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- Almond By-Products: A Comprehensive Review of Composition, Bioactivities, and Influencing FactorsPublication . Silva, Vânia; Oliveira, Ivo; Pereira, José Alberto; Gonçalves, BertaOne of today’s major environmental and economic challenges is the fight against both agro- and industrial-waste. Almond production and industrial processing exemplifies this issue, as it generates tons of waste and by-products, with hulls and shells accounting for about 70% of the total fruit’s weight while skins represent about 6% of the shelled kernel. Since the edible kernel, about 23% of the total fruit weight, holds the highest commercial value, there has been growing interest within the scientific community in exploring the potential of these by-products. However, almond by-products contain a wide range of phytochemicals, mainly phenolic compounds (flavonoids and non-flavonoids), and triterpenoids, with great potential as antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and prebiotic properties. Although these by-products are being explored as alternative sources in the textile, pharmaceutical/cosmetic, and food industries, their primary use remains in livestock feed or bedding, or as biofuel. This review compiles recent scientific data on almond by-products’ phytochemical composition and bioactivities aiming to support sustainable and holistic agricultural practices.
- Edible fruits and berries as a source of functional polyphenols: current scene and future perspectivesPublication . Wan, Chunpeng; Langyan, Sapna; Echeverría, Javier; Devkota, Hari Prasad; Tewari, Devesh; Moosavi, Mohammad Amin; Ezzat, Shahira Mohammed; Perez-Vazquez, Ana; Fraga-Corral, Maria; Cravotto, Giancarlo; Prieto Lage, Miguel A.; Belwal, Tarun; Li, MingxiIn recent years, there is a growing interest in nutraceutical-rich functional foods for promoting human health. Wild fruits and berries are excellent sources of phytochemicals even though the most deeply studied are the polyphenolic compounds, among them, the major ones such as flavonoids, anthocyanins, or tannins. This review aimed to comprehensively analyze the currently available literature on wild edible fruits and berries, since these fruits are characterized for their high content of polyphenolic compounds. Moreover, both intrinsic (ripening and genetic variability) and extrinsic (environmental conditions: habitat, light, temperature) factors where considered since they affect the polyphenolic content in these fruits. Besides, the therapeutic potential of berries for treating human diseases was assessed through the revision of in vivo and in vitro assays and clinical studies, having in mind that most of these effects are exerted due to their antioxidant capacity. Furthermore, recent challenges and future trends on the research and utilization of wild fruits and berries were addressed to complete the overview of this sustainable source of natural ingredients. Finally, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Google Scholar were the databases used for the compilation of the information present in this review, selecting the more recent studies and comparing from a critical point of view, the information found. Thus, this review compiled information of berries regarding their polyphenolic content and the variations this suffer depending on different variables; the potential use of the berries for a therapeutic application; and the trends and challenges that the use of berries faces after the research done.
- Efficacy of Olive Leaf Extract in Improving Blood Pressure in Pre‐Hypertensive and Hypertensive Individuals: A Systematic Review and Meta‐AnalysisPublication . Lachovicz, Rebeca; Ferro-Lebres, Vera; Almeida-de-Souza, Juliana; Pereira, José AlbertoAnnually, approximately 10 million deaths are attributed to hypertension, highlighting the critical need for effective treatments beyond conventional medications due to their limitations. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of Olea europaea L. on blood pressure in adults with prehypertension and hypertension. The search, conducted from November/2022- October/2024 was performed on EBSCO, CABI, CNKI, Cochrane Library, DOAJ, PUBMED, SCOPUS, and WEB OF SCIENCE databases using Hypertension AND Olea europaea L. Eligible studies included those evaluating the effect of Olea europaea L. on systolic/diastolic blood pressure in hypertensive or pre-hypertensive adults. Exclusion criteria were multi-preparation interventions. Data on reference, country, sample, intervention/control details, duration, and differences in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, adverse effects, and medication use were extracted manually. The mean differences, heterogeneity (I2) and quality of the studies were assessed using Review Manager (version 5.4). From 211 found studies, 3 met the eligibility criteria, considering 248 participants analysed. An antihypertensive effect was observed on systolic and diastolic blood pressure in the pre- vs. post-intervention in the global analysis (systolic −6.03 mmHg, 95% CI: [−11.60, −0.46], I2 = 82%, p = 0.03; diastolic −2.38 mmHg, 95% CI: [−4.96, 0.20], I2 = 50%, p = 0.07) and in the sub-analysis that included the studies with the highest dose (1000 mg/day) (systolic−11.45 mmHg, 95% CI:[−13.99, −8.91], I2 = 0%, p ≤ 0.001; diastolic −4.65 mmHg, 95% CI: [−6.56, −2.74], I2 = 0%, p ≤ 0.001). Olive leaf extract (1000 mg/day) may reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure by −11.45 and −4.65 mmHg, respectively. However, limitations include variable trial quality and exclusion of studies not written in English. Additional comprehensive clinical studies are essential to confirm its efficacy and safety.
