eduardo Gonçalves, Filipa Mandim, Josiana Vaz, Juliana Silveira do Valle, Maria Graciela Iecher Faria, Suelen Pereira Ruiz,et al.
MDPI AG
Gallesia integrifolia, a notable species in the Atlantic Forest, has been traditionally employed in folk medicine for treating rheumatism, asthma, and worms. This study investigated the cellular antioxidant, antiproliferative, and anti-inflammatory activities of the essential oils (EOs) and crude extracts (CEs) from G. integrifolia flowers, fruits, and leaves. The chemical identification of EOs was performed by GC–MS and CEs by UHPLC–MS. Cellular antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities were assessed through mouse macrophage cell culture. In addition, the antiproliferative potential was evaluated in gastric, colorectal, breast, and lung tumor cell lines and non-tumor VERO cells. EOs predominantly contained organosulfur compounds in flowers (96.29%), fruits (94.94%), and leaves (90.72%). We found the main compound is 2,2′-Disulfanediyldiethanethiol in the EOs of flowers (47.00%), leaves (41.82%), and fruits (44.39%). Phenolic compounds were identified in CEs. The EOs and CEs demonstrated potential against the tumor cell lines tested (GI50 between 51 and 230 µg/mL). The selectivity index values were greater than 1.0 (1.01 to 3.37), suggesting a relative safety profile. Moreover, the anti-inflammatory activity IC50 ranged from 36.00 to 268 µg/mL, and the cellular oxidation inhibition ranged from 69% to 82%. The results suggest that oils and extracts derived from G. integrifolia have potential for use in various industrial sectors.
Bianca R. Albuquerque, Tiane C. Finimundy, José Pinela, Tânia C. S. P. Pires, Filipa Mandim, Josiana Vaz, Rúbia C. G. Corrêa, Maria Beatriz P. P. Oliveira, and Lillian Barros
Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
Bioactive compounds and bioactivities of grumixama (Eugenia brasiliensis Lam.) residues.
Sara Alves, Josiana Vaz, and Adília Fernandes
MDPI AG
Sleep research has grown over the past decades and investigators are deeply involved in studying sleep and its impact on human health and body regulation. Despite the understanding that insufficient sleep is strongly linked to the development of several disorders, unsatisfactory sleep exposes health and safety to innumerous risks. The present study aims to review and analyze the main results of clinical trials, registered at ClinicalTrials.gov and ICTRT databases, and developed construct strategies to improve sleep quality on firefighters and enhance professionals’ sleep and health conditions. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO under number CRD42022334719. Trials registered between first registry and 2022 were included. We retrieved 11 registered clinical trials; seven met eligibility criteria and were included in the review. A relation between sleep disorders, shift work, and occupational health problems was found, and retrieved trials showed that sleep education programs can improve sleep quality and sleep hygiene. Science has already recognized sleep’s importance for metabolic functioning and survivorship. Nevertheless, it continues to play a major role in discovering methods to diminish the problems faced. Strategies contemplating sleep education, or intervention, should be presented to fire services to tackle this problem and promote healthier and safer environments.
Ricardo C. Calhelha, Carlos S. H. Shiraishi, Lúcia Ribeiro, Márcio Carocho, Rui Abreu, Paula Coutinho, Lillian Barros, Josiana Vaz, and Isabel C. F. R. Ferreira
Springer International Publishing
K. Slezakova, F. Esteves, J. Vaz, M. J. Alves, J. Madureira, S. Costa, A. Fernandes, J. P. Teixeira, S. Morais, and M. C. Pereira
Springer International Publishing
Thaís Estéfane Fischer, Amanda Marcondes, Danianni Marinho Zardo, Alessandro Nogueira, Ricardo C. Calhelha, Josiana A. Vaz, Lillian Barros, Acácio Antonio Ferreira Zielinski, and Aline Alberti
MDPI AG
Sterile bracts can represent 80% of Araucaria angustifolia pinecone and are a rich source of phenolic compounds. This study aimed to optimize the extraction of the phenolic compounds from Araucaria angustifolia bracts using response surface methodology; the bioactivity properties were also investigated. The effects of the ethanol concentration, solute/solvent ratio, and temperature in relation to the phenolic composition and antioxidant activity were evaluated. The quantification and identification of the individual phenolic compounds (using high-performance liquid chromatography) and their bioactivity were evaluated. The optimized extraction conditions, which detected gallic acid, catechin, epicatechin, quercetin, and kaempferol, were obtained using 60% ethanol at a ratio of 1:38 (w/v) and a temperature of 80 °C. The extract showed high levels of phenolic classes and antioxidant activity. The extract also showed an inhibitory activity for pathogenic (approximately 80%, 10,000 µg/mL) and lactic acid (27.9%, 15,000 µg/mL) bacteria strains. The α-glucosidase inhibitory activity was approximately ten times greater than acarbose, demonstrating its high antiglycemic potential. No antioxidant and anti-inflammatory cellular activity were determined; however, a high cytotoxicity for non-tumor cells and the antiproliferative activity against the tumor cells were observed. Overall, the phenolic extract showed promising action in relation to the fight against the diseases related to oxidative stress and, hopefully, the application of the safe concentrations of the extract, based on bioavailability assays, can be verified.
