Extraction of Natural-Based Raw Materials Towards the Production of Sustainable Man-Made Organic Fibres.

Bioresources have been gaining popularity due to their abundance, renewability, and recyclability. Nevertheless, given their diverse composition and complex hierarchical structures, these bio-based sources must be carefully processed to effectively extract valuable raw polymeric materials suitable for producing man-made organic fibres. This review will first highlight the most relevant bio-based sources, with a particular focus on promising unconventional biomass sources (terrestrial vegetables, aquatic vegetables, fungi, and insects), as well as agroforestry and industrial biowaste (food, paper/wood, and textile).

Closing Editorial: Research Progress on Chitosan Applications.

Chitosan has attracted significant attention due to its versatile properties, which make it an ideal candidate for varied biomedical and industrial applications [...

Applying Resin Radial Injection for Manufacturing Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composite: Advanced Mathematical Modeling and Simulation.

Recently, the liquid composite molding technique (LCM) has been used for producing fiber-reinforced polymer composites, since it allows the molding of complex parts, presenting good surface finishing and control of the mechanical properties of the product at the end of the process. Studies in this area have been focused on resin transfer molding (RTM), specifically on the resin rectilinear infiltration through the porous preform inserted in the closed cavity neglecting the sorption effect of the polymeric fluid by the reinforcement. Thus, the objective of this work is to predict resin radial flow in porous media (fibrous preform), including the effect of resin sorption by fibers considering a one-dimensional approach.

Strawberry Plant as a Biomonitor of Trace Metal Air Pollution-A Citizen Science Approach in an Urban-Industrial Area near Lisbon, Portugal.

A biomonitoring study of air pollution was developed in an urban-industrial area (Seixal, Portugal) using leaves of strawberry plants ( Duchesne ex Rozier) as biomonitors to identify the main sources and hotspots of air pollution in the study area. The distribution of exposed strawberry plants in the area was based on a citizen science approach, where residents were invited to have the plants exposed outside their homes. Samples were collected from a total of 49 different locations, and their chemical composition was analyzed for 22 chemical elements using X-ray Fluorescence spectrometry.

Bioprospecting of Natural Products from Medicinal Plants.

The exploration of natural products derived from medicinal plants that provide an abundance of bioactive compounds has long been a cornerstone of scientific discovery, revolutionizing fields such as medicine, agriculture, and biotechnology [...

Soothing the Itch: The Role of Medicinal Plants in Alleviating Pruritus in Palliative Care.

Chronic pruritus, or persistent itching, is a debilitating condition that severely impacts quality of life, especially in palliative care settings. Traditional treatments often fail to provide adequate relief or are associated with significant side effects, prompting interest in alternative therapies. This review investigates the antipruritic potential of eight medicinal plants: chamomile (), aloe vera (), calendula (), curcumin (), lavender (), licorice (), peppermint (), and evening primrose ().

Genetic Diversity and Identification of Species Through Microsatellite Analysis.

The genus contains about 500 species distributed worldwide but only a limited number of species have been studied for genetic diversity using molecular markers. In this study, a genetic analysis was conducted on three Vaccinium species (four cultivars of , four wild populations of , and two cultivars of ), for a total of 95 genotypes, using eight microsatellite (SSR) loci. A total of 57 alleles were detected.

Integration of Copper Toxicity Mechanisms in : Advancing Insights at Environmentally Relevant Concentrations.

This work aimed to characterize the impact of copper (Cu), at environmentally relevant concentrations, using the freshwater microalga . Algae were incubated with 33 or 53 µg/L Cu, in OECD medium, and toxic impacts were evaluated over 72 h, using different cellular and biochemical biomarkers. The exposure to 33 µg/L Cu had an algistatic effect: slowing growth and reducing algal population (53%, at 72 h) without compromising the cell membrane.

Effect of Substituent Groups on the Adsorption Efficiency of Phenols by Activated Carbon Developed by Hydrothermally Treated Phyllanthus Emblica Fruit Stone.

