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  • Effects of a 24-Week Low-Cost Multicomponent Exercise Program on Health-Related Functional Fitness in the Community-Dwelling Aged and Older Adults
    Publication . Rodrigues, Filipe; Jacinto, Miguel; Figueiredo, Nuno; Monteiro, António; Forte, Pedro
    Background and Objectives: This study aimed to examine the effects of a low-cost multicomponent exercise program on health-related functional fitness in the community-dwelling aged and older adults. As a second objective, this study compared the exercise program between aged adults (<65 years) and those considered elderly (≥65 years). Materials and Methods: Forty-eight participants were included in the exercise program, and their mean age was 64.73 years (±5.93 years). The Senior Fitness Tests were performed by each participant. A dynamometer was used to assess hand grip strength, and body composition was assessed considering the body mass index. Paired-sample t test was used to compare data at baseline and after the exercise program, considering the total sample. Afterwards, a 2 × 2 analysis of variance was used to examine differences within and between groups. Results: Statistically significant improvements in the chair stand (t = −14.06; p < 0.001; d = 0.42), arm curl (t = −12.10; p < 0.001; d = 0.58), 2 min step test (t = −9.41; p < 0.001; d = 0.24), timed up and go test (t = 5.60; p < 0.001; d = 0.19), and hand grip strength (t = −3.33; p < 0.001; d = 0.15) were observed. There were also significant differences in the back scratch (t = −6.68; p < 0.001; d = 0.18) and chair sit and reach test (t = 5.04; p < 0.001; d = 0.05), as well as body mass index (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found between groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion: This study provides evidence that a 24-week low-cost community-based exercise program can improve functional fitness in aged and in older adults. The exercise program supplied the necessary data to construct further randomized controlled trials that can be performed in the community in an environmentally sustainable fashion and applied, not only to the elderly, but also to those transitioning to this age group.
    2023-02-15Journal article Open access Show more
  • Evaluation of the dermatological potential of the macroalgae Bifurcaria bifurcata
    Publication . Luz, Inês Filipa Rodrigues da; Pintéus, Susete Filipa Gonçalves; Alves, Celso Miguel da Maia; Martins, Alice Isabel Mendes
    The skin is the largest organ of the human body and has a major role in maintaining internal homeostasis. Due to the increasing awareness of the importance of skin, there is a great demand for new and natural skin care products. Seaweeds have revealed to be a rich source of bioactive compounds with relevant biological activities for a wide range of dermatological applications. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the dermatological potential of the brown seaweed Bifurcaria bifurcata regarding its antioxidant, antienzymatic, cytotoxic, photoprotective, wound healing, and antimicrobial properties. The freeze-dried seaweed was extracted with ethanol: water (70:30, v/v) and the crude extract was subjected to a liquid-liquid partition with cyclohexane, ethyl acetate, and water, affording six fractions (F1-F6), which chemical profile was analysed by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR). Several in vitro assays were performed to assess their dermatological potential, namely: (i) antioxidant (total phenolic content (TPC), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging, superoxide anion (SOD) reduction, Fe (III) reduction power (FRAP), and oxygen free radical scavenging capacity (ORAC)); ii) antienzyme (collagenase, elastase, hyaluronidase, and tyrosinase); iii) cytotoxicity in HaCat cells; iv) photoprotective (ROS production) in HaCaT cells exposed to ultra-violet radiation A/B (15 min at 7.9 mW/ cm2); v) healing (scratching method) in HaCaT cells; and, iv) antimicrobial (S. aureus, S. hominis, S. epidermidis, C. acnes, and M. furfur) activities. The ethyl acetate fraction (F4) demonstrated a high antioxidant potential, with the highest ability to reduce the DPPH radical (EC50: 35.7 μg/mL) and SOD (EC50: 83.7 μg/mL), together with the highest values of FRAP (4982 μM FeSO4/g), ORAC (2418.6 μmol TE/g), and TPC (626.5 mg PE/g). Regarding the antienzymatic activity, this fraction also demonstrated the best potential to inhibit collagenase (IC50: 50.1 μg/mL) and tyrosinase (IC50: 33.6 μg/mL) activities. Additionally, fractions F2 (IC50: 120.5 μg/mL) and F3 (IC50: 99.3 μg/mL), demonstrated the highest ability to reduce hyaluronidase activity. The photoprotective and healing capacity was performed on HaCaT cells at non-toxic concentrations. The hydrophilic fraction (F5) mediated the highest ROS reduction (30.9%) on HaCaT cells exposed to UVA/B radiation, while the most lipophilic fraction (F2) promoted the highest healing area (47.3%). Regarding the antimicrobial activity, the cyclohexane fraction (F3) showed the best inhibitory potential against Staphylococcus epidermidis (48.5% at 200 μg/mL) and, together with F2, also against Cutibacterium acnes (IC50: 59.0 and 63.1 μg/mL, respectively). The obtained results suggest that this seaweed can be regarded as a potential source of bioactive ingredients for further dermatological applications, justifying the importance of more and deeper studies aiming its use in new and sustainable cosmetic formulations.
    2023-02-15Master thesis Restricted access Show more
  • Análise comparativa dos sistemas de governança dos geoparques Estrela e Naturtejo em Portugal
    Publication . Osório Sanchez, Maria Cristina; Almeida, António Sérgio Araújo de; Jorge, João Paulo da Conceição Silva
    Os Geoparques Globais da UNESCO (UGGPs) são territórios ideais para promover o geoturismo. O primeiro Geoparque português a integrar a Rede de Geoparques Mundiais (GGN) da UNESCO, foi o Geopark Naturtejo em 2006. Partilha território com três áreas protegidas e a Reserva de Biosfera do Tejo/Tajo Internacional. O último a integrar a GGN foi o Estrela Geopark em 2020, tendo integrado por consequência, o Parque Natural da Serra de Estrela. Perseguindo objetivos comuns, cada um deles possui um modelo próprio de governança. É assim que o objetivo principal desta dissertação consiste em realizar uma análise comparativa dos sistemas de governança através da respetiva caracterização de linhas estratégicas, tais como: sistemas de governança, conservação do património natural e geológico, comunicação, educação, turismo, revisão do processo de implementação e evolução dos Geoparques Naturtejo e Estrela em Portugal. A metodologia de investigação baseia-se numa análise descritiva exploratória realizada através de pesquisas bibliográficas e entrevistas aos representantes dos órgãos de administração e órgãos de poder local. Com base nos resultados obtidos, conclui-se que os dois sistemas de governança são diferentes e ambos cumprem com os objetivos dos (GGPs). Verificou-se que o Geopark Naturtejo enfrenta um desafio assente na conciliação dos processos de cooperação devido à estrutura administrativa de empresa Intermunicipal com fins lucrativos. É recomendável considerar uma proposta de reestruturação para evitar conflitos de interesse no futuro. Observou-se que as diferentes fases de desenvolvimento de ambos os geoparques têm um impacto na atualização dos sistemas informáticos. No caso do Geopark Naturtejo, ferramentas para o geoturismo, podem ser reforçadas. É necessário analisar o impacto na economia do território municipal mercê do desenvolvimento de projetos turísticos ligados aos Geoparques.
    2023-02-15Master thesis Open access Show more