Virus Removal from Real Wastewater as an Environmental Management Approach.

The increased presence of resistant microorganisms in water promotes the need for supplementary measures to mitigate the water source's contamination. Traditional treatments are inefficient in wastewater management at removing some emerging contaminants. an invasive species, can be used in the treatment due to their resistance and biofiltration capacity, working as a pest management strategy.

Manganese Oxide Nanoparticles for MRI-Based Multimodal Imaging and Theranostics.

Manganese-based MRI contrast agents have recently attracted much attention as an alternative to Gd-based compounds. Various nanostructures have been proposed for potential applications in in vivo diagnostics and theranostics. This review is focused on the discussion of different types of Mn oxide-based nanoparticles (MnO NPs) obtained at the +2, +3 and +4 oxidation states for MRI, multimodal imaging or theranostic applications.

From Olive Oil Lovers to Mediterranean Diet Lifestyle Followers: Consumption Pattern Segmentation in the Portuguese Context.

The Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet) is considered an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO; it is also the world's most evidence-based eating pattern for promoting health and longevity. This study aims to investigate consumer segmentation based on consumption patterns and identify barriers to adherence to MedDiet. Data were collected in 2020 by telephonic survey based on PREDIMED, using a quota sampling technique by socio-demographic variables, such as gender, age, and regional representation of the Portuguese population.

Nutritional Genomics: Implications for Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of vision loss in older individuals, driven by a multifactorial etiology involving genetic, environmental, and dietary factors. Nutritional genomics, which studies gene-nutrient interactions, has emerged as a promising field for AMD prevention and management. Genetic predispositions, such as variants in , , , , and oxidative stress pathways, significantly affect the risk and progression of AMD.

Sugar Content in L. Fruit and Its Relationship with Climatic and Edaphic Characteristics.

This research was carried out as part of a program for the conservation and improvement of the strawberry tree. Accessions' prospecting was conducted in different Portuguese provenances. Accessions (204) were identified, and mature fruits were collected in autumn.

P53 and the Ultraviolet Radiation-Induced Skin Response: Finding the Light in the Darkness of Triggered Carcinogenesis.

This review delves into the significant cellular and molecular responses triggered by UVR exposure in human skin, emphasizing the pivotal role of mutant p53 (mutp53) in the carcinogenic process elicited by radiation. By underlining the role of a functional p53 in safeguarding skin cells from UVR-induced damage, this work underscores the potential significance of targeting mutp53, aiming to restore its wild-type-like activity (reactivation), as a protective strategy against skin cancer (SC), particularly NMSC. Most importantly, an interesting crosstalk between p53 and its vitamin D receptor (VDR) transcriptional target is also highlighted in the suppression of skin carcinogenesis, which opens the way to promising chemopreventive strategies involving synergistic combinations between mutp53 reactivators and vitamin D.

Ferroptosis driven by nanoparticles for tackling glioblastoma.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive, malignant, and drug-resistant brain tumor. There are no effective treatment options for GBM, which usually leads to relapses that cause patients to die a few months later. Ferroptosis, a newly discovered mechanism of regulated cell death, has been identified as a tumor suppressor in solid tumors and represents an alternative to apoptosis resistance.

Did social isolation affect anxiety and sleep quality of elite soccer players during the COVID-19 lockdown? Comparisons to training before distancing in the pandemic and outlook for mental health.

Objective: To analyze the anxiety levels and sleep quality of elite soccer athletes in training pre-pandemic and during the lockdown caused by COVID-19.

Method: This is an exploratory study with a longitudinal design carried out with elite soccer athletes from two Brazilian soccer clubs. Data collection took place in person pre-pandemic (training) and online (during lockdown) between February and May 2020.

Addressing Challenges to Enhance Clinical Research in Portugal: Insights from the OncoT3 Expert Group Delphi Study.

Introduction Over the past decades, clinical research has evolved significantly, driven by advances in regulatory frameworks, technological innovations, and methodological approaches. In Portugal, while there has been progress - such as increased regulatory alignment with European standards and the adoption of digital trial management tools - various challenges remain. These may include, among others, limited access to funding, slower patient recruitment rates, and regulatory hurdles that can delay trial approvals.

Synthesis, Characterization, and BSA Binding Properties of Carboxylated Merocyanine-Based Fluorophores.

This study describes the synthesis of new carboxylated merocyanine dyes by Knoevenagel condensation between 4-carboxybenzaldehyde and indolium/benzoindolium- and benzothiazolium-based coupling compounds. The condensations were performed in the presence of ammonium acetate, and the products were obtained in good yields after simple purification. These merocyanines exhibit UV-A-to-blue absorption and blue-to-green fluorescence emission, characterized by relatively large Stokes shift values (∼5000 cm).

Early-life IL-4 administration induces long-term changes in microglia in the cerebellum and prefrontal cortex.

