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Browsing Universidade da Madeira by Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) "03:Saúde de Qualidade"
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- Assessment of the biological properties of Eugenia uniflora related with prevention of cardiovascular diseasesPublication . Gonçalves, Jéssica Mariana Abreu; Câmara, José de SousaPlant-based foods constitute a significant source of phytochemical compounds that can help to prevent the occurrence of several diseases, including cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), which currently constitute the leading cause of death worldwide. This work aimed the analysis of two different varieties (orange and purple) of Eugenia uniflora L. (Myrtaceae) fruits (pitanga) and Eugenia uniflora L. leaves, to evaluate their biological properties namely those related with the prevention of CVDs, including the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antihypertensive activities. The antioxidant activity was assessed using spectrophotometric techniques applied to two different in vitro assays, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging method, and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical cation scavenging activity. The antioxidant activity was correlated with total polyphenol content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and total anthocyanin content (TAC). The antihypertensive activity was carried out based on the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) assay while the anti-inflammatory capacity was evaluated using the protein denaturation inhibition assay. The study revealed that both varieties of Eugenia uniflora L., demonstrated comparable values across the measured parameters, with the purple variety generally displaying slightly higher values, except for DPPH and ABTS assays. However, these differences were not statistically significant. Among the tested samples, Eugenia uniflora L. leaves consistently showed the lowest values in all assays. Free polyphenols were identified using the µ-QuEChERS extraction technique combined with ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography equipped with a photodiode array detection system (UHPLC-PDA). Notably, UHPLC-PDA analysis allowed the identification of gallic acid, syringaldehyde, resveratrol, quercetin, cinnamic acid, and kaempferol, in the target samples. Gallic acid was found as the most dominant polyphenol across all samples, with the orange pitanga variety presenting the highest concentration (13.1 ± 0.5 mg/100 g DW). This exploratory study showed that Eugenia uniflora L. fruits and leaves extracts hold potential to be used namely as natural antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antihypertensive agents, with different applications in food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, for instance. These findings underscore the value of Eugenia uniflora L. extracts as a robust source of bioactive compounds highlighting their potential role in promoting human health, particularly in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs).
- O bem-estar dos cuidadores formais no Serviço de Apoio Domiciliário (S.A.D.): uma perspetiva psicoeducativaPublication . Ferreira, Catarina Miranda; Pocinho, Margarida Maria Ferreira Diogo DiasEsta dissertação investiga o bem-estar das cuidadoras formais no âmbito do Serviço de Apoio Domiciliário (SAD) na Região Autónoma da Madeira (RAM), sob uma perspetiva psicoeducativa. O objetivo deste estudo é compreender as determinantes do bem-estar das cuidadoras formais, considerando tanto os fatores de proteção quanto os de risco, e, em última instância, destacar o papel do psicólogo numa abordagem psicoeducativa neste contexto. A literatura enfatiza a crescente importância da profissão de cuidadora formal, especialmente no apoio domiciliário, uma área ainda pouco explorada no campo da Psicologia da Educação. Trata-se de um estudo qualitativo e transversal, que utiliza a análise temática de Braun e Clarke (2006), por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas, analisadas com o software Nvivo. Os resultados evidenciam fatores como o suporte familiar, as condições de trabalho, a saúde física e mental, o bem-estar do idoso, as características demográficas e socioeconómicas, assim como a formação e educação. Além disso, foi sublinhada a importância da intervenção psicoeducativa na prática diária das cuidadoras. Este estudo contribui para uma compreensão mais profunda das necessidades das cuidadoras formais e do papel essencial da intervenção psicoeducativa na promoção do seu bem estar. Identificaram-se limitações no estudo, acompanhadas de sugestões para investigações futuras.
- Enhanced alpha-amylase inhibition activity of amine-terminated PAMAM dendrimer stabilized pure copper-doped magnesium oxide nanoparticlesPublication . Jeevanandam, Jaison; Gonçalves, Mara; Castro, Rita; Gallo, Juan; Bañobre-López, Manuel; Rodrigues, João; Gonçalves, Mara; Castro, Rita; Rodrigues, JoãoThe present work aims to prepare copper-doped MgO nanoparticles via a sol-gel approach and study their antidiabetic alpha-amylase inhibition activity with undoped MgO nanoparticles. The ability of G5 amine terminated polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimer for the controlled release of copper-doped MgO nano particles to exhibit alpha-amylase inhibition activity was also evaluated. The synthesis of MgO nanoparticles via sol-gel approach and optimization of calcination temperature and time has led to the formation of nanoparticles with different shapes (spherical, hexagonal, and rod-shaped) and a polydispersity in size ranging from 10 to 100 nm with periclase crystalline phase. The presence of copper ions in the MgO nanoparticles has altered their crystallite size, eventually modifying their size, morphology, and surface charge. The efficiency of dendrimer to stabilize spherical copper-doped MgO nanoparticles (ca. 30 %) is higher than in other samples, which was confirmed by UV–Visible, DLS, FTIR, and TEM analysis. The amylase inhibition assay emphasized that the dendrimer nanoparticles stabilization has led to the prolonged enzyme inhibition ability of MgO and copper doped MgO nanoparticles for up to 24 h.
