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- Exploring alternative potentialities of portuguese and spanish craft beers: antioxidant and photoprotective activitiesPublication . Pereira, Maria João; Santos, Diana; Cruz, Agostinho; Jesus, Ângelo; Martins, João P.; Moreira, Fernando; Santos, Marlene; Pinho, Cláudia; Oliveira, Ana Isabel; Cruz, Agostinho; Santos, Diana; Pereira, Maria João; Pinho, CláudiaCraft beer has gained popularity due to its unique sensory characteristics and complex matrix with nutritional and potential health benefits. Studies linking beer consumption to skin conditions are limited, however, the high content of bioactive compounds is related to biological activities such as antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and anti-carcinogenic. This study aims to evaluate the antioxidant, photoprotective and metabolic activity in human keratinocytes (HaCaT). Eighteen craft and four industrial beers were analyzed after dealcoholizing, degassing and freeze-drying. Total phenolic content (TPC) and antioxidant activity were determined. The most promising craft beer was studied for its photoprotective and metabolic activity. An India Pale Ale beer (ALM-IPA) presented the second best TPC (8.96 ± 0.64 mg of GAE/g) and promising antioxidant activity by ABTS (IC50 = 55.21 ± 4.68 µg/mL), H2O2 (IC50 = 23.54 ± 1.53 µg/mL) and FRAP (53.74 ± 1.27 µmol TE/g) assays. Regarding photoprotective activity, a solar photoprotection factor of 48.85 ± 0.39 was obtained. ALM-IPA showed no cytotoxicity up to a concentration of 250 µg/mL after 24 and 48 h of incubation. The potential benefits of beer extracts on skin can be seen, but further studies are essential to corroborate the findings and guarantee the safety of the extracts.
- Knowledge of vulvovaginal candidiasis characteristics, signs, symptoms, and appropriate treatment among portuguese pharmacy professionalsPublication . Oliveira, Tiago; Jesus, Ângelo; Martins, João P.; Correia, Patrícia; Moreira, Fernando; Moreira, Fernando; Oliveira Martins, João Paulo; Correia, Patrícia Carla dos Santos CorreiaVulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) is a common cause of vaginitis. Over-the-counter drugs are usually dispensed by pharmacy professionals to treat this condition without prior medical consultation. This study aimed at assessing the knowledge of Portuguese pharmacy professionals regarding VVC. An online questionnaire including questions about the symptoms and treatment of VVC was distributed between March and April of 2024. A total of 376 professionals participated in this study. There was a significantly lower proportion of men (p = 0.007) and pharmacy technicians (p = 0.005) who correctly identified the main causative agent of VVC when compared to women and pharmacists. Only 30% of women correctly identified the number of VVC episodes in the same year they classified as complicated, but this was significantly higher (p = 0.038) than the proportion of men who identified complicated VVC (20%). Topical clotrimazole preparations were the more frequently identified medicines for the treatment of uncomplicated VVC, and fluconazole-containing medicines were the preferred choice for the treatment of complicated VVC. This study highlights the need to improve education and training for pharmacy professionals. By addressing these knowledge gaps, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians can provide more accurate and effective advice to patients.
- The role of parenting styles in narcissism development: A systematic review and meta-analysisPublication . Reis, Ariana dos; Martins, João Paulo; Santos, Rui; Oliveira Martins, João PauloThere has been considerable debate about whether contemporary Western societies are experiencing an increase in narcissistic tendencies, often referred to as a “narcissism epidemic”. This rise highlights the importance of understanding the origins of narcissism, particularly regarding its potential association with parenting styles. Such insights can inform treatment approaches and contribute to paradigm shifts in developmental psychology. This systematic review and meta-analysis examine how different parenting styles are associated with the development of narcissistic traits, using both partial and zero-order correlations as measures of effect. To ensure a consistent conceptualization of parenting styles, the results were evaluated using Baumrind’s parental styles typology. The review follows PRISMA guidelines and is registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024516395). Studies published in English or Portuguese since 2000 were sourced from PubMed (1039 articles) and Scopus (2120 articles), resulting in a final sample of 53 studies across 38 articles. Data synthesis included assessment of statistical heterogeneity (I 2 statistic), publication bias (funnel plots, Egger’s test, and the trim and fill method), and methodological quality (adapted Newcastle–Ottawa Scale, NOS). Additionally, sensitivity analyses were conducted to evaluate the effect of excluding studies scoring below eight on the NOS by comparing results from analyses with all studies versus high-quality studies only. Results indicate a significant, albeit weak, association between parenting styles and narcissistic traits, with notable variations between maternal and paternal influences. This analysis provides a comprehensive perspective on the interplay between parenting approaches and the emergence of narcissistic characteristics, underscoring the complexity of factors that contribute to narcissism in contemporary society
- Foreword to the special section on Recent Advances in Graphics and Interaction (RAGI 2023)Publication . Sá, Vítor J.; Marto, Anabela; Silva, Paula Alexandra; Chalmers, Alan; Sá, Vítor J.This special section on Recent Advances in Graphics and Interaction features the papers submitted to Computers & Graphics and presented at the 2023 edition of the International Conference on Graphics and Interaction (ICGI’2023), which was held on November 2 and 3, 2023 at Tomar, as a joint organization between the Polytechnic University of Tomar and the Eurographics Portuguese Chapter (GPCG). The ICGI conference focuses on novel ideas in the areas of Computer Graphics, Image Processing, Computer Vision, Information Visualization, and Human-Computer Interaction, as well as related fields such as Virtual and Augmented Reality, Modelling, Rendering, Digital Arts, and Information Visualisation. The conference further aims to bring together and inspire collaboration among practitioners, users, and researchers. This special issue of Computers & Graphics received sixteen submissions, nine of which were accepted for publication after they had been fully peer-reviewed by at least three experts, according to the standards of Computers & Graphics.
