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- Validação da Escala Physical Performance Test para a população geriátrica Portuguesa com demênciaPublication . Almeida, Ana; Antunes, Andreia; Ramos, Ines; Vicente, Joana; Gonçalves, Rui; Pedro, LuisaIntrodução: A demência é uma patologia neurodegenerativa caracterizada pela deterioração cognitiva associada ao declínio funcional. Em Portugal, existe escassez de instrumentos de medida para avaliar o desempenho físico destes pacientes. A escala Physical Performance Test (PPT) avalia a funcionalidade. O objetivo do estudo é validar as duas versões da escala - PPT-7 e 9 itens - para idosos com demência na população portuguesa. Material e Métodos: Efetuou-se um estudo transversal observacional. Dos 96 indivíduos avaliados, 60 cumpriram os critérios de inclusão: idade ≥ a 65 anos; diagnóstico de demência com avaliação através do Mini Mental State Examination entre 10 e 24 pontos. Cumpriram-se os procedimentos éticos da Declaração de Helsínquia. A recolha de dados realizou-se em oito instituições. Resultados: O alfa de Cronbach foi de 0,79 (avaliador 1 e 2) no PPT-9 itens e 0,69 (avaliador 1) e 0,70 (avaliador 2) no PPT-7 itens. Os valores de confiabilidade teste-reteste variam entre 0,65 e 0,72 (avaliador 1) e 0,52 e 0,91 (avaliador 2), exceto no item 3. Os valores de confiabilidade inter-avaliador superaram 0,95. Para o PPT-9 e PPT-7 itens, a correlação foi de 0,99. A convergência do PPT-9 itens com o IB é de 0,65 e do PPT-7 itens é de 0,64. Discussão: Os coeficientes do alfa de Cronbach revelaram bons níveis de confiabilidade. Ambas as versões apresentam boa reprodutibilidade, elevada concordância inter-observador e convergência moderada com o IB. Conclusão: A versão portuguesa do PPT-7 e 9 itens é fiável e válida para idosos com demência.
- Spotting plants' microfilament morphologies and nanostructuresPublication . Almeida, Ana; Canejo, João; Mur, Urban; Copar, Simon; Almeida, Pedro L.; Zumer, Slobodan; Godinho, Maria HelenaThe tracheary system of plant leaves is composed of a cellulose skeleton with diverse hierarchical structures. It is built of polygonally bent helical microfilaments of cellulose-based nanostructures coated by different layers, which provide them high compression resistance, elasticity, and roughness. Their function includes the transport of water and nutrients from the roots to the leaves. Unveiling details about local interactions of tracheary elements with surrounding material, which varies between plants due to adaptation to different environments, is crucial for understanding ascending fluid transport and for tracheary mechanical strength relevant to potential applications. Here we show that plant tracheary microfilaments, collected from Agapanthus africanus and Ornithogalum thyrsoides leaves, have different surface morphologies, revealed by nematic liquid crystal droplets. This results in diverse interactions among microfilaments and with the environment; the differences translate to diverse mechanical properties of entangled microfilaments and their potential applications. The presented study also introduces routes for accurate characterization of plants' microfilaments.
- Hepatitis A in Portugal: epidemiological overview of incidence in the last decadePublication . Fonseca, Yasmin; Almeida, Ana; Santos, João AlmeidaHepatitis A is an acute liver disease with fecal-oral transmission caused by a hepatotrophic picornavírus - Hepatitis A Virus (HAV). Food contamination with HAV can occur at any time: cultivation, harvesting, processing, handling, and even after cooking. Food and water contamination takes place more frequently in developing countries where the disease is common but can also occur in developed countries. Although uncommon, foodborne outbreaks have also occurred due to people consuming contaminated fresh and frozen imported food products. Therefore, monitoring the disease is an essential tool for the early implementation of preventive measures, applying the One Health approach to both the human and environmental dimensions to mitigate the impact that an outbreak may have on the population. Aim of the study: To characterize the evolution of the incidence of Hepatitis A cases in Portugal between the years 2012 and 2022.
- Cellulose-based biomimetics and their applicationsPublication . Almeida, Ana; Canejo, João; Fernandes, Susete; Echeverria Zabala, Coro; Almeida, Pedro L.; Godinho, Maria HelenaNature has been producing cellulose since long before man walked the surface of the earth. Millions of years of natural design and testing have resulted in cellulose-based structures that are an inspiration for the production of synthetic materials based on cellulose with properties that can mimic natural designs, functions, and properties. Here, five sections describe cellulose-based materials with characteristics that are inspired by gratings that exist on the petals of the plants, structurally colored materials, helical filaments produced by plants, water-responsive materials in plants, and environmental stimuli-responsive tissues found in insects and plants. The synthetic cellulose-based materials described herein are in the form of fibers and films. Fascinating multifunctional materials are prepared from cellulose-based liquid crystals and from composite cellulosic materials that combine functionality with structural performance. Future and recent applications are outlined.
