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- Green zero-valent iron nanoparticles from Cistus ladanifer by-products for glyphosate remediation in water and soilPublication . Fernandes, Filipe; Paíga, Paula; Freitas, Maria; Pinho, Cláudia; Oliveira, Ana Isabel; Delerue-Matos, Cristina; Grosso, Clara; Pinho, Cláudia; Oliveira, Ana IsabelFood and agricultural sectors produce large quantities of waste that present high potential for valorization. Cistus ladanifer L., used in the perfume and essential oil industries, produces post-distillation residues rich in phenolic compounds (PCs). These residues can be exploited for the green synthesis of nano zero-valent iron (nZVI), widely studied for environmental remediation. The aim of this study was to develop green synthesized nZVI using Abbreviations: AAE, Ascorbic acid equivalents; ABTS•+, 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid; AES, Analytical Eco-scale; AGREE, Analytical Greenness Calculator; AMPA, Aminomethylphosphonic acid; C-nZVI, Chemically synthesized nZVI; CLL, C. ladanifer leaves; CLS, C. ladanifer stems; DPPH•, 1,1- diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl; DLS, Dynamic light scattering; EDS, Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy; EOs, Essential oils; FeCl3, Iron chloride; FMOC-Cl, 9-fluorenylmethyl chloroformate; FRAP, Ferric reducing antioxidant power assay; FTIR, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy; GAE, Gallic acid equivalents; GEMAM, Greenness evaluation metric for analytical methods; Glyph, Glyphosate; H2O, Water; HCl, Hydrochloric acid; HPLC, High-performance liquid chromatography; HPLC-FLD, High-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection; LC-MS, Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry; MeOH, Methanol; MES, Green Certificate Modified Eco-scale; MoGAPI, Modified Green Analytical Procedure Index; MRLs, Maximum residue levels; MTT, (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5- diphenyltetrazolium bromide); NaBH4, Sodium borohydrate; nZVI, Nano zero-valent iron; NaOH, Sodium hydroxide; NNP, No nanoparticles; NPs, Nanoparticles; NS, No soil; PCs, Phenolic compounds; PDI, Polydispersity index; SEM, Scanning electron microscopy; SQUID, Superconducting quantum interference device; TG, Thermogravimetric analysis; TPC, Total phenolic content; XPS, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy; XRD, X-ray diffraction; ZP, Zeta potential; Fe3O4, Magnetite; γ-Fe2O3, Maghemite; γ-FeO, Lepidocrocite.
- Impact of the addition of botanical ingredients on the physicochemical properties, polyphenolic content, and antioxidant activity of craft beersPublication . Pereira, Maria João; Santos, Diana; Pinho, Cláudia; Oliveira, Ana Isabel; Oliveira, Ana IsabelThe incorporation of botanical ingredients into craft beer has emerged as a promising strategy to enhance nutritional value and expand its sensory diversity. Thus, this review aims to discuss the impact of adding botanical extracts on the physicochemical properties, phenolic content, and antioxidant potential of craft beers. A narrative review was conducted using PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science, and b-on databases, with the keywords ‘craft beer’, ‘physicochemical properties’, ‘polyphenolic content’, and ‘antioxidant activity’. The incorporation of botanical ingredients into beers modified the physicochemical parameters, total phenolic content (TPC), and antioxidant activity. These effects varied according to the type of matrix, concentration, timing of addition, beer style, and brewing conditions. Overall, an increase in beer TPC and antioxidant activity was observed. However, higher TPC can present technological challenges, as phenolic–protein interaction may lead to turbidity. Conversely, enhanced antioxidant potential contributes to oxidative stability and extends the shelf-life of beer. Future studies should validate the current results, explore new bioactive matrices, and evaluate variables that ensure the functional quality of beer. Practical applications under real production conditions should also be prioritized to guarantee effective functional benefits without compromising the stability and sensory acceptance of craft beer.
