Percorrer por autor "Sousa, Mariana"
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- Assessment of radiation protection practices among Bachelor’s Radiology students of ESTSP- IPPPublication . Sousa, Mariana; Ventura, Sandra RuaWith the increasing use of ionizing radiation as a diagnostic tool in addition to the medical advances in the field of interventional radiology, a greater exposure by workers and students is expectable. For this reason, a greater focus should be given to the radiological protection measures used, in particularly for the students of Radiology Course, as well as a closer monitoring of radiation exposure. The main goal of our project was to investigate and characterize which are the radiation safety and protection practices adopted by the students during their practical internships at hospitals.
- Exploring methodologies from Isolation to excystation for Giardia lamblia: A systematic reviewPublication . Sequeira, Susie; Sousa, Mariana; Cruz, Agostinho; Cruz, AgostinhoGiardia lamblia is a flagellated protozoan and the etiological agent of giardiasis, a leading cause of epidemic and sporadic diarrhoea globally. The clinical and public health relevance of giardiasis underscores the need for robust methodologies to investigate and manage this pathogen. This study reviews the main methodologies described in the literature for studying the life cycle of G. lamblia, focusing on isolation, purification, axenization, excystation, and encystation. A systematic literature review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA 2020) statement. Searches were performed in MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, and Web of Science Core Collection databases. A total of 43 studies were included, revealing 58 methods for isolation and purification, 7 for excystation, 2 for axenization, and 5 for encystation. Isolation and purification methods exhibited significant variability, often involving two phases: an initial separation (e.g., filtration and centrifugation) followed by purification using a density gradient for faecal samples or immunomagnetic separation for water samples. Method effectiveness differed depending on the sample source and type, limiting comparability across studies. In contrast, methods used for other life cycle stages were more consistent. These findings underscore the need for standardised methodologies to enhance the reproducibility and reliability of research outcomes in this field.
- Innovative pedagogical tools for parasitology based on interactive learningPublication . Sequeira, Susie; Sousa, Mariana; Fernandes, Sara; Barreiros, Luísa; Cunha, Agostinho; Cruz, Agostinho; Fernandes, Sara; Barreiros, LuisaParasitic infections in children, in particular ectoparasitoses, remain a public health challenge within the school context in Portugal. As part of the curricular unit “Agentes e Vectores de Doença I” included in the first year of the Bachelor of Pharmacy, pedagogical tools have been developed to raise awareness on this issue among the various stakeholders involved in primary education. The developed activities, in addition to enable the consolidation of technical and scientific knowledge, promote the development of transversal competences, namely soft skills, essential for the training of future health professionals. The created instruments have been successfully applied in teacher training activities and in awareness-raising sessions for children. The adoption of interactive learning approaches has contributed to higher student engagement and better learning outcomes, while simultaneously promoting a culture of education and health promotion supported by innovative and collaborative pedagogical practices.
- Plants as antiparasitic agents: a review regarding Portuguese ethnobotanyPublication . Sousa, Mariana; Cruz, AgostinhoEthnobotany focuses on the communal use of plants, within this field, ethnobotanical studies play a crucial role identifying plants with potential therapeutic effects, preserving traditional knowledge and ancestral practices. These studies allow the development of alternative therapies, which are crucial to support modern medicine. Thus, the identification of plants with antiparasitic properties is vital for the development of new therapeutic options. Plants such as Allium sativumand Mentha spicatahave a history of use and serve as examples recognized for their antiparasitic properties. The objective of this study is to identify ethnobotanical studies conducted in Portugal, with the aim of creating a list of plants that have been documented to have antiparasitic properties. A literature review was undertaken using PubMed, ScienceDirect, RCAAP and Web of Science, with the search equation(“Ethnobotanical studies” AND “Portugal”). Eligible studies were required to meet the criteria of being authentic ethnobotanical studies conducted in Portugal, that weredigitally accessible and contain the list of plants along with their scientific names and documented purposes. The extracted information was summarized in tables. A total of 56 species with documented antiparasitic uses were identified within the community. These species were utilized for addressing both ectoparasites and endoparasites, serving purposes in human and veterinary applications. The most cited plants included Mentha spicata and Mentha piperita. Remarkably, the Autonomous Region of Madeira had the highest number of identified antiparasitic plant species, totaling 22 species. This study successfully compiled a list of plantswith antiparasitic properties within the community. The findings provide foundation for future research, including in vitro and in vivo studies, to validate and explore the efficacy of these plants as antiparasitic agents, and contribute to the development of alternative therapeutic options for managing parasitosis.
