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Percorrer CIMO por Domínios Científicos e Tecnológicos (FOS) "Ciências Médicas::Ciências da Saúde"
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- Assessing Nurses’ Job Satisfaction in the Post-Pandemic Period: A Portuguese Cross-Sectional StudyPublication . Antão, Celeste; Rodrigues, Urbano; Fernandes, António; Ribeiro, Maria IsabelJob satisfaction (JS) among nurses has been the subject of study by academia and organizations worldwide. Its potential impact on the quality and safety of patient care is described in several studies. Therefore, the aim of this research was to determine nurses’ level of JS in a hospital unit in Northeast Portugal. This cross-sectional and analytical study was conducted. A simple random sample of 149 nurses was surveyed through a questionnaire that included sociodemographic variables and the JS Scale by Siqueira (2008). The data were analyzed using software suitable for Social and Health Sciences. The internal consistency of the JS scale dimensions, assessed using Cronbach's alpha, was good to very good (α > 0.8). The JS was low (𝑥̄ = 3.6; SD = 0.987), primarily due to dissatisfaction with salaries (𝑥̄ = 2.1; SD = 1.182) and career progression (𝑥̄ = 2.4; SD = 1.267). Satisfaction with colleagues (𝑥̄ = 4.6; SD = 1.296), work’s nature (𝑥̄ = 4.4; SD = 1.224), and management (𝑥̄ = 4.3; SD = 1.518) contributed positively to JS. Furthermore, satisfaction with colleagues varied by age, service length, and contract type (p < 0.05). Additionally, gender was a significant factor in salary satisfaction (p<0.05). Finally, JS differed in service length (p < 0.05). Most nurses expressed dissatisfaction, highlighting the need to implement strategies to improve JS, particularly through more attractive salaries and opportunities for career advancement, as well as through gradual development of skills, knowledge, and responsibility.
- An Assessment of Food Consumption Practices in the Mozambican Provinces of Inhambane and Gaza: Implications for Mycotoxin Exposure RiskPublication . Ribeiro, Maria Isabel; Mussalama, Edson; Manhiça, Agnaldo; Cabo, Paula; Venâncio, Armando; Rodrigues, Paula; Macuamule, CustódiaIn Mozambique, mycotoxins represent a public health threat. The paucity of research and the absence of monitoring programs exacerbate the population’s risk of exposure. This study aimed to describe the dietary habits of populations in Gaza and Inhambane provinces and to investigate potential differences in average monthly consumption by province, place of residence, sex, and age group. A quantitative, cross-sectional design was employed, involving 55 households and a total of 300 individuals (Gaza: n=151; Inhambane: n=149). Data were collected using a food frequency questionnaire. The analysis revealed that household diets were predominantly composed of “Dairy products” where milk stood out, “Vegetables and greens”, notably onions and lettuce/watercress, “Beverages”, primarily water and tea, “Fruits”, such as mango, fresh tomato, and banana, “Bread, cereals and related products”, particularly rice, “Eggs, meat and fish”, namely fresh fish and eggs. Furthermore, the most consumed fats and sweets are oils and sugar, respectively. Statistically significant differences were observed between provinces: Inhambane exhibited higher consumption of “Dairy products”, “Fruits”, and “Beverages”. The results showed that consumption patterns across most food groups were dependent by place of residence. Additionally, sex and age were associated with different consumption of “Dairy products” and “Beverages”, respectively. These findings provide a comprehensive overview of dietary patterns in Gaza and Inhambane provinces and underscore the widespread consumption of foods vulnerable to mycotoxin contamination. The results offer a critical foundation for developing targeted sampling strategies to assess fungal and mycotoxin contamination and for conducting risk assessments of population exposure.
