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
Polyoxometalates’ progress for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease
Publication . Aureliano, Manuel; Mateus, João; Rijo, David Manjua
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) signifies a devastating impact on the quality of life of patients and their families. At a biomolecular level, AD is characterized by the deposition of extracellular plaques of β-amyloid (Aβ), affecting language, spatial navigation, recognition abilities and memory. Among the selected 30 articles about polyoxometalates (POMs) and AD published from 2011 to 2025, pure POMs, hybrid POMs and POM nanoparticles can be found. The majority of POMs are polyoxotungstates (62%), the Keggin-type SiW11O39 being the most studied in AD. The main effect described is the inhibition of Aβ aggregates. Other effects include reversing the neurotoxicity induced by Aβ aggregates, decreasing ROS production and neuroinflammation, restoring memory and sequestering Zn2+ and Cu2+, among others, features that are well known to be associated with the pathology of AD. POMs have also shown the ability to induce the disaggregation of Aβ fibrils, particularly after irradiation, and to inhibit acetylcholinesterase activity at an nM range. Putting it all together, this review highlights a predominant trend in the exploration of POMs to act directly at the level of the formation and/or disaggregation of Aβ aggregates in the treatment of AD.
Positive residential care integration scale: Portuguese adaptation and validation
Publication . Simão, Ana; Martins, Cátia; Ratinho, Elias; Kothari, Brianne H.; Nunes, Cristina
Young people in residential care settings hold distinct preferences regarding their relationships with key adults, including caseworkers and caregivers. However, their perspectives are not consistently assessed or effectively integrated into case planning. Evaluating this integration is essential for fostering positive adjustment and placement stability. Given that residential care represents the predominant child welfare intervention in Portugal, this study adapts and validates an existing instrument for use with youth in residential care institutions, providing evidence of its validity and reliability. Self-report questionnaires—the Positive Residential Care Integration (PRCI) scale (an adapted Positive Home Integration scale) and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire—were administered to 511 youth (279 girls and 232 boys), aged 12 to 24 years, across 46 Portuguese residential care institutions. The study examined the face validity, discriminant validity, and reliability of the PRCI scale. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated good model fit, supporting a unidimensional six-item structure. Correlation analyses demonstrated associations with psychological adjustment and sociodemographic variables. The PRCI scale showed satisfactory psychometric properties, confirming its reliability for assessing youth integration in residential care. Cross-gender measurement invariance was also confirmed. These findings underscore the instrument’s relevance and validity for evaluating integration within residential settings and provide valuable guidance for caregivers, professionals, and caseworkers in child welfare services.
CITED Proteins in cardiac development and lifelong heart function
Publication . Bragança, José; Cabrita Pinto, Rute Luísa; Vairinho Ventura, Igor; Ferreira, Silvana; António Marreiros
The CITED proteins function as transcriptional modulators that are essential for vertebrate development. These proteins interact with numerous partners, notably transcription factors and co-activators. The hallmark of the CITED family is their conserved carboxy-terminal domain, which interacts strongly with the CBP/p300 co-activators. The expression of CITED genes is detected early during embryogenesis within embryonic and foetal regions critical for cardiac morphogenesis, among other developmental processes. Notably, CITED2 loss of function is strongly associated with congenital heart malformations in mice and zebrafish embryos, as well as congenital heart disease (CHD) in humans, whereas other CITED family members are not critical for cardiogenesis. Emerging evidence implicates CITED2 and CITED4 in regulating heart physiological adaptations and protective responses to pathological stress. This review provides a detailed analysis of CITED proteins and their interactors, focusing on CITED-target genes relevant for cardiogenesis and heart disease. We also highlight recent findings indicating that CITED2 and CITED4 may be instrumental for the development of novel therapeutic strategies to mitigate CHD and preserve adult cardiac function.
The teaching of the phytosociological method for the description of new syntaxons: the case of Costa Tropical—Granada Province, Andalusia
Publication . Cano Ortiz, Ana; Piñar Fuentes, José Carlos; Quinto Canas, Ricardo; Cano, Eusebio
The teaching of the phytosociological method comprises several stages and aligns closely with the research-oriented teaching–learning process promoted by active methodologies. In both cases, preliminary inquiry is essential to review existing knowledge on vegetation in all its dimensions: bioclimatic, biogeographical, ecological, floristic composition, distribution, and conservation status. The main objective is to connect active teaching methodologies with phytosociological research. To this end, the natural environment is used to bring students into direct contact with plant communities, and the phytosociological research method is applied, through which students learn sampling techniques. This approach provides a rapid and effective assessment of habitat conservation status (EU Habitats Directive 92/43/EEC, European Council, 21 May 1992). As notable results, we highlight the poor conservation status of the three communities described, which is evident from the decline in characteristic association species. The present study focuses on the wetlands of the Costa Tropical, where communities of Juncus acutus, Typha dominguensis, Phragmites australis, and Arundo donax predominate. In this case, these communities act as open-air laboratories for teaching the phytosociological method. The Juncus acutus communities differ from those of Scirpus holoschoenus and other Juncus acutus stands by the presence of the endemic Linum maritimum. Meanwhile, the reedbeds differ from Thypho-Phragmitetum australis through the presence of Halimione portulacoides. In both cases, the influence of sea spray conditions the presence of subhalophilous species such as Juncus acutus, Linum maritimum, and Halimione portulacoides. This has enabled us to establish two new plant associations: LmJa = Lino maritimi–Juncetum acuti (rush stands) and Hp–Phra = Halimione portulacoidis–Phragmitetum australis (reedbeds). Ecological gradients also make it possible to separate Typha communities belonging to the Ca–Td = Cynancho acuti–Typhetum dominguensis association, and Phragmites into two distinct associations. This distinction arises because Typha communities require soil water during the summer period, whereas in Phragmites stands the upper soil horizon dries out.
Psychological profile of adolescents living in residential care: implications for evidence-based interventions
Publication . Simão, Ana; Martins, Cátia; Nunes, Cristina
Psychological adjustment in adolescents living in residential care settings is a multidetermined process. This study explores the psychological adjustment of adolescents living in residential care, aiming to identify distinct psychosocial profiles. The sample comprised 433 adolescents (196 boys and 237 girls), aged 12 to 18 years, from 46 Portuguese institutions. Participants self-reported on key variables, including social support, coping strategies, emotion regulation, Dark Triad traits, attachment, and institutional integration. Hierarchical cluster analysis revealed three theoretically coherent profiles, differentiated by number of close friends, duration of institutionalization, substance use, and psychiatric medication. These profiles reflect varying levels of psychological, emotional, behavioral, and social adjustment and align with international literature. This study offers a novel contribution by identifying specific adjustment patterns among adolescents in care, providing valuable insights to inform more tailored intervention and prevention strategies aimed at fostering healthier development and well-being in this vulnerable group.