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- The allergenic potential of green urban areas in the Macaronesian islands: the case of Funchal City (Madeira)Publication . Camacho, Irene; Macías-de-la-Rosa, Álvaro; Camacho, Roberto; Agnieszka Grinn-Gofroń; Cariñanos, PalomaPublic gardens are elements that constitute the urban green infrastructure. Such units provide ecosystem services that are becoming a key concern in urban planning strategies. In this survey the allergenic potential of two public gardens in Funchal, a city exhibiting sub tropical and Mediterranean climatic features, was assessed. Different allergenic risk scenarios were considered, and the Allergenicity Indexes recalculated. Results show that the Municipal Garden exhibits an IUGZA (Index of Urban Green Zone Allergenicity) of 0,39 and Santa Catarina Park an IUGZA of 0,16, which are considered spaces of moderate and low allergenicity level, respectively. Among the tested scenarios that could aggravate the IUGZA values, the worst would be an extension of the pollen season for all species. This might represent an issue considering the overall trend towards an earlier start and later end of the pollen season from important allergenic plants in Europe. The assessment of the IUGZA should include all plant biotypes of an urban green area in subtropical regions as they allow us to infer more precisely on the real risk population is exposed to. It seems that increasing species diversity can improve the allergenic indexes, but novel invasive species should be studied to assess their allergenicity level.
- Analyzing the effects of competitive fatigue on body composition and functional capacities of youth elite handball playersPublication . Martins, Francisco; França, Cíntia; Sarmento, Hugo; Przednowek, Krzysztof; Śliż, Maciej; Campos, Pedro; Lopes, Helder; Marques, Adilson; Gouveia, Élvio Rúbio; Pestana Martins, João Francisco; França, Cíntia; Sarmento, Hugo; Pereira Campos, Pedro Filipe; Lopes, Helder; Marques, Adilson; Gouveia, Élvio RúbioHandball demands intense movements like rapid direction changes and physical contact. Consecutive competitions expose player fatigue and weaknesses due to the sport’s exhaustive nature. Therefore, the aims of this study are twofold: (i) to investigate the impact of competitive fatigue on the body composition of youth elite handball players, and (ii) to analyze the impact of concentrated competition on their functional capacity performance. Seventeen young male handball players (age: 16.2 years, height; 177.8 cm, body mass: 73.0 kg) were assessed twenty-four hours before (TM1) and after the competitive period (TM2) in body composition, static strength, lower- and upper-body explosive strength, speed, agility, balance, and flexibility indicators. A Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test was conducted to assess differences in body composition and functional capacities assessment between TM1 and TM2. Regarding results, body mass significantly increased in TM2 (p < 0.01), while increases in waist circumference and body fat percentage were not statistically significant. Functional capacity assessments revealed a significant decline in jumping performance (CMJ and SJ; p ≤ 0.01). Speed and agility assessments showed worse performance in TM2, significantly increasing 30 m sprint time (p ≤ 0.01). Balance indicators showed no significant differences, with mixed results in performance across different conditions. In sum, evaluating vertical jumps and long-distance maximum speed (i.e., 30 meters) could be valid tests for measuring and controlling fatigue in young elite handball players. Future research should regularly monitor young handballers after the competition to analyze the entire fatigue recovery process.
