ESE - Artigos em Revistas Indexados à WoS/Scopus
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- Impact of occupational exposure to wildfire events on systemic inflammatory biomarkers in Portuguese wildland firefightersPublication . Esteves, Filipa; Madureira, Joana; Barros, Bela; Alves, Sara; Pires, Joana; Martins, Sandra; Oliveira, Marta; Vaz, Josiana A.; Slezakova, Klara; Pereira, Maria do Carmo; Fernandes, Adília; Morais, Simone; Guimarães, João Tiago; Bonassi, Stefano; Teixeira, João Paulo; Costa, SolangeWhile occupational exposure as a firefighter is considered a dangerous occupation, research on the underlying mechanisms remains limited, particularly in wildland firefighters. Inflammation, a key effect of wildfire expo- sure, plays a significant role in the development of various diseases. The current study aims to investigate the impact of wildland firefighting exposure on the levels of pro-inflammatory systemic biomarkers. A pre-post study design investigated 59 wildland firefighters comparing data collected after participation in a wildfire event (Phase II) with data obtained before wildfire season (Phase I). Data on demographics, lifestyle, health and occupational-related factors were assessed. Exposure factors, such as fire combat (e.g., exposure duration), were also registered. Inflammatory biomarkers (i.e. interleukin-6 [IL-6], interleukin-8 [IL-8], tumor necrosis factor α [TNF-α] and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [hs-CRP]) and hydroxylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons metabolites (1-OHNaph+1-OHAce, 2-OHFlu, 1-OHPhen, 1-OHPyr) were analysed in blood and urine samples, respectively. Serum IL-8 and IL-6 levels were significantly increased after wildland fire combat. IL-8 levels were 2.62 times higher (95 % CI: 1.96–3.50; p < 0.01), whereas IL-6 levels were 1.25 times higher (95 % CI: 1.00–1.57; p = 0.04). Furthermore, IL-8 levels were significantly correlated with urinary 2-hydroxyfluorene levels and fire combat duration (>12 h). In addition, the mean hs-CRP level, in both phases, was above 3.0 mg/L, indicating a potential risk for cardiovascular events. Given the long-term health implications of fire- fighting occupational exposure, biomonitoring and early detection of occupational risks are essential for pro- tecting firefighters’ health. Protective measures must be urgently implemented to enhance occupational health and strengthen preventive strategies in this sector.
- 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
- Thermal stress and physiological responses in Brazilian jiu-jitsu athletes submitted to simulated fights in a hot environmentPublication . Pereira, Diogo; Forte, Pedro; Leite, Luciano Bernardes; Ribeiro, Joana; Cachada, José M.; Bolani, Wladimir; Pussieldi, Guilherme de Azambuja; Rezende, Leonardo M.T.; Pimenta, Eduardo Mendonça; Cabido, Christian Emmanuel Torres; Oliveira Junior, Mario Norberto Sevilio; Mendes, Thiago Teixeira; Veneroso, Christiano EduardoAnalyze thermal stress and changes in physiological variables in simulated BJJ fights in a hot environment. The study included 12 male athletes, comprising 11 black belts and 1 brown belt. The athletes were divided into pairs according to their categories and there were four 10-minute bouts with 10 minutes of rest between bouts in a covered environment, during the night, with an ambient temperature (TA) of 29.3 ± 0.5ºC and relative air humidity (URA) of 75.9 ± 1.1%. The variables heart rate (HR), lactate, gastrointestinal temperature (Tgi) and skin temperature (Tskin), hand grip, dehydration rate, total sweating and specific urine density were evaluated. HR, lactate and Tgi data were collected before starting the simulated fights (pre 1, 2, 3 and 4), immediately after the end of each fight (post 1, 2, 3, and 4). All other variables were collected during the baseline period, which corresponds to pre 1, and in the post-fight assessments (post-fight 1, 2, 3, and 4). There was a significant reduction in body mass post-fight compared to pre-simulated fights (p < 0.001). Despite ad libitum hydration, athletes transitioned from a euhydrated state to significant-to-severe dehydration by the end of the protocol. HR values were significantly higher post-fight (post 1, 2, 3, 4) compared to rest (pre-1) (p < 0.001). Blood lactate levels increased post-fight (post 1, 2, 3, 4) compared to rest (pre-1). Tgi increased significantly after the first fight (post 1, 2, 3, 4) compared to rest (pre 1) (p < 0.001) and remained stable until the fourth fight. Tskin showed a increase post-fight (post 1, 2, 3) compared to rest (pre-1) (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The thermoregulatory mechanisms were sufficient to maintain thermal control during the simulated BJJ fights.