- Estudos de investigação em psicologia clínica-narrativa. Escrita terapêutica e o processo de luto de mães que experienciaram uma perda gestacional precoce: o bem-estar narrativoPublication . Paiva, Teresa Catarina de; Soares, Maria Luísa Pereira; Faria, Ana Lúcia dos SantosA perda gestacional precoce afeta profundamente os pais, com uma prevalência de 20% a 50%, sendo o luto complicado (LC) uma das questões mais prevalentes e desafiadoras deste acontecimento. A Terapia Narrativa (TN) e a Realidade Virtual (RV) emergem neste estudo como potenciais abordagens de intervenção psicológica. Objetivos: Expandir a investigação sobre a perda gestacional precoce, ressaltando a necessidade de intervenções inovadoras e humanistas/empáticas. O principal objetivo recai na análise de narrativas de mães que enfrentaram uma perda gestacional, categorizando as suas narrativas escritas e identificando possíveis marcadores, facilitadores ou não do seu processo de luto. Metodologia: É um estudo de caso de duas mães que experienciaram uma perda gestacional precoce. As narrativas foram recolhidas a partir de um projeto de investigação em curso – AViR (Cameirão & Fonseca, 2022) e foram analisadas a partir de 3 instrumentos de avaliação de Narrativas – Conteúdo, Estrutura e Processo (Gonçalves et al., 2001a; Gonçalves et al., 2001b; Gonçalves et al., 2002b). Resultados: A análise de resultados revelou que a narrativa da participante que foi sujeita à intervenção com realidade virtual demonstrou sinais de maior bem-estar. Parâmetros como maior capacidade de metaforização e subjetividade cognitiva na descrição da perda gestacional precoce foram identificados com maior relevância. Conclusões: A escrita terapêutica pode ajudar a ultrapassar o processo de luto. Atribuir significados à experiência está associado a processos de luto menos dolorosos. A escrita possibilita a captura de detalhes que explicam como foi experienciado o luto, contribuindo para uma compreensão mais profunda da experiência e a uma maior aceitação e integração na vida do sujeito.
- Estudos de investigação em psicologia clínica-narrativa. Escrita terapêutica nos cuidados paliativos: uma revisão sistemáticaPublication . Leal, Tatiana Vieira; Soares, Maria Luísa PereiraEsta revisão pretende contribuir cientificamente para melhorar a intervenção psicológica em Cuidados Paliativos, promovendo o bem-estar e a qualidade de vida dos pacientes, através da Terapia Narrativa e da escrita terapêutica como ferramenta de comunicação. A Organização Mundial de Saúde define os Cuidados Paliativos como a unidade de cuidados integrados que procura prevenir e aliviar o sofrimento dos doentes terminais e das suas famílias. As intervenções narrativas são relevantes no contexto paliativo, ajudando pacientes e familiares a construir a experiência da doença através da ressignificação dos sintomas. Esta revisão sistemática foi orientada pelas diretrizes PRISMA, um conjunto de bases de dados para a realização da pesquisa bibliográfica. Foram analisados 349 artigos, dos quais 42 apresentaram resultados relevantes. Os resultados demonstram a relevância da Terapia Narrativa e do uso da escrita terapêutica como forma de promover o bem-estar e a qualidade de vida dos pacientes em Cuidados Paliativos, dos profissionais de saúde e da população em geral. O foco na reflexão, no significado da experiência e da expressão emocional traduziu-se na redução da ansiedade e depressão. O estudo destaca a necessidade de refletir e desenvolver investigação psicológica sobre a intervenção paliativa e sobre a identificação do valor expressivo e comunicacional da Terapia Narrativa em Cuidados Paliativos.