- Effect of motor competence and health-related fitness in the prevention of metabolic syndrome risk factorsPublication . Pombo, André; Cordovil, Rita; Rodrigues, Luis Paulo; Moreira, Ana Catarina; Borrego, Rute; Machado, Margarida; Costa, Vânia; Almeida, Ana; Tavares, Ana Sofia; Sá, Cristina Cardoso de; Luz, CarlosPurpose: In the last decades we have seen an increase in sedentary behaviors and a decrease in physical activity in children when compared to past generations. This lifestyle is commonly associated with the development of clustering risk factors that define metabolic syndrome (MetS). Knowing that motor competence (MC) development can influence lifelong physical activity habits, it is reasonable to assume that children's MC will directly link to clustered cardiometabolic health outcomes. The aim of this study was to analyze the role of MC in MetS risk factors. Methods: Seventy children with a mean age of 7.49 (SD = 1.28) years were evaluated on motor competence (MCA-Motor Competence Assessment instrument), cardiovascular fitness (PACER test), upper body strength (UBS; handgrip), and the components of MetS, hypertriglyceridemia, hypertension, abdominal obesity, low concentration of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high fasting blood glucose. The composite value of MetS was calculated according to Burns et al. (2017). Multiple standard regressions were performed to explore the effect of different variables on MetS. Motor competence and health-related fitness (cardiovascular fitness and relative upper body strength) were used as independent variables (predictors) and MetS as dependent variables. Results: Overall, the results showed that motor competence (β = -.072; p < .05) is a significant predictor and this model explained 7,1% of the variance in MetS. Conclusion: Although more studies are needed, our results indicate that MC seems to have a positive role in children's health markers.
- The views of stakeholders on mandatory or voluntary use of a simplified standard on non-financial information for SMEs in the European UnionPublication . Gomes Dos Santos, Paula; Albuquerque, Fábio; Rodrigues, Maria Albertina; Almeida, Ana: This paper investigates the variables that may explain the views of stakeholders regarding the need for a simplified non-financial reporting (NFR) standard for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the European Union (EU) and whether this standard should be mandatory or voluntary. This paper uses, as a source, 588 answers provided by different groups of stakeholders within the process of public consultation conducted by the EU, from February to June 2020, concerning possible revisions to the provisions of the Directive on NFR. The findings showed that the most consensual attribute that probably explains the views of stakeholders on this matter is the importance attributed by them to the concepts of comparability, reliability, and relevance. From the stakeholders’ perspective, this topic may also be explained by the users’ needs. Notwithstanding, its importance may differ, depending on the type of user. These findings are relevant within the process of developing an NFR model applicable to SMEs based on a mandatory standard, providing evidence that regulators and standard-setters should consider the qualitative characteristics of non-financial information as well as the needs of various stakeholders within this process.
- Reversible water driven chirality inversion in cellulose-based helices isolated from Erodium awnsPublication . Almeida, Ana; Querciagrossa, Lara; Silva, Pedro; Gonçalves, Filipa; Canejo, João; Almeida, Pedro L.; Godinho, Maria Helena; Zannoni, ClaudioAmong the movements observed in some cellulosic structures produced by plants are those that involve the dispersion and burial of seeds, as for example in Erodium from the Geraniaceae plant family. Here we report on a simple and efficient strategy to isolate and tune cellulose-based hygroscopic responsive materials from Erodium awns’ dead tissues. The stimuli-responsive material isolated forms left-handed (L) or right-handed (R) helical birefringent transparent ribbons in the wet state that reversibly change to R helices when the material dries. The humidity-driven motion of dead tissues is most likely due to a composite material made of cellulose networks of fibrils imprinted by the plant at the nanoscale, which reinforces a soft wall polysaccharide matrix. The inversion of the handedness is explained using computational simulations considering filaments that contract and expand asymmetrically. The awns of Erodium are known to present hygroscopic movements, forming R helices in the dry state, but the possibility of actuating chirality via humidity suggests that these cellulose-based skeletons, which do not require complicated lithography and intricate deposition techniques, provide a diverse range of applications from intelligent textiles to micro-machines.