- Occupational exposure to wildland firefighting and its effects on systemic DNA damagePublication . Esteves, Filipa; Madureira, Joana; Costa, Carla Sofia; Pires, Joana; Barros, Bela; Alves, Sara; Vaz, Josiana A.; Oliveira, Marta; Slezakova, Klara; Fernandes, Adília; Pereira, Maria do Carmo; Morais, Simone; Valdiglesias, Vanessa; Bonassi, Stefano; Teixeira, João Paulo; Costa, SolangePortugal is among the European Union countries more devastated by forest fires. Wildland fire- fighters are at the forefront of this battle, facing exposure to a wide range of harmful pollutants. Epidemiological studies have highlighted a potential link between occupational firefighting exposure and several diseases, including cancer. To date, very few studies have explored the biological mechanisms associated with such exposure. The present longitudinal study aims to assess changes in early effect biomarkers following wildland firefighters’ occupational exposure to a real wildfire event. Paired blood samples from 59 healthy Portuguese wildland firefighters were collected at two different time points: before wildfire season and after a fire event during wildfire season. Sociodemographic variables (e. g., age, sex) and work-related factors (e.g., years of service) were assessed via a self-reported questionnaire. Levels of early effect biomarkers, such as primary DNA damage and oxidative DNA damage (oxidised purines) were assessed via comet assay. DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) were evaluated by phosphorylated H2AX (γH2AX). Moreover, hydroxylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolites (OHPAHs) and metal(loid)s were quantified in urine samples. The influence of urinary OHPAHs, urinary metal(loid)s, and other exposure- related factors (e.g., firefighting duration) on changes (Δ) in early effect biomarkers (post-vs. baseline levels) was investigated. Firefighting activities led to a significant increase in both primary DNA damage and oxidative DNA damage by 22 % (95 % CI: 1.11–1.35; p < 0.05) and 23 % (95 % CI: 1.04–1.45; p < 0.05), respectively. Results from linear regression revealed that per each unit increase of urinary 2-hydroxyfluorene (2-OHFlu) (μmol/mol creatinine), the risk of ⧍ oxidative DNA damage increased by 20 % [FR: 1.20 (1.09–1.32); p < 0.01]. Addi- tionally, each unit increase in urinary cesium (Cs) (μg/L) resulted in a significant 4 % increase in Δ primary DNA damage [FR: 1.04 (1.01–1.06); p < 0.05] and a 3 % increase in Δ oxidative DNA damage [FR: 1.03 (1.01–1.05); p < 0.05]. Post-exposure levels of γH2AX were significantly correlated with urinary 2-OHFlu levels assessed after firefighting (r = 0.30; p < 0.05). Furthermore, exposure duration and reported breathing difficulties during firefighting were significantly associated with increased levels of primary DNA damage. Results obtained provide insights into the potential human health effects of wildland firefighting occupational exposure at the genetic and molecular levels, offering new and important mechanistic data. These findings are crucial for implementing health and safety measures, recommendations, and best practices to mitigate occupational risks and protect the health of wildland firefighters.
- 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.