- Association between handgrip strength and mortality in individuals undergoing hemodialysis: A retrospective cohort studyPublication . Klippel, Leticia de Paiva Souza; Martins, Cleodice Alves; Barbosa, Karen dos Santos; Leandro, Larissa Vitória Batista; Cattafesta, Monica; Cunha, Alexandre Cardoso da; Soares, Ana Cristina de Oliveira; Prado, Camila Bruneli do; Ferreira, Júlia Rabelo Santos; Peterle, Fernanda Zobole; Almeida-de-Souza, Juliana; Haraguchi, Fabiano Kenji; Furtado, Elane Viana Hortegal; Neto, Edson Theodoro dos Santos; Salaroli, Luciane BrescianiHandgrip strength offers a valuable method to detect changes and reduced muscle strength and frailty and can help improve prognosis by early diagnosis. Therefore, the aim of the study was to evaluate the association between reduced muscle strength and mortality in individuals undergoing hemodialysis. Retrospective cohort study with 994 individuals. Sociodemographic, clinical, and lifestyle variables were obtained from a 2019 study. Mortality data were sourced from death certificates recorded from 2019 to 2022 in the Mortality Information System. Muscle strength was classified based on the following cut-off values: <27 kg for men and <16 kg for women. Survival curves were constructed using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox Regression was used to evaluate the effect of handgrip strength and age on the time. More than 65 % of individuals in the sample show depleted strength, most of which were older adults (43.25 %, p < 0.001) and men (41.32 %, p = 0.008). Older adults with depleted strength showed a significantly higher number of observed deaths than expected ones (p < 0.001). After adjustment, HGS remained a significant predictor, associated with a 49 % increased risk of death (95 % CI: 1.16-1.91, p = 0.002). Having more than 11 years of formal education demonstrated a protective effect, reducing the risk of death by 1.6 times (95 % CI: 0.41-0.88, p = 0.009). Diabetes was found to be associated with almost a twofold increase in the risk of mortality (95 % CI: 1.54-2.49, p < 0.001). The decrease in handgrip strength predicts mortality in individuals undergoing hemodialysis with the risk being higher among older adults, those with diabetes and individuals with fewer than 11 years of education. (c) 2025 European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights are reserved, including those for text and data mining, AI training, and similar technologies.
- Bioactive potential of Tripleurospermum inodorum with detailed insight into anti-inflammatory activity through in vitro, in vivo evaluations and network pharmacologyPublication . Ivanov, Marija; Aleksandrov, Aleksandra Popov; Božunović, Jelena; Dias, Maria Inês; Calhelha, Ricardo C.; Kulaš, Jelena; Barros, Lillian; Ferreira, Isabel C.F.R.; Stojković, DejanThis study evaluated Tripleurospermum inodorum extract for cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antibiofilm properties, alongside its phenolic profile, predicted pharmacological interactions and in vivo anti-inflammatory properties. The methanolic extract of T. inodorum was rich in apigenin derivatives, including apigenin-O-pentoside (5.234 mg/g) and apigenin-O-acetyl hexoside (4.929 mg/g), as identified using LC-DAD-ESI/MSⁿ. The extract demonstrated potent anti-inflammatory activity (IC₅₀ = 8.4 μg/mL) by inhibiting nitric oxide production in a RAW 264.7 macrophage model, a key mechanism in controlling inflammatory responses. Its cytotoxicity against NCI-H460 lung carcinoma cells (GI₅₀ = 62.9 μg/mL) suggests potential for targeting inflammation-driven carcinogenesis. Antioxidant activity, ranging from 204.4 (FRAP) to 442.2 (ABTS) mmol of gallic acid equivalents per 100 mg dry weight, highlights its role in mitigating oxidative stress—a critical driver of chronic inflammation. The extract also displayed moderate antimicrobial activity (MIC: 3–12 mg/mL) and strong antibiofilm potential (> 70% inhibition in a crystal violet assay), which are essential for managing infection-associated inflammation. Network pharmacology revealed that dominant phenolic compound act as aldose reductase inhibitors, targeting inflammatory pathways linked to metabolic stress. In vivo assessment using a xylene-induced ear edema model revealed a dose-dependent, biphasic anti-inflammatory effect, with lower doses (125 and 250 mg/kg) exhibiting greater efficacy compared to the highest dose (500 mg/kg), suggesting a hormetic response that emphasizes the importance of optimal dosing. These findings indicate that the methanolic extract of T. inodorum possesses a broad spectrum of bioactivities relevant to inflammation control and supports its further development as a source of novel anti-inflammatory therapeutics.