Andreia S. Silva, Elisabete C. Costa, Sara Reis, Carina Spencer, Ricardo C. Calhelha, Sónia P. Miguel, Maximiano P. Ribeiro, Lillian Barros, Josiana A. Vaz, and Paula Coutinho
MDPI AG
Silk is a natural composite fiber composed mainly of hydrophobic fibroin and hydrophilic sericin, produced by the silkworm Bombyx mori. In the textile industry, the cocoons of B. mori are processed into silk fabric, where the sericin is substantially removed and usually discarded in wastewater. This wastewater pollutes the environment and water sources. However, sericin has been recognized as a potential biomaterial due to its biocompatibility, immunocompatibility, biodegradability, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant and photoprotective properties. Moreover, sericin can produce hydrogels, films, sponges, foams, dressings, particles, fibers, etc., for various biomedical and pharmaceutical applications (e.g., tissue engineering, wound healing, drug delivery, cosmetics). Given the severe environmental pollution caused by the disposal of sericin and its beneficial properties, there has been growing interest in upcycling this biomaterial, which could have a strong and positive economic, social and environmental impact.
Virginie Xavier, Tiane C. Finimundy, Sandrina A. Heleno, Joana S. Amaral, Ricardo C. Calhelha, Josiana Vaz, Tânia C. S. P. Pires, Irene Mediavilla, Luis Saúl Esteban, Isabel C. F. R. Ferreira,et al.
MDPI AG
Cupressus sempervirens L., Juniperus communis L. and Cistus ladanifer L. are Mediterranean arboreal and shrub species that possess essential oils (EO) in their leaves and branches. This study aimed at characterizing the EOs obtained by steam distillation from the three species collected in different locations from Spain (Almazán, Andévalo, Barriomartín, Cerezal, Ermitas and Huéscar). For this purpose, volatiles composition was determined by GC-MS, and different bioactivities were evaluated. The highest content in terpenes was observed in C. sempervirens (Huéscar origin) followed by J. communis (Almazán origin), corresponding to 92% and 91.9% of total compounds, respectively. With exception of C. ladanifer from Cerezal that presented viridiflorol as the most abundant compound, all the three species presented in common the α-pinene as the major compound. The EOs from C. ladanifer showed high antibacterial potential, presenting MIC values from 0.3 to 1.25 mg/mL. Concerning other bioactivities, C. ladanifer EO revealed an oxidation inhibition of 83%, while J. communis showed cytotoxicity in the MCF-7 cell line, and C. sempervirens and C. ladanifer EOs exhibited the highest potential on NCI-H460 cell lines. Nevertheless, some EOs revealed toxicity against non-tumoral cells but generally presented a GI50 value higher than that of the tumor cell lines.
Liliana Sofia da Silva Gache, Josiana Vaz, and Juliana Almeida-de-Souza
Mary Ann Liebert Inc
Background: Coffee includes some potentially bioactive components that can interfere with platelets, which can influence coagulation, despite generating controversy. The aim of this systematic revi...
Paulo Alves, Carlos Morais, Luisa Miranda, Maria Joao V. Pereira, and Josiana Vaz
IEEE
The Covid 19 pandemic has been affect drastically the running of higher education institutions in scientific, pedagogical and management terms. It became urgent to respond to the pandemic, particularly in terms of teaching and learning. One of the first options taken by higher education institutions was to implement non-face-to-face teaching, also called remote emergency teaching. The objectives of this research are to identify students' perception of the frequency of use of digital tools and assess the level of satisfaction on the use of these tools. The study is essentially of quantitative nature. Data were collected through a questionnaire from a sample of 677 students from a Portuguese public higher education institution. From the results, it is highlighted that during the pandemic the use of the tools: Colibri / Zoom and Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) was very frequent. In a post-pandemic scenario, the tools that will have the most preference for use will be VLE and email. Regarding the satisfaction with the use of digital tools during the pandemic, the tools with the highest level of satisfaction by students were: VLE, Colibri / Zoom, email and Office 365. It was also found through the analysis of the correlation among the variable’s frequency of use and satisfaction that the higher the frequency of use of digital tools is, the higher is the level of satisfaction.
