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Percorrer por autor "Reis, Catarina"

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  • Edible seaweeds extracts: characterization and functional properties for health conditions
    Publication . Coelho, Mariana; Duarte, Ana Patrícia; Pinto, Sofia; Botelho, Hugo M.; Reis, Catarina; Serralheiro, Maria Luisa; Pacheco, Rita
    Seaweeds are popular foods due to claimed beneficial health effects, but for many there is a lack of scientific evidence. In this study, extracts of the edible seaweeds Arame, Nori, and Fucus are compared. Our approach intends to clarify similarities and differences in the health properties of these seaweeds, thus contributing to target potential applications for each. Additionally, although Arame and Fucus seaweeds are highly explored, information on Nori composition and bioactivities is scarce. The aqueous extracts of the seaweeds were obtained by decoction, then fractionated and characterized according to their composition and biological activity. It was recognized that fractioning the extracts led to bioactivity reduction, suggesting a loss of bioactive compounds synergies. The Arame extract showed the highest antioxidant activity and Nori exhibited the highest potential for acetylcholinesterase inhibition. The identification of the bioactive compounds in the extracts allowed to see that these contained a mixture of phloroglucinol polymers, and it was suggested that Nori's effect on acetylcholinesterase inhibition may be associated with a smaller sized phlorotannins capable of entering the enzyme active site. Overall, these results suggest a promising potential for the use of these seaweed extracts, mainly Arame and Nori, in health improvement and management of diseases, namely those associated to oxidative stress and neurodegeneration.
    2023-03-10Artigo científico Acesso aberto Ver mais
  • Impacto da exposição ocupacional ao pó da madeira e componentes na função respiratória de carpinteiros
    Publication . Rosa, Carolina; Gastão, Beatriz; Reis, Catarina; Clérigo, Anália Matos; Carolino, Elisabete; Fonseca, Virgínia
    A inexistência de dados face aos ambientes laborais da indústria da madeira em Portugal incita a obtenção de dados de saúde reais. Correlação entre a exposição ocupacional e a respetiva avaliação da função respiratória. Demonstração da importância das medidas de prevenção e do controlo e diagnóstico precoce de doenças. Avaliar o impacto da exposição ocupacional ao pó da madeira e seus componentes na função respiratória de trabalhadores de carpintarias.
    2024-10Documento de conferência Acesso aberto Ver mais
  • Nanoformulation of seaweed eisenia bicyclis in albumin nanoparticles targeting cardiovascular diseases: In vitro and in vivo evaluation
    Publication . Pinto, Sofia; Gaspar, Maria Manuela; Ascensão, Lia; Faísca, Pedro; Reis, Catarina; Pacheco, Rita
    Natural products, especially those derived from seaweeds, are starting to be seen as effective against various diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). This study aimed to design a novel oral formulation of bovine albumin serum nanoparticles (BSA NPs) loaded with an extract of Eisenia bicyclis and to validate its beneficial health effects, particularly targeting hypercholesterolemia and CVD prevention. Small and well-defined BSA NPs loaded with Eisenia bicyclis extract were successfully prepared exhibiting high encapsulation efficiency. Antioxidant activity and cholesterol biosynthesis enzyme 3-hydroxy-3 methylutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGR) inhibition, as well as reduction of cholesterol permeation in intestinal lining model cells, were assessed for the extract both in free and nanoformulated forms. The nanoformulation was more efficient than the free extract, particularly in terms of HMGR inhibition and cholesterol permeation reduction. In vitro cytotoxicity and in vivo assays in Wistar rats were performed to evaluate its safety and overall effects on metabolism. The results demonstrated that the Eisenia bicyclis extract and BSA NPs were not cytotoxic against human intestinal Caco-2 and liver HepG2 cells and were also safe after oral administration in the rat model. In addition, an innovative approach was adopted to compare the metabolomic profile of the serum from the animals involved in the in vivo assay, which showed the extract and nanoformulation's impact on CVD-associated key metabolites. Altogether, these preliminary results revealed that the seaweed extract and the nanoformulation may constitute an alternative natural dosage form which is safe and simple to produce, capable of reducing cholesterol levels, and consequently helpful in preventing hypercholesterolemia, the main risk factor of CVDs.
    2022-09-27Artigo científico Acesso aberto Ver mais
  • Playground contamination by potentially pathogenic bacteria: a systematic review
    Publication . Reis, Catarina; Antunes, Henrique; Matos, Tomás; Ribeiro, Edna
    Playgrounds are public spaces that offer recreational opportunities for hundreds of people, including children, young people, adults, and the elderly. Numerous pathogenic bacteria have been described in the literature as etiologic agents of several infections, with distinct manifestations and clinical outcomes, particularly affecting children's health. This systematic review aims to perform a scoping review of the state of the art regarding playground contamination by potentially pathogenic bacteria and associated public health concerns. An extensive search was conducted in PubMed and Web of Science, applying predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria and described in a flow diagram of the methodology according to PRISMA 2020 Checklist standards. After quality assessment, 4 scientific articles were included and data was extracted. Two studies from the USA and Poland focused on the identification of bacteria in sandboxes, one study from Hungary accessed playground surfaces, and in a study from Mexico, authors analyzed bacteria prevalence on children's hands and toys in playgrounds. Data analysis demonstrated the presence of potentially pathogenic bacteria in playgrounds in different sampling areas, highlighting a public health issue and raising awareness about the hygiene conditions of the infrastructures and the importance of hand hygiene for those who frequent them. Further research, in a global scale, is crucial to properly access overall pathogenicity levels in these locations, particularly on surface areas where there is still limited information in the literature and to perform an accurate risk assessment.
