First Transcriptome Analysis of Hepatoblastoma in Brazil: Unraveling the Pivotal Role of Noncoding RNAs and Metabolic Pathways.

Hepatoblastoma stands as the most prevalent liver cancer in the pediatric population. Characterized by a low mutational burden, chromosomal and epigenetic alterations are key drivers of its tumorigenesis. Transcriptome analysis is a powerful tool for unraveling the molecular intricacies of hepatoblastoma, shedding light on the effects of genetic and epigenetic changes on gene expression. In this study conducted in Brazilian patients, an in-depth whole transcriptome analysis was performed on 14 primary hepatoblastomas, compared to control liver tissues. The analysis unveiled 1,492 differentially expressed genes (1,031 upregulated and 461 downregulated), including 920 protein-coding genes (62%). Upregulated biological processes were linked to cell differentiation, signaling, morphogenesis, and development, involving known hepatoblastoma-associated genes (DLK1, MEG3, HDAC2, TET1, HMGA2, DKK1, DKK4), alongside with novel findings (GYNG4, CDH3, and TNFRSF19). Downregulated processes predominantly centered around oxidation and metabolism, affecting amines, nicotinamides, and lipids, featuring novel discoveries like the repression of SYT7, TTC36, THRSP, CCND1, GCK and CAMK2B. Two genes, which displayed a concordant pattern of DNA methylation alteration in their promoter regions and dysregulation in the transcriptome, were further validated by RT-qPCR: the upregulated TNFRSF19, a key gene in the embryonic development, and the repressed THRSP, connected to lipid metabolism. Furthermore, based on protein-protein interaction analysis, we identified genes holding central positions in the network, such as HDAC2, CCND1, GCK, and CAMK2B, among others, that emerged as prime candidates warranting functional validation in future studies. Notably, a significant dysregulation of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), predominantly upregulated transcripts, was observed, with 42% of the top 50 highly expressed genes being ncRNAs. An integrative miRNA-mRNA analysis revealed crucial biological processes associated with metabolism, oxidation reactions of lipids and carbohydrates, and methylation-dependent chromatin silencing. In particular, four upregulated miRNAs (miR-186, miR-214, miR-377, and miR-494) played a pivotal role in the network, potentially targeting multiple protein-coding transcripts, including CCND1 and CAMK2B. In summary, our transcriptome analysis highlighted disrupted embryonic development as well as metabolic pathways, particularly those involving lipids, emphasizing the emerging role of ncRNAs as epigenetic regulators in hepatoblastomas. These findings provide insights into the complexity of the hepatoblastoma transcriptome and identify potential targets for future therapeutic interventions.

Analysis of the Mutational Landscape of Osteosarcomas Identifies Genes Related to Metastasis and Prognosis and Disrupted Biological Pathways of Immune Response and Bone Development.

Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most prevalent type of bone tumor, but slow progress has been achieved in disentangling the full set of genomic events involved in its initiation and progression. We assessed by NGS the mutational spectrum of 28 primary OSs from Brazilian patients, and identified 445 potentially deleterious SNVs/indels and 1176 copy number alterations (CNAs). TP53 was the most recurrently mutated gene, with an overall rate of ~60%, considering SNVs/indels and CNAs. The most frequent CNAs (~60%) were gains at 1q21.2q21.3, 6p21.1, and 8q13.3q24.22, and losses at 10q26 and 13q14.3q21.1. Seven cases presented CNA patterns reminiscent of complex events (chromothripsis and chromoanasynthesis). Putative RB1 and TP53 germline variants were found in five samples associated with metastasis at diagnosis along with complex genomic patterns of CNAs. PTPRQ, KNL1, ZFHX4, and DMD alterations were prevalent in metastatic or deceased patients, being potentially indicative of poor prognosis. TNFRSF11B, involved in skeletal system development and maintenance, emerged as a candidate for osteosarcomagenesis due to its biological function and a high frequency of copy number gains. A protein-protein network enrichment highlighted biological pathways involved in immunity and bone development. Our findings reinforced the high genomic OS instability and heterogeneity, and led to the identification of novel disrupted genes deserving further evaluation as biomarkers due to their association with poor outcomes.

