Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2023-07-01"
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- Materialism and life satisfaction relations between and within people over time: results of a three-wave longitudinal studyPublication . Jaspers, Esther D. T.; Pandelaere, Mario; Pieters, Rik G. M.; Shrum, L. J.The negative association between materialism and life satisfaction is well-documented, but it is unclear what the directionality of the association is. To address this issue, we (a) conducted a three-wave longitudinal study (N = 6551) over 3 years and examined the bidirectional relations between life satisfaction and materialism as a composite measure and with each of its three facets (happiness, success, and centrality), and (b) estimated Random Intercept Cross-Lagged Panel Models (RI-CLPMs) that separate inter- and intra-individual effects and compared them with traditional CLPMs that do not. The traditional CLPM showed bidirectional negative associations between composite materialism and life satisfaction and strong negative bidirectional association for the happiness facet, but positive effects of the centrality facet on life satisfaction. However, and importantly, the RI-CLPM revealed that these relations exist predominantly between people. Within people, materialism does not impact life satisfaction, but life satisfaction does impact the happiness facet negatively. These findings challenge common ideas that the direction of the effect is from materialism to life satisfaction and that it is unilaterally negative.
- Novel lipids to regulate obesity and brain function: comparing available evidence and insights from QSAR in silico modelsPublication . Teixeira, Francisca S.; Costa, Paula T.; Soares, Ana M. S.; Fontes, Ana Luiza; Pintado, Manuela E.; Vidigal, Susana S. M. P.; Pimentel, Lígia L.; Rodríguez-Alcalá, Luís M.Lipid molecules, such as policosanol, ergosterol, sphingomyelin, omega 3 rich phosphatidylcholine, α-tocopherol, and sodium butyrate, have emerged as novel additions to the portfolio of bioactive lipids. In this state-of-the-art review, we discuss these lipids, and their activity against obesity and mental or neurological disorders, with a focus on their proposed cellular targets and the ways in which they produce their beneficial effects. Furthermore, this available information is compared with that provided by in silico Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion, and Toxicity (ADMET) models in order to understand the usefulness of these tools for the discovery of new bioactive compounds. Accordingly, it was possible to highlight how these lipids interact with various cellular targets related to the molecule transportation and absorption (e.g., α-tocopherol transfer protein for α-Tocopherol, ATP-binding cassette ABC transporters or Apolipoprotein E for sphingomyelins and phospholipids) or other processes, such as the regulation of gene expression (involving Sterol Regulatory Element-Binding Proteins for ergosterol or Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors in the case of policosanol) and inflammation (the regulation of interleukins by sodium butyrate). When comparing the literature with in silico Quantitative Structure–Activity Relationship (QSAR) models, it was observed that although they are useful for selecting bioactive molecules when compared in batch, the information they provide does not coincide when assessed individually. Our review highlights the importance of considering a broad range of lipids as potential bioactives and the need for accurate prediction of ADMET parameters in the discovery of new biomolecules. The information presented here provides a useful resource for researchers interested in developing new strategies for the treatment of obesity and mental or neurological disorders.
- The impact of bioactive textiles on human skin microbiotaPublication . Oliveira, Cláudia Suellen Ferro de; Tavaria, Freni KekhasharúIn order to support the elevated market demand for the development of textiles with specific benefits for a healthy and safe lifestyle, several bioactive textiles with defined properties, including antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-odor, and anti-repellent, anti-ultraviolet (UV) radiation, have been proposed. Antimicrobial textiles, particularly, have received special interest considering the search for smart, protective textiles that also impact health and well-being. Although the incorporation of antimicrobials into textile material has been well succeeded, the addition of such components in textile clothing can influence the balance of the skin microbiota of the wearer. While most antimicrobial textiles have demonstrated good biocompatibility and antimicrobial performance against bacteria, fungi, and viruses, some problems such as textile biodegradation, odor, and dissemination of unwanted microorganisms might arise. However, little is known about the impact of such antimicrobial textile-products on human skin microbiota. To address this issue, the present review, for the first time, gives an overview about the main effects of antimicrobial textiles, i.e., antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral, on skin microbiota while driving future investigation to elucidate their putative clinical relevance and possible applications according to their impact on skin microbiota. This knowledge may open doors for the development of more microbiota friendly textiles or antimicrobial textile-products able to target specific populations of the skin microbiota aiming to alleviate skin disorders, malodor, and allergies by avoiding the growth and spread of pathogenic microorganisms.
- The effect of covert narcissism on workplace incivility: the mediating role of self‐esteem and norms for respectPublication . Moon, Chanki; Morais, CatarinaThere has been an abundance of research on narcissism in the workplace. However, most research has focused on the overt (grandiosity) form of narcissism, as well as the effect of narcissism on uncivil behaviors of employees; research focusing directly on the effect of covert (vulnerability) narcissism on the employees’ experience of workplace incivility is lacking. The present research examined whether the personality trait (covert narcissism) of employees affects their experience of incivility considering two potential explanatory variables: self-esteem and perceived norms for respect. A total of 150 participants completed an online questionnaire, which consisted of four well-known measures: the Hypersensitive Narcissism Scale, the Rosenberg Self-esteem scale, the Perceived Norms for Respect, and the Workplace Incivility Scale. The results showed that employees with higher levels of covert narcissism are likely to have greater experiences of workplace incivility through the mediating role of perceived norms for respect. Although the relationship was not explained through the mediating role of self-esteem, it was instead observed that self-esteem and perceived norms for respect jointly affect employees’ experience of incivility at work. These findings broaden our understanding of workplace incivility by simultaneously considering the influences of personality traits, self-esteem, and workplace norms.
- Quantitative assessment of myocardial fibrosis by digital image analysis: an adjunctive tool for pathologist “ground truth”Publication . Abecasis, João; Cortez-Dias, Nuno; Pinