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- The role of coping strategies, social support and dark triad traits in the psychological adjustment of adolescents in residential carePublication . Simão, Ana; Ratinho, Elias; Nunes, CristinaDark Triad traits have been increasingly studied due to their relevance for understanding emotional and behavioral adjustment. However, little is known about how these traits operate in vulnerable youth populations, particularly adolescents living in residential care. This study examined the direct and indirect effects of Dark Triad traits on psychological adjustment among institutionalized adolescents, considering the roles of coping strategies and social support. Participants were 433 adolescents aged 12 to 18 years (M = 15.33; 45% boys and 55% girls) from 46 Portuguese residential care institutions. Adolescents completed self-report measures assessing Dark Triad traits, coping strategies, perceived social support, and psychological adjustment. Correlational analyses and path analysis were conducted to test relationships between variables, and sex differences were also explored. Results showed that psychopathy had the strongest association with psychological adjustment, mainly through avoidant coping strategies. Machiavellianism and narcissism presented weaker effects. Problem-focused coping and higher levels of social support were associated with better psychological adjustment, whereas avoidant coping was consistently related to greater difficulties. Some patterns varied by sex. These findings highlight the importance of promoting adaptive coping strategies and strengthening social support in residential care settings to improve psychological outcomes among atrisk youth.
- Crossing thermal limits: functional collapse of the surfgrass phyllospadix scouleri under simulated extreme marine heatwavePublication . Vivanco-Bercovich, Manuel; Bonet-Melià, Paula; Schubert, Nadine; Marín-Guirao, Lázaro; Muñiz-Salazar, Raquel; Cabello-Pasini, Alejandro; Ferreira-Arrieta, Alejandra; Garcia-Pantoja, Jessica Anayansi; Guzmán-Calderón, José Manuel; Procaccini, Gabriele; Samperio-Ramos, Guillermo; Sandoval-Gil, Jose MiguelMarine heatwaves (MHWs) are intensifying under climate change, yet the physiological limits that constrain seagrass resilience remain poorly defined. We experimentally tested the responses of the surfgrass Phyllospadix scouleri, a foundation species of the Northeast Pacific coast, to simulated MHWs of contrasting intensity. In a 27-day mesocosm experiment, plants were exposed to fluctuating temperatures representing a severe MHW (23.5 ± 1.5 °C) and an extreme MHW (26.5 ± 1.5 °C), while photosynthetic performance, respiration, nitrogen metabolism, oxidative stress, and growth were monitored during and after warming. Phyllospadix scouleri maintained photosynthetic capacity and carbon balance under severe warming but exhibited pronounced physiological disruption at extreme temperatures, including sustained photoinhibition, reduced nitrate assimilation, elevated respiration, and negative daily productivity. These effects persisted after heat stress, leading to reduced growth and indicating incomplete recovery. Multivariate analyses revealed a distinct transition from tolerance to functional breakdown near 26.5 °C, suggesting a physiological tipping point only 5–6 °C above current summer maxima in the area of the studied population. Our findings demonstrate that intensifying MHWs may rapidly erode the thermal safety margin of temperate seagrasses, pushing foundational coastal ecosystems toward metabolic instability and potential regime shifts under continued ocean warming
- Preclinical evaluation of asparagus stipularis in a rat model of metabolic syndrome and development of its nanoencapsulated formPublication . Adouni, Khaoula; Zouaoui, Olfa; Brandão, Pedro; Rijo, Patrícia; Lima, Sofia A. Costa; Reis, Salette; Achour, Lotfi; Fonte, PedroContext: Asparagus stipularis Forssk decoction (ASD) has shown potential metabolic and antioxidant benefits, yet its effects on pancreatic dysfunction associated with metabolic syndrome remain insufficiently explored. Objective: The aim of this work was to assess the pancreatic protective properties of ASD in high-fructose diet (HFrD)-fed rats and to characterize ASD-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NPs) as a delivery system to enhance its therapeutic potential. Methods: Rats were fed an HFrD and treated with ASD at two dose levels. Serum α-amylase and lipase activities were measured to assess digestive enzyme modulation. Pancreatic lipid peroxidation was quantified using thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), while antioxidant enzyme activities, including superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase, were determined. Histopathological examination was performed to evaluate structural alterations in pancreatic tissues. ASD was encapsulated into PLGA NPs, and particle size, polydispersity index (PdI), zeta potential (ZP), and encapsulation efficiency (EE) were analyzed. Results: ASD significantly reduced serum α-amylase activity to 2285.3 ± 256.6U/L (low dose) and 1846.4 ± 82.8U/L (high dose) compared to HFrD controls. Serum lipase activity decreased by 13% and 18% at the respective doses. TBARS levels were markedly reduced, and antioxidant enzyme activities were restored to near-control levels. Histological analysis revealed improved β-cell morphology and reduced acinar degeneration. ASD-loaded PLGA NPs exhibited a mean size of 248 ± 5nm, PdI of 0.13 ± 0.01, ZP of −24.7 ± 1.3mV, and an EE of 75.5 ± 3.2%. Conclusion: ASD demonstrates significant pancreatic protective effects, and nanoencapsulation enhances its therapeutic promise for metabolic disorders.