- Influence of Sleep Quality on Recovery and Performance in Endurance and Ultra-Endurance Runners: Sex Differences Identified Through Hierarchical ClusteringPublication . Matos, Julia Pagotto; Guilherme, Larissa Quintão; Encarnação, Samuel; Leite, Luciano Bernardes; Forte, Pedro; Kravchychyn, Ana Claudia Pelissari; Amorim, Paulo Roberto dos Santos; Souza, Helton de SáAssessing sleep quality is essential in sports science, particularly in ultra-endurance sports, where recovery is critical for performance and health. This study aimed to identify sleep quality patterns among endurance and ultra-endurance athletes using hierarchical clustering analysis, with comparisons by sex and modality. Data were collected during the La Misión Brasil competitions in 2023 and 2024, using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The questionnaire was emailed to all registered runners two weeks before the event. A total of 490 athletes participated, including 276 men (mean ± SD age: 43 ± 11 years) and 214 women (mean ± SD age: 43 ± 13 years). Statistical analyses included Cohen’s d and r effect sizes, and a 95% confidence interval for hypothesis testing. Residuals between-cluster proportions were assessed within a range of −3.3, ensuring a 99.7% confidence level for significant differences. The results showed that endurance runners had better sleep quality, with most scoring low on the PSQI. In contrast, ultra-endurance athletes displayed greater variability, with a higher prevalence of poor sleep quality, particularly in women. The hierarchical clustering method effectively identified distinct sleep patterns, providing insights into the dynamics of recovery and performance. These findings highlight the impact of increased physical and psychological demands in ultra-endurance sports and emphasize the need for tailored sleep monitoring strategies to optimize the recovery and performance of athletes.
- Player Tracking Data and Psychophysiological Features Associated with Mental Fatigue in U15, U17, and U19 Male Football Players: A Machine Learning ApproachPublication . Teixeira, José Eduardo; Afonso, Pedro; Schneider, André; Branquinho, Luís; Maio, Eduardo; Ferraz, Ricardo; Nascimento, Rafael; Morgans, Ryland; Barbosa, Tiago M.; Monteiro, António M.; Forte, PedroOptimizing recovery is crucial for maintaining performance and reducing fatigue and injury risk in youth football players. This study applied machine learning (ML) models to classify mental fatigue in U15, U17, and U19 male players using wearable signals, tracking data, and psychophysiological features. Over six weeks, training loads were monitored via GPS, psychophysiological scales, and heart rate sensors, analyzing variables such as total distance, high-speed running, recovery state, and perceived exertion. The data preparation process involved managing absent values, applying normalization techniques, and selecting relevant features. A total of five ML models were evaluated: K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), Support Vector Machine (SVM), Random Forest (RF), and Decision Tree (DT). XGBoost, RF, and DT achieved high accuracy, while KNN underperformed. Using a correlation matrix, average speed (AvS) was the only variable significantly correlated with the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) (r = 0.142; p = 0.010). After dimensionality reduction, ML models were re-evaluated, with RF and DT performing best, followed by XGBoost and SVM. These findings confirm that tracking and wearable-derived data are effectively useful for predicting RPE, providing valuable insights for workload management and personalized recovery strategies. Future research should integrate psychological and interpersonal factors to enhance predictive modeling in the individual long-term health and performance of young football players.