DNA methylation patterns suggest the involvement of DNMT3B and TET1 in osteosarcoma development.

DNA methylation may be involved in the development of osteosarcomas. Osteosarcomas commonly arise during the bone growth and remodeling in puberty, making it plausible to infer the involvement of epigenetic alterations in their development. As a highly studied epigenetic mechanism, we investigated DNA methylation and related genetic variants in 28 primary osteosarcomas aiming to identify deregulated driver alterations. Methylation and genomic data were obtained using the Illumina HM450K beadchips and the TruSight One sequencing panel, respectively. Aberrant DNA methylation was spread throughout the osteosarcomas genomes. We identified 3146 differentially methylated CpGs comparing osteosarcomas and bone tissue samples, with high methylation heterogeneity, global hypomethylation and focal hypermethylation at CpG islands. Differentially methylated regions (DMR) were detected in 585 loci (319 hypomethylated and 266 hypermethylated), mapped to the promoter regions of 350 genes. These DMR genes were enriched for biological processes related to skeletal system morphogenesis, proliferation, inflammatory response, and signal transduction. Both methylation and expression data were validated in independent groups of cases. Six tumor suppressor genes harbored deletions or promoter hypermethylation (DLEC1, GJB2, HIC1, MIR149, PAX6, and WNT5A), and four oncogenes presented gains or hypomethylation (ASPSCR1, NOTCH4, PRDM16, and RUNX3). Our analysis also revealed hypomethylation at 6p22, a region that contains several histone genes. Copy-number changes in DNMT3B (gain) and TET1 (loss), as well as overexpression of DNMT3B in osteosarcomas provide a possible explanation for the observed phenotype of CpG island hypermethylation. While the detected open-sea hypomethylation likely contributes to the well-known osteosarcoma genomic instability, enriched CpG island hypermethylation suggests an underlying mechanism possibly driven by overexpression of DNMT3B likely resulting in silencing of tumor suppressors and DNA repair genes.

Atrial fibrillation as a new prognosis factor in chronic patients after hospitalization: the CHRONIBERIA index.

A collaborative project in different areas of Spain and Portugal was designed to find out the variables that influence the mortality after discharge and develop a prognostic model adapted to the current healthcare needs of chronic patients in an internal medicine ward. Inclusion criteria were being admitted to an Internal Medicine department and at least one chronic disease. Patients' physical dependence was measured through Barthel index (BI). Pfeiffer test (PT) was used to establish cognitive status. We conducted logistic regression and Cox proportional hazard models to analyze the influence of those variables on one-year mortality. We also developed an external validation once decided the variables included in the index. We enrolled 1406 patients. Mean age was 79.5 (SD = 11.5) and females were 56.5%. After the follow-up period, 514 patients (36.6%) died. Five variables were identified as significantly associated with 1 year mortality: age, being male, lower BI punctuation, neoplasia and atrial fibrillation. A model with such variables was created to estimate one-year mortality risk, leading to the CHRONIBERIA. A ROC curve was made to determine the reliability of this index when applied to the global sample. An AUC of 0.72 (0.7-0.75) was obtained. The external validation of the index was successful and showed an AUC of 0.73 (0.67-0.79). Atrial fibrillation along with an advanced age, being male, low BI score, or an active neoplasia in chronic patients could be critical to identify high risk multiple chronic conditions patients. Together, these variables constitute the new CHRONIBERIA index.

Burden of lung cancer and predicted costs of occupational exposure to hexavalent chromium in the EU - The impact of different occupational exposure limits.