Marta Oliveira, Solange Costa, Josiana Vaz, Adília Fernandes, Klara Slezakova, Cristina Delerue-Matos, João Paulo Teixeira, Maria Carmo Pereira, and Simone Morais
Elsevier BV
Firefighters represent one of the riskiest occupations, yet due to the logistic reasons, the respective exposure assessment is one of the most challenging. Thus, this work assessed the impact of firefighting activities on levels of urinary monohydroxyl-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (OHPAHs; 1-hydroxynaphthalene, 1-hydroxyacenaphthene, 2-hydroxyfluorene, 1-hydroxyphenanthrene, 1-hydroxypyrene, 3-hydroxybenzo(a)pyrene) and genotoxic/oxidative-effect biomarkers (basal DNA and oxidative DNA damage) of firefighters from eight firehouses. Cardiac frequency, blood pressure and arterial oxygen saturation were also monitored. OHPAHs were determined by liquid-chromatography with fluorescence detection, while genotoxic/oxidative-effect biomarkers were assessed by the comet assay. Concentrations of total OHPAHs were up to 340% higher (p ≤ 0.05) in (non-smoking and smoking) exposed workers than in control subjects (non-smoking and non-exposed to combat activities); the highest increments were observed for 1-hydroxynaphthalene and 1-hydroxyacenaphthene (82-88% of ∑OHPAHs), and for 2-hydroxyfluorene (5-15%). Levels of biomarker for oxidative stress were increased in non-smoking exposed workers than in control group (316%; p ≤ 0.001); inconclusive results were found for DNA damage. Positive correlations were found between the cardiac frequency, ∑OHPAHs and the oxidative DNA damage of non-smoking (non-exposed and exposed) firefighters. Evidences were raised regarding the simultaneous use of these biomarkers for the surveillance of firefighters' health and to better estimate the potential short-term health risks.
Spyridon Petropoulos, Ângela Fernandes, Carla Pereira, Nikos Tzortzakis, Josiana Vaz, Marina Soković, Lillian Barros, and Isabel C.F.R. Ferreira
Elsevier BV
In the present study, the nutritional value, bioactive properties, and chemical composition of various cardoon (Cynara cardunculus L.) genotypes cultivated in central Greece were investigated. The results demonstrated that Cynara seeds are a good source of fat and protein, while they also contain considerable amounts of K, Mg, and Fe and low amount of Na. Sucrose, oxalic acid, and α-tocopherol were the only free sugar, organic acid, and tocopherol isoform respectively, found among the studied genotypes. The most abundant fatty acids were linoleic, oleic and palmitic acid, while PUFA was the most abundant fatty acid class. All the tested seeds contained only two phenolic compounds, namely 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid and 3,5-O-caffeoylquinic acid, while significant antioxidant activities and cytotoxicity against tumor cell lines and antimicrobial effects were also observed. In conclusion, cardoon seed extracts could be exploited in the food and pharmaceutical industries as alternative sources of natural compounds with bioactive properties.
Anestis C. Karkanis, Ângela Fernandes, Josiana Vaz, Spyridon Petropoulos, Eleftheria Georgiou, Ana Ciric, Marina Sokovic, Taofiq Oludemi, Lillian Barros, and Isabel C. F. R. Ferreira
Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
Sanguisorba minor Scop. is a perennial plant native to the Mediterranean region which exhibits several medicinal activities.
Eduarda Barreira, André Novo, Josiana A. Vaz, and Ana M.G. Pereira
Elsevier BV
Objectives Evaluate the effectiveness of the implementation of independently or combined dietary and physical activity programs on the blood glucose values and lipid profile in patients with type 2 diabetes, including participants aged 60 years and over. Design Systematic review. Data source PubMed/Medline database, with language restrictions. Papers published between 2010 and 2016 were included. Study selection A total of 30 randomised controlled trials were included that focused on physical activity and dietary interventions in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and include participants aged 60 years and over. Results The selected articles have shown that the implementation of physical activity programs (aerobic, resistance, flexibility and combined exercises), and programs based on a higher intake of vegetables, grains, legumes, fruits, unsaturated fatty acids, as well as consumption of foods with low glycaemic index, calorie restriction, intake of probiotics, vitamin D supplementation and educational sessions about diabetes improves blood glucose levels, as well as the lipid profile, in patients with type 2 diabetes. Conclusions Physical activity and dietary programs are fundamental in the treatment and metabolic control of type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Sylwia Senio, Carla Pereira, Josiana Vaz, Marina Sokovic, Lillian Barros, and Isabel C.F.R. Ferreira
Elsevier BV
Abstract Galium aparine L. is a very disseminated plant in temperate zones, commonly known as clivers or bedstraw, belonging to the Rubiaceae family and it is traditionally used for its medicinal applications. In this study, G. aparine hydromethanolic extracts and infusions were prepared from air-dried and freeze-dried samples in order to assess their phenolic profile, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic properties. All the studied extracts revealed a similar phenolic profile, but the hydromethanolic extract obtained from the freeze-dried sample presented the highest concentration of phenolic compounds, followed by the respective infusion and the air-dried sample hydromethanolic extract. The major compound detected in the extracts was 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid (from 145 to 163 mg/g extract). Regarding the bioactivity, in general, the extracts presenting higher phenolic concentrations also revealed enhanced bioactive properties. The EC50 values obtained in the antioxidant activity assays ranged from 13.5 to 884 μg/mL, with the freeze-dried sample hydromethanolic extract presenting the highest activity (13.5–555 μg/mL). Similar conclusions could be made in terms of antimicrobial properties, with this extract showing the lowest MIC (1.85–15 mg/mL), MBC (3.75–7.5 mg/mL), and MFC (3.75–20 mg/mL) values. None of the extracts revealed cytotoxicity. The results obtained in this study suggested that G. aparine extracts can be a good source of phenolic compounds with antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.
