Publications by authors named "Caseiro A"

Background: Ambient air pollution is a known risk factor for several chronic health conditions, including pulmonary dysfunction. In recent years, studies have shown a positive association between exposure to air pollutants and the incidence, morbidity, and mortality of a COVID-19 infection, however the time period for which air pollution exposure is most relevant for the COVID-19 outcome is still not defined. The aim of this study was to analyze the difference in association when varying the time period of air pollution exposure considered on COVID-19 infection within the same cohort during the first wave of the pandemic in 2020.

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Here, we describe a case of a 5-year-old show-jumping stallion presented with severe lameness, swelling, and pain on palpation of the left metacarpophalangeal joint (MCj). Diagnostic imaging revealed full and partial-thickness articular defects over the lateral condyle of the third metacarpus (MC3) and the dorsolateral aspect of the first phalanx (P1). After the lesion's arthroscopic curettage, the patient was subjected to an innovative regenerative treatment consisting of two intra-articular injections of equine synovial membrane mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (eSM-MSCs) combined with umbilical cord mesenchymal stem/stromal cells conditioned medium (UC-MSC CM), 15 days apart.

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Musculoskeletal injuries such as equine osteoarthritis, osteoarticular defects, tendonitis/desmitis, and muscular disorders are prevalent among sport horses, with a fair prognosis for returning to exercise or previous performance levels. The field of equine medicine has witnessed rapid and fruitful development, resulting in a diverse range of therapeutic options for musculoskeletal problems. Staying abreast of these advancements can be challenging, prompting the need for a comprehensive review of commonly used and recent treatments.

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  • * A study explored the effects of replacing traditional salt with powdered halophyte plant ( ) in a group of 30 healthy young individuals, focusing on biochemical profiles and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) 2 and 9 activity.
  • * Results showed that replacing salt improved lipid profiles, with decreases in total cholesterol and HDL-c, and indicated a potential regulatory effect on MMP-9, highlighting the need for further research on MMPs in individuals with health issues.
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In recent years, the world's aging population has increased, contributing to the development of age-related pathologies, which have been aggravated by physical inactivity and excessive fat intake. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of implementing a nutritional program (control group-CG) combined with exercise (intervention group-IG) on the inflammatory profile, MMPs, and TIMPs in a group of 34 elderly participants (IG, = 18; CG, = 16). Participants underwent a full multidisciplinary diagnostic evaluation (T0), with the gathering of clinical information and biochemical and hematological determinations being re-evaluated eight weeks later (T1).

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Horses are high-performance athletes prone to sportive injuries such as tendonitis and desmitis. The formation of fibrous tissue in tendon repair remains a challenge to overcome. This impels regenerative medicine to develop innovative therapies that enhance regeneration, retrieving original tissue properties.

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The average life expectancy of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs) is increasing. However, living more years does not mean living better, leading to the need for research on comorbidities associated with the aging process. Associated with this process are the physical characteristics most prevalent in an individual with IDD: low levels of all physical capacities, the accumulation of central fat, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and hypertension, variables considered to be some of the main risk factors of the onset of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, and variables that can negatively impact quality of life (QoL).

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  • The study aimed to assess the relationship between physical activity and immune/metabolic responses in young adults recovering from mild-to-moderate COVID-19 infection.
  • Researchers compared 20 post-COVID-19 patients with 20 healthy controls, evaluating factors like physical activity levels, body composition, and immune function.
  • Results showed lower physical activity levels and altered immune markers in post-COVID-19 patients, including decreased pulmonary function and changes in serum cytokines and lymphocyte activation compared to controls.
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Gas flaring is an environmental problem of local, regional and global concerns. Gas flares emit pollutants and greenhouse gases, yet knowledge about the source strength is limited due to disparate reporting approaches in different geographies, whenever and wherever those are considered. Remote sensing has bridged the gap but uncertainties remain.

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The prevalence of overweight and obesity has increased in the last decades, including in people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD). This is even more concerning when it is globally accepted that a low physical condition contributes to the deterioration of functionality and increases the risk of developing chronic diseases during life, with effective implications for health and well-being. The aim of the present study is to investigate the effects of two physical exercise intervention programs on institutionalized individuals with IDD.

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Tendon and ligament injuries are frequent in sport horses and humans, and such injuries represent a significant therapeutic challenge. Tissue regeneration and function recovery are the paramount goals of tendon and ligament lesion management. Nowadays, several regenerative treatments are being developed, based on the use of stem cell and stem cell-based therapies.

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Obesogenic environments such as Westernized diets, overnutrition, and exposure to glycation during gestation and lactation can alter peripheral neuroendocrine factors in offspring, predisposing for metabolic diseases in adulthood. Thus, we hypothesized that exposure to obesogenic environments during the perinatal period reprograms offspring energy balance mechanisms. Four rat obesogenic models were studied: maternal diet-induced obesity (DIO); early-life obesity induced by postnatal overfeeding; maternal glycation; and postnatal overfeeding combined with maternal glycation.