- Systematic review of the uses of Cortaderia selloana (Poaceae), an invasive plantPublication . Teixeira, Jéssica; Sousa, Mariana; Cruz, Agostinho; Cruz, AgostinhoCortaderia selloana, commonly known as Pampas Grass, manifests as an invasive plant across numerous countries with predominant studies focused on its control measures (physical, biological, and chemical approaches). Native to South America, this perennial tussock grass negatively impacts economic, environmental, and human health. This study aims to explore the diverse uses of Cortaderia selloana in geographical, cultural and ecological contexts, to provide insights into its applications, and to contribute to socio-economic and ecological understanding. This study comprises a systematic literature review based on the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. The search was conducted in EBSCOhost, ScienceDirect and Web of Science using the search question “("Cortaderia selloana") AND ("use" OR "purpose") NOT (“control”)”. Two researchers independently reviewed the titles and abstracts, applying predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria and extracting data on various aspects covered in the selected studies. A total of 88 articles were retrieved of which 16 were included in this systematic review. This study described diverse applications attributed to Cortaderia selloana, including wastewater treatment, composite synthesis, traditional medicine, bioremediation, biorefining, product development in the automobile industry and decoration. The utilization of this invasive species demonstrated socio-economic and environmental benefits, providing a novel perspective on transforming something harmful into a resource with various applications. Furthermore, the necessity for more research is emphasized, to enhance understanding of known applications and explore new potential uses. This study's main limitation is that it only includes peer-reviewed articles from selected databases. This research provides valuable insights into the diverse uses of Cortaderia selloana across geographical, cultural, and ecological contexts. These findings underscore the importance of considering both the beneficial applications and the challenges posed by this invasive species in order to inform balanced and sustainable management practices.
- Use of Medicinal Plants for Treatment and Prophylaxis of Canine Parasitic Infections: A Literature ReviewPublication . Santos, Patrícia; Sousa, Mariana; Cruz, Agostinho; Cruz, AgostinhoDogs have been perceived as providing companionship to all members of the family, yet they can act as a vector for the transmission of parasitic agents to humans, particularly those who own or care for them. Traditional medicine seem to demonstrate effects in the treatment of diseases in animals; however, it is necessary to prove their effectiveness using more recent scientific evidence.
- Warfarin–Supplement Interactions: A Systematic ReviewPublication . Alves, Pedro; Carreira, Bruno; Nogueira, Gonçalo; Sousa, Mariana; Cruz, Agotinho; Cruz, AgostinhoFood supplements, which are concentrated forms of nutrients, play a crucial role in maintaining a balanced diet by providing essential missing nutrients. However, their impact on drug interactions cannot be overlooked. One such drug is warfarin, which is an anticoagulant with a complex interplay involving various medications, foods, and supplements. Given the significant increase in the use of dietary supplements in reent years, there is a compelling rationale to investigate their interactions with warfarin. This systematic review aims to identify supplements that interact with warfarin, thereby providing insights into potential risks and implications. In order to address the research question “What potential drug in‑ teractions may arise when food supplements are taken concomitantly with warfarin?”, a PRISMA 2020 systematic review was conducted. To accomplish a comprehensive under‑ standing of the issue at hand, several databases were consulted. In order to fulfill the search platforms’ requirements, the terms “interactions”, “warfarin”, and “supplements” were combined in multiple ways. The inclusion criteria took into account original, ran‑ domized or non‑randomized studies and case studies that mention a supplement used concomitantly with warfarin. An artificial intelligence‑based tool was used to evaluate the studies’ quality. The obtained results were summarized in a table format, detailing the supplement used and the how the interaction occurs. A search of the literature yielded 968 articles, of which 14 were selected for review. These articles met the specified criteria, namely the use of a dietary supplement concomitantly with warfarin. Of these, 11 indicated a potential interaction, while three articles suggested that no interaction occurred. This work clarified the interactions between supplements and warfarin, emphasizing supplements such as dong quai, milk thistle, and American ginseng, which alter the mechanism of action of the drug. Furthermore, it is imperative for patients to seek counsel from healthcare professionals before modifying their dietary regimen.