- Blueberry Extract and Resistance Training Prevent Left Ventricular Redox Dysregulation and Pathological Remodeling in Experimental Severe Pulmonary Arterial HypertensionPublication . Leite, Luciano Bernardes; Soares, Leôncio Lopes; Guimarães-Ervilha, Luiz Otávio; Costa, Sebastião Felipe Ferreira; Generoso, Sara Caco dos Lúcio; Xavier, Mirielly Alexia Miranda; Iasbik-Lima, Thainá; Oliveira, Leandro Licursi; Lucia, Ceres Mattos Della; Bianchi, Sara Elis; Bassani, Valquíria Linck; Herter, Flavio Gilberto; Turck, Patrick; Araujo, Alex Sander da Rosa; Forte, Pedro; Reis, Emily Correna Carlo; Machado-Neves, Mariana; Natali, Antônio JoséTo investigate whether the regular administration of blueberry extract and low-intensity resistance exercise training (RT), either alone or in combination, during the development of monocrotaline (MCT)-induced severe pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in rats protect the left ventricle (LV) from redox dysregulation and pathological remodeling. Groups of seven male Wistar rats were formed for the experiment: sedentary control; sedentary hypertensive; sedentary hypertensive blueberry; exercise hypertensive; and exercise hypertensive blueberry. PAH was experimentally induced through a single intraperitoneal administration of MCT at a dose of 60 mg/kg. One day after injection, the blueberry groups started receiving a daily dose of blueberry extract (100 mg/kg) by gavage, while the exercise groups initiated a three-week program of RT (ladder climbing; 15 climbs carrying 60% of maximum load; one session/day; 5 times/week). Echocardiographic evaluations were conducted 23 days after injection, and the rats were euthanized the next day to harvest LV tissue. Separately, blueberry extract and RT mitigated augments in pulmonary artery resistance, LV tissue redox dysregulation (i.e., increased PC levels) and detrimental remodeling (i.e., reduced inflammation), and reductions in ejection fraction (EF) and fractional shortening (FS) caused by PAH. The combination of treatments prevented reductions in EF and FS, along with the development of a D-shaped LV. blueberry extract and moderate-intensity resistance training administered during the development of MCT-induced severe PAH in rats prevented LV redox dysregulation and pathological remodeling, thereby preserving its function.
- Technology-Mediated Education: impact of AI on the main distance learning modalitiesPublication . Morgado, Elsa; Silva, Leonido Levi; Pereira, Antonino; Gouveia, Luís BorgesArtificial Intelligence (AI) and distance learning (EaD) have profoundly transformed education, redefining teaching methodologies and learning dynamics. When integrated into educational environments, these technologies facilitate equitable access to knowledge, enable personalized learning, and enhance pedagogical flexibility. E-learning, blended learning (b-learning), and mobile learning (m-learning) exemplify technology-mediated instructional modalities that empower learners and educators to engage in innovative knowledge construction, transcending geographical barriers. This study critically examines the impact of AI-driven digital platforms on distance learning and their implications for pedagogical efficacy. A quantitative research design was employed to evaluate the benefits and challenges associated with AI-integrated digital platforms in distance education. Data were collected through an online survey administered to education professionals from three Portuguese-speaking regions with significant engagement in digital learning: Portugal (Europe), Brazil (Latin America), and Angola (Africa). The survey assessed perceptions regarding the extent to which AI-enhanced platforms influence pedagogical practices and learning outcomes. Analysis of 230 validated responses revealed substantial insights into the role of AI-driven platforms in education. Findings indicate that these technologies foster accessibility, support individualized learning pathways, and enhance instructional adaptability. Additionally, the study identifies key areas for improvement in the integration of AI-driven platforms within pedagogical frameworks to optimize educational efficacy. The findings highlight the transformative potential of AI and digital platforms in distance education, emphasizing their capacity to enhance learning experiences and promote knowledge democratization. Nevertheless, the study underscores the necessity for ongoing optimization of these technologies to fully harness their pedagogical benefits and address existing limitations.
- Comparative Efficacy of Bodyweight and Free Weights Training on Shooting Strength in Roller HockeyPublication . Paiva, Eduardo; Afonso, Pedro; Leite, Luciano Bernardes; Teixeira, José Eduardo; Forte, Pedro; Rodrigues, Pedro M.This study evaluated the impact of an 8-week training program on two groups of players, one performing free weights training and the other bodyweight training. The sample consisted of 14 athletes with a mean age of 22.6 years. Assessments of shooting strength were conducted before and after the program, measuring shot speed, acceleration, and strength. The free weights training included exercises with dumbbells and barbells, while the bodyweight training included squats, push- ups, and planks. Sessions occurred twice a week, with gradual progress in the number of sets and repetitions. Statistical analyses were performed using GraphPad Prism software, with significance set at p<0.05. Data distribution was tested using the Shapiro-Wilk test, and comparisons between pre- and post-intervention assessments were made with paired t- tests. Results showed significant improvements in shot speed, acceleration, and strength in the free weights training group, while the bodyweight training group showed no significant changes. It was concluded that free weights training is more effective for improving shooting strength in roller hockey players.