Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2025-12"
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- Permeation studies of chlorpyrifos through skin and synthetic membranes to improve the in vitro dermal absorption assay of lipophilic compounds with ethanolic receptorsPublication . Marques da Silva, Dorinda; Franco, Margarida; Lagoa, Ricardo; Violante, CristianaThe in vitro percutaneous absorption assay is standardized, but the common use of 50 % ethanol in the receptor compartment for lipophilic compounds is questioned. In parallel, the demand for animal-free methodologies is driving the application of synthetic membranes without standardization guidelines. To address these issues, this study investigated the permeation of the lipophilic compound chlorpyrifos using different ethanol-containing receptor fluids with human and pig skin ex vivo, and silicone and STRAT-M® membranes. The results considered several factors, particularly chlorpyrifos solubility and the contact angles between skin models and receptor fluids. Original experimental approaches demonstrated that ethanol from the receptor rapidly crosses to the donor compartment increasing chlorpyrifos diffusivity. Compared to the described in vivo dermal absorption, human skin and STRAT-M® yielded the best predictive permeation parameters. However, high percentage of ethanol in the receptor fluid can lead to an overestimation of percutaneous absorption. Summing up, it is important to carefully determine the concentration of ethanol to be used in the receptor fluid of lipophilic compounds’ assays while further research with synthetic membranes is needed prior to their wider adoption.
- Assessment of potentially motivating factors to follow time-restricted eating protocols in a population of adults living in PortugalPublication . Lages, Marlene; Carmo Silva, Sara; Barros, Renata; Guarino, MariaChrononutrition is a growing field that has been attracting significant attention for its potential benefits in metabolic health and body weight regulation. Among chrononutrition strategies, time-restricted eating (TRE) is the most extensively investigated approach in clinical studies. TRE intends to synchronise eating and fasting cycles with the human circadian rhythms. However, larger and longer randomised clinical trials are still needed to establish the effectiveness and long-term health outcomes of TRE interventions. Furthermore, it is crucial to explore whether individuals in free-living conditions, outside controlled clinical settings, can successfully adopt TRE principles into their daily routines to achieve potential health benefits. This study aimed to investigate the association between daily routines and potential adherence to TRE protocols, as well as to identify factors that can potentially predict adherence to these protocols in a sample of adults living in Portugal. A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online questionnaire to assess dietary and sleeping habits, daily routines and the likelihood of adherence to various restrictions in daily eating windows. Associations between variables were analysed using the Spearman correlation coefficient and the Chi-Square test, while an ordinal logistic regression was performed to identify predictive factors. Statistical analyses were conducted on IBM SPSS Statistics version 29.0. The questionnaire was filled out by 130 participants (80 % women) with a mean age of 37.9 ± 13.59 years. On workdays, 71.6 % of participants reported a daily eating window of 12 to 14 h, while on free days, the highest percentage (46.6 %) reported between 10 and 12 h. A significant inverse correlation was observed between willingness to adhere to a TRE protocol based on perceived health benefits and both age (ρ = -0.356, p < 0.001) and sex (ρ = -0.321, p < 0.001). Moderate correlations were also found between the willingness to follow a TRE protocol on workdays (ρ = 0.538) and free days (ρ = 0.598) and the potential health benefits of this type of intervention (p < 0.001). Additionally, sex was associated with potential adherence to the TRE protocol (χ²(2) = 10.644, p = 0.005), with a tendency for men to show lower willingness for adherence. Associations were also identified between body weight management and reducing the eating window by 1 to 2 h (χ²(12) = 24.883, df = 12, p = 0.015) and 2 to 3 h (χ²(12) = 22.367, p = 0.034). Moreover, the perceived importance of income, body weight management and cooking knowledge were significant predictors of the likelihood of adherence to a TRE protocol with a 3 to 4 h restriction in the eating window on workdays (p < 0.005). These results provide valuable insights that should be considered when translating research into clinical practice, specifically in an adult population, as individuals’ willingness and motivation to adopt TRE protocols in free-living conditions are influenced by multiple factors.
