Sapientia
UAlg Scientific Repository
About Sapientia
SAPIENTIA brings together all scientific publications produced by teachers, researchers, and students (theses and dissertations) from the University of Algarve and cooperating entities (ULSALG-Unidade Local de Saúde do Algarve and Ciência Viva network centers in the Algarve) and aims to maximize their visibility, ensure easy access to this collection, improve the public impact of the scientific activity of the University and other entities, as well as ensure the preservation of their memories.
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Recent Submissions
The influence of physical activity on sleep quality in people living with HIV: a scoping review
Publication . Cordeiro, Jéssica Fernanda Correa; Anjos, Jeferson Roberto Collevatti dos; Bohn, Lucimere; Bilhadori, Joana; Moraes, Chimenny Auluã Lascas Cardoso de; Andaki, Allyne; Mendes, Edmar Lacerda; Mota, Jorge; Correia, Igor Massari; Santos, André Pereira dos; Machado, Dalmo Roberto Lopes
Objective: To map the evidence on the effects of physical activity on sleep quality in people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV). Methods: A scoping review was conducted using PubMed, EMBASE, LILACS, Scopus, Web of Science, EBSCO Sport Discus/ CINAHL, and Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde. Additionally, Google Scholar and OpenGrey servers were checked. There were no language or publication year restrictions for the search. Primary studies that evaluated the relationship between physical activity and sleep quality in PLHIV were included. Two researchers performed the analysis and selection of studies independently, following established criteria. Results: Nine studies were included, covering experimental, cross-sectional, and cohort studies. The results suggest that physical activity is associated with reduced sleep latency, longer sleep duration, and overall improvements in sleep efficiency and subjective perception of sleep quality. These results indicate that exercise-based interventions can be incorporated as complementary strategies to improve sleep in this population. However, methodological variability limits the generalization of the results. Future studies should focus on longitudinal designs and standardized assessment methods. Conclusion: Adequate physical activity levels appear to positively influence sleep quality in PLHIV.
Immunomodulatory inhibition of osteoclastogenesis by a marine microalgal ethanol fraction targeting T-cells, antigen presentation, and macrophage fate
Publication . Carletti, Alessio; Pes, Katia; Tarasco, Marco; Rosa, Joana; Poudel, Sunil; Pereira, Hugo; Louro, Bruno; Cancela, M. Leonor; Laizé, Vincent; Gavaia, Paulo
Background: Targeting immune pathways to prevent bone loss represents a promising, yet underexplored therapeutic strategy.
Methods: An ethanol-soluble fraction derived from the freeze-dried biomass of the marine microalga Skeletonema costatum (SKLT) was tested for its ability to modulate immune responses and inhibit osteoclastogenesis. Its effects were evaluated in a zebrafish model of bone regeneration, a medaka model of RANKLinduced osteoporosis, and in vitro using murine RAW 264.7 macrophages.
Transcriptomic profiling of regenerating fin blastemas at 24 hours postamputation was performed to identify the affected molecular pathways.
Results: In zebrafish, SKLT treatment suppressed the recruitment of osteoclast precursors and altered mineralization dynamics. Transcriptomic profiling revealed downregulation of genes involved in inflammation, antigen presentation, T-cell activation, and macrophage commitment towards osteoclastogenesis, accompanied by reduced expression of chemokines and cytokines that promote osteoclast precursor recruitment and fusion. In medaka, SKLT significantly reduced vertebral bone loss and enhanced neural arch
mineralization in larvae with high RANKL expression. In vitro, SKLT inhibited proliferation and osteoclastic differentiation of murine RAW 264.7 macrophages exposed to RANKL without inducing cytotoxicity.
Conclusion: These findings identify S. costatum as a source of bioactive immunomodulatory compounds capable of interfering with key osteoimmune mechanisms. Beyond providing proof of concept for their therapeutic potential in bone erosive disorders, this work opens avenues for isolating and characterizing the active molecules, optimizing their delivery, and evaluating their efficacy in preclinical mammalian models. Such strategies could expand the repertoire of safe, nutraceutical-based or adjuvant therapies for osteoporosis and other inflammation-driven skeletal diseases, complementing and potentially enhancing current antiresorptive and anabolic treatments.
Estruturas de combustão identificadas no povoado pré-histórico de Leceia (Oeiras)
Publication . Cardoso, João Luis
São inventariadas todas as estruturas de combustão identificadas no povoado pré-histórico de Leceia, distribuídas por vasta cronologia correspondente ao Neolítico Final (ca. 3400-2900 a.C.), ao Calcolítico Inicial (ca. 2800-2500 a.C.) e ao Calcolítico Pleno/Final (ca. 2500-2000 a.C.). O assinalável número de estruturas identificadas, que ascende a vinte e cinco, apesar da semelhança existente entre elas, o que se explica pela similitude de funções, permitiu a identificação de oito variantes, devidamente caracterizadas. Este é o primeiro contributo dedicado ao estudo sistemático das estruturas de combustão existentes em um grande povoado pré-histórico do território português.