BACKGROUND: Exposure to hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] occurs widely in occupational settings across the EU and is associated with lung cancer. In 2025, the occupational exposure limit is set to change to 5 µg/m3. Current exposure limits are higher, with 10 µg/m3 as a general limit and 25 µg/m3 for the welding industry. We aimed to assess the current burden of lung cancer caused by occupational exposure to Cr(VI) and to evaluate the impact of the recently established EU regulation by analysing different occupational exposure limits. METHODS: Data were extracted from the literature, the Global Burden of Disease 2019) study, and Eurostat. We estimated the cases of cancer attributable to workplace exposure to Cr(VI) by combining exposure-effect relationships with exposure data, and calculated related DALYs and health costs in scenarios with different occupational exposure limits. RESULTS: With current EU regulations, 253 cases (95%UI 250.96-255.71) of lung cancer were estimated to be caused by Cr(VI) in 2019, resulting in 4684 DALYs (95%UI 4683.57-4704.08). In case the welding industry adopted 10 µg/m3, a decrease of 43 cases and 797 DALYs from current values is expected. The predicted application of a 5 µg/m3 limit would cause a decrease of 148 cases and 2746 DALYs. Current costs are estimated to amount to 12.47 million euros/year (95%UI 10.19-453.82), corresponding to 39.97 million euros (95%UI 22.75-70.10) when considering costs per DALY. The limits implemented in 2025 would lead to a decrease of 23.35 million euros when considering DALYs, with benefits of introducing a limit value occurring after many decades. Adopting a 1 µg/m3 limit would lower costs to 1.04 million euros (95%UI 0.85-37.67) and to 3.33 million euros for DALYs (95%UI 1.89-5.84). DISCUSSION: Assessing different scenarios with different Cr(VI) occupational exposure limits allowed to understand the impact of EU regulatory actions. These findings make a strong case for adapting even stricter exposure limits to protect workers' health and avoid associated costs.

Paraneoplastic Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome: a diagnostic challenge.

Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) is a rare neuromuscular junction disorder. Underlying small cell lung cancer is found in more than half of patients. Proximal muscle weakness, autonomic features and areflexia are typical manifestations. However, LEMS is often misdiagnosed. We report a rare case of paraneoplastic LEMS, identified amid admission due to a different diagnosis. Our patient was initially admitted due to aspiration pneumonia. Further investigation revealed clinical and electrophysiological manifestations of LEMS. High clinical suspicion and early diagnostic workup were paramount in the patient outcome. Nevertheless, paraneoplastic aetiology was difficult to confirm and revealed itself a difficult challenge. Clinical awareness is crucial to diagnose LEMS and urge cancer screening and early treatment.

Risk-Benefit Assessment of Consumption of Rice for Adult Men in China.

Objective: To evaluate the health impact of current and alternative patterns of rice consumption in Chinese adult men (40-79 years of age). Methods: We applied a risk-benefit assessment (RBA) model that took into account the health effects of selenium (Se), cadmium (Cd), and inorganic arsenic (i-As). The health effects included the prevention of prostate cancer associated with exposure to Se, and an increased risk of lung, bladder, and skin cancer for i-As and chronic kidney disease (CKD) for Cd. We defined the baseline scenario (BS) as the current individual mean daily consumption of rice in the population of interest and two alternative scenarios (AS): AS1 = 50 g/day and AS2 = 200 g/day. We estimated the health impact for different age groups in terms of change in Disability-Adjusted Life Years (ΔDALY). Results: The BS of rice consumption was 71.5-105.4 g/day in different age groups of adult men in China. We estimated that for AS1, the mean ΔDALY was -2.76 to 46.2/100,000 adult men of 40-79 years old. For AS2, the mean ΔDALY was 41.3 to 130.8/100,000 individuals in this population group. Conclusion: Our results showed that, based on associated exposure to selenium, cadmium, and i-As in rice, the current consumption of rice does not pose a risk to adult men in China. Also, a lower (50 g/day) or higher (200 g/day) rice consumption will not bring larger beneficial effects.