- Advanced botanical authentication of honey: Using an ultrasensitive electrochemical genosensor and RT-qPCR for the detection of Castanea sativaPublication . Morais, Stephanie; Pereira, Eduarda; Ferreira, Mariana; Santos, Marlene; Soares, Sónia; Texeira, Ana L.; Domingues, Valentina; Delerue-Matos, Cristina; Barroso, M. Fátima; Santos, MarleneFood fraud is a reoccurring issue for the food industry, with significant public health and economic implications. Honey, a natural ingredient prized for its sweetness and inherent nutritional profile and health benefits, is one of the most frequently adulterated foods found in the international market. This fraudulent act not only damages the reputation of the honey industry but also presents a hazard to the consumers’ health. So, in this study, a disposable electrochemical genosensor was developed to detect Castanea sativa (chestnut tree) DNA in commercial honey samples. For this, a 103 bp C. sativa specific DNA-target oligonucleotide and its complementary probe were selected and designed. The genosensor methodology implied a sandwich hybridization format, for which the complementary sequence was cut into a 22 bp thiolated DNAcapture probe and an 81 bp fluorescein isothiocyanate-labelled DNA-signaling probe. Using chronoamperometric measurements, the enzymatic amplification of the electrochemical signal was obtained in a 0.03 to 1.00 nM concentration range, with a LOD and LOQ of 3.01 and 10.04 pM, respectively. The developed genosensor was able to detect the presence of the chestnut DNA in real chestnut plants and commercial honey samples. These results were then validated real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). In fact, conventional PCR coupled with gel electrophorese was not able to detect the presence of heather in honey. Therefore, electrochemical genosensors are a promising and cost-effective analytical tool to authenticate the botanical origin of honey, guaranteeing its safety, quality and authenticity.
- “Can a chatbot be used in the full-text screening in a systematic review?”Publication . Martins, André Miguel; Juan, Luis Félix Valero; Oliveira, Adriana; Martins, João Paulo; Santos, Marlene; Santos, Marlene; Oliveira Martins, João PauloLarge language model–based artificial intelligence tools are increasingly explored to support systematic reviews, yet evidence regarding their reliability in full-text screening remains limited. This study evaluated the performance of two versions of ChatGPT (4.0 and 5.0) compared with human reviewers during article selection for a systematic review on influenza vaccine effectiveness. A total of 170 full-text articles were independently assessed for eligibility using predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Human reviewers served as the gold standard. ChatGPT 4.0 and 5.0 were prompted using standardized instructions mirroring the review protocol. Agreement with human decisions was evaluated using accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, precision, F1-score, and Cohen’s κ. Intra-model reproducibility was assessed for ChatGPT 5.0. Results: ChatGPT 4.0 achieved an accuracy of 0.71 (95% CI: 0.64–0.78) and a Cohen’s κ of 0.43, indicating moderate agreement with human reviewers. ChatGPT 5.0 demonstrated improved performance, with accuracy increasing 0.06 to 0.77 (95% CI: 0.70–0.83), sensitivity of 0.87, specificity of 0.70, and κ of 0.55, corresponding to moderate-to-substantial agreement. Intra-model reproducibility for ChatGPT 5.0 showed 80% agreement (κ = 0.60), indicating partial but imperfect consistency. ChatGPT 5.0 outperformed ChatGPT 4.0 in full-text screening accuracy and reproducibility, approaching but not matching human performance. These findings support the use of current LLMs as decision- support tools rather than autonomous reviewers in systematic reviews. Transparent reporting of model versions, prompts, and input quality is essential to ensure credible AI-assisted evidence synthesis.
- Health literacy of the higher education community in a European country: a cross-sectional surveyPublication . Ferreira, Pedro L.; Morais, Carminda; Pimenta, Rui; Ribeiro, Inês; Alves, Sandra M.; Pedro, Ana R.; Escoval, Ana; RALS; Alves, Sandra MariaHealth literacy is a dynamic and multidimensional concept. Examining health literacy among higher education students and teachers is crucial for promoting informed health decisions and encouraging healthier behaviors. Our study aimed to measure health literacy among higher education students and teachers, assess the impact of sociodemographic variables, and compare health literacy levels between these groups.
- CGRP suppresses protective SiglecFhi Neutrophil development in Neonatal Group B Streptococcus PneumoniaPublication . Lorga, Inês; Teixeira, Ana Sofia; Carvalho, Bárbara; Soares, Joana; Ribeiro, Nuno; Cardoso, Marcos S.; Cunha, Joana; Santos, Joana; Silva, Regina A.; Vilanova, Manuel; Andrade, Elva Bonifácio; Bonifácio Andrade, Elva; Silva, ReginaNeonatal pneumonia, a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, is frequently caused by Group B Streptococcus (GBS). The mechanisms underlying protective immunity to this pathogen in the neonatal lung remain incompletely understood. Using a clinically relevant neonatal mouse model of GBS pneumonia, we investigated the immune mechanisms influencing disease severity. We demonstrate that neutrophils are effectively recruited to the lungs of infected neonates, but their phenotype differs with disease severity. In pups with moderate disease, we observe significant infiltration of SiglecFhi neutrophils, a phenotype associated with enhanced phagocytic capacity and bacterial clearance. In contrast, pups with severe disease failed to develop SiglecFhi neutrophils, resulting in reduced bacterial clearance and worsened pathology. We further show that severity is associated with increased expression of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the lungs. CGRP suppressed neutrophil activation into the SiglecFhi phenotype, thereby limiting their antibacterial function. Our findings show that GBS exploits the neuroimmune axis to evade host immunity through CGRP-mediated suppression of neutrophil activation.