Inés Jabeur, Natália Martins, Lillian Barros, Ricardo C. Calhelha, Josiana Vaz, Lotfi Achour, Celestino Santos-Buelga, and Isabel C. F. R. Ferreira
Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
Naturally-occurring phytochemicals have received pivotal attention in the last few years, due to the increasing evidence of biological activities.
Tiago dos Santos, Catarina Tavares, Diana Sousa, Josiana A. Vaz, Ricardo C. Calhelha, Anabela Martins, Gabriela M. Almeida, Isabel C.F.R. Ferreira, and M. Helena Vasconcelos
Elsevier BV
Abstract Several edible mushrooms extracts are known to have tumor cell growth inhibitory potential. The objective of this work was to study this potential in extracts of Suillus luteus collected from the Northeast of Portugal. Various extracts were prepared and their effect on tumor cell growth was studied with the SRB assay in four human tumor cell lines: MCF-7 (breast), NCI-H460 (non-small cell lung cancer), AGS (gastric) and HCT-15 (colon). The methanolic extract of S. luteus was the most potent extract. This extract was slightly more potent in the HCT-15 cells (with mutant p53, GI 50 = 17.8 ± 1.6 μg/mL) than in the other cell lines tested, which suggested that its effect was not p53-dependent. Indeed, in HCT-15 cells, an increase in the levels of p53 was detected but no alterations in some of the proteins transactivated by p53 (e.g. p21 or Bax) were found. The extract caused an increase in the cellular levels of p-H2A.X, which is suggestive of DNA damage. Growth inhibition in these cells was mostly due to inhibition of cell proliferation and an increase in the % of cell in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. An increase in cell death was also found, even though to very low levels. In addition, this extract was not cytotoxic to primary cultures of porcine hepatocytes (GI 50 > 400 μg/mL). Together, these results indicate that the S. luteus methanolic extract may be an interesting source of compounds that inhibit the proliferation of tumor cells but further studies should be carried out in order to understand its potential.
Josiana A. Vaz, Isabel C.F.R. Ferreira, Catarina Tavares, Gabriela M. Almeida, Anabela Martins, and M. Helena Vasconcelos
Elsevier BV
In the present work, methanolic, ethanolic and boiled water extracts of Suillus collinitus were chemically characterised and submitted to an evaluation of their bioactive properties (antioxidant potential and cytotoxic activity in tumor cell lines). Phenolic acids and sugars were identified chromatographically and quantified in the methanolic and boiled water extracts, respectively. S. collinitus ethanolic extract had the highest antioxidant activity. Nevertheless, with respect to cell growth inhibition, the methanolic extract was the most potent extract, particularly in MCF-7 cells (GI(50) 25.2±0.2 μg/ml). Moreover, the GI(50) concentration of this extract induced a G1 cell cycle arrest, with a concomitant decrease in the percentage of cells in the S phase. Furthermore, it caused an increase in the percentage of apoptotic cells, from 6.0±0.2% in untreated cells, to 15.3±2.0% in cells treated with the GI(50) concentration and to 16.3±2.0% in cells treated with 2×GI(50) concentration. In addition, 48 h treatment with the GI(50) concentration caused a strong increase in the levels of p53, p21, and cleaved PARP, together with a decrease in Bcl-2 and XIAP. Results indicate that S. collinitus may be a promising source of bioactive compounds. Particularly, its methanolic extract appears to have a p53-mediated effect on the normal cell cycle distribution and apoptosis induction in a human breast tumor cell line.