Sarcoidosis Presenting as Cranial Multinevritis.

A 29-year-old woman presented to the emergency department with red eyes and hypoacusia since the previous weeks associated with a sudden right facial palsy. Ophthalmologic examination revealed bilateral uveitis and lumbar puncture was compatible with aseptic meningitis. Thoracic computed tomography scan showed pulmonary nodules and mediastinal and hilar lymphadenopathy. Bronchoalveolar lavage revealed a CD4/CD8 ratio of 8, and lymph node biopsy confirmed non-caseating granulomas. The diagnosis of sarcoidosis with ocular, pulmonary, and neurologic involvement was made. Due to sarcoidosis severity at presentation, the patient was started on systemic steroids and methotrexate with improvement. Sarcoidosis involvement of the central nervous system is a rare condition (5-10%) but can be the first manifestation of the disease. Its presentation can be heterogeneous; therefore, symptoms are frequently devalued by patients and physicians, leading to a late diagnosis and permanent damage. Clinicians' awareness is crucial to early diagnosis and treatment.

Deep neck space infection and Lemierre's syndrome caused by Streptococcus anginosus: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Deep neck space infections most commonly arise from a septic focus of the mandibular teeth, tonsils, parotid gland, middle ear or sinuses, usually with a rapid onset and frequently with progression to life-threatening complications. Lemierre's syndrome is classically defined by an oropharyngeal infection with internal jugular vein thrombosis followed by metastatic infections in other organs. CASE PRESENTATION: A 32-year-old female patient, with no significant past medical history, was diagnosed with a dental abscess on her left inferior 3rd molar. Six days later, the condition complicated with severe upper respiratory distress, odynophagia and trismus, and extension of the inflammatory signs to the anterior cervical region, involving the upper airway. Computed tomography scan confirmed extension to submandibular, parapharyngeal and retrosternal spaces), which required nasotracheal intubation due to compromised airway. Urgent and subsequent surgical drainages were performed, alongside with concomitant antibiotic therapy. Additionally, left internal jugular vein thrombosis was described - with later extension to the brachiocephalic vein, without other complications, consistent with Lemierre's syndrome, although without full features. Streptococcus anginosus was identified in the drained pus specimens. The patient made a satisfactory clinical progress and was discharged after 25 days, still under therapeutic hypocoagulation. CONCLUSION: As deep neck space infections can be life-threatening, clinicians must be aware and not underestimate their potential severity. Lemierre's syndrome is a complication difficult to recognize, which requires additional awareness of the many possible presentations, for appropriate diagnostic studies and therapeutic plan.

Endoscopic Dilation of Pharyngoesophageal Strictures: There Are More Dimensions than a Diameter.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Dysphagia due to benign pharyngoesophageal strictures (PES) often requires repeated dilations; however, a uniform definition for the therapeutic efficacy of this technique has not been yet established. We aimed to assess the overall efficacy of endoscopic dilation of pharyngoesophageal anastomotic or post-radiotherapy (post-RT) strictures. METHODS: The data of 48 patients with post-RT (n = 29) or anastomotic PES (n = 19) submitted to endoscopic dilation during a 3-year period were retrospectively assessed. The Kochman criteria were used to determine refractoriness and recurrence. Patients were asked to answer a questionnaire determining prospectively the dilation program efficacy as (a) dysphagia improvement, (b) dysphagia resolution, (c) need for further dilations, or (d) percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) during the previous 6 months. Need for additional therapy was considered an inefficacy criterion. RESULTS: The median number of dilations per patient was 4 (total of 296 dilations) with a median follow-up of 29 months. The mean predilation dysphagia Mellow-Pinkas score was 3 and the initial stenosis diameter was 7 mm. Fifteen and 29% of patients presented with the Kochman criteria for refractory and recurrent strictures, respectively. Moreover, 96 and 60% showed dysphagia improvement and resolution, respectively. Seventy-five-percent did not require dilations during 6 months, and 89% did not require PEG. From the patients' perspective, overall efficacy was achieved in 58% of cases. Nine additional therapies were required. Number of dilations (OR 0.7), stricture diameter (OR 2.2), and nonrecurrence criteria (OR 14.2) appeared as significant predictors of overall efficacy, whereas refractory stenosis criteria did not. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic dilation seems to be effective for patients with dysphagia after RT or surgery, especially when assessed as patient perception of improvement. Narrow strictures, recurrent ones, and strictures requiring a higher number of dilations may predict worse outcomes. KEY MESSAGE: Health professionals should establish well-defined efficacy criteria for dilations and base their decision beyond exclusively objective measurements.