- Associations between pulmonary function and muscle strength in turkish national karate athletesPublication . Tokgoz, Gurkan; Cinarli, Sena; Akyol, Betül; Aygoren, Caner; Beykumul, Aysegul; Larsen, Malte Nejst; Krustrup, Peter; França, Cíntia; Gouveia, Élvio Rúbio; Cinarli, Fahri Safa; França, Cíntia; Gouveia, Élvio RúbioBackground: Respiratory efficiency is considered important in karate due to its role in sustaining muscular performance during high-intensity actions. This study examined the association between pulmonary function and isometric muscle strength in national-level karate athletes. Methods: A total of 23 elite karate athletes (mean age: 23.0 ± 2.3 (mean ± SD) years) participated in the study. Pulmonary function was assessed using a digital spirometer, while isometric handgrip, lower back, and leg strength were measured using a dynamometer. The correlation between pulmonary function and isometric strength was analyzed, and linear regression was employed to examine the predictive capacity of pulmonary parameters for muscle strength. Results: The results revealed significant correlations, ranging from large to very large, between pulmonary function and isometric muscle strength, with correlation coefficients from 0.639 to 0.812 (p < 0.01). Pulmonary function was strongly associated with isometric strength, accounting for 27% to 67% of the variance (p < 0.05). Multiple regression analysis revealed that pulmonary function parameters accounted for 71% of the variance in handgrip strength, 47% in leg strength, and 71% in back strength (p < 0.05). Conclusions: These findings highlight the strong associations between pulmonary function and isometric muscle strength in elite karate athletes. The results emphasize the importance of pulmonary health and respiratory muscle function in athletic performance, particularly for sports requiring high-intensity, dynamic movements like karate. Future longitudinal studies are needed to explore the mechanisms underlying the association and potential implications, and for training and performance optimization.
- Bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity from spent coffee grounds as a powerful approach for Its valorizationPublication . Andrade, Carolina; Perestrelo, Rosa; Câmara, José S.Coffee is one of the world’s most popular beverages, and its consumption generates copious amounts of waste. The most relevant by-product of the coffee industry is the spent coffee grounds, with 6 million tons being produced worldwide per year. Although generally treated as waste, spent coffee grounds are a rich source of several bioactive compounds with applications in diverse industrial fields. The present work aimed at the analysis of spent coffee grounds from different geographical origins (Guatemala, Colombia, Brazil, Timor, and Ethiopia) for the identification of bioactive compounds with industrial interest. For this purpose, the identification and quantification of the bioactive compounds responsible for the antioxidant activity attributed to the spent coffee grounds were attempted using miniaturized solid-phase extraction (µ-SPEed), combined with ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection (UHPLC-PDA). After validation of the µ-SPEed/UHPLC-PDA method, this allowed us to conclude that caffeine and 5-caffeoylquinic acid (5-CQA) are the most abundant bioactive compounds in all samples studied. The total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity are highest in Brazilian samples. The results obtained show that spent coffee grounds are a rich source of bioactive compounds, supporting its bioprospection based on the circular economy concept closing the loop of the coffee value chain, toward the valorization of coffee by-products.
- Case report: human dermatitis linked to Ornithonyssus bursa (Dermanyssoidea: Macronyssidae) infestation in PortugalPublication . Waap, Helga; Aguin-Pombo, Dora; Maia, Maria; Aguin-Pombo, DoraOrnithonyssus bursa (Berlese, 1888), also known as the tropical fowl mite, is a blood-feeding ectoparasite of domestic and wild birds. It is considered a serious pest to poultry in warm and tropical climates and has been reported to attack humans, causing gamasoidosis. Avian-mite dermatitis may be difficult to recognize and misdiagnosed as bites from other arthropods. The present report describes two cases of human dermatitis linked to O. bursa infestation. Both cases occurred in an apartment in a residential area in Oeiras, Portugal, where two members of the same family presented with pruritic erythematous skin eruptions disseminated over their body over a period of 4 months. The lesions were located mostly in the pelvic, gluteal, coccygeal, and perineal regions, and also on the neck, wrists and torso. On inspecting the mattresses and the covers of the bedrooms, three mites ~1 mm long by 0.5 mm wide were found. The three specimens were identified as O. bursa. Investigations tracing back the source of infestation, revealed that the mites were carried over from chickens raised 45 km away (Sesimbra, Setúbal) that, after being slaughtered for consumption, had been transported by car to the apartment in Oeiras. The chickens were farmed in an open backyard henhouse that allowed free access to several species of wild birds, including pigeons (Columba livia), turtle doves (Streptopelia decaocto), and sparrows (Passer domesticus). Recent reports suggest that O. bursa may be established in Mediterranean countries, increasing the risk of gamasoidosis. This is the first record linking O. bursa infestation of chickens with human dermatitis in continental Portugal. More research is needed to assess the extent of poultry infestation and evaluate the possible implications for the poultry industry, as well as for human health in Portugal.