- Is motor competence a key factor in children’s body composition, independent of the method used for measuring it?Publication . Pombo, André; Rodrigues, Luis Paulo; Moreira, Ana Catarina; Borrego, Rute; Machado, Margarida; Costa, Vânia; Almeida, Ana; Tavares, Ana Sofia; Sá, Cristina; Luz, CarlosThe increase in sedentary behaviors and a decrease in children's physical activity (PA) observed in the last decades led to an increase in the prevalence of overweight and obesity in children worldwide. Most of the investigation in this field focus on components of physical fitness (PF) (cardiovascular fitness and upper body strength), however Motor Competence (MC) has been associated with childhood obesity in several studies. An adequate level of MC is a prerequisite for PF and its development can impact lifelong PA habits therefore it’s important to understand how these variables behave in different measures of body composition (BC). The aim of this study is to understand if the association of MC and childhood obesity is similar in different measures of BC (Body mass index (BMI), Skinfold, and Fat mass in kg) and to determine the role of the different motor skills components (MC, cardiovascular fitness and upper body strength) in this relationship. 181 children with a mean age of 7,93 years (SD = 1.28) were evaluated in MC (MCA instrument), cardiovascular fitness (PACER test), upper body strength (handgrip), BMI, skinfold thickness (Slaughter equation) and fat mass weight (value obtained in the slaughter equation converted in kg). Pearson correlations were used to understand the associations between MC and the BC variables, also separate multiple standard regressions were performed to explore the effect of motor skills components in the different measures of BC. MC, cardiovascular fitness, and upper body strength were used as independent variables (predictors), and BMI, skinfold thickness, and fat mass weight dependent variables. Overall, the results showed that MC is weak to moderately associated with childhood obesity independently of the measure used for BC (range between -.285 and -.316, p < .01). Furthermore, only upper body strength and MC were significant predictors (p < .001), discarding cardiovascular fitness, independently of the method used for BC. Our results indicate that MC seems to have similar behavior, in different methods that evaluate BC.
- SARS-CoV-2 immunization index in the academic community: a retrospective post-vaccination studyPublication . Oliveira, Ketlyn; Almeida, Ana; Silva, Carina; Brito, Miguel; Ribeiro, EdnaBackground/Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic has revolutionized vaccine production and compelled a massive global vaccination campaign. This study aimed to estimate the positivity and levels of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies acquired due to vaccination and infection in the academic population of a Portuguese university. Methods: Blood samples were collected and analyzed using the ELISA methodology, and statistical analysis was performed. Results: A total of 529 volunteers with at least one dose of the vaccine were enrolled in this study. Individuals without a prior COVID-19 diagnosis were divided into two groups: 350, who received a full vaccination, and 114, who received a full vaccination and a booster dose of the same vaccine (81) and mixed vaccines (33). Regarding the individuals who reported a prior SARS-CoV-2 infection, 31 received a full vaccination, and 34 received only one vaccination dose. Data analysis showed a higher level of IgG against SARS-CoV-2 in younger, female individuals who received the Moderna vaccine, with recent post-vaccine administration, a mixed booster dose, and prior SARS-CoV-2 infection. Conclusions: Assessing vaccination’s effectiveness and group immunity is crucial for pandemic management, particularly in academic environments with high individual mobility, to define groups at risk and redirect infection control strategies.
- Crosslinked bacterial cellulose hydrogels for biomedical applicationsPublication . Almeida, Ana; Saraiva, João N.; Cavaco, Gonçalo; Portela, Raquel; Leal, Catarina R.; Sobral, Rita; Almeida, Pedro L.The skin, fundamental barrier that protects internal tissues, prevents pathogen invasion, and maintains the body fluid equilibrium, may be compromised upon traumas, such as incisions and burns. The healing process of such wounds is costly and usually hindered by the patient’s physiological conditions, associated diseases, inflammation and external factors, namely bacterial infections. Recently, increasing attention has been given to bacterial cellulose-based membranes to be applied as dressings for healing purposes. Bacterial cellulose is an attractive biomaterial due to its unique structural characteristics such as high porosity, high water retention capacity, high mechanical strength, low density, and biodegradability. One drawback of bacterial cellulose hydrogels is that, after the first dehydration, the water retention capacity is hindered. In this work we produced, modified, and characterized hydrated and de-hydrated BC membranes. Two crosslinking methods were adopted (using citric acid and epichlorohydrin as crosslinking agents), and the results obtained from the characterizations such as water retention capacity, mechanical properties or contact angle were compared to those of unmodified bacterial cellulose. We demonstrate that the cross-linked bacterial cellulose membranes present physical properties suitable to be used as surgical and burn wound dressings when hydrated, or as exuding wound dressings, diapers dressing or sanitary pads when dehydrated.