INTRODUÇÃO E OBJETIVO: A disfagia devido a estenoses farin-go-esofágicas benignas requer frequentemente dilatações repetidas, não existindo, contudo, uma definição estabe-lecida para a eficácia desta terapêutica. Pretendemos ava-liar a eficácia-global de dilatações endoscópicas de esteno-ses rádicas e anastomóticas faringo-esofágicas. MÉTODOS: 48 doentes com estenoses pós-radioterapia (n = 29) e este-noses anastomóticas (n = 19) submetidos a dilatação en-doscópica durante um período de 3 anos foram avaliados retrospetivamente. Os critérios de Kochman foram utilizados para determinar refratariedade e recorrência. Os doen-tes foram convidados a responder um questionário deter-minando prospectivamente a eficácia-global das dilata-ções como (a) melhoria da disfagia ou (b) resolução, (c) ausência de dilatação adicional durante 6 meses e (d) au-sência de PEG para alimentação. A necessidade de tera-pêutica adicional foi considerada um critério de ineficácia. RESULTADOS: A mediana do número de dilatações por doente foi de 4 (total de 296 dilatações) durante um followup médio de 29 meses. O grau de disfagia (Mellow-Pinkas score) médio pré-dilatação foi 3 e o diâmetro inicial médio da estenose foi 7 mm. Quinze e 29% apresentaram critérios para estenoses refratárias e recorrentes, respetivamente. Ademais, (a) 96% dos pacientes apresentaram melhoria da disfagia, (b) 60% resolução, (c) 75% não exigiram dilatação durante 6 meses e (d) 89% não necessitaram de PEG. Em suma, 58% apresentaram critérios de eficácia-global. Fo-ram necessárias nove terapêuticas adicionais. O número de dilatações (OR 0.7), o diâmetro da estenose (OR 2.2) e a au-sência de critérios de recorrência (OR 14.2) apareceram como preditores significativos de eficácia global, mas as estenoses refratárias não. CONCLUSÕES: A dilatação en-doscópica parece eficaz para estenoses pós-radioterapia ou cirurgia, especialmente quando avaliada subjetiva-mente. Estenoses estreitas, recorrentes e que requerem maior número de dilatações parecem prever piores outcomes. MENSAGEM-CHAVE: Os profissionais de saúde de-vem estabelecer critérios de eficácia bem definidos para as dilatações, não devendo basear a sua decisão apenas em medidas objetivas.

Probabilistic approach for assessing cancer risk due to benzo[a]pyrene in barbecued meat: Informing advice for population groups.