- Artificial intelligence applied to the stone manufacturing industry: A systematic literature reviewPublication . Santos Silva, Alexandre; Antunes, Carolina; Miragaia, Rolando; Costa, Rogério Luís C.; Silva, Fernando; Ribeiro, JoséNatural stone has long been used in construction, as its properties provide functional and visual value, and the natural stone market currently holds significant importance in the global economy. It is important to consider integrating new technologies in the production chain to aid the industry in moving forward, increasing profit margins and reducing wasted material. This article reviews recent trends in using Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning techniques in the industry between 2017 and 2024, following a methodology for Systematic Literature Reviews in computer science. It was found that extensive research has been conducted on the subject of tile classification, with solid solutions proposed, achieving results that can be considered robust enough for industrial application. Other subjects comprise tasks regarding stone cutting and defect detection, as well as variable prediction, and quarry activity monitoring. Some authors propose solutions to integrate new technologies into the complete production chain. While more research needs to be done on specific subjects, this review provides a solid first step to future research.
- Sequential extraction of oxindole alkaloids from Uncaria tomentosa leaves by green pressurized solventsPublication . Botelho, José Rafael S.; Gaspar, Marisa C.; Sousa, Hermínio J.C. de; Braga, Mara E.M.; Freire, M.Uncaria tomentosa (Cat’s Claw) is a woody climbing vine known for its therapeutic effects, which have been validated in clinical trials. The leaves, often discarded in traditional uses, contain high quantities and a wide variety of oxindole alkaloids, such as rhynchophylline (Rhy), isomytraphylline (Imyt), or mitraphylline (Myt), with Myt typically being the major alkaloid found in extracts of this species. In this study, sequential extraction in two steps was employed to recover oxindole alkaloids. In the first step, pressurized liquid acetone was used, extracting approximately 17 % of the raw material mass, with no detectable alkaloids in the extract. In the second step, CO2-expanded liquid ethanol (25 % w/w) was used under varying temperature, pressure, and solvent density conditions. Extracts enriched with the oxindole alkaloids Rhy, Imyt, and Myt were obtained from the 2nd step extraction, with ratios ranging from 39:61 to 62:38 (Rhy:Myt + Imyt). These extracts demonstrated significant inhibition of lipoxygenase (up to 95 %) and acetylcholinesterase, indicating potential anti-inflammatory and neurological applications. Moreover, these effects were positively correlated with the proportion of Rhy relative to Myt + Imyt. Based on the alkaloid content and the observed potential bioactivities, optimized parameters, robustness and process stability were assessed using deterministic and stochastic statistical methods to maximise Rhy and minimise Imyt and Myt. Finally, this study presents the development and optimization of a robust process to obtain extracts with anti-inflammatory and neurological potential, adding value to U. tomentosa leaves and promoting the sustainable use of this plant as a raw material.
- The Effect of Nutritional Intervention in Nutritional Risk Screening on Hospitalised Lung Cancer PatientsPublication . Oliveira, Raquel; Cabrita, Bruno; Cunha, Ângela; Silva, Sónia; Lima, João P. M.; Martins, Diana; Mendes, FernandoBackground: Lung cancer (LC) patients are prone to suffer from malnutrition. Malnutrition negatively affects patients’ response to therapy, increases the incidence of treatment-related side effects, and decreases survival. Early identification of LC patients who are malnourished or at risk of malnutrition can promote recovery and improve prognosis. Objective: This study aimed to assess the risk and nutritional status of lung cancer patients who are hospitalised, as well as to evaluate the impact of nutritional intervention on the risk of malnutrition. Methods: From January 2022 to December 2023, 53 LC patients hospitalised in a pulmonology department had their nutritional risk (initial and final) and nutritional status (initial) assessed. All were selected for nutritional intervention. Nutrition counselling was the first intervention option, along with dietary changes with/without oral nutritional supplements. Results: At the time of hospitalisation, 90.6% of the patients were at nutritional risk, 45.3% were classified as moderately malnourished, and 35.8% were classified as severely underweight. After the hospitalisation, 73.6% were at nutritional risk at the time of discharge, suggesting a statistically significant decrease in the number of patients with nutritional risk. Conclusions: Most LC patients hospitalised presented an altered nutritional status. Our study suggests that a nutritional intervention must be implemented to reduce malnutrition risk, which may impact prognosis. The comprehensive nutritional problems experienced by LC patients require nutritional assessment and improved individually tailored nutritional support.