Microglia are crucial for brain development and their function can be impacted by postnatal insults, such as early-life allergies. These are characterized by an upregulation of interleukin (IL)-4 levels. Allergies share a strong comorbidity with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

Filtering out the noise: metagenomic classifiers optimize ancient DNA mapping.

Contamination with exogenous DNA presents a significant challenge in ancient DNA (aDNA) studies of single organisms. Failure to address contamination from microbes, reagents, and present-day sources can impact the interpretation of results. Although field and laboratory protocols exist to limit contamination, there is still a need to accurately distinguish between endogenous and exogenous data computationally.

Successful Aging across Middle vs High-Income Countries: An Analysis of the Role of eHealth Literacy Associated with Loneliness and Wellbeing.

Background And Objectives: "Successful aging" concerns the process of growing older while maintaining physical, cognitive, and social wellbeing, emphasizing independence for overall satisfaction and quality of life. We investigate the impact of e-health literacy on reducing loneliness and sustaining wellbeing during the pandemic, comparing middle- and high-income countries.

Research Design And Methods: Online surveys were conducted between April 4, 2020, and September 30, 2021, collecting responses (N=2091) from medium- and high-income countries in Europe, Asia, and North America.

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles derived from algae and their larvicidal properties to control .

Mosquito vectors such as . are responsible for the transmission of arboviruses that have a major impact on public health. Therefore, it is necessary to search for ways to control these insects, avoiding the use of conventional chemical insecticides that are proven to be toxic to nature.

Shanidar 3 'rings the bell': Virtual ribcage reconstruction and its implications for understanding the Neanderthal bauplan.

The study of the ribcage is fundamental to understanding hominin evolution. However, ribs and vertebrae are scarce in the fossil record. Although Neanderthals are one of the most represented and, therefore, one of the most studied fossil Homo species, it is controversial whether there is a standardized Neanderthal ribcage morphotype that could differ from modern humans.

Regional distribution of polymorphisms associated to the disease-causing gene of spinocerebellar ataxia type 3.

Introduction: Knowledge about the distribution and frequency of the respective haplotypes on the wildtype and mutant allele is highly relevant in the context of future gene therapy clinical studies in Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 3, the most common autosomal dominantly inherited ataxia. Single nucleotide polymorphisms associated to the disease-causing gene, ATXN3, have been determined. We wanted to investigate the frequency and regional distribution of two intragenic single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in a large European SCA3 cohort and their relation to the clinical phenotype.

Effect of home-based exercise prehabilitation on postoperative outcomes in colorectal cancer surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: Home-based exercise training may improve access to surgical prehabilitation in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients, but its efficacy remains unclear. This study systematically investigated the effects of home-based exercise prehabilitation on postoperative exercise capacity, complications, length of hospital stay, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in CRC patients.

Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing home-based exercise prehabilitation with control in CRC patients were eligible.

Acute dose-response effect of photobiomodulation therapy on muscle performance in female futsal players: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study.

Background: Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) has recently been indicated as a potential therapeutic strategy in diverse health and sports contexts. However, its efficacy on muscle performance in female futsal players remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the dose-response effect of PBMT on muscle performance in female futsal players.

Bioengineered exosomes: Cellular membrane-camouflaged biomimetic nanocarriers for Parkinson's disease management.

Parkinson's disease is a prevalent neurological condition that affects around 1% of adults over 60 worldwide. Deep brain stimulation and dopamine replacement therapy are common therapies for Parkinson's disease, yet they are unable to reverse the disease it simply because of the blood brain barrier. The use of bioengineered exosomes to treat Parkinson's disease is being studied because they have the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier.

An atomic look at the interface of GHSR and its partners.

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) regulate cellular activity by transducing external signals and selectively coupling them to intracellular partners. Ghrelin receptor (GHSR) has garnered significant interest over the past decade owing to its diverse functional roles. In this study, we simulated five distinct GHSR-partner complexes, including G, G, and arrestin in two conformational states, to investigate the structural determinants of partner coupling.

Social Anxiety and Depression in Portuguese and Spanish Adolescents: The Moderating Role of Emotional Intelligence.

Social anxiety (SA) and depressive disorder usually coexist. Emotional Intelligence (EI) is a protective factor against emotional disorders. The aim of this study is to examine the moderating role of EI in the relationship between SA and depression among Spanish and Portuguese adolescents.

Enhancing mammography: a comprehensive review of computer methods for improving image quality.

Mammography imaging remains the gold standard for breast cancer detection and diagnosis, but challenges in image quality can lead to misdiagnosis, increased radiation exposure, and higher healthcare costs. This comprehensive review evaluates traditional and machine learning-based techniques for improving mammography image quality, aiming to benefit clinicians and enhance diagnostic accuracy. Our literature search, spanning 2015 - 2024, identified 115 articles focusing on contrast enhancement and noise reduction methods, including histogram equalization, filtering, unsharp masking, fuzzy logic, transform-based techniques, and advanced machine learning approaches.