BACKGROUND: Consumption of meat prepared by barbecuing is associated with risk of cancer due to formation of carcinogenic compounds including benzo[a]pyrene (BaP). Assessment of a population's risk of disease and people's individual probability of disease given specific consumer attributes may direct food safety strategies to where impact on public health is largest. The aim of this study was to propose a model that estimates the risk of cancer caused by exposure to BaP from barbecued meat in Denmark, and to estimate the probability of developing cancer in subgroups of the population given different barbecuing frequencies. METHODS: We developed probabilistic models applying two dimensional Monte Carlo simulation to take into account the variation in exposure given age and sex and in the individuals' sensitivity to develop cancer after exposure to BaP, and the uncertainty in the dose response model. We used the Danish dietary consumption survey, monitoring data of chemical concentrations, data on consumer behavior of frequency of barbecuing, and animal dose response data. FINDINGS: We estimated an average extra lifetime risk of cancer due to BaP from barbecued meat of 6.8 × 10-5 (95% uncertainty interval 2.6 × 10-7 - 7.0 × 10-4) in the Danish population. This corresponds to approximately one to 4,074 extra cancer cases over a lifetime, reflecting wide uncertainty. The impact per barbecuing event on the risk of cancer for men and women of low body weight was higher compared to higher bodyweight. However, the difference due to sex and bodyweight between subgroups are dwarfed by the uncertainty. INTERPRETATION: This study proposes a model that can be applied to other substances and routes of exposure, and allows for deriving the change in risk following a specific change in behaviour. The presented methodology can serve as a valuable tool for risk management, allowing for the formulation of behaviour advice targeted to specific sub-groups in the population.

On a "Columbus' Egg": Modeling the shape of asymptomatic, dysplastic and impinged hip joints.

Understanding morphological features that characterize normal hip joint is critical and necessary for a more comprehensive definition of pathological presentations, such as femoroacetabular impingement and hip dysplasia. Based on anatomical observations that articular surfaces of synovial joints are better represented by ovoidal shapes than by spheres, the aim of this study is to computationally test this morphological classification for the femoral head and acetabular cavity of asymptomatic, dysplastic and impinged hips by comparing spherical, ellipsoidal and ovoidal shapes. An image-based surface fitting framework was used to assess the goodness-of-fit of spherical, ellipsoidal and tapered ellipsoidal (i.e., egg-like) shapes. The framework involved image segmentation with active contour methods, mesh smoothing and decimation, and surface fitting to point clouds performed with genetic algorithms. Image data of the hip region was obtained from computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scans. Shape analyses were performed upon image data from 20 asymptomatic, 20 dysplastic and 20 impinged (cam, pincer, and mixed) hips of patients with ages ranging between 18 and 45 years old (28 male and 32 women). Tapered ellipsoids presented the lowest fitting errors (i.e., more oval), followed by ellipsoids and spheres which had the worst goodness-of-fit. Ovoidal geometries are also more representative of cam, pincer, mixed impinged hips when compared to spherical or ellipsoidal shapes. The statistical analysis of the surface fitting errors reveal that ovoidal shapes better represent both articular surfaces of the hip joint, revealing a greater approximation to the overall features of asymptomatic, dysplastic and impinged cases.

Stalking e ciberstalking: coocorrência e padrões de vitimação em estudantes universitários / Stalking and cyberstalking: co-occurrence and victimization patterns in university students / Stalking y ciberstalking: coocurrencia y estándares de victimación en estudiantes universitarios

Esta investigação analisou a coocorrência e os respetivos padrões de vitimação do stalking e do ciberstalking em estudantes universitários através do Inventário de Vitimação por Stalking e pela Escala de Avaliação de Ciberstalking. A amostra foi 1.081 estudantes universitários portugueses, de ambos os sexos e com idades entre os 18 e os 58 anos (M = 22,8; DP = 4,94). Os resultados demonstraram taxas de 24,0% de stalking, 22,8% de ciberstalking e de 15,4% de coocorrência de ambos os fenómenos. As 167 vítimas simultaneamente de stalking e ciberstalking eram predominantemente do sexo feminino e os agressores, do sexo masculino. Os comportamentos de stalking e ciberstalking maioritariamente perpetrados foram ações percecionadas como inofensivas e de hiperintimidade. Estes resultados reforçam a necessidade de políticas de prevenção e intervenção com os estudantes vítimas destas duas formas de violência

