ALFESIO LUIS FERREIRA BRAGA

(Fonte: Lattes)
Índice h a partir de 2011
19
Projetos de Pesquisa
Unidades Organizacionais
LIM/05 - Laboratório de Poluição Atmosférica Experimental, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina

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Agora exibindo 1 - 10 de 25
  • article 14 Citação(ões) na Scopus
    O ozônio diminui a qualidade do sêmen em pacientes com lúpus eritematoso sistêmico
    (2016) FARHAT, Juliana; FARHAT, Sylvia Costa Lima; BRAGA, Alfesio Luis Ferreira; COCUZZA, Marcello; BORBA, Eduardo Ferreira; BONFA, Eloisa; SILVA, Clovis Artur
    Objective: To investigate the deleterious effects of air pollutants exposure in the Sao Paulo metropolitan region on semen quality in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods: A seven-years longitudinal repeated-measures panel study was performed at the Laboratory of Experimental Air Pollution and Rheumatology Division. Two semen samples from 28 post-pubertal SLE patients were analyzed. Daily concentrations of air pollutants exposure: PM10, SO2, NO2, ozone, CO, and meteorological variables were evaluated on 90 days before each semen collection dates using generalized estimating equation models. Results: Intravenous cyclophosphamide (IVCYC) and ozone had an association with a decrease in sperm quality of SLE patients. IVCYC was associated with decreases of 64.3 million of spermatozoa/mL (95% CI 39.01-89.65; p = 0.0001) and 149.14 million of spermatozoa/ejaculate (95% CI 81.93-216.38; p = 0.017). With regard to ozone, the most relevant adverse effects were observed from lags 80-88, when the exposure to an interquartile range increase in ozone 9-day moving average concentration led to decreases of 22.9 million of spermatozoa/mL (95% CI 5.8-40.0; p = 0.009) and 70.5 million of spermatozoa/ejaculate (95% CI 12.3-128.7; p = 0.016). Further analysis of 17 patients that never used IVCYC showed association between exposure to ozone (80-88 days) and decrease of 30.0 million of spermatozoa/mL (95% CI 7.0-53.0; p = 0.011) and 79.0 million of spermatozoa/ejaculate (95% CI 2.1-155.9; p = 0.044). Conclusion: Ozone and IVCYC had a consistent adverse effect on semen quality of SLE patients during spermatogenesis. Minimizing exposure to air pollution should be taken into account, especially for patients with chronic systemic inflammatory diseases living in large cities.
  • article 8 Citação(ões) na Scopus
    Effects of air pollution caused by sugarcane burning in Western Sao Paulo on the cardiovascular system
    (2017) PESTANA, Paula Roberta da Silva; BRAGA, Alfesio Luis Ferreira; RAMOS, Ercy Mara Cipulo; OLIVEIRA, Ariadna Ferraz de; OSADNIK, Christian Robert; FERREIRA, Aline Duarte; RAMOS, Dionei
    OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of acute exposure to air pollutants (NO2 and PM10) on hospitalization of adults and older people with cardiovascular diseases in Western Sao Paulo. METHODS: Daily cardiovascular- related hospitalization data (CID10 - 100 to 199) were acquired by the Department of Informatics of the Brazilian Unified Health System (DATASUS) from January 2009 to December 2012. Daily levels of NO2 and PM10 and weather data were obtained from Companhia Ambiental do Estado de Sao Paulo (CETESB - Sao Paulo State Environmental Agency). To estimate the effects of air pollutants exposure on hospital admissions, generalized linear Poisson regression models were used. RESULTS: During the study period, 6,363 hospitalizations were analysed. On the day of NO2 exposure, an increase of 1.12% (95% CI 0.05- 2.20) was observed in the interquartile range along with an increase in hospital admissions. For PM10, a pattern of similar effect was observed; however, results were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Even though with values within established limits, NO2 is an important short- term risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity.
  • article 17 Citação(ões) na Scopus
    Risk Factors Associated with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: Exposure to Cigarette Smoke and Air Pollution from Pregnancy to Disease Diagnosis
    (2018) FRANCA, Camila Maria Paiva; SALLUM, Adriana Maluf Elias; BRAGA, Alfesio Luis Ferreira; STRUFALDI, Fernando Louzada; SILVA, Clovis Artur Almeida; FARHAT, Sylvia Costa Lima
    Objective. To evaluate exposure to environmental factors inhaled during pregnancy and after birth until juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) diagnosis among residents of a large city. Methods. This is an exploratory case-control study that consists of 66 patients with JIA and 124 healthy controls matched by age and sex, living in the Sao Paulo, Brazil, metropolitan area until JIA diagnosis, and whose mothers had resided in this region during pregnancy. A structured and reliable questionnaire (k index for test-retest was 0.80) assessed demographic data, gestational and perinatal-related factors, and exposure to inhalable environmental elements during pregnancy and after birth (occupational exposure to inhalable particles and/or volatile vapor, exposure to cigarette smoke, and the presence of industrial activities or gas stations near the home, work, daycare, or school). Tropospheric pollutants included particulate matter (PM10), sulfur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), ozone (O-3), and carbon monoxide (CO). Results. During pregnancy, intrauterine cigarette smoke exposure (OR 3.43, 95% CI 1.45-8.12, p = 0.005) and maternal occupational exposure (OR 13.69, 95% CI 4.4-42.3, p < 0.001) were significant independent risk factors for JIA diagnosis. In contrast, maternal employment (OR 0.06, 95% CI 0.02-0.2, p < 0.001) and ideal maternal weight gain (OR 0.36, 95% CI 0.2-0.8, p = 0.017) presented negative associations. Secondhand smoke exposure from birth to JIA diagnosis (OR 3.6, 95% CI 1.8-7.3, p < 0.001) and exposure to O-3 during the second year of life (OR 2.76, 95% CI 1.20-6.37, p = 0.017) were independent and significant risk factors for the pathogenesis of JIA. Conclusion. In our study, cigarette smoke exposure (intrauterine and after birth), exposure to O-3 in the second year of life, and maternal occupational exposure were identified as potential risk factors for JIA, warranting further study.
  • article 7 Citação(ões) na Scopus
    Influence of environmental contamination on pregnancy outcomes
    (2015) GUIMARAES, Mariana Tavares; CUNHA, Michele Granato; CARVALHO, Daniele Pena; RIBEIRO, Tatyana Sampaio; MARTINS, Lourdes Conceicao; BRAGA, Alfesio Luis Ferreira; PEREIRA, Luiz Alberto Amador
    This study aims to compare pregnancy outcomes in four contaminated areas to those observed in a non-contaminated area of similar socioeconomic status. A cross-sectional study was carried out. A structured and pre-tested questionnaire was administered to population-based samples of 788-920 families in each of the five studied areas. The exposure assessment used was an ecological measure. Using logistic regression, odds of several pregnancies outcomes (pregnancy occurrence, miscarriage, stillbirth, prematurity, low birth weight, congenital malformation, and multiple births) were estimated after adjustment for potential confounders such as socioeconomic, demographic, and substance abuse factors. We adopted a statistical significance level of 5 %. In three of the four exposed areas, pregnancy occurrence was reduced in comparison to the control area (Area 2, odds ratio (OR) = 0.68, 95 % CI = 0.54-0.86; Area 3, OR = 0.76, 95 % CI = 0.60-0.97; Area 4, OR = 0.71, 95 % CI = 0.56-0.90). Also, a significantly increased odds of miscarriage for living in Area 3 (OR = 1.83, 95 % CI = 1.07-3.12) was found. The other pregnancy outcomes were not significantly elevated in the exposed areas. In conclusion, this study shows evidence of reduced pregnancy occurrence and increased miscarriage occurrence in some of the contaminated areas, compared to the control area.
  • article 64 Citação(ões) na Scopus
    Ambient levels of air pollution induce clinical worsening of blepharitis
    (2012) MALERBI, Fernando Korn; MARTINS, Lourdes Conceicao; SALDIVA, Paulo Hilario Nascimento; BRAGA, Alfesio Luis Ferreira
    Background: Even though air pollutants exposure is associated with changes in the ocular surface and tear film, its relationship to the clinical course of blepharitis, a common eyelid disease, had not yet been investigated. Our objective was to investigate the correlation between air pollution and acute manifestations of blepharitis. Method: We recorded all cases of changes in the eyelids and ocular surface, and rated clinical findings on a scale from zero (normal) to two (severe alterations). Daily values of carbon monoxide, particulate matter smaller than 10 mu m in diameter and nitrogen dioxide concentrations and meteorological variables (temperature and relative humidity) in the vicinity of the medical service were obtained. Specific linear regression models for each outcome were constructed including pollutants as independent variables (single pollutant models). Temperature and humidity were included as confounding variables. Results: increases of 28.8 mu g/m(3) in the concentration of particulate matter and 1.1 ppm in the concentration of CO were associated with increases in cases of blepharitis on the day of exposure (5 cases, 95% CI: 1-10 and 6 cases, 95% CI: 1-12, respectively). Conclusion: Exposure to usual air pollutants concentrations present in large cities affects, in a consistent manner, the eyes of residents contributing to the increasing incidence of diseases of the eyelid margin.
  • article 2 Citação(ões) na Scopus
    Inhaled ultrafine particles, epigenetics and systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases
    (2020) FARHAT, Sylvia Costa Lima; YARIWAKE, Victor Yuji; VERAS, Mariana Matera; BRAGA, Alfesio Luis Ferreira; MALUF, Adriana Elias; SILVA, Clovis Artur
  • article 2 Citação(ões) na Scopus
    Air pollution influence on serum inflammatory interleukins: A prospective study in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematous patients
    (2021) FARHAT, Sylvia Costa Lima; EJNISMAN, Carolina; ALVES, Andressa Guariento Ferreira; GOULART, Maria Fernanda Giacomin; LICHTENFELS, Ana Julia de Faria Coimbra; BRAGA, Alfesio Luis Ferreira; PEREIRA, Luiz Alberto Amador; ELIAS, Adriana Maluf; SILVA, Clovis A.
    Objective To assess the effect of individual exposure, in real-time, to traffic-related pollutants on serum interleukin levels of childhood-onset lupus erythematous systemic (c-SLE) patients. Methods A longitudinal and observational design was conducted in 12 repeated measures of serum samples and clinical evaluations (totaling 108 measurements) of c-SLE patients over 30 consecutive months. Real-time, individual exposure to fine particles (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) was measured with portable monitors. Generalized estimating equation was used to evaluate the association between exposure to PM2.5 and NO2 and the following serum cytokine levels on the 7 days preceding clinical assessment and serum collection: MCP1, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-17, IFN-alpha, and TNF-alpha. Disease activity and other risk factors were also controlled. Results An interquartile range (IQR) increase in PM2.5 daily concentration was significantly associated with increased levels of TNF-alpha on the third, fourth, and seventh day after exposure; IL-10 on the third and fourth day after exposure; IL-17 on the third and seventh day after exposure; and INF-alpha on the third day after exposure (p < 0.05). An IQR increase in 7-day moving average of PM2.5 was associated with a 6.2 pg/mL (95% CI: 0.5; 11.8; p = 0.04) increase in serum IFN-alpha level. An unexpected significant association was observed between an IQR increase in NO(2)7-day cumulative concentration and a decrease of 1.6 pg/mL (95% CI: -2.6; -0.7; p < 0.001) in serum IL-17. Conclusion Real-time exposure to PM2.5 prospectively associated with increased serum TNF-alpha, INF-alpha, IL-10, and IL-17 levels in c-SLE patients.
  • article 32 Citação(ões) na Scopus
    Air pollution and pediatric hospital admissions due to respiratory diseases in Cubatao, Sao Paulo State, Brazil, from 1997 to 2004
    (2011) JASINSKI, Renata; PEREIRA, Luiz Alberto Amador; BRAGA, Alfesio Luis Ferreira
    The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of air pollutants and their lag structures in relation to respiratory morbidity among children and adolescents in the city of Cubatao, Sao Paulo State, Brazil, from 1997 to 2004. An ecological time-series study was performed, analyzing respiratory hospital admissions of children and adolescents in National Health System hospitals in Cubatao. Generalized linear Poisson regression models were used to control for seasonality, temperature, humidity, and short-term trends. PM(10) and ozone were significantly associated with respiratory hospital admissions. Among children, inter-quartile range increases in the PM(10) 7-day moving average (56.5 mu g/m(3)) and in the ozone 5-day moving average (46.7 mu g/m(3)) led to increases of 9.6% (95%CI: 3.0%-16.1%) and 2.4% (95%CI: 0.1%-4.7%) in respiratory hospital admissions, respectively. Efforts to reduce air pollutants need to be adopted to minimize the adverse effects on children and adolescents in Cubatao.
  • article 15 Citação(ões) na Scopus
    Influence of air pollution on renal activity in patients with childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus
    (2020) GOULART, Maria Fernanda Giacomin; ALVES, Andressa Guariento Ferreira; FARHAT, Juliana; BRAGA, Alfesio Luis Ferreira; PEREIRA, Luiz Alberto Amador; LICHTENFELS, Ana Julia de Faria Coimbra; CAMPOS, Lucia Maria de Arruda; SILVA, Clovis Artur Almeida da; ELIAS, Adriana Maluf; FARHAT, Sylvia Costa Lima
    Background Childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE) is an autoimmune and multifactorial disease that can affect the renal system. Exposure to air pollution can trigger systemic inflammation in cSLE patients and increase risk of disease activity. We evaluated effects of individual real-time exposure to air pollutants on renal activity in cSLE patients using the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000. Methods Longitudinal panel study of 108 repetitive measures from 9 pediatric lupus patients. Over three consecutive weeks, daily individual levels of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) were measured, as well as weekly clinical evaluation and laboratory tests. This was repeated every 10 weeks over a 1-year period. Specific generalized estimating equation models were used to evaluate the impact of these pollutants on risk of nephritis and anti-dsDNA > 20 UI/mL and on 24-h urine protein and serum complement (C3) levels. Results An interquartile range (IQR) increase of 18.12 mu g/m(3) in PM2.5 daily concentration was associated with increased risk of nephritis and positive results for anti-dsDNA. Moreover, increase in 24-h urine protein and decrease in C3 serum levels also associated with exposure to pollutants. An IQR increase in PM(2.5)7-day moving average was associated with increased risks of leukocyturia (3.4; 95% CI 2.6:4.3), positive anti-dsDNA (3.1; 95% CI 2.1:4.0), and 36.3-mg increase (95% IC 20.2:52.3) in 24-h urine protein. An IQR increase (63.1 mu g/m(3)) in 7-day cumulative NO2 levels was associated with decreased serum C3 levels. Conclusions This prospective study suggests exposure to air pollution can trigger renal activity in cSLE patients.
  • article 41 Citação(ões) na Scopus
    Burnt Sugarcane Harvesting - Cardiovascular Effects on a Group of Healthy Workers, Brazil
    (2012) BARBOSA, Cristiane Maria Galvao; TERRA-FILHO, Mario; ALBUQUERQUE, Andre Luis Pereira de; GIORGI, Dante Di; GRUPI, Cesar; NEGRAO, Carlos Eduardo; RONDON, Maria Urbana Pinto Brandao; MARTINEZ, Daniel Godoy; MARCOURAKIS, Tania; SANTOS, Fabiana Almeida dos; BRAGA, Alfesio Luis Ferreira; ZANETTA, Dirce Maria Trevisan; SANTOS, Ubiratan de Paula
    Background: Brazil is the world's largest producer of sugarcane. Harvest is predominantly manual, exposing workers to health risks: intense physical exertion, heat, pollutants from sugarcane burning. Design: Panel study to evaluate the effects of burnt sugarcane harvesting on blood markers and on cardiovascular system. Methods: Twenty-eight healthy male workers, living in the countryside of Brazil were submitted to blood markers, blood pressure, heart rate variability, cardiopulmonary exercise testing, sympathetic nerve activity evaluation and forearm blood flow measures (venous occlusion plethysmography) during burnt sugarcane harvesting and four months later while they performed other activities in sugar cane culture. Results: Mean participant age was 31 +/- 6.3 years, and had worked for 9.8 +/- 8.4 years on sugarcane work. Work during the harvest period was associated with higher serum levels of Creatine Kinase - 136.5 U/L (IQR: 108.5-216.0) vs. 104.5 U/L (IQR: 77.5-170.5), (p = 0.001); plasma Malondialdehyde-7.5 +/- 1.4 mu M/dl vs. 6.9 +/- 1.0 mu M/dl, (p = 0.058); Glutathione Peroxidase - 55.1 +/- 11.8 Ug/Hb vs. 39.5 +/- 9.5 Ug/Hb, (p < 0.001); Glutathione Transferase- 3.4 +/- 1.3 Ug/Hb vs. 3.0 +/- 1.3 Ug/Hb, (p = 0.001); and 24-hour systolic blood pressure - 120.1 +/- 10.3 mmHg vs. 117.0 +/- 10.0 mmHg, (p = 0.034). In cardiopulmonary exercise testing, rest-to-peak diastolic blood pressure increased by 11.12 mmHg and 5.13 mmHg in the harvest and non-harvest period, respectively. A 10 miliseconds reduction in rMSSD and a 10 burst/min increase in sympathetic nerve activity were associated to 2.2 and 1.8 mmHg rises in systolic arterial pressure, respectively. Conclusion: Work in burnt sugarcane harvesting was associated with changes in blood markers and higher blood pressure, which may be related to autonomic imbalance.