- A systematic review of indoor air quality in schools settings: Focus on microbiome and their relation to particulate matter and chemical pollutantsPublication . Ferraz, Mariana; Santos, Joana; Silva, Manuela Vieira da; Santos, Joana; Vieira da Silva, Manuela; Ferraz, MarianaIndoor air quality (IAQ) in schools is a growing concern due to its impact on children's health. Continuous exposure to indoor air pollutants, such as particulate matter (PM), carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), and microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, can affect school performance, increase absenteeism, and trigger respiratory problems. This systematic review aimed to analyze the potential correlation between the presence of microorganisms and PM and chemical pollutants in school indoor environments. Study design: A systematic literature review was conducted using the methodology PRISMA and 25 articles were selected. The current systematic review follow the steps: definition of research objectives; selection of the science databases; definition of keywords; establishment of the inclusion and exclusion criteria, evaluation process and evaluation and management of selected studies. The findings highlight the significant presence of airborne microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi, often associated with PM and chemical pollutants such as CO 2 correlations between CO 2 and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Positive and bacteria were observed in ten studies and were statistically significant in six of them. Both positive and negative correlations between fungi and CO 2 were reported. Fungal genera such as Aspergillus spp. And Cladosporium spp. Were associated with particulate matter (PM). In general, the concentrations of bacteria and fungi were often correlated with PM levels, with larger particles (PM 10 adhesion and transport of microorganisms, while smaller particles (PM 2 . 5 ) favoring the ) remain suspended in the air for longer periods, increasing exposure. Despite the methodological variations among the various studies, the results reinforce the need to create effective interventions to reduce pollutant concentrations to minimize health risks for occupants.
- Sustainable agriculture with cyanobacterial biomass: Soil experiments on spinach and radish plantsPublication . Massa, Anabella; Martins, Diogo; Azevedo, Joana; Prieto, Ana I.; Camean, Ana M.; Diez-Quijada, Leticia; Jos, Angeles; Reimão, Mariana; Azevedo, Rui; Pinto, Edgar; Almeida, Agostinho; Vasconcelos, Vitor; Campos, Alexandre; Freitas, Marisa; REIMÃO BORGES LOPES DA SILVA, MARIANATo support sustainable food production and improve crop yields, it is essential to explore bio-based plant growth- promoting products. Cyanobacterial biomass has shown potential to enhance soil quality and agricultural productivity. However, some cyanobacteria produce cyanotoxins, such as microcystins, cylindrospermopsin and anatoxin-a, which can adversely affect plant development depending on their concentration. This study evaluated the potential of cyanobacterial biomass as a soil amendment and plant growth stimulant by assessing growth, nutrient content and toxin accumulation in spinach and radish plants. Plants were cultivated in soil treated with no amendment, commercial fertilizer, or cyanobacterial biomass from Microcystis aeruginosa (microcystins-producer), Anabaena sp. (anatoxin-a-producer), Raphidiopsis raciborskii (non-cylindrospermopsin producer), and R. raciborskii (cylindrospermopsin-producer). While biomass additions supplied nutrients to the soil, spinach showed increased sensitivity to microcystins and anatoxin-a, with significantly reduced growth. Overall, mineral concentrations in plant tissues did not increase; most macro- and micronutrients declined, particularly in spinach shoots and radish roots (p ≥ 0.05). Vitamin C content also decreased in most treatments, except in plants treated with the non-cylindrospermopsin-producing R. raciborskii strain, where a significant increase was observed (p ≥ 0.05). Toxic biomass amendments led to the uptake of microcystins-LR and cylindrospermopsin in spinach, and cylindrospermopsin in radish, with cylindrospermopsin levels in spinach exceeding Word Health Organization's tolerable daily intake. These findings underscore the need for a previous detailed characterization of both nutrients and toxins in cyanobacterial biomass to ensure its safe and effective agricultural use, maximizing benefits while protecting food safety.