This research analysed the co-occurrence and the respective victimization patterns of stalking and cyberstalking in college students through the Inventário de Vitimação por Stalking and the Escala de Avaliação de Ciberstalking. The sample was collected from 1081 Portuguese college students, aged from 18 to 58 years (M = 22.8; SD = 4.94). The results demonstrate 24.0% of stalking rates, 22.8% of cyberstalking and 15.4% of co-occurrence of both types of violence. The 167 simultaneously victims of stalking and cyberstalking were predominantly female and the perpetrators were male. The behaviours of stalking and cyberstalking were actions thought of as apparently harmless and intimate. These results support the need to develop policies for prevention and intervention with college student victims of both forms of violence

La presente investigación analizó la coocurrencia y los correspondientes estándares de victimación del stalking y del ciberstalking en estudiantes universitarios a través del Inventario de Vitimación por Stalking y de la Escala de Evaluación de Ciberstalking. La muestra fue de 1.081 estudiantes universitarios portugueses, de los dos sexos y con edades entre los 18 y los 58 años (M = 22,8, DE = 4,94). Los resultados demostraron tasas de 24,0% de stalking, 22,8% de ciberstalking y de 15,4% de coocurrencia de los dos fenómenos. Las 167 víctimas simultáneamente de stalking y ciberstalking eran predominantemente del sexo femenino y los agresores del sexo masculino Los comportamientos de stalking y ciberstalking mayoritariamente cometidos fueron acciones percibidas como inofensivas y de hiperintimidad. Estos resultados refuerzan la necesidad de políticas de prevención e intervención con los estudiantes víctimas de estas dos formas de violencia

Climate change and the health impact of aflatoxins exposure in Portugal - an overview.

Climate change has been indicated as a driver for food safety issues worldwide, mainly due to the impact on the occurrence of food safety hazards at various stages of food chain. Mycotoxins, natural contaminants produced by fungi, are among the most important of such hazards. Aflatoxins, which have the highest acute and chronic toxicity of all mycotoxins, assume particular importance. A recent study predicted aflatoxin contamination in maize and wheat crops in Europe within the next 100 years and aflatoxin B1 is predicted to become a food safety issue in Europe, especially in the most probable scenario of climate change (+2°C). This review discusses the potential influence of climate change on the health risk associated to aflatoxins dietary exposure of Portuguese population. We estimated the burden of disease associated to the current aflatoxin exposure for Portuguese population in terms of Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs). It is expected that in the future the number of DALYs and the associated cases of hepatocellular carcinoma due to aflatoxins exposure will increase due to climate change. The topics highlighted through this review, including the potential impact on health of the Portuguese population through the dietary exposure to aflatoxins, should represent an alert for the potential consequences of an incompletely explored perspective of climate change. Politics and decision-makers should be involved and committed to implement effective measures to deal with climate change issues and to reduce its possible consequences. This review constitutes a contribution for the prioritisation of strategies to face the unequal burden of effects of weather-related hazards in Portugal and across Europe.

Non-technical skills assessment scale in nursing: construction, development and validation / Escala de avaliação de habilidades não técnicas em enfermagem: construção, desenvolvimento e validação / Escala de evaluación de habilidades no técnicas en enfermería: construcción, desarrollo y validación

ABSTRACT The introduction of non-technical skills during nursing education is crucial to prepare nurses for the clinical context and increase patient safety. We found no instrument developed for this purpose. Objectives: to construct, develop and validate a non-technical skills assessment scale in nursing. Method: methodological research. Based on the literature review and experience of researchers on non-technical skills in healthcare and the knowledge of the principles of crisis resource management, a list of 63 items with a five-point Likert scale was constructed. The scale was applied to 177 nursing undergraduate students. Descriptive statistics, correlations, internal consistency analysis and exploratory factor analysis were performed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the scale. Results: scale items presented similar values for mean and median. The maximum and the minimum values presented a good distribution amongst all response options. Most items presented a significant and positive relationship. Cronbach alpha presented a good value (0.94), and most correlations were significant and positive. Exploratory factor analysis using the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin test showed a value of 0.849, and the Bartlett's test showed adequate sphericity values (χ2=6483.998; p=0.000). One-factor model explained 26% of the total variance. Conclusion: non-technical skills training and its measurement could be included in undergraduate or postgraduate courses in healthcare professions, or even be used to ascertain needs and improvements in healthcare contexts.