- Change in spatiotemporal parameters during running at different degrees of inclination: systematic reviewPublication . Marszałek, Patryk; Przednowek, Krzysztof; França, Cíntia; Martinho, Diogo V.; Marques, Adilson; Ferrari, Gerson; Paśko, Wojciech; Gouveia, Élvio Rúbio; França, Cíntia; Martinho, Diogo; Marques, Adilson; Gouveia, Élvio RúbioBackground:Running is one of the simplest and most popular forms of exercise. Biomechanical evaluation of running is one of the elements of evaluating running technique and, consequently, improving sports performance. Running uphill and downhill is one of the components of daily running but also an element of training used by recreational runners. The aim of this study is to optimize running training and minimize the risk of injury by identifying changes in the spatiotemporal structure of running at different inclinations. Methods: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. The protocol has been registered on the international platform INPLASY under the number INPLASY202430094U2. The search was conducted up to 30 March 2024 using the Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science databases. Results: Spatiotemporal parameters were most frequently analyzed at 2.8–3.35 m/s velocities and inclinations in the range of −11% to 11%. Decreases in stride length (SL) and flight time (FT), and increases in step frequency (SF) were the most frequently reported changes from all parameters analyzed as a function of inclination and velocity. Significant increases or decreases in individual parameters were more often observed for positive inclination values than negative ones. Conclusions: The heterogeneous results of the study limit the possibility of determining the changes that occur in the spatiotemporal structure of the run under the impact of different inclinations. The variation in the results for negative inclination values indicates the different characteristics of running uphill and downhill. However, for uphill running, SF, SL, and FT are closely related to the increase in inclination.
- A comparative study of the biological properties of Eugenia uniflora L. fruits and leaves related to the prevention of cardiovascular diseasesPublication . Gonçalves, Jéssica; Hontman, Nance; Perestrelo, Rosa; Câmara, José S.; Hontman, Nance; Perestrelo, Rosa; Câmara, JoséCardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of death globally, emphasizing the need for effective preventive strategies. Plant-based foods, rich in phytochemicals, offer a promising potential in CVD prevention. This study investigated the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antihypertensive properties of two Eugenia uniflora L. varieties (orange and purple pitanga) and their leaves. Their antioxidant activity was assessed using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical cation scavenging activity assays, while their antihypertensive activity was evaluated through angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition. Their anti-inflammatory potential was determined via protein denaturation inhibition. Both fruit varieties exhibited similar bioactivities, with the purple variety showing a slightly higher activity, except in the DPPH and ABTS assays. The leaves consistently demonstrated the lowest activities across all assays. Free polyphenols, dominated by gallic acid, were quantified using µ-QuEChERS followed by ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC-PDA). The orange variety contained the highest concentration of gallic acid (13.1 mg/100 g DW). These findings highlight the potential of Eugenia uniflora L. extracts as natural antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antihypertensive agents, suggesting their value in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic applications for promoting human health and preventing CVDs.