- Development of a pandemic resilience competence model for healthcare professionals—individual and organisational aspectsPublication . Lorenzoni, Nina; Almeida, Raquel Simões de; Wimmer, Daniela; Simbrig, Ines; Simbrig, Ines; Moscon, Veronica; Carnelli, Fabio; Sulkowski, Nadine; Malaka, Elohor Pamela; Schober, Paul; Michel, Katharina; Sá, Vítor J.; Raich, Margit; Sá, Vítor J.; Simões de Almeida, RaquelThe COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the critical importance of resilience and adaptability at both individual and organisational levels in navigating unprecedented challenges. This study introduces a novel Pandemic Resilience Competence Model, a framework that articulates eight key competences each for individuals and organisations to enhance preparedness and response in pandemic scenarios. Employing a qualitative approach, the research identifies the essential skills and organisational capacities required to mitigate the impacts of pandemics. Using 50 semi-structured interviews with professionals and managers working in healthcare services in Austria, Germany, Italy, Portugal and the United Kingdom, the model provides actionable insights for implementing processes to improve preparedness and response in pandemic scenarios for stakeholders, including policymakers, educators, and organisational leaders. Findings highlight the interdependence of individual and organisational competences, reinforcing the need for integrated strategies to build pandemic resilience. The conclusions advocate for embedding the competences within training and development initiatives, aiming to enhance collective readiness for future global health crises.
- Heterogeneity in families with ATTRV30M amyloidosis: a historical and longitudinal Portuguese case study impact for genetic counsellingPublication . Pedroto, Maria; Coelho, Teresa; Fernandes, Joana; Oliveira, Alexandra; Jorge, Alípio; Moreira, João Mendes; Oliveira, AlexandraHereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTRv amyloidosis) is an inherited disease, where the study of family history holds importance. This study evaluates the changes of age-of-onset (AOO) and other age-related clinical factors within and among families affected by ATTRv amyloidosis. We analysed information from 934 trees, focusing on family, parents, probands and siblings relationships. We focused on 1494 female and 1712 male symptomatic ATTRV30M patients. Results are presented alongside a comparison of current with historical records. Clinical and genealogical indicators identify major changes. Overall, analysis of familial data shows the existence of families with both early and late patients (1/6). It identifies long familial follow-up times since patient families tend to be diagnosed over several years. Finally, results show a large difference between parent-child and proband-patient relationships (20–30years). This study reveals that there has been a shift in patient profile, with a recent increase in male elderly cases, especially regarding probands. It shows that symptomatic patients exhibit less variability towards siblings, when compared to other family members, namely the transmitting ancestors’ age of onset. This can influence genetic counselling guidelines. Abbreviations: AOO: age-at-onset, age-of-onset; ATTRv: hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (v stands for variant); ATTRV30M: specific genetic mutation associated with transthyretin; coef.var: coefficient of variation; DPD: diphosphono-propanodicarboxylic acid scintigraphy; ECG: electrocardiogram; GLM: generalised linear model; NMR: not most recent cases; OMR: only most recent cases; SD: standard deviation; UCA: Unidade Corino de Andrade
- Auditory N1, N2, and MMN to pure-tone and consonant–vowel stimuli in developmental dyslexia and benign rolandic epilepsy: A progressive insight into the underlying disruptive neurophysiologyPublication . Tomé, David; Pereira, Ilídio; Vieira, Maria Celeste; Soares, Ana Paula; Barbosa, FernandoBenign rolandic epilepsy or benign epilepsy in childhood with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS) and developmental dyslexia (DD) are two of the most studied disorders in childhood. Despite decades of research, the neurophysiological mechanisms underpinning these disorders are largely unknown. Here, we use auditory event-related potentials (AERPs) to shed light on these issues, since several authors have reported the existence of language and learning impairments. AERPs reflect the activation of different neuronal populations and are suggested to contribute to the evaluation of auditory discrimination (N1), attention allocation and phonological categorization (N2), and echoic memory (mismatch negativity (MMN]). This study aims to investigate and document AERP changes in a group of children with BECTS and another group with DD. AERPs were recorded to pure-tones and consonant–vowel (CV) stimuli in an auditory oddball paradigm in eight children with BECTS, seven with DD, and 11 gender- and age-matched controls. The results revealed perceptual deficits for pure-tone and CV stimuli (pre-attentional and auditory discrimination) in DD, related to N1 reduced amplitude (p< 0.05; Fz: 2.57 μV, Cz: 2.75 μV). The BECTS group revealed no significant results for N1; however, there was an increase in N2b latency. The findings in the DD group support the anchor-deficit hypothesis as an explanation for neurolinguistic deficits. The increased N2b latency in the BECTS group could be related to a potential lack of inhibitory mechanisms of pyramidal neurons, as justified by the process of epileptogenesis.