- Effect of Aromatherapy Massage With Foeniculum vulgare Mill. Seed Essential Oil Compared to Massage on Anxiety, Well‐Being, and Sleep Quality: An Exploratory Randomized StudyPublication . Félix, Beatriz Pires; Rodrigues, Andreia; Sousa, Maria João; Pereira, Olívia R.Background and Aims Aromatherapy is a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) widely used in the management of several mental and physical conditions. The fennel seed essential oil (FEO) has several biological activities and has been reported as potentially beneficial in the management of anxiety and sleep disorders. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of aromatherapy massage using FEO compared to massage alone on reducing anxiety and improve sleep quality and overall well-being.Methods FEO was extracted by hydrodistillation, and its chemical composition was determined by GC-MS. In the aromatherapy trial, 40 participants were randomly divided into the "Massage Group" (n = 20) and the "Aroma Massage Group" (n = 20). Individuals in the "Aroma Massage Group" were treated with 1.6% of FEO diluted in sweet almond oil, while the "Massage Group" only received the massage with sweet almond oil. The intervention consisted of one massage session every 15 days over a 2 months period. The questionnaires on anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory), sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality), and well-being (WHO-Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5)) were performed at four different times. Data were analyzed using SPSS software with a significance level of 5%.Results The major compound in FEO was trans-Anethole (78.2%). In the aromatherapy trial, scores on the State Anxiety scale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), were significantly lower in the "Aroma Massage Group" compared to "Massage Group" with mean values of 32.47 +/- 7.86 and 41.75 +/- 11.74, respectively, in Questionnaire 3 (after the last session), corresponding to a difference of -9.28 (p = 0.007). No statistically significant differences were observed over time across the four assessment points, with p = 0.536 for the "Massage Group" and p = 0.381 for the "Aroma Massage Group." Additionally, the "Aroma Massage Group" showed a higher proportion of individuals reporting strong well-being (89%) and good sleep (32%) compared to the "Massage Group" (65% and 25%, respectively) in Questionnaire 4 (1 month after the end of the intervention), however, these differences were not statistically significant when considering mean questionnaire scores.Conclusion This exploratory study suggests that aromatherapy with FEO may be associated with beneficialeffects on anxiety reduction and improvements in well-being and sleep quality; however, further studies are required to confirm this results.
- Electrospun Fibrous Architectures for Localized Delivery of Photosensitizers in Cancer TherapyPublication . Gomes, Cátia V.; Costa, Sofia M.; Oliveira, João S.; Calhelha, Ricardo C.; Lourenço, Leandro M. O.; Fangueiro, Raul; Ferreira, Diana P.Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising localized strategy for the treatment of cervical cancer, ranking as the fourth most common cancer among women worldwide. The integration of photosensitizers (PSs) in localized drug delivery systems (DDSs), particularly in electrospun nanofibers, holds tremendous potential to overcome the drawbacks of their systemic administration. Exploring multilayer fibrous architectures provides a versatile therapeutic platform to design the next generation of localized DDS. In this work, localized implants for cancer treatment using PDT were developed using polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), chitosan (CS) and polyethylene oxide (PEO) as biopolymers and a porphyrin (Por) as PS, following two approaches: blended PHA/Por electrospun microfibers and multilayered membranes (PHA–Por/CS/PEO) produced by sequential electrospinning. The synthesized Por displayed higher cytotoxicity in light compared to dark against tumor cells. All the developed membranes were characterized regarding their morphology, wettability, absorption and fluorescence properties. PHA–Por membranes exhibited overall uniform fibrous morphologies with successful Por incorporation. Nonetheless, they presented a highly hydrophobic surface, compromising the Por release and cell–material interactions. In contrast, multilayer PHA–Por/CS/PEO membranes demonstrated enhanced hydrophilicity and enabled sustained Por release. Upon light irradiation, these membranes induced a significantly greater inhibition of HeLa cell proliferation (29.61%) compared to dark conditions (6.21%), confirming their photodynamic activity.
