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Virtual journey through an immersive interactive environment: A sensory exploration of an artistic space modeled by dynamic painting and emotional music by Domingos Mateus (pp1, 237-241)
Publication . Gomes, Paulo Veloso; Sá, Vítor J.; Donga, João; Marques, António; Mateus, Domingos; Machado Veloso Gomes, Paulo Sérgio; Rucha das Dores da Costa Donga, João Paulo; Pereira da Silva Marques, António José
This study explores the sensory impact of a virtual journey thr ough an immersive, interactive envir onment inspir ed by the artistic work of Domingos Mateus. It addr esses how sensory experiences in virtual spaces, using dynamic visual and auditory stimuli, can enhance emotional engagement and spatial awareness. This study aims to investigate the ef fectiveness of combining dynamic painting and emotionally resonant music within an interactive, digital envir onment, aiming to evoke a deeper connection between viewers and artistic content. A multi-sensory museum was implemented, blending interactive visual components (dynamic painting) with a custom musical scor e designed to elicit emotional responses. Participants navigated the virtual envir onment using VR equipment, cr eating a fully immersive experience. Sensory responses wer e monitored using real-time biofeedback to gauge emotional engagement and pr esence. Findings suggest combining interactive visual art and music significantly enhances users' emotional engagement and immersive experience. Participants reported heightened spatial pr esence, with biofeedback data indicating incr eased emotional ar ousal during key moments. This sensory appr oach is potentially used in therapeutic and educational settings, wher e emotional and sensory stimulation ar e beneficial. The study underscores the power of immersive envir onments in enhancing the user’ s connection to artistic expr essions and fostering memorable experiences.
Brewing spent yeast as a sustainable solution for Tannin adsorption
Publication . Vieira, Elsa F.; Amaral, Tomás; Moreira, Jorge; Brandão, Tiago; Delerue-Matos, Cristina
This study explored the potential of brewing spent yeast (BSY) as an adsorbent for tannins from a chestnut shell extract (CS-tannin extract). The extract was obtained through an alkaline treatment (5% NaOH (v/v)) to recover cellulosic material from chestnut shells, which requires further valorisation. Various BSY treatments, including lyophilization, immobilization in calcium alginate beads, and alkaline and acid treatments, were tested to determine the best tannin adsorption capacity. The BSY material underwent characterization before and after the experiments, including point of zero charge (pHPZC) determination, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) analysis, and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS). Equilibrium was achieved within 10 minutes, with the highest biosorption capacity of CS-tannin extract observed in lyophilized BSY, which showed a value of 31.81 ± 3.08 mg Tannic Acid Equivalents g⁻¹ yeast. The Sips isotherm model fitted well to the data, suggesting that tannin biosorption onto residual yeast cells is a chemisorption process. FT-IR analysis revealed several functional groups in the BSY, particularly carboxyl, amino/hydroxyl, and amide groups, which play a key role in tannin biosorption. These results demonstrate that BSY, a valuable by-product of the brewing industry, is an effective biosorbent for tannins from the disposal solution resulting from chestnut shell cellulosic material extraction. Further research is needed to better understand the specific interaction mechanisms and explore the practical applications of tannin-enriched BSY.
Unraveling the nutraceutical potential of Salicornia ramosissima by-product – impact of gastrointestinal digestion and intestinal permeability on in vitro bioactivity
Publication . Pinto, Diana; Santos, Inês; Delerue-Matos, Cristina; Teixeira, Filipa; Sut, Stefania; Dall’Acqua, Stefano; Vieira, Mónica; Rodrigues, Francisca; Almeida Vieira, Mónica Andreia
Salicornia ramosissima by-product (SP) is an underexploited antioxidant-rich by-product. This study explored the phytochemical profile, bioaccessibility, and biological activity of SP before and after extraction (SBE and SAE, respectively) upon gastrointestinal simulated digestion and intestinal permeability. The phenolic and flavonoid concentrations increased during digestion, reaching bioaccessibility rates above 95 % for both SBE and SAE. Promising antioxidant/antiradical properties and neuroprotective effects were attested upon digestion. Regarding the phytochemical profile, 17 compounds were identified, including (di)caffeoylquinic acids, gallocatechin, and triterpenoid saponins. The intestinal absorption of bioactive compounds from SAE and SBE intestinal digests was proven through a Caco-2/HT29-MTX cells co-culture model, with 4-caffeoylquinic acid (34.84 %) and 4,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid (26.73 %) reaching the highest permeation rates after 4 h, respectively, for SAE and SBE. These findings support the harnessing of SP as a promising functional and nutraceutical ingredient rich in pro-healthy compounds with proven bioactivity upon in vitro digestion and intestinal permeation.