- Himanthalia elongata: An overview of its chemical composition and health-related benefitsPublication . Catarino, Marcelo D.; Circuncisão, Ana R.; Silva, Sónia; Pinto, Diana; Pereira, Olívia R.; Cardoso, Susana M.Himanthalia elongata, commonly known as sea spaghetti, is a brown seaweed found along the Atlantic coasts of Europe, particularly in regions such as Ireland, France, and the United Kingdom, where it is considered a delicacy and is commonly used in salads, soups, and as a pasta substitute. It is renowned for its impressive nutritional profile and potential health benefits, offering a significant amount of dietary fiber, vitamins and protein, including all essential amino acids, thus making it an excellent supplement for vegetarian and vegan diets. It is also a rich source of minerals such as iodine, calcium, magnesium, and iron, and valuable phytochemicals such as phlorotannins and fucoxanthin. The high diversity of bioactive compounds found in H. elongata makes it remarkably versatile in terms of bioactivities, including the capacity to regulate oxidative stress, inflammation, gut microbiota and several other cellular and physiological functions, thus contributing to healthy aging, risk reduction of cardiovascular disease, cancer, metabolic syndrome and other chronic diseases. This review pro- vides a comprehensive overview of the nutritional and chemical composition of H. elongata, highlighting its reported biological activities and potential applications in the food and health industries
- 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.
- A Meta-Analysis on the In Vitro Antagonistic Effects of Lactic Acid Bacteria from Dairy Products on Foodborne PathogensPublication . Loforte, Yara; Fernandes, Nathália; Almeida, André Martinho de; Cadavez, Vasco; Gonzales-Barron, UrsulaRaw milk and traditional fermented foods such as artisanal cheese represent a natural source of lactic acid bacteria (LAB). They can produce antimicrobial compounds, such as bacteriocins and lactic acid, which may be exploited in dairy biopreservation. This study aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to synthesize the inhibition diameter (ID) of LAB against L. monocytogenes, S. aureus, and Salmonella spp. Literature electronic searches were performed on PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, to identify articles that reported data on in-vitro antimicrobial activity by LAB isolated from dairy foods. A total of 1665 papers were retrieved, and 20 primary studies were selected according to the selection criteria, of which 397 observations were extracted. Random-effects meta-regression models were employed to describe the effects of LAB genus, pathogen concentration, susceptibility method, incubation time, inoculation volume, agar type and pH on the IDs for L. monocytogens, S. aureus, and Salmonella spp. L. monocytogens was the most susceptible pathogen (p < 0.05) to the LAB effects, followed by S. aureus and Salmonella spp. As a whole, LAB from the Lacticaseibacillus genus were the most effective (p < 0.05) in inhibiting L. monocytogens (21.49 ± 2.654 mm), followed by S. aureus (21.06 ± 2.056 mm). Salmonella spp. presented higher (p < 0.05) susceptibility to Lactobacillus genus (19.93 ± 2.456 mm). From the results, a general trend could be observed for the well-diffusion method to produce higher (p < 0.05) ID estimates than the spot and disk methods (30.73 ± 2.530 mm vs. 21.98 ± 1.309 mm vs. 13.39 ± 1.403 mm for L. monocytogenes; 22.37 ± 1.073 mm vs. 14.91 ± 2.312 mm vs. 20.30 ± 2.319 mm for Salmonella spp.), respectively. Among the tested moderators, the pathogen’s inoculum concentration, the in vitro susceptibility assay itself, incubation time and inoculation volume on agar are determinant parameters to be looked at when designing a robust and reproducible experimental plan. The in vitro results reinforced that LAB can be useful in controlling the development of pathogenic bacteria frequently found in the dairy industry.
- Microbial and pest contamination in nuts: Radio frequency disinfestation and controlled atmosphere preservation – A reviewPublication . Liberal, Ângela; Fernandes, Ângela; Moreira, Jorge; Fernandes, Natércia; Gonçalves, Alexandre; Ferreira, Isabel C.F.R.; Barros, LillianNuts are increasingly recognized for their rich nutritional profile and bioactive potential, making them a sig- nificant economic contributor globally. However, the commercialization of nuts necessitates stringent quality control measures to mitigate infestations by insect pests and microorganisms, which can lead to rapid deterio- ration both pre- and post-harvest. Contamination often arises from inadequate practices in harvesting, packaging, storage, and transportation, heightening the risk of pathogen infection and mycotoxin contamination. To address these challenges, innovative preservation techniques are essential for enhancing food safety and extending shelf- life without compromising quality. Radiofrequency (RF) technology has emerged as a promising solution in food processing, utilizing volumetric heating for effective disinfestation, pathogen pasteurization, drying, and blanching while maintaining product integrity. In contrast, Controlled Atmosphere (CA) storage employs gas composition control to create low-oxygen environments that inhibit microbial growth during storage. This re- view aims to provide a comprehensive overview of nut safety and preservation by identifying key contamination sources and the microorganisms that target nuts. It will analyze the effectiveness of RF and CA technologies in preserving and decontaminating nuts. By exploring these advanced methods, this study highlights their potential to surpass conventional processes, ultimately improving nut safety and quality throughout the supply chain.
- Microbiome and Microbiota Within Wineries: A ReviewPublication . Aires, Cristina; Maioto, Rita; Inês, António; Dias, Albino Alves; Rodrigues, Paula; Egas, Conceição; Sampaio, AnaThe main goal of this work is to review the winery’s microbiota, from the grape to the winery’s microbial niches (fermentation tanks, surfaces, air), and their risks to wine and human health. The impact of climate change on the winery microbiome and related challenges are also discussed. Microbial diversity in wineries depends on several factors, such as the grape variety and its ripeness, temperature, relative humidity and the diverse activities of the winemaking process. Winery surfaces and equipment allow the establishment of a microbial community that can impact wine quality, the health of winery workers and visitors and even wine consumers. In the context of climate change, changes in the sugar content, phenolic compounds and the profile of hexoses and amino acids are already evident. These changes interfere with the fermentation microbiota and the quality of the wines, which are more alcoholic and less acidic. Furthermore, periods of drought or heavy rain favor species associated with berry diseases, including some capable of producing mycotoxins or harmful biogenic amines. In order to understand the impact of these changes on microbial communities, the use of various techniques will be discussed, such as flow cytometry, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and metagenomic methods.
- Observational Analysis in Basketball: A literature reviewPublication . Branquinho, Luís; Marques, Mário C.; Paiva, Eduardo; Reis, Tiago; Sousa, Ana Maria; Barbosa, Tiago M.; Ruzmetov, Nemat; Matos, Sérgio; Arede, Jorge; Teixeira, José Eduardo; Forte, Pedro; Ferraz, RicardoTechnological instruments and methods for monitoring, observation, and analysis have become increasingly important for gaining insights into basketball performance. Thus, this literature review aimed to compile information about methods and instruments for observational analysis in Basketball. Previous studies have applied several valid methods for physiological, technical, and tactical analysis in Basketball, specifically: Instrument for evaluating individual technical-tactical performance in Basketball (IAD-BB); Team Sports Assessment Procedure (TSAP); Game Performance Assessment Instrument (GPAI). Also, this type of analysis can be supported by time-motion analysis (TMA) analysis using analysis software with emphasis on Match Vision (software Studio 3.0, International Basketball Federation). In conclusion, the application of observation and analysis instruments in Basketball is valid, and repeatableObservational analysis can be applied in Basketball insights for talent identification; training design and management; technical and tactical performance analysis. Future challenges and research issues will be to compare observation strategies that combine instruments, integrating physical, technical, and tactical factors in Basketball performance analysis.
- The Relationship Between Nurses’ Emotional Competence and Evidence-Based Nursing: A Scoping ReviewPublication . Machado, Dora; Brás, Manuel Alberto; Almeida, Assunção; Vilela, CarlosEmerging evidence suggests that emotions significantly influence clinical decision-making among healthcare professionals. Given that evidence-based nursing (EBN) relies heavily on clinical reasoning, and emotions play a critical role in shaping its quality, exploring the relationship between emotional competence and EBN is essential. This scoping review aims to map and synthesize existing knowledge on the relationship between nurses’ emotional competence and EBN, while identifying research methodologies and integration challenges. Following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology and PRISMA-ScR guidelines, a scoping review was conducted. The search strategy included studies from databases such as Scopus and CINAHL, as well as grey literature. Eligibility criteria included primary and secondary research articles in Portuguese, English, Spanish, and French, published since 1990, focusing on the relationship between emotional competence and EBN in nurses. Data were synthesized thematically. Of 751 publications identified, 11 met the inclusion criteria. Three themes emerged: (1) the relationship between emotional competence and EBN in different healthcare contexts; (2) research methodologies used; and (3) integration challenges and suggestions. Findings suggest that nurses with higher emotional competence are more likely to adopt safer, evidence-based practices, facilitating EBN implementation and improving care quality and safety. The evidence highlights the importance of integrating emotional intelligence and EBN in nursing education and practice. Combined educational programs are recommended to enhance professional safety, performance, and well-being. Future research should further explore this relationship to develop practice models that reconcile emotional competencies with evidence-based nursing.