- Detection of physiological changes in knee cartilage using parametric T2 relaxation maps estimated with a dictionary methodPublication . Coelho, José M.; Fernandes, Tiago T.; Alves, Sandra M.; Vilaça, Adélio; Nunes, Rita G.; Nogueira, Luísa; Oliveira, António; Nogueira, Luisa; Alves, Sandra MariaTo investigate half-marathon running and recovery effects on knee articular cartilage (KAC) health in athletes, using dictionary-matching T2 maps, to detect changes and recovery patterns in KAC. Eleven asymptomatic volunteers (4 females, 7 males; mean age 40 ± 5 years, mean BMI 22.7 ± 1.4 kg/m2) completed a fixed-pace half-marathonwere studied. All were right-knee dominant and engaged in regular running. Sagittal T2-weighted Multi-Echo Spin-Echo images at 3 T were used to assess T2 values pre-run, post-run, and one week later for global and compartmental KAC. Recovery programme included low-intensity running, strength training and rest. Repeated measures ANOVA or equivalent non-parametric tests with post-hoc comparisons compared T2 values over time. Separate analyses were conducted based on laterality, gender and anatomical compartments. Significance was set at < 0.05. Post-run T2 values decreased significantly by 0.9 ms (− 2.0%, p < 0.001), with up to 5.3% reductions in medial tibial (MT) and femoral (MF) compartments. Recovery patterns varied by compartment, sex and laterality. Most compartments returned to baseline within one week; the lateral condyle (LatC) showed incomplete recovery (− 4.7%, Proportional Recovery Index (PRI) = − 0,1); the right knee’s MT exhibited overcompensation (6.3%, PRI = 2.6). Males showed higher baseline T2 values and more efficient recovery in the LatC compared to females (PRI = − 0.1 vs. − 0.4). Half-marathon running induces reversible reductions in KAC hydration, with most compartments recovering or overcompensating within one week. Dictionary-matching T2 mapping offers a robust approach for monitoring cartilage integrity and guiding individualised recovery strategies.
- Incorporação de algas em formulações cosméticas: Caracterização e fundamentos científicosPublication . Rodrigues, Renata; Oliveira, Ana Isabel; Oliveira, Ana IsabelA pele é o maior órgão do corpo humano e é responsável por funções de proteção e regulação (Quan, 2023). Nos últimos anos, tem-se verificado uma crescente procura por ingredientes naturais e sustentáveis. As algas, destacam-se, assim, como um dos exemplos mais promissores pela diversidade de compostos bioativos que produzem (Leong et al., 2024). Verificar e caracterizar a utilização de algas em formulações cosméticas, analisar as alegações cosméticas associadas às mesmas. Avaliar a fundamentação científica que sustenta a sua utilização, bem como a qualidade da informação disponibilizada no mercado de venda online. Estudo descritivo, transversal e observacional. Realizou-se uma pesquisa com as palavras-chave “comprar” E “cosméticos” E “parafarmácia” OU “farmácia” OU “loja de cosmética” OU “ervanária” e foram selecionados os cinco primeiros websites para pesquisar produtos cosméticos que contivessem algas ou seus derivados. Recolheram-se dados relativos à finalidade, local de aplicação, forma galénica, forma de apresentação e composição. A qualidade da informação apresentada nos websites foi avaliada através da ferramenta DISCERN, adaptada ao contexto cosmético. Foram identificados 129 produtos cosméticos contendo algas ou derivados. Os resultados encontrados têm suporte na literatura, onde diversos autores descrevem uma relação entre os grupos taxonómicos de algas e as finalidades cosméticas que lhes são atribuídas. As espécies mais frequentes foram Porphyridium cruentum e Chlorella vulgaris (14,0%). Quanto à finalidade, destacou-se a função hidratante (70,0%) e antienvelhecimento (30,2%). Observou-se uma predominância de produtos destinados ao rosto (72,1%) e as emulsões foram a forma galénica mais encontrada (58,1%). Verificou-se que 48,8% das formulações eram apresentadas sob a forma de cremes. A aplicação da ferramenta DISCERN revelou que 80% dos websites apresentavam qualidade de informação baixa, destacando-se a ausência de referências científicas e de dados sobre segurança e conservação. As algas afirmam-se como uma fonte natural com elevado potencial para formulações cosméticas, merecendo ser cada vez mais exploradas pela investigação científica e pela indústria. No entanto, é essencial uma comunicação mais responsável e sustentada, que combine clareza e rigor científico, permitindo ao consumidor fazer escolhas mais conscientes e informadas.