Identification of barriers that can influence older adults in community pharmacies: A systematic review
Publication . Pedro, Rita; Mateos-Campos, Ramona; Cruz, Agostinho; Cruz, Agostinho
This systematic review examines the barriers that may influence the proper care and counseling for people who are 65 years or older, in community pharmacies. Also, we attempt to identify potential strategies to mitigate these barriers. The research question addressed is “What kind of barriers influence older people in community pharmacies?”. Five electronic databases were used: Medline from Pubmed, Core collection of Web of Science, Science direct, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) through EBSCO and RCAAP (Repositório Científico de Acesso Aberto de Portugal). This systematic review followed the PRISMA guidelines. The protocol was prospectively published in PROSPERO (International Prospective Register of Systematic Review) having the following identification number: ID CRD42024516422. The original articles about individuals over 65 years of age and about barriers to counseling in community pharmacies were included. The Critical Appraisal tool made by Joanna Briggs Institute was chosen. From a total of 919 articles identified, 9 were included in this systematic review. The identified barriers were categorized into four typologies: centered on the pharmacy profession, centered on older adults, centered on the pharmacy layout and infrastructure, and centered on society. Other than this, some facilitators were identified during the research and were also categorized into the same four typologies. The classification of the identified barriers and facilitators has significant importance as it provides essential insights for responsible bodies of community pharmacies. Comprehending these barriers and facilitators is crucial to transforming community pharmacies into a more accessible and supportive environment for older patients.
Homozygosity for a rare FASTKD2 variant resulting in an adult onset autosomal recessive mitochondrial podocytopathy
Publication . Gonçalves, Francisco Pereira; Tavares, Isabel; Silva, Roberto; Nunes, Ana Teresa; Pereira, Luciano; Campos, Andreia; Pinto, Joel; Lopes, Ana; Simões, Marta; Grazina, Manuela; Fogo, Agnes B.; Oliveira, João Paulo
Mitochondrial cytopathies can have kidney involvement in up to half of cases. Their diagnosis is challenging due to phenotypic variability, lack of noninvasive tests to assess mitochondrial dysfunction, and genetic heterogeneity. We report on a young adult male with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) with subnephrotic proteinuria who presented to the emergency department with kidney failure and hypervolemia requiring dialysis. A kidney biopsy showed focal segmental and global glomerulosclerosis, extensive foot process effacement, and abnormal mitochondria in podocytes and tubular epithelial cells; the genetic workup identified a rare FASTKD2 exon 2 variant, c.29G>C p.(Ser10Thr), in homozygosity; and functional mitochondrial assays in cultured skin fibroblasts showed reduction in FASTKD2 protein expression and moderate combined impairment in mitochondrial respiratory chain (MRC) assembly and function. This is the first report of a FASTKD2-associated cardiorenal mitochondrial cytopathy, characterized by young adult-onset proteinuric CKD and dilated HCM, in the absence of the severe neurologic manifestations described in patients with biallelic FASTKD2 variants. We hypothesize that the increased production of reactive oxygen species associated with moderate MRC impairment could result in a smoldering podocytopathy with progressive proteinuric CKD, without overt tubulopathy or encephalomyopathy—which might be, instead, pathogenically related to adenosine triphosphate deficiency.