- Exploring the role of relationship dynamics and chronic illness in psychological outcomes among cohabiting couples during the COVID-19 pandemicPublication . Lacomba-Trejo, Laura; Portugal, Alda; Vieira, Ana Diniz; Randall, Ashley K.; Relvas, Ana Paula; Portugal, AldaBackground: The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has exacerbated mental health difficulties among couples. Factors such as chronic physical illness, perceived threat of COVID-19, dyadic coping, and relationship quality may influence levels of psychological distress, including symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress. This study aimed to examine how these individual and relational variables are associated with psychological outcomes in cohabiting couples during the first national lockdown in Portugal. Methods: A mixed-methods study was conducted with a sample of 956 individuals (83.9% women), aged 18 to 81 years (M = 40.76, SD = 10.42), living with a romantic partner for at least one year. Participants completed validated self-report instruments: Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales - 21 Items (DASS-21) to assess anxiety, depression, and stress; the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (B-IPQ) to evaluate COVID-19 threat perception; the Perceived Relationship Quality Component – Short Version (PRQC-SV) to assess relationship quality; and the Dyadic Coping Inventory (DCI) to measure dyadic coping. Hierarchical linear regression and fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) were used to examine associations between variables. The study received prior approval from the Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences of the University of Coimbra. Results: The regression models accounted from between 17% to 21% of the variances of the dependent variables. In the case of the Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) models, the models explained between 11% and 85% of the cases. Hierarchical regression models (HRMs) showed that COVID-19 threat perception and relationship quality were significantly associated with mental health outcomes. In QCA models, low threat perception and high relationship quality and coping skills correlated with lower psychological distress. Conclusions: Chronic illness was not significantly associated with psychological distress when compared to COVID-19 threat perception, relationship quality, and dyadic coping. These insights are vital for managing mental health of couples during crises. By underscoring the importance of threat perception, relationship quality, and coping for psychological well-being management during health crises, this study offers valuable insights for supporting couples through periods of adversity.
- Gelatin-based ballistic gel formulated with phytosynthesized nanocellulose from Arundo donax for alpha-amylase enzyme inhibition activityPublication . Jeevanandam, Jaison; Castro, Rita; Rodrigues, João; Castro, Rita; Rodrigues, JoãoArundo donax, an indigenous plant in the Mediterranean region, has affected the growth of native vegetation as an invasive plant, ultimately reducing soil quality and affecting the food chain in several areas of the world. Thus, the present work aims to obtain cellulose from the A. donax leaf extract via organosolv fractionation and bleaching method, followed by centrifugal fractionation to yield nanocellulose of moderately monodispersed (0.428 PDI) 91.2 nm in size and a zeta potential of -35.5 mV of high stability in aqueous medium (water). In addition, the resultant nanocellulose was formulated in ballistic gelatin hydrogel, and their antidiabetic effect via alpha-amylase enzyme inhibition activity was also investigated. Systematic characterization of the hydrogel samples (different volume ratios of gelatin and nanocellulose) revealed that the sample with 18:2 (v/v) gelatin: nanocellulose content is thermally stable until 152 ◦C, releasing nanocellulose for three days from hydrogel until 45 ◦C. This study confirms the feasibility and potential of utilizing invasive plant species to extract nanocellulose for medical purposes. Furthermore, the gelatin-formulated nanocellulose, with its demonstrated alpha-amylase inhibition activity at a dosage of 80 µg/mL, holds the promise of being a potential revolutionary medical gummy for sustained reduction of blood glucose levels.
- The impact of schoolbags on postural health in school-aged children: an updated systematic reviewPublication . Ashraf, Sadaf; Bento, César; Sabino, Bebiana; Antunes, Hélio; França, Cíntia; Lopes, Helder; Rodrigues, Ana; Bento, César; Antunes, Hélio; França, Cíntia; Lopes, Helder; Rodrigues, AnaSchoolbags represent a common source of physical strain for school-aged children and may influence posture during critical years of growth. This systematic review synthesizes evidence published since the previous review (1995–2014), which mainly focused on load thresholds and did not consider postural health as a multidimensional outcome. The review protocol was prospectively registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251080328). PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were systematically searched up to 11 June 2024. Of 1013 screened articles, 12 studies met the inclusion criteria. Schoolbag weight was the most frequently investigated factor, followed by postural and spinal alterations, particularly scoliosis. Excessive loads were consistently associated with trunk inclination, postural asymmetry, lumbar strain, and musculoskeletal discomfort. Several studies reported demographic differences, with girls showing greater susceptibility to postural deviations and boys carrying heavier loads. Compared with earlier evidence, more recent studies employed improved postural assessment methods and broader outcome frameworks incorporating ergonomic and behavioral factors. Despite methodological heterogeneity, findings support limiting schoolbag weight to 10–15% of body weight. This review highlights the importance of integrating ergonomic design, carrying behaviors, and demographic modifiers into school health guidelines and provides practical recommendations for clinicians, educators, and policymakers.