- A gamified virtual reality exposure therapy for individuals with Arachnophobia: a pilot studyPublication . Lopes, Inês; Almeida, Raquel Simões de; Gomes, Paulo Veloso; Marques, António; Simões de Almeida, Raquel; Machado Veloso Gomes, Paulo Sérgio; Pereira da Silva Marques, António JoséArachnophobia is a specific phobia characterized by an intense and persistent fear of spiders, often leading to avoidance behaviors that can significantly impact daily life. Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) offers a controlled, adaptable, and immersive therapeutic environment, allowing for greater personalization, flexibility, and the real-time modulation of exposure parameters. This pilot study employed a quasi-experimental design without a control group to evaluate the efficacy of a gamified VRET intervention for treating arachnophobia. A sample of 25 participants underwent the intervention, with outcomes assessed through a Behavioral Approach Test (BAT) and self-report measures, including the Fear of Spiders Questionnaire (FSQ) and the Spider Phobia Questionnaire (SPQ-15), administered pre-intervention, post-intervention, and at a two-week follow-up. Findings indicate that gamified VRET led to significant reductions in self-reported fear and avoidance behaviors, suggesting its potential as an effective therapeutic tool for arachnophobia. Although some results were not entirely conclusive, the overall improvements observed support further investigation in larger, controlled trials.
- Usefulness of mixed reality in surgical treatment: Delphi studyPublication . Magalhães, Renato; Lima, Ana Carolina; Marques, António; Pereira, Javier; Santos. Lúcio Lara; Pereira da Silva Marques, António José; Magalhães, RenatoMixed reality (MR) combines real and virtual elements and has shown promise in diverse fields, including surgical procedures. MR headsets may support surgical navigation, planning, and training. It is crucial to determine whether medical professionals consider this technology indispensable. This study uses the Delphi method, facilitated by the Welphi web-based platform, to assess the utility of MR in surgical settings and analyzes the results of the first round using a systematic approach modeled on the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) framework. This study aims to examine the feasibility and advantages of MR technology in surgical contexts. The findings are intended to inform and direct health care professionals, researchers, and developers in advancing MR integration into surgical environments to optimize treatment quality and safety. A 3-round Delphi approach was implemented to ascertain consensus on the utility of MR in surgical treatment. Participants (n=22) were purposefully selected from among experts with professional experience in technologies such as virtual reality, augmented reality, 3D laparoscopy, and robotics. In the first round, participants provided insights into the potential applications of MR in surgical procedures through open-ended questions structured across 5 distinct sections. Responses were analyzed to develop the second-round questionnaire, which was hierarchically organized into main topics and subtopics. In the third round, the questions were identical to those in the second round, including the percentage results, allowing participants to reconsider their responses. A consensus round was subsequently conducted. The majority consensus level was defined as agreement by ≥70% of the participants in a given round. The study was conducted from January to May 2024. All 22 invited experts provided responses in both the first and second rounds (100% response rate). In the third and consensus rounds, 20 (91%) of the 22 experts participated. The consensus round, conducted to present the results, yielded a majority consensus (19/20, 95%) on the usefulness of MR in surgical treatment. The primary benefits of MR in surgery were identified as surgical navigation (15/20, 75%), planning (15/20, 75%), and teaching and training (14/20, 70%). In addition, 75% (15/20) of the experts identified cost and investments as primary constraints. We used the Kendall tau-b coefficient for correlation analysis, and significant correlations were identified between distinct aspects. MR technology is most beneficial in surgical navigation, planning, and training. However, the costs and investments required for implementation may present a potential limitation for the integration of this technology into surgical procedures. Moreover, it is of crucial importance to consider the ethical implications associated with MR use, particularly regarding patient safety and privacy.
- Military stress management training using virtual reality: A systematic review and delphi methodPublication . Vianez, Ana; Marques, António; Loureiro, Javier; Gomes, Paulo Veloso; Machado Veloso Gomes, Paulo Sérgio; Pereira da Silva Marques, António JoséMilitary personnel encounter stressors that uniquely affect their performance and well-being, necessitating effective stress management interventions. This study investigates the efficacy of VR-based Stress Management Training (SMT) programs in comparison to traditional approaches. Through a systematic review of 13 studies, VR-based SMT programs were found to significantly reduce stress and anxiety symptoms, with various physiological markers used to evaluate the stress response. Additionally, a Delphi study was conducted to gather expert insights on designing VR-based SMT programs specifically for special operations forces. The experts identified key stressors and coping strategies relevant to this group, emphasizing the potential of VR for stress monitoring, simulation training, and real-time feedback. The Delphi study reached a 97 % consensus on the design principles for these programs. Overall, the findings suggest that integrating VR into SMT programs offers a promising strategy for enhancing stress management and resilience in military personnel.