- Enhancing single and multi-component adsorption efficiency of pharmaceutical emerging contaminants using bio waste-derived carbon materials and geopolymersPublication . Silva, Ana P. F.; Baldo, Arthur P.; Silva, Adriano S.; Natal, Ana Paula S.; Bezerra, Ana J.B.; Tuesta, Jose L. Diaz de; Marin, Pricila; Peres, José A.; Gomes, Helder T.Water contamination with pharmaceuticals like acetaminophen (ACT), sulfamethoxazole (SMX), and phenolic compounds such as gallic acid (GA), have become a global concern. These contaminants are persistent environmental pollutants that threaten aquatic life and human health. Adsorption is recognized as an efficient and low-cost solution to tackle water pollution. In this study, the efficiency of three adsorbents—activated carbon (AC), geopolymer (GP), and carbon nanotubes (CNT) prepared from solid wastes for the removal of ACT, SMX, and GA by adsorption is assessed. AC, GP and CNT are synthesized from real wastes to address solid waste management needs. Physisorption confirmed AC superior BET surface area (527 m2 g 1), followed by CNTs (66 m2 g 1) and GPs (30 m2 g 1), allowing to achieve the highest adsorption capacity: 126.8 mg g 1 for ACT, 54.9 mg g 1 for SMX, and 151.5 mg g 1 for GA, with respective breakthrough times of 314, 66, and 68 min. Kinetic and isotherm adsorption models are fitted for all pair pollutant-adsorbent reaching 33 equations to accurately predict adsorption process, concluding that pseudo-second-order kinetic and Freundlich model best fit experimental data, demonstrating a strong adsorbent-adsorbate affinity. The findings suggest that these sustainable materials offer promising solutions for treating contaminated water.
- Estudio clínico-epidemiológico de la población de Bragança con sospecha de alergia al polen y a la espora fúngica Alternaria alternataPublication . Ferrage, Erica Vanessa Reis; Fraga, José; Feliciano, Manuel; Sánchez-Reyes, EstefaníaLa exposición al polen y a las esporas fúngicas constituye un factor ambiental crítico en la fisiopatología de las enfermedades respiratorias alérgicas, cuya prevalencia ha ido aumentando en entornos urbanos, caracterizados por condiciones ecológicas favorables. En este contexto, el presente estudio tuvo como objetivo caracterizar, desde el punto de vista clínico y epidemiológico, a la población de Bragança con sospecha de alergia al polen y a Alternaria alternata. Se trata de un estudio observacional, descriptivo, transversal y retrospectivo, basado en el análisis de 100 historias clínicas, con datos obtenidos mediante cuestionarios estructurados y pruebas cutáneas por punción (prick-test) con trece extractos alergénicos: doce polínicos y uno específico de Alternaria alternata. La muestra estuvo compuesta mayoritariamente por individuos de género femenino (53 %), con edad media de 23,9 ± 15,3 años, predominando residentes en zonas urbanas (86 %). El 42 % tenía animales de compañía, el 37 % presentaba exposición al tabaco y el 19 % vivía en viviendas con moqueta. Los síntomas más frecuentes fueron rinitis alérgica (99 %), rinoconjuntivitis (97 %), eccema (45 %) y sibilancias (44 %). Se observó polisensibilización en el 97 % de los participantes, con sensibilizaciones dirigidas a mezclas de gramíneas silvestres (96 %), gramíneas cultivadas (82 %), Olea europaea L. (80 %), mezclas de hierbas (78 %), Plantago lanceolata L. (75 %) y Alternaria alternata (Fr.) Keissl. (8 %). Estas evidencias permiten concluir un patrón de sensibilización compatible con alergias respiratorias en la población de Bragança.