Relatório de estudo de marketing: movimento pró-animal de Faro
Publication . Rodrigues, Gonçalo; Vong, Jessica; Valadas, Leonel; Araújo, Silvia; Kuksova, Verónica; Bender, Ana Carolina; Agapito, Dora Lúcia Miguel
O bem-estar animal é uma das condições que, concretizadas, colocam a humanidade mais perto de um estilo de vida mais sustentável e do usufruto de um planeta mais saudável. A sua importância é inclusive reconhecida por organizações como a ONU, estando patente em 2 dos 17 Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável da Agenda 2030 (objetivos 14 e 15). No entanto até que ponto a importância da causa animal é reconhecida pela sociedade em geral, ou seja, que perceções o cidadão comum tem acerca deste assunto?
Este estudo, desenvolvido por estudantes na licenciatura em Gestão de Empresas da Faculdade de Economia da UALG com equipa docente e com o apoio do Movimento Pró Animal de Faro, visou estudar e analisar o comportamento e a perceção do cidadão comum em relação à causa animal.
Através de uma amostragem não probabilística, assente no método de recolha “bola de neve”, procedeu-se a uma recolha de dados. Posteriormente, os dados foram sujeitos a análise estatística e interpretação. Os principais dados secundários utilizados neste estudo derivam da informação partilhada pela representante do MAF durante uma sessão em que apresentou o caso aos estudantes. Ainda, recorreu-se também a dados disponíveis em plataformas de notícias e outros documentos oficiais online. Foram recolhidos 279 questionários respondidos, tendo sido validados 269.
Da amostra recolhida, 73% dos inquiridos residem nos concelhos de Faro, Loulé e Olhão (concelhos próximos do MAF). A maioria dos inquiridos é do sexo feminino (69%) e tem entre 18 a 29 anos (58%). Cerca de 66% dos inquiridos revelaram total desconhecimento acerca do MAF e a maioria dos inquiridos considera que as redes sociais têm um papel relevante na obtenção de informação e na sensibilização acerca da causa animal.
Face ao exposto, é recomendado que o MAF aposte na divulgação das suas atividades, nomeadamente nas redes sociais e no seu site, procure criar parcerias com empresas e outras organizações, continue a sensibilizar a população para práticas responsáveis e aposte na criação de campanhas temáticas.
Updated extinction risk of seagrass species in the tropical atlantic bioregion
Publication . Samper-Villarreal, Jimena; Creed, Joel C.; Frade, Duarte; Furman, Bradley T.; Bandeira, Salomão; El-Hacen, Hacen M.; Peralta, A. Carolina; Serrao, Ester A.; Vegas, Beatriz E. Vera; Tussenbroek, Brigitta I. van
Seagrasses can form vast meadows in coastal areas and provide valuable ecosystem services. Despite their importance, seagrasses are threatened, and their spatial extent and ecological condition have declined worldwide. Globally, there are six seagrass bioregions based on ocean basin and species distribution. The Tropical Atlantic Bioregion encompasses seagrasses in the warm waters off the Atlantic American continent, the eastern Pacific and the west coast of Africa. Here, the extinction risk of the species was determined through the Categories and Criteria of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The extinction risk for the 15 native seagrass species in the bioregion was assessed and summarized as an update to the previous IUCN effort, conducted 15 years ago. The updated regional assessments were based on expert opinion and compilation of revised data on species´ distribution, population status and trend. Of the 15 native species, nine were endemic to the bioregion; thus, the regional assessment was also a global one. Two other species were typical for the region but also occurred beyond bioregional boundaries (Halodule beaudettei and H. wrightii). The remaining species were either distributed circumglobally (2 species), or consisted of peripheral populations of species characteristic of neighboring bioregions (2 species). The detailed information of 15 assessments have been made freely accessible in an open repository. Nine species maintained their previous risk of extinction status, while one species (Thalassia testudinum) changed from the Least Concern to the Near Threatened category. Downgrading of the status of T. testudinum is worrying, as this is the dominant climax species in the wider Caribbean. Its replacement by less resistant and smaller but faster growing species, such as Syringodium filiforme and H. wrightii (both classified as Least Concern), could compromise the ecosystem services of seagrasses in this bioregion. An additional two species had been recently introduced, and are also briefly covered. The assessments included past and present taxonomical uncertainties of various assessed species. Issues concerning the current boundaries of the bioregions themselves were also encountered. To address this and better capture future and ongoing range expansion or reduction associated with climate change, we propose overlapping transitional boundaries with neighboring seagrass bioregions.