- From design to evaluation: a human-centered approach to AI-powered remote cognitive training for stroke patientsPublication . Paulino, Teresa da Conceição Madureira; Cameirão, Mónica da SilvaStroke is a leading cause of long-term disability worldwide, often resulting in cognitive impairments that significantly impact patients' quality of life and independence. This doctoral thesis presents the design, development of the client-side modules, and evaluation of the NeuroAIreh@b platform, a remote cognitive training system specifically tailored for stroke survivors. The focus of this thesis is dual. First, a focus on a comprehensive human-centered design approach was used to design the modular platform that addresses the specific needs of stroke patients and healthcare professionals. Second, the automation of cognitive training through the development of the software module Reh@Sync allows the training to be performed remotely with reduced need for therapist intervention. The system integrates a set of cognitive training apps that incorporate activities of daily living, enhancing ecological validity and potential skill transfer to real-life situations. One of the key innovations of the Reh@Sync is the implementation of personalization and difficulty adaptation features, which use cognitive profiles and machine learning models to tailor interventions to the individual patient's needs and abilities. Moreover, the engineered system can universally integrate independent apps beyond the cognition dimension, making it a multipurpose system for multidimensional training. The design process involved multiple stakeholders and employed various techniques, including requirements engineering, ideation sessions, prototyping, and iterative usability evaluations. The development phase resulted in a modular system capable of integrating multiple cognitive training apps while maintaining customizability for individual users. The results of a feasibility study with 10 chronic stroke survivors who used the system for 4 weeks showed high levels of adherence, usability, and user satisfaction, indicating the potential for widespread adoption in home based rehabilitation settings. Regarding clinical outcomes after the intervention, we observed significant improvements for a subgroup that showed baseline cognition below the norm. Evaluation of the automation process revealed that the system efficiently personalized and adapted the training to each participant's profile. This research contributes to the fields of cognitive rehabilitation, informatics engineering, and human-computer interaction by providing a detailed account of the design, engineering, and development process of an automated remote cognitive training system for stroke survivors. The findings support the feasibility of self-administered digital cognitive training and highlight areas for future improvements, including expanding the difficulty range to accommodate higher-functioning individuals and incorporating a wider variety of content to enhance engagement.
- The impact of cognitive training on social cognition abilities: an exploratory study with acquired brain injuryPublication . Vasconcelos, Raquel Susana Sá Pereira de; Faria, Ana Lúcia dos Santos; Bermúdez i Badia, SergiIntroduction: Acquired Brain Injuries (ABI)are responsible for progressive and irreversible cognitive and behavioral deterioration, which can impair patients’ lives, increasing social isolation and mood changes, low control of impulses, reduced quality of life and, sometimes, loss of work. Post-ABI neuropsychological assessment is generally focused on memory, attention, language, and executive functions. Social cognition abilities are often overlooked, but these deficits can significantly impact a patient's personal and professional life. Assessment and intervention in social cognition within the context of ABI pose several challenges, namely the fact that existing instruments are mostly paper-and-pencil and, as such, might be impossible to perform by patients with motor deficits and, also importantly, lack ecological validity. Interactive technologies represent a promising alternative to tackle traditional paper-and-pencil instrument limitations. In the present study, we have used a virtual reality social cognition test - the CogMap Social Cognition - to examine the impact of a tablet-based cognitive training program on ABI patients’ social cognition, mood, and quality of life. Method: A single-blind experimental study with 12 ABI patients was performed. Participants were randomly assigned to the experimental (N=6) or control group (N=6). The experimental group underwent a 12-session tabled-based intervention with the Task Generator 2.0, and the control group performed time-matched treatment-as-usual (TAU). Both groups went through a multidomain neuropsychological assessment, which included the CogMap-SC, pre- and post intervention. Results: The experimental group improved significantly in all the cognitive domains assessed: memory, attention, executive functions, and social cognition, with higher levels of quality of life and a decrease in depressive symptomatology. In the control group, slight improvements were observed in attention and memory domains, along with a slight reduction in perceived quality of life and an increase in depressive symptomatology. However, there were no statistically significant differences between groups in social cognition after intervention. We have used the reliable change index to confer some robustness to our results. According to it, there were significant individual improvements in all the cognitive domains, suggesting that there was a change after the cognitive training. Conclusions: Despite the well-known cognitive training benefits in patients who suffered an ABI, there is no solid evidence to corroborate the efficacy of this intervention, mainly due to the study's small sample size and lack of statistical power. Although the results are modest and require further investigation, our study outcomes are promising and suggest that cognitive training benefits not only memory, attention, and executive functions but can generalize to social cognition abilities.
