Sapientia
UAlg Scientific Repository
About Sapientia
The SAPIENTIA repository gathers an exhaustive set of Algarve University's (UAlg) teachers and researchers scientific publications with an express goal of maximising its visibility, ensure easy and universal access and amelliorate the overall public impact of the university scientific endeavors, as well as the ongoing preservation of its memory.
Recent Submissions
Leonardo Turriano e la produzione in fabbrica in Portogallo nel primo quarto del XVII secolo. Il suo contributo al complesso tecnologico-militare di Barcarena (Oeiras)
Publication . Cardoso, João Luis; Alessandrini, Nunziatella; Russo, Mariagrazia; Sabatini, Gaetano
João Luís Cardoso presenta nel suo saggio la figura di Leonardo Turriano, ingegnere cremonese che contribuì significativamente alla produzione industriale portoghese nel XVII secolo, in particolare nella progettazione del complesso tecnologico-militare di Barcarena (Oeiras). La fabbricazione di polvere da sparo, documentata in Portogallo già dal XV secolo, crebbe durante l’espansione ultramarina, rendendo necessaria l’importazione di salnitro dall’India. Nel 1617, Turriano fu incaricato dal Conselho da Fazenda di costruire un impianto per la produzione di polvere da sparo. Il sito, logisticamente vantaggioso per la vicinanza al Tago e a Lisbona, divenne operativo nel 1618. L’opera testimonia l’ingegno di Turriano, figura chiave nel panorama scientifico e tecnologico portoghese dell’epoca.
Epigenetic regulation of ZNF687 by miR-142a-3p and DNA methylation during osteoblast differentiation and mice bone development and aging
Publication . Domingos Varela, Débora Cristina; Domingos Varela, Tatiana da Conceição; Conceição, Natércia; Cancela, M. Leonor
Zinc finger protein 687 (ZNF687), a transcription factor implicated in osteoblast/osteoclast differentiation and linked to Paget's disease of bone, has unclear mechanisms in bone metabolism. Epigenetic disruptions can affect bone cell activity and contribute to bone-related diseases. This work aimed to elucidate the regulatory role of epigenetics in modulating Zfp687 expression throughout osteoblast differentiation and bone growth/aging in mice. Differentiation of the mouse-derived osteoblast precursor cell line (MC3T3-E1) showed increased expression of osteogenic markers and decreased Zfp687 expression. In the hindlimb bones of C57BL/6J mice, the expression of most bone-forming genes decreased from youth to adulthood, while Zfp687 and Runx2 expression was maintained, being only significantly reduced in old mice in comparison to young mice. Bisulfite sequencing revealed hypomethylation of the Zfp687 promoter during MC3T3-E1 differentiation and bone growth/aging. Bioinformatics predicted miR-142a-3p, miR-122b-5p, and miR-124-3p binding sites in Zfp687 3 ' UTR, and RT-qPCR analysis showed higher expression of these miRNAs in mature osteoblasts. Transfection of a miR-142-3p mimic reduced luciferase activity in the wildtype Zfp687 3 ' UTR but not the mutant 3 ' UTR and downregulated the Zfp687 gene and protein levels. In conclusion, miR-142a-3p directly targets the Zfp687 3 ' UTR, promoting its downregulation during osteoblastogenesis. Furthermore, DNA methylation does not appear to regulate Zfp687 during osteoblast differentiation or bone development in mice.
Not regionally extinct: rediscovery of ruppia drepanensis in Portugal, the westernmost range edge in Europe
Publication . Gonçalves Frade, Duarte; Miranda Neiva, João; Martínez-Garrido, Jose; Davison, Anne; Caminiti, Luca; Ramos, Gonçalo Miguel da Cruz e Cunha Guinote; Pearson, Gareth Anthony; Serrao, Ester A.