RESUMO A introdução de habilidades não técnicas durante o ensino de enfermagem é fundamental para preparar os enfermeiros para o contexto clínico e aumentar a segurança do paciente. Não foram encontrados quaisquer instrumentos desenvolvidos para essa finalidade. Objetivos: construir, desenvolver e validar uma escala de avaliação de habilidades não técnicas em enfermagem. Método: pesquisa metodológica. Com base na revisão da literatura e na experiência dos pesquisadores em habilidades não técnicas em saúde, e no conhecimento dos princípios do gerenciamento de recursos em crises, foi construída uma lista de 63 itens e com uma escala Likert de cinco pontos. A escala foi aplicada em 177 estudantes de graduação em enfermagem. Estatística descritiva, correlações, análises de consistência interna e análise fatorial exploratória foram realizadas para avaliar as propriedades psicométricas da escala. Resultados: os itens da escala apresentaram valores semelhantes para média e mediana. Os valores máximo e mínimo mostraram uma boa distribuição em todas as opções de resposta. A maioria dos itens apresentou uma relação significativa e positiva. O alfa de Cronbach apresentou um bom valor (0,94) e a maioria das correlações foi significativa e positiva. A análise fatorial exploratória através do teste de Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin apresentou um valor de 0,849, e o teste de Bartlett apresentou valores de esfericidade adequados (χ2=6483.998; p=0.000). O modelo de um fator explicou 26% da variância total. Conclusão: a formação em habilidades não técnicas e sua mensuração poderiam ser incluídos nos programas de graduação ou pós-graduação de profissões da saúde, ou até mesmo serem utilizadas para avaliar as necessidades e melhorias nos contextos de cuidados de saúde.

RESUMEN La introducción de habilidades no técnicas durante la educación de enfermería es fundamental para preparar a los enfermeros para el contexto clínico y aumentar la seguridad del paciente. No se encontraron instrumentos desarrollados para este propósito. Objetivos: construir, desarrollar y validar una escala de evaluación de habilidades no técnicas en enfermería. Método: investigación metodológica. Con base en la revisión de la literatura y la experiencia de los investigadores en habilidades no técnicas en el cuidado de la salud y el conocimiento de los principios del manejo de recursos en crisis, se construyó una lista de 63 ítems y con una escala Likert de cinco puntos. Se aplicó la escala a 177 estudiantes de pregrado en enfermería. Se realizaron estadísticas descriptivas, correlaciones, análisis de consistencia interna y análisis factorial exploratorio para evaluar las propiedades psicométricas de la escala. Resultados: los ítems de la escala presentaron valores similares para la media y la mediana. Los valores máximo y mínimo mostraron una buena distribución en todas las opciones de respuesta. La mayoría de los ítems presentaron una relación significativa y positiva. El alfa de Cronbach presentó un buen valor (0,94), y la mayoría de las correlaciones fueron significativas y positivas. El análisis factorial exploratorio mediante la prueba Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin mostró un valor de 0,849, y la prueba de Bartlett mostró valores de esfericidad adecuados (χ2=6483.998; p=0,000). El modelo de un factor explicó el 26% de la varianza total. Conclusión: la capacitación en habilidades no técnicas y su medición podrían incluirse en programas de grado y posgrado en profesiones de la salud, o incluso utilizarse para evaluar las necesidades y mejoras en los contextos de atención médica.