In this study, the novel activated carbon developed from fruit stone, through hydrothermal treatment at low pressure and temperature, was utilized for the removal of 4-nitrophenol, 4-chlorophenol, and phenol from water. The activated carbon produced (AC-HTPEFS) showed a well-developed porosity with a surface area of 569 m g and a total pore volume of 0.342 cm g.

Implementation of Nutrition Labels at the 2022 European Athletics Championships: An Observational Study of the Use and Perceptions of Athletes and Athlete Support Personnel.

Background/objectives: Nutrition labels are an effective tool for providing nutrition information. Additionally, nutrient composition is one of the most dictating factors for athletes' food choices; thus, we aimed to evaluate the use and perceptions regarding the nutrition labels implemented for the meals served at the 2022 European Athletics Championships (EAC).

Methods: During mealtime at the team restaurants, participants completed an online self-administered questionnaire.

Mechanisms and Potential Benefits of Neuroprotective Agents in Neurological Health.

The brain contains many interconnected and complex cellular and molecular mechanisms. Injury to the brain causes permanent dysfunctions in these mechanisms. So, it continues to be an area where surgical intervention cannot be performed except for the removal of tumors and the repair of some aneurysms.

The Influence of Diet and Obesity in Lynch Syndrome: What Do We Know So Far.

Of all new cases of colorectal cancer, Lynch syndrome (LS) accounts for approximately 3%. This syndrome is the most common hereditary cancer syndrome and is caused by pathogenic variants in the genes responsible for DNA mismatch repair. Although the relationship between colorectal cancer risk and diet is well established, little is known regarding the influence of diet and nutritional characteristics on LS's clinical evolution.

Sulfur Amino Acid Restriction Mitigates High-Fat Diet-Induced Molecular Alterations in Cardiac Remodeling Primarily via FGF21-Independent Mechanisms.

Dietary sulfur amino acid restriction (SAAR) elicits various health benefits, some mediated by fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21). However, research on SAAR's effects on the heart is limited and presents mixed findings. This study aimed to evaluate SAAR-induced molecular alterations associated with cardiac remodeling and their dependence on FGF21.

Practical Recommendations for the Diagnosis and Management of Lysosomal Acid Lipase Deficiency with a Focus on Wolman Disease.

Lysosomal acid lipase deficiency (LAL-D) is an ultra-rare lysosomal storage disease with two distinct phenotypes, an infantile-onset form (formerly Wolman disease) and a later-onset form (formerly cholesteryl ester storage disease). The objective of this narrative review is to examine the most important aspects of the diagnosis and treatment of LAL-D and to provide practical expert recommendations. The infantile-onset form occurs in the first weeks of life and is characterized by malnourishment and failure to thrive due to gastrointestinal impairment (vomiting, diarrhea, malabsorption), as well as systemic inflammation, hepatosplenomegaly, and adrenal calcifications.

Enhancing Performance in Young Athletes: A Systematic Review of Acute Supplementation Effects.

Background/objectives: The increasing popularity of acute supplementation among young athletes is concerning, given the limited scientific evidence to guide recommendations specific to this group. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review was to synthesize the available scientific evidence on the acute effects of supplementation in young athletes to understand the impact on physical and cognitive performance.

Methods: Following pre-registration on INPLASY (INPLASY202310017) and according to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines, systematic searches of three electronic databases (Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus) were conducted by independent researchers from inception until July 2024.

Circadian Deregulation: Back Facing the Sun Toward Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) Development.

Earth's rotation around its axis has pressured its inhabitants to adapt to 24 h cycles of day and night. Humans adapted their own circadian rhythms to the Earth's rhythms with a light-aligned awake-sleep cycle. As a consequence, metabolism undergoes drastic changes throughout the circadian cycle and needs plasticity to cope with opposing conditions in the day (when there is an increase in energy demands and food availability), and during the night (when prolonged fasting couples with cyclic changes in the energy demands across the sleep stages).

In Vitro Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities of Ethyl Acetate Extracts of Leaves and Five Associated Endophytic Fungi.