Ruppia drepanensis Tineo ex Guss. is an important habitat-forming aquatic plant in saline and brackish Mediterranean wetlands. The species is declining in several parts of its range due to hydrological changes and habitat degradation. R. drepanensis was considered Critically Endangered, possibly Regionally Extinct in Portugal, due to not being observed since 1986 despite extensive surveys of suitable habitat. We report on a new population, the westernmost known record for the species in Europe, identified with morphological and molecular data. Despite being inside a protected area, this population occupies a single small pond adjacent to a road, making it vulnerable to habitat changes. Ex situ conservation is recommended, including seed banking and/or the establishment of new populations.
Improving benzyl – isothiocyanate bioaccessibility in white mustard (Sinapis alba) sauce through spray – drying microencapsulation and pickering emulsions
Publication . Rincón, E.; Grenha, Ana; da Silva, Joana Pinto; Espinosa, E.; Lafont-Déniz, F.; Almeida, M. P.; Cámara-Martos, F.
This study compared the bioaccessibility and behaviour of different formulations of benzyl - isothiocyanate (benzyl - ITC) prepared using different approaches and the INFOGEST in vitro digestion protocol. The aim was to improve the low bioaccessibility of this bioactive compound caused by its lipophilic properties. Spray-dried microparticles were prepared using a matrix of either mannitol or maltodextrin, and compared with Pickering emulsions produced with cellulose nanofibres. The different systems were characterised and their ability to associate benzyl - ITC determined. The in vitro digestion characteristics provided by the different systems was evaluated. Microencapsulation of benzyl-ITC by spray-drying was not successful when mannitol was used as excipient, while maltodextrin resulted in a production yield around 70 % with an ITC association efficiency up to 75 %. Nevertheless, significant improvement of benzyl- ITC bioaccessibility in a mustard sauce was not achieved. In contrast, the formulation of benzyl - ITC in a Pickering emulsion prepared with cellulose nanofibres showed an association efficiency of around 100 % and high bioaccessibility with values up to 77 %. The chemical similarity between the mixed micelles formed for lipid absorption in the small intestine, and the structure of cellulose nanofibre emulsion could justify the observed improvement.
Qualidade de vida relacionada com a saúde e satisfação com a vida em idosos da Península Ibérica
Publication . Encarnação, Ana Sofia Coelho; Ferreira, Lara Noronha; Botelho, Marta Cristina Soares
O envelhecimento demográfico tem vindo a ganhar notoriedade na Europa, devido aos desafios que coloca sobre os sistemas de saúde. A Qualidade de Vida Relacionada com a Saúde (QVRS) e da Satisfação com a Vida (SV) são indicadores importantes para avaliar a qualidade do envelhecimento e para auxiliar a gestão em saúde. Apesar destes indicadores serem influenciados por diferentes fatores, não existem estudos que comparem as populações idosas na Península Ibérica, em termos de QVRS e SV. O presente trabalho visa determinar e comparar a QVRS e a SV da população idosa portuguesa e espanhola, assim como identificar os fatores que contribuem para a QVRS e a SV nestas duas populações. Esta investigação pretende inclusive testar a hipótese da existência de uma relação em forma de U entre a SV e a idade e entre a autoperceção de saúde e a idade.
O estudo utilizou dados relativos a 4379 participantes da 6ª vaga do projeto SHARE, que representam a população portuguesa e espanhola com pelo menos 65 anos. Para avaliar a QVRS e a SV, foram utilizadas duas variáveis referentes à autoperceção de saúde e à satisfação com a vida, para as quais foram construídos modelos de regressão ordinal.
Os resultados obtidos indicam que os idosos espanhóis reportam níveis mais altos de QVRS e SV do que os idosos portugueses. Foram também identificados os fatores que contribuem para a QVRS e SV em Portugal e Espanha, sendo que o género, a ausência de cuidados informais e os baixos níveis de depressão foram os fatores que contribuíram positivamente para a QVRS e a SV em ambos os países. O rendimento não teve qualquer influência sobre a QVRS e a SV nos dois países.
As conclusões deste estudo ajudam a identificar as áreas que permitem melhorar o bem-estar dos idosos.