Sapientia
Repositório Científico da UAlg
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Influence of shy and bold zebrafish personalities on colonization and olfactory responses in sertraline-contaminated environments
Publication . González, María Pilar; Salvatierra, David; Fatsini Fernández, Elvira; Hubbard, Peter; Araújo, Cristiano V. M.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as sertraline are used as antidepressants to treat mental disorders such as depression by blocking serotonin reuptake and thus maintaining high serotonin levels. Currently, increased consumption has led to detection of SSRIs in aquatic systems; however, information about their effects on exposed organisms is limited. This study investigated differences in the colonization response by zebrafish (Danio rerio) to sertralinecontaminated environments considering personality traits (shy and bold). Colonization was assessed in terms of success, efficiency, and inhabited time for each sertraline concentration. Fish were tested individually and in groups. In addition, whether these personality traits differed from each other in their olfactory sensitivity to different olfactory stimuli was studied, including sertraline, using the electro-olfactogram (EOG). Bold fish exposed in groups tended to colonize higher concentrations of sertraline than shy fish. These differences were not as significant when fish were exposed individually. Furthermore, analyses in the EOG detected that bold fish reacted between 1.3 and 2.8 times more to all stimuli studied. In contrast, sertraline was not detected by the olfactory system. Varied D. rerio colonization responses to sertralinecontaminated environments reveal specific personality-based vulnerabilities. These findings underscore the importance of integrating behavioral phenotypes into environmental risk assessments for pharmaceuticals.
Building hovenia dulcis pseudofruit quality from proteomic and metabolomic perspectives
Publication . Machado, Gilson Gustavo Lucinda; Eller, Elda; Ribeiro, Carlos Henrique Milagres; Costa, Carlos Alexandre Rocha da; Nascimento, Sidney Vasconcelos do; Nahon, Sayure Mariana Raad; Cavalcante, Alice de Paula de Sousa; Costa, Isa Rebecca Chagas da; Valadares, Rafael Borges da Silva; Carvalho, Elisângela Elena Nunes; Boas, Eduardo Valério de Barros Vilas
Hovenia dulcis Thunb. (Japanese grape tree) pseudofruit exhibits a period of growth of 180 days, with maturation initiated between 120 and 150 days after anthesis (DAA). Effective ripening occurs 150 DAA, characterized by intense softening, pectic solubilization and starch-sugar conversion. Multi-omic analysis identified 496 proteins, with 222 being differentially expressed. Significant highlights included energy metabolism (Malate Dehydrogenases, Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate Dehydrogenase, Pyruvate Kinase) and photosynthetic pathways (Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate Carboxylase/Oxygenase, Photosystems I and II), indicating that ripening demands a high energy supply. Multivariate analysis stratified the development into three phases: chemical defense (S1-S2), metabolic transition (S3-S6), and sensory ripening (S7). The Variable Importance in Projection (VIP) score and Principal Component 1 (PC1) loadings confirmed that the transition is governed by changes in volatile compounds (2-heptanol), respiratory physiology, density, and Hue angle, with a central role for malate dehydrogenase. Pearson correlations revealed a coordinated system in which central metabolism (Glyceraldehyde-3- phosphate Dehydrogenase, Triose Phosphate Isomerase) is coupled with ethylene signaling (S-adenosylmethionine Synthetase) and antioxidant defenses (Superoxide Dismutase, Catalase, and Peroxiredoxin 2). It is concluded that H. dulcis development is sustained by a strategic proteometabolic network that redirects the investment from protective biomolecules toward the specialization of sensory attributes, defining the final quality of the pseudofruit.