The exploration of new pharmacological compounds from endophytic fungi offers infinite possibilities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial and antioxidant activities of extracts from the leaves of and five of its endophytic fungi and investigate the chemical diversity of the secondary metabolites produced. Isolated, purified, and molecularly identified endophytes and plant leaves were subjected to ethyl acetate extraction.

Unexpected Genetic Diversity of Nostocales (Cyanobacteria) Isolated from the Phyllosphere of the Laurel Forests in the Canary Islands (Spain).

A total of 96 strains of Nostocales (Cyanobacteria) were established from the phyllosphere of the laurel forests in the Canary Islands (Spain) and the Azores (Portugal) using enrichment media lacking combined nitrogen. The strains were characterized by light microscopy and SSU rRNA gene comparisons. Morphologically, most strains belonged to two different morphotypes, termed "-type" and "-type".

Copper and Antimicrobial Residues in the Liver and Kidney-Antimicrobial Resistance and Cu Tolerance Unrelated in from Piglets' Faeces.

Antimicrobials, widely used in livestock, have induced the emergence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, prompting farmers to explore alternatives like copper. This study aims to determine antimicrobial residues and Cu concentrations in the liver and kidney of piglets and to investigate the correlation between Cu and antimicrobial use and the resistance to Cu and antimicrobials of isolated from piglets' faeces. Antimicrobial residues were quantified by UHPLC-ToF-MS; Cu was quantified using FAAS; microbiological methods were used for isolation, CuSO minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), and antimicrobial susceptibility; and to detect genes, Real-Time PCR was used.

Mechanistic Insights into Succinic Acid as an Adjuvant for Ciprofloxacin in Treating Growing Within Cystic Fibrosis Airway Mucus.

is a major cause of chronic respiratory infections in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), with biofilm formation contributing to its persistence and antibiotic resistance. This study aimed to gain insights into the mechanistic action of succinic acid as a ciprofloxacin adjuvant against clinically relevant CF isolates, including small colony variants and mucoid strains, and a ciprofloxacin-resistant strain grown within CF dense mucus. Time-kill assays in artificial CF mucus, along with planktonic and surface-attached biofilm experiments, were used to assess the activity of succinic acid alone and in combination with sublethal ciprofloxacin concentrations.

Hospital Context Determinants of Variability in Healthcare-Associated Infection Prevalence: Multi-Level Analysis.

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) represent a major challenge in patient safety that affects services disproportionally. This paper aimed to assess how the HAI prevalence varies between hospital services and what contextual characteristics may explain such variance. A cross-sectional study was conducted on adult patients in Portuguese hospitals, using data from the European point prevalence survey of HAI prevalence.

Screening for STIs: Results of a Health-Promotion Programme in a Portuguese University.

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are an important and growing public health concern. Implementation of screening programmes and awareness campaigns are crucial to mitigate this problem. A university in the central region of Portugal has devised a health-promotion programme, named , specifically directed towards the sexual health of the university community.

Recognizing a Silent Threat: Canine Ehrlichiosis and Rickettsiosis in Northern Portugal.

Vector-borne diseases pose significant challenges for both animal and public health worldwide [...

EchoTilt: An Acoustofluidic Method for the Capture and Enrichment of Nanoplastics Directed Toward Drinking Water Monitoring.

Micro- and nanoplastics have become increasingly relevant as contaminants to be monitored due to their potential health effects and environmental impact. Nanoplastics, in particular, have been shown to be difficult to detect in drinking water, requiring new capture technologies. In this work, we applied the acoustofluidic seed particle method to capture nanoplastics in an optimized, tilted grid of silica clusters even at the high flow rate of 5 mL/min.

Analysis of Plasticizer Contamination Throughout Olive Oil Production.

This study monitored the contamination of 32 plasticizers in olive oil throughout the production and storage process. Samples were collected at different stages of production from three olive oil production lines in distinct regions of Portugal and analyzed for 23 phthalates and 9 phthalates substitutes to identify contamination sources. The developed analytical method employed liquid-liquid extraction with hexane/methanol (1:4, /), followed by centrifugation, extract removal, and freezing as a clean-up step.