Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2024-04-16"
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- Beyond chemicals: opportunities and challenges of integrating non-chemical stressors in adverse outcome pathwaysPublication . Clerbaux, Laure Alix; Filipovska, Julija; Nymark, Penny; Chauhan, Vinita; Sewald, Katherina; Alb, Miriam; Sachana, Madgalini; Beronius, Anna; Amorim, Maria João; Wittwehr, ClemensThe adverse outcome pathways (AOPs) were developed to accelerate evidence-based chemical risk assessment by leveraging data from new approach methodologies. Thanks to their stressor-agnostic approach, AOPs were seen as instrumental in other fields. Here, we present AOPs that report non-chemical stressors along with the challenges encountered for their development. Challenges regarding AOPs linked to nanomaterials include non-specific molecular initiating events, limited understanding of nanomaterial biodistribution, and needs for adaptations of the in silico modeling and testing systems. Development of AOPs for radiation face challenges in how to incorporate ionizing events type, dose rate, energy deposition, and how to account for targeting multiple macromolecules. AOPs for COVID-19 required the inclusion of SARS-CoV-2-specific replicative steps to capture the essential events driving the disease. Developing AOPs to evaluate efficacy and toxicity of cell therapies necessitates addressing the cellular nature and the therapeutic function of the stressor. Finally, addressing toxicity of emerging biological stressors like microbial pesticides can learn from COVID-19 AOPs. We further discuss that the adaptations needed to expand AOP applicability beyond chemicals are mainly at the molecular and cellular levels while downstream key events at tissue or organ level, such as inflammation, are shared by many AOPs initiated by various stressors. In conclusion, although it is challenging to integrate non-chemical stressors within AOPs, this expands opportunities to account for real-world scenarios, to identify vulnerable individuals, and to bridge knowledge on mechanisms of adversity.
- Therapeutic textiles: a promising approach for human skin dysbiosis?Publication . Oliveira, Cláudia Sullen Ferro de; Tavaria, Freni KekhasharúThe close interaction between skin and clothing has become an attractive cornerstone for the development of therapeutic textiles able to alleviate skin disorders, namely those correlated to microbiota dysregulation. Skin microbiota imbalance is known in several skin diseases, including atopic dermatitis (AD), psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, rosacea, acne and hidradenitis suppurative (HS). Such microbiota dysregulation is usually correlated with inflammation, discomfort and pruritus. Although conventional treatments, that is, the administration of steroids and antibiotics, have shown some efficacy in treating and alleviating these symptoms, there are still disadvantages that need to be overcome. These include their long-term usage with side effects negatively impacting resident microbiota members, antibiotic resistance and the elevated rate of recurrence. Remarkably, therapeutic textiles as a non-pharmacological measure have emerged as a promising strategy to treat, alleviate the symptoms and control the severity of many skin diseases. This systematic review showcases for the first time the effects of therapeutic textiles on patients with skin dysbiosis, focusing on efficacy, safety, adverse effects and antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The main inclusion criteria were clinical trials performed in patients with skin dysbiosis who received treatment involving the use of therapeutic textiles. Although there are promising outcomes regarding clinical parameters, safety and adverse effects, there is still a lack of information about the impact of therapeutic textiles on the skin microbiota of such patients. Intensive investigation and corroboration with clinical trials are needed to strengthen, define and drive the real benefit and the ideal biomedical application of therapeutic textiles.
- Ao serviço do império : o associativismo escotista e o enquadramento da juventude em Portugal (1911-1939)Publication . Graça, Gonçalo Filipe Brito; Fontes, Paulo Fernando de OliveiraA institucionalização do associativismo escotista em Portugal abriu um novo modelo de enquadramento social da juventude. Um projeto educativo apoiado desde o início por várias fações republicanas, e logo no término da Monarquia em 1910, já que objetivava a um novo e moderno arquétipo europeu de cidadania, pátria e civilização, sob modelos específicos de género, raça e inicialmente sem qualquer conotação com o universo católico. A transmissão cultural do scouting, e como a juventude portuguesa o adotou, introduz-se nos mais recentes debates historiográficos sobre o papel dos movimentos sociais na construção moderna dos futuros cidadãos. As investigações ao método escotista em Portugal têm sido feitas sobretudo a partir da história da educação, no entanto faltava ainda um novo olhar estendido à sua génese. Essa perspectiva permite responder às capacidades de resistência contra as políticas juvenis de absorção estatal com a instauração das Mocidades Portuguesas tanto em Portugal como no império. Desta forma, selecionou-se o período entre 1911 e 1939 para observar como as ideias de Robert Baden-Powell foram aceites em Portugal, se materializaram e se institucionalizaram, e como os representantes associativos se articularam e se adaptaram aos vários regimes políticos vigentes. Esta observação permite perceber a exclusividade do caso português dentro das geografias ditatoriais europeias, sendo Portugal o único país do Velho Mundo a tolerar a existência do associativismo escotista lado a lado com as juventudes estatais.