    2025Artigo científico Acesso aberto Ver mais
  • Superb microvascular imaging (SMI): inovação no contexto da ultrassonografia vascular
    Publication . Gastão, Beatriz; Rosa, Carolina; Reis, Catarina; Fernandes, Filipe
    Introdução: A identificação do fluxo sanguíneo e das suas características assume uma importância crucial na avaliação vascular através de ultrassonografia. Contudo, a avaliação de vasos de pequeno calibre e/ou com velocidades reduzidas pode constituir um desafio quando utilizadas técnicas como Power Doppler e Doppler Cor. O Suberb Microvascular Imaging (SMI) é uma tecnologia desenvolvida pela empresa Toshiba, no ano de 2014, que ultrapassa as lacunas da avaliação microvascular. Este trabalho tem como propósito apresentar esta inovação, abordando a sua tecnologia inerente, bem como vantagens e desvantagens, demonstrando, por fim, a sua utilidade diagnóstica, através da apresentação de casos clínicos e estudos em que esta modalidade foi empregue. Desenvolvimento: O SMI representa uma inovação na área vascular, que permite visualização da microvasculatura e de fluxos com baixas velocidades. Atualmente, está incorporado nos ecógrafos Aplio a-series e Aplio i-series, sendo compatível com algumas sondas sectoriais, lineares e convexas. Esta técnica pode ser utilizada de três modos, sendo estes o monocromático, que apresenta imagens sob a escala de cinzentos, o codificado a cores, cuja imagem possui cor e tons de cinza de forma simultânea, e o 3D, que possibilita a reconstrução tridimensional a partir da aquisição de imagens bidimensionais. A principal vantagem do SMI reside na visualização de vasos de pequenas dimensões ou cujos fluxos apresentam baixa velocidade, produzindo imagens com elevado frame rate e resolução e poucos artefactos motores. O SMI é também de carácter não invasivo e monetariamente acessível, sendo ainda considerado uma técnica de imagem simples, segura e altamente reprodutível. No que concerne às desvantagens, a não standardização da sua utilização na avaliação de patologias vasculares e a ausência de informação acerca da direccionalidade do fluxo sanguíneo, são aspetos a considerar do SMI. Relativamente à utilidade diagnóstica, o SMI tem evidenciado um papel promissor na avaliação de estruturas microvasculares (na população obstétrica, pediátrica e adulta), na deteção de lesões relacionadas com diminuição ou ausência de fluxo, e na aferição da presença ou instabilidade das placas ateroscleróticas. Conclusão: Ainda que seja uma tecnologia relativamente recente e a sua utilização não se encontre standardizada, o SMI proporciona avanços significativos na visualização de estruturas vasculares variadas, cobrindo as lacunas ultrassonográficas de técnicas mais convencionais, melhorando a acuidade diagnóstica e facilitando a avaliação vascular do utente. É de relevar, portanto, a necessidade da melhoria contínua das técnicas em saúde, de maneira a ultrapassar as suas desvantagens e atingir o seu potencial máximo.
    2024-02Documento de conferência Acesso aberto Ver mais
  • Supercritical CO2 extracts and volatile oil of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) comparison with conventional methods
    Publication . Coelho, Jose; Veiga, Jerson; Karmali, Amin; Nicolai, Marisa; Reis, Catarina; P. Nobre, B.; Palavra, António
    Interest in new products from aromatic plants as medical and nutritional compounds is increasing. The aim of this work was to apply different extraction methods, including the use of supercritical carbon dioxide extraction, and to test the antioxidant activity of basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) extracts. In vitro efficacy assessments were performed using enzymatic assays. Essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation and volatile oil obtained from supercritical fluid extraction were analyzed by gas chromatography to quantify components. The total phenolic content in the extracts ranged from 35.5 +/- 2.9 to 85.3 +/- 8.6 mg of gallic acid equivalents and the total flavonoid content ranged from 35.5 +/- 2.9 to 93.3 +/- 3.9 micromole catechin equivalents per gram of dry weight of extract. All the extracts showed an antioxidant activity with 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), and the reducing power test. Extracts obtained from methanol had a higher antioxidant capacity per the DPPH test results (IC50 = 3.05 +/- 0.36 mg/mL) and the reducing power test assay 306.8 +/- 21.8 mol of trolox equivalents per gram of extract (TE/g) compared with ethanolic or supercritical fluid extracts. However, using the ABTS assay, the extract obtained by supercritical fluid extraction had a higher antioxidant capacity with an IC50 of 1.74 +/- 0.05 mg/mL. Finally, the examined extracts showed practically no acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitory capacity and a slight inhibitory activity against tyrosinase.
    2018-06Artigo científico Acesso aberto Ver mais