- Exploring the Chemopreventive and Antioxidant Effects of Spearmint Leaf Hydroethanolic Extract in HPV16-transgenic MicePublication . Jesus, Tiago M.; Azevedo, Tiago; Silva-Reis, Rita; Ferreira, Tiago; Nascimento-Gonçalves, Elisabete; Medeiros, Catarina; Ferreira, João; Gama, Adelina; Gaivão, Isabel; Pires, Maria João; Lanzarin, Germano; Félix, Luís; Venância, Carlos; Medeiros, Rui; Bastos, Margarida M.S.M.; Finimundy, Tiane C.; Barros, Lillian; Costa, Rui M. Gil da; Oliveira, Paula A.Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted infectious agent and, in cases of persistent infection, may cause cancer. This study evaluated the toxicological and antitumor properties of Mentha spicata extract (MSE) in KP14HPV16 mice, which carry HPV16 oncogenes. Thirty‑three female FVB/n mice (Mus musculus), including 17 HPV‑transgenic and 16 wild‑type (WT) mice, were divided into six groups. The control groups received tap water (WT‑C, n=5, and HPV‑C, n=6), while the treatment groups received either 0.50 mg/ml MSE (WT‑50 and HPV‑50, n=6) or 0.55 mg/ml MSE (WT‑55 and HPV‑55, n=5) in drinking water for 28 days. Afterwards, animals were sacrificed, and blood and organs were collected for histopathological and biochemical analysis. The main phenolic compounds in MSE were rosmarinic acid and luteolin‑O‑glucoronide. MSE did not significantly affect weight gain in WT mice; however, WT‑55 gained significantly more weight than HPV‑55. MSE demonstrated antioxidant activity as indicated by the modulation of hepatic superoxide dismutase and glutathione S‑transferase (GST) activity, as well as renal GST activity, in MSE‑treated HPV groups. MSE did not reduce histological lesion incidence or systemic inflammation in HPV16‑transgenic mice. In general, while MSE was safe and exhibited antioxidant activity, it did not significantly impact HPV16‑induced lesions, warranting further research to assess systemic effects with different concentrations and durations.
- Medicinal plants and their derivatives for skin and hair: a Mediterranean perspective of women carePublication . Bouissane, Latifa; Elfardi, Yahya; Khatib, Sohaib; Fatimi, Ahmed; Pereira, Carla; Cruz-Martins, NatáliaSince olden days, medicinal and aromatic plants have been consumed due to their well-known therapeutic, ornamental, culinary, and cosmetic properties. Plant-based cosmetics comprise a growing market offering brands of sustainable products with the ultimate goal of responding to the woman needs to boost their natural beauty, such as soothing, toning, moisturizing and protecting skin and hair. The increasing focus on body and beauty care, combined with a better understanding of the diverse biological effects of plants and their derivatives, has revitalized their significance in aesthetic, cosmetic, and dermatological contexts. Concurrently, the increasing prevalence of allergies and hypersensitivity reactions to synthetic additives commonly found in cosmetics and other skin products has spurred interest in seeking healthier and more efficacious natural alternatives. An intense investigation has been stated around the formulation of medicinal plants- and other plant-based cosmetic products for dermatological and aesthetic purposes. Similarly, a raising awareness by cosmetics’ manufacturers and related industries have been progressively stated, culminating with the emergence of a line of plant-based cosmetics increasingly safe and with reliable quality features for multiple purposes. Although a high demand for natural-based products for cosmetic purposes has been stated, further studies are required to deepening knowledge on their beneficial properties, safety and quality features and to identify the main limitations and likelihood of side effects occurrence. In this review, an outlook of the current scenario regarding the use of medicinal and aromatic plants as cosmetic ingredients in the formulation of skin care and other dermatological products traditionally used by the Mediterranean woman for prevention and even cure of skin and hair diseases or for beautification is provided.
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