- Impacto da qualidade e variedade de produtos isentos de glúten na satisfação do consumidorPublication . Gomes, Daniela Vanessa Aguiar; Correia, Pedro Álvaro Pereira; Gouveia, Ricardo Nuno TeixeiraO paradigma atual sugere que existe um crescimento expressivo no número de indivíduos que aderem a dietas isentas de glúten, seja por motivos de saúde ou de estilo de vida. Esta tendência positiva fez aumentar as oportunidades no mercado dos produtos isentos de glúten, exigindo uma análise aprofundada da satisfação dos consumidores destes produtos relativamente à qualidade e variedade, que são os fatores que mais diferem dos produtos convencionais. Porquanto, foi realizado um questionário aos respetivos consumidores destes produtos, adultos e residentes em Portugal, com o intuito de compreender as suas perceções e o nível de satisfação geral com os produtos existentes no mercado. Foram obtidas 444 respostas, que demonstram que a qualidade e variedade dos produtos isentos de glúten exercem um impacto significativo na satisfação do consumidor. Os resultados deste estudo configuram-se como pilares fundamentais para o desenvolvimento de novos e melhores produtos por parte das empresas, criando valor a longo prazo para todos os stakeholders. Além disso, este estudo oferece contributos interessantes à comunidade científica, revelando lacunas em temas relevantes como hábitos alimentares, nutrição e desafios enfrentados no quotidiano dos consumidores que adotam dietas isentas de glúten. Em suma, o presente estudo fornece insights porventura valiosos para empresas, consumidores e investigadores, possibilitando a criação de novas estratégias capazes de impulsionar o crescimento sustentável deste mercado e, simultaneamente, atender às necessidades de um público cada vez mais consciente e comprometido com a alimentação saudável.
- Interactive technologies for cognitive stimulation and well-being of people with dementiaPublication . Fernandes, Paulo Brando Nóbrega; Faria, Ana Lúcia dos Santos; Ferreira, Luís Duarte AndradeGlobally, the aging population is expected to increase from 12% to 22% between 2015 and 2050. Approximately 20% of this population suffers from mental or neurological conditions, with dementia being one of the most prevalent. Dementia is characterized by progressive cognitive decline and is currently the seventh leading cause of death, posing significant social and economic challenges and requiring extensive support from healthcare and social services. Current treatments for dementia face substantial limitations, particularly pharmacological approaches, which often come with side effects and limited efficacy. Consequently, there is a growing need for innovative non-pharmacological interventions. This thesis explores innovative non-pharmacological approaches to dementia care using interactive technology and is divided into two parts. Part I depicts a randomized controlled trial of the serious game "SAUDÆDE," which integrates personalized cognitive activities based on music and reminiscence therapy for people with dementia in an augmented reality setting. This study assesses the impact of SAUDÆDE on cognition, mood, functionality, and quality of life in people with dementia, demonstrating significant benefits in overall cognitive function. Part II reviews the use of Virtual reality based interventions through the use of head-mounted displays in dementia care, highlighting their potential to enhance and promote engagement and therapeutic outcomes through exergames. These studies emphasize the importance of personalized, technology-driven interventions in dementia care, showcasing the potential of serious games and Virtual reality-based therapies to improve the well-being and cognitive health of PwD.
- Multifaceted biological activities of culinary herbs and spices extracts on alzheimer´s disease prevention, focusing on in vitro and in silico molecular docking simulationsPublication . Gonçalves, Nance Carina Hontman; Gouveia, Rosa Maria de Sá Perestrelo; Câmara, José de SousaCulinary herbs and spices are commonly used worldwide, valued not only for flavor and odor but also for their medicinal and therapeutic benefits. These ingredients are composed of a broad spectrum of secondary bioactive metabolites, including polyphenols, terpenoids, and phytosterols, among others, which are involved in plant defenses against biotic or abiotic stresses, and also exhibit health-protecting or disease preventing effects associated to anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and cognitive-enhancing properties. This study aimed to establish the volatile fingerprint of culinary herbs (lemon verbena, chives, basil, sage, coriander, and parsley) and spices (curcuma, nutmeg, cumin, black pepper, Jamaica pepper, and juniper berry) using headspace solid-phase microextraction combined with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC-MS). The predominant volatile organic metabolites (VOMs) identified were subjected to in silico molecular docking simulations of anti Alzheimer (e.g., acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE)), antioxidants (e.g., monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)), and anti-inflammatory receptors (e.g., 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2)). The culinary herb and spice extracts were also subjected to in vitro assays to evaluate their potential as antioxidant (DPPH, ABTS, and ORAC) and anti-inflammatory (% protein denaturation) agents. A total of 121 VOMs were identified in the culinary herbs and spices, with the predominant chemical families being monoterpenoids (48.3%), sesquiterpenoids (14.0%), esters (11.9%), and carbonyl compounds (8.8%). In silico molecular docking simulations revealed that cuminaldehyde, β-caryophyllene, γ-curcumene, germacrene D, and τ-cadinol exhibited the strongest inhibitory activities against the selected receptors (AChE, BChE, MAO-B, 5-LOX, and COX-2). Among the extracts, Jamaica pepper showed the highest antioxidant and anti inflammatory activities, while lemon verbena exhibited the lowest antioxidant and anti inflammatory activities