Adaptation and validation of the bern illegitimate tasks scale (BITS) in the context of a portuguese public university
Publication . Vieira dos Santos, Joana; Marques, Mariana; Sousa, Cátia; Gomes, Alexandra; Lopes, Luis Felipe
Illegitimate tasks are assignments that threaten professional identity by not being related to the intrinsic quality or morality of the main profession. This concept has gained attention within the Stress as Offense to Self (SOS) theory, which emphasizes the impact of selfesteem in stressful situations, particularly in the workplace. The SOS theory suggests that self-esteem plays a critical role in how individuals respond to stress: when self-esteem is threatened, it triggers adverse reactions affecting mental, physical, and behavioral dimensions; conversely, strengthening self-esteem promotes well-being. Illegitimate tasks are perceived as unnecessary or unreasonable, varying by profession and non-voluntary in nature, leading to a lack of purpose and meaning for the employee. The Bern Illegitimate Tasks Scale (BITS) was created to assess and quantify these tasks, demonstrating robust psychometric properties across different languages and cultural contexts, including Spanish, Swedish, and Portuguese adaptations. This study aims to translate and adapt the BITS for a public university context characterized by bureaucratic culture. The sample comprises 601 participants from a Portuguese public higher education institution. The translation process followed rigorous procedures to ensure equivalence between the original and Portuguese versions. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and internal consistency analysis, revealing satisfactory fit indices and high reliability. Despite contextual limitations, the findings affirm the reliability of the adapted scale for application in similar contexts. Future research should aim for more representative samples to enhance generalizability.
Editorial for the 1st edition special issue “benefits of physical activity and exercise to human health”
Publication . Ferraz, Ricardo; Neiva, Henrique P.; Fernanda M. Silva; Duarte-Mendes, Pedro
Recent estimates indicate that the prevalence of insufficient physical activity has been increasing globally, with nearly one third of adults (31.3%) [1] and eight in ten adolescents (81%) [2] not meeting the World Health Organization physical activity guidelines (i.e., 150–300 min per week of moderate-to-vigorous intensity aerobic physical activity for adults and 60 min per day for children and adolescents [3]). According to authors [1,2], if the current trajectory continues, the global target of a 15% relative reduction in insufficient physical activity by 2030 [4] is unlikely to be achieved in most countries. This data are concerning given that, globally, 7.2% of all-cause deaths and 7.6% of cardiovascular disease deaths are attributable to physical inactivity [5]. Physical activity and exercise are widely recognized for promoting numerous health benefits, particularly in the prevention and management of obesity and cardiometabolic diseases [6,7], as well as in supporting immune function, reducing the risk of infectious diseases, improving mental health, and contributing to cancer prevention and control [8]. Moreover, regular engagement in these behaviors is associated with a reduced risk of all-cause mortality [9]. From a public health perspective, developing and implementing evidence-based strategies to increase physical activity and improve population health remains a global priority [8]. In this context, this Special Issue aims to advance knowledge on the role of physical activity and exercise interventions in promoting health and well-being across the lifespan. The contributions examine the effects of different exercise modalities on physical, cognitive, and mental health, as well as the role of physical activity in disease prevention and management and in improving functional capacity and quality of life across diverse populations. Collectively, the twelve papers included in this Special Issue provide complementary perspectives on these topics.
Comparative analysis of organoleptic preference and external attractiveness of ‘Encore’ and ‘Nadorcott’ mandarin cultivars
Publication . Zarcos Duarte, Beatriz; Matias, Pedro; Trindade, Ana Rita; Duarte, Amilcar
The ‘Encore’ mandarin tree, cultivated in Portugal for long time, valued for its favour and later ripening period, faces challenges due to a rind-stain disorder afecting its external appearance. Despite its favourable attributes, the emergence of new cultivars such as ‘Nadorcott’, free from external appearance problems and with overlapping ripening periods, resulted in the marginalization of ‘Encore’ in the market. Major retailers, by prioritizing consumer preference for appearance, have contributed to the decline in ‘Encore’ cultivation. Despite this, the ‘Encore’ mandarin is still preferred by long-standing consumers who remember its greater availability in previous decades and value its characteristic taste. Currently, its distribution is mainly restricted to local markets and small-scale fruit retailers. To gauge consumer preference, we conducted a tasting and questionnaire survey with 131 randomly chosen participants, comparing ‘Encore’ and ‘Nadorcott’. The fndings revealed a clear consumer preference for the external appearance of ‘Nadorcott’, leading to a preference for purchasing it based on this criterion alone. Conversely, when evaluating internal fruit quality, consumers distinctly favoured ‘Encore’ for its aroma, sweetness, acidity and overall taste. They expressed a preference for purchasing it based solely on internal quality. However, when participants learnt that less visually appealing fruits were equivalent to the more desirable ones internally, their purchase intentions became indiferent towards both cultivars, with no signifcant diference observed. This highlights the complex interplay between perceptions of external appearance and internal organoleptic quality among consumers, challenging the assumption that appearance alone dictates purchasing decisions.