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Article Synopsis
  • - The study explores the long-term effects of COVID-19 on young adults, focusing on heart rate variability (HRV) as a way to assess the autonomic nervous system's (ANS) recovery after mild to moderate infection.
  • - Participants who had recovered from COVID-19 showed a decrease in sympathetic nervous system activity and an increase in parasympathetic nervous system activity during the follow-up assessment six weeks post-immunization, regardless of physical activity levels.
  • - Overall, the findings suggest that there is a recovery of ANS function in young adults after a COVID-19 infection, but this recovery is independent of changes in physical activity between the initial assessment and follow-up.
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Purpose: Basketball jump shot success is determined mainly by the height, velocity and angle of ball release. To achieve a successful shot, these variables need to be adjusted according to the player's position on the court. This study aimed to identify the changes in kinematics variables of the basketball jump shot with an increasing shooting distance performed by players with varying skill levels.

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  • Previous research links high salt intake to increased blood pressure and cardiovascular issues, prompting this study to explore Sarcocornia as a healthier salt alternative.
  • Thirty healthy participants were divided into a control group using regular salt and an intervention group using Sarcocornia powder for one month, with various cardiovascular measurements taken before and after the intervention.
  • Results showed that the intervention group had a significant decrease in sodium excretion and cardiovascular parameters, such as blood pressure, compared to the control group, supporting Sarcocornia's effectiveness in reducing cardiovascular risks associated with excessive salt consumption.
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Background: The SARS-CoV-2 virus has been spreading in Germany since January 2020, with regional differences in incidence, morbidity, and mortality. Long-term exposure to air pollutants as nitrogen dioxide (NO), nitrogen monoxide (NO), ozone (O), and particulate matter (<10 μm PM, <2.5 μm PM) has a negative impact on respiratory functions.

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Oxidative stress is defined as the imbalance between reactive species and antioxidant agents. One of the effects of oxidative stress is the normal process of cellular aging that stems from the accumulation of tissue damage. Epidemiological studies show that regular physical exercise prevents the injuries caused by aging.

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Vascular diseases are the main cause of morbidity and mortality. The vascular extracellular matrix (ECM) is essential in mechanical support, also regulating the cellular behavior fundamental to vascular function and homeostasis. Vascular remodeling is an adaptive response to various physiological and pathological changes and is associated with aging and vascular diseases.

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Bone tissue engineering has been developed in the past decades, with the engineering of bone substitutes on the vanguard of this regenerative approach. Polycaprolactone-based scaffolds are fairly applied for bone regeneration, and several composites have been incorporated so as to improve the scaffolds' mechanical properties and tissue in-growth. In this study, hydroxyapatite is incorporated on polycaprolactone-based scaffolds at two different proportions, 80:20 and 60:40.

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  • COVID-19 can negatively affect the autonomic nervous system (ANS) and endothelial function, possibly causing lasting multiorgan issues even after recovery from the virus.
  • The study aimed to examine the ANS of young adults post-SARS-CoV-2 infection, focusing on how body mass index (BMI) and physical activity influence autonomic function in those both with and without the disease.
  • Findings showed that individuals recovering from COVID-19 displayed increased sympathetic nervous system activity and lower parasympathetic activity; overweight/obese and physically inactive participants experienced more pronounced disruptions in their ANS compared to their healthy counterparts.
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Background: The estimated number of people living with anxiety disorders worldwide is around 264 million and is estimated to have worsened with the recent pandemic of COVID-19. Acupuncture has shown to have excellent therapeutic effects in reducing anxiety.

Design: Double-blinded randomized controlled clinical trial with 56 participants (21-82 years) with anxiety diagnosed by 3 different anxiety scales (BAI, GAD-7 and OASIS).

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  • This proposal addresses gaps in knowledge about COVID-19, focusing on immune, inflammatory, and metabolic markers while assessing the clinical and mental health of patients over time.
  • The study will involve a prospective observational cohort of adults with mild to moderate COVID-19 infection, measuring various health parameters at the start, six weeks post-vaccination, and at 12 months.
  • Participants will be categorized based on physical activity levels and body composition, and a sub-study will investigate the immune response using blood samples from both trained and sedentary individuals in relation to SARS-CoV-2.
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Aging is characterized by several progressive physiological changes, including changes in the circadian rhythm. Circadian rhythms influence behavior, physiology, and metabolic processes in order to maintain homeostasis; they also influence the function of endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, and immune cells in the vessel wall. A clock misalignment could favor vascular damage and indirectly also affect skeletal muscle function.

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Urban air pollution is a substantial threat to human health. Traffic emissions remain a large contributor to air pollution in urban areas. The mobility restrictions put in place in response to the COVID-19 pandemic provided a large-scale real-world experiment that allows for the evaluation of changes in traffic emissions and the corresponding changes in air quality.

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Exposure to poor air quality is considered a major influence on the occurrence of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. Air pollution has also been linked to the severity of the effects of epidemics such as COVID-19 caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Epidemiological studies require datasets of the long-term exposure to air pollution.

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