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Dupont C, Gilissen J, Dassen FCM, Branco RM, Heins P, Heffernan E, Bartels SL. Supporting early-career dementia researchers: Identifying support needs and ways forward via a European study. Alzheimers Dement 2024; 20:1321-1333. [PMID: 37983858 PMCID: PMC10917051 DOI: 10.1002/alz.13530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Early-career researchers contribute significantly to dementia research and clinical practice. However, a growing group of early-career dementia researchers (ECDRs) lack appropriate support throughout their careers. Thus, we aim to (i) explore support needs, (ii) determine recommendations, and (iii) set the agenda for organizations to better support ECDRs. METHODS An iterative, explanatory sequential mixed-methods design was applied. First ECDRs' needs were identified using an online survey informed by the Vitae Researcher Development Framework. Next, priority areas were selected and explored qualitatively with ECDRs in two workshops, utilizing the World Café methodology. RESULTS Sixty-five ECDRs throughout Europe completed the survey, with the majority reporting that greater support is needed in terms of funding and career opportunities, social support and well-being, and "wide-reaching" dissemination. DISCUSSION Based on the findings, six recommendations for support organizations, funding bodies, and universities to better support ECDRs are formulated, each intended for specific target audiences. HIGHLIGHTS This article reports on focal points of career-related support needed in doctoral education and postdoctoral employment to foster a healthier academic environment, including finance, work-life balance, dissemination of research findings, and supervision, both in general and in dementia fields specifically. Funding and resources were identified as a significant challenge, and there was a call for more long-term positions and transition funding for postdoctoral researchers. Early-career dementia researchers addressed the need for support in producing outputs for non-academic audiences, including people living with dementia. The importance of disseminating research to diverse audiences has long been recognized; thus, it is critical that early-career dementia researchers be supported in this effort. Recommendations were formulated for researcher support (organizations), funding bodies, and universities. These recommendations include providing support for disseminating research to non-academic audiences, offering training in supervision skills, and promoting peer-to-peer mentoring and social activities for early-career dementia researchers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlèss Dupont
- End‐of‐Life Care Research Group, Department of Family Medicine & Chronic CareVrije Universiteit BrusselGentBelgium
| | - Joni Gilissen
- End‐of‐Life Care Research Group, Department of Family Medicine & Chronic CareVrije Universiteit BrusselGentBelgium
- Mongan Institute Center for Aging and Serious IllnessMassachusetts General HospitalBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Fania C. M. Dassen
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology and Alzheimer Centrum LimburgMaastricht UniversityMaastrichtthe Netherlands
| | - Rita Maldonado Branco
- Research Institute for DesignMedia and Culture (ID+)Department of Communication and ArtUniversidade de AveiroAveiroPortugal
| | - Pascale Heins
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology and Alzheimer Centrum LimburgMaastricht UniversityMaastrichtthe Netherlands
| | - Eithne Heffernan
- National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Nottingham Biomedical Research CentreNottinghamUK
- Hearing SciencesMental Health and Clinical NeurosciencesSchool of MedicineUniversity of NottinghamNottinghamUK
| | - Sara Laureen Bartels
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology and Alzheimer Centrum LimburgMaastricht UniversityMaastrichtthe Netherlands
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Sousa A, Azevedo R, Costa VM, Oliveira S, Preguiça I, Viana S, Reis F, Almeida A, Matafome P, Dias-Pereira P, Carvalho F, Fernandes E, Freitas M. Biodistribution and intestinal inflammatory response following voluntary oral intake of silver nanoparticles by C57BL/6J mice. Arch Toxicol 2023; 97:2643-2657. [PMID: 37594589 PMCID: PMC10474984 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-023-03558-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
Silver nanoparticles (AgNP) are among the most widely commercialized nanomaterials globally, with applications in medicine and the food industry. Consequently, the increased use of AgNP in the food industry has led to an unavoidable rise in human exposure to these nanoparticles. Their widespread use raises concerns about potential hazards to human health, specifically their intestinal pro-inflammatory effects. Thus, the main objective of this study was to evaluate the biological effects of two subacute doses of 5 nm polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-AgNP in C57BL/6J mice. One mg/kg body weight or 10 mg/kg bw was provided once a day for 14 days, using a new technology (HaPILLness) that allows voluntary, stress-free, and accurate oral dosing. It was observed that after oral ingestion, while AgNP is biodistributed throughout the entire organism, most of the ingested dose is excreted in the feces. The passage and accumulation of AgNP throughout the intestine instigated a prominent inflammatory response, marked by significant histological, vascular, and cellular transformations. This response was driven by the activation of the nuclear factor-кB (NF-кB) inflammatory pathway, ultimately leading to the generation of multiple cytokines and chemokines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adelaide Sousa
- LAQV, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Applied Chemistry, Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira N.º 228, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal
| | - Rui Azevedo
- LAQV, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Applied Chemistry, Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira N.º 228, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal
| | - Vera Marisa Costa
- UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050‑313, Porto, Portugal
- Associated Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Sara Oliveira
- Coimbra Institute of Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Faculty of Medicine and Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Inês Preguiça
- Coimbra Institute of Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Faculty of Medicine and Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Sofia Viana
- Coimbra Institute of Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Faculty of Medicine and Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Instituto Politécnico de Coimbra, Coimbra Health School (ESTeSC), Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Flávio Reis
- Coimbra Institute of Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Faculty of Medicine and Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Agostinho Almeida
- LAQV, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Applied Chemistry, Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira N.º 228, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal
| | - Paulo Matafome
- Coimbra Institute of Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Faculty of Medicine and Center for Innovative Biomedicine and Biotechnology (CIBB), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
- Instituto Politécnico de Coimbra, Coimbra Health School (ESTeSC), Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Patrícia Dias-Pereira
- ICBAS School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Félix Carvalho
- UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050‑313, Porto, Portugal
- Associated Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Eduarda Fernandes
- LAQV, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Applied Chemistry, Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira N.º 228, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal.
| | - Marisa Freitas
- LAQV, REQUIMTE, Laboratory of Applied Chemistry, Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, Rua de Jorge Viterbo Ferreira N.º 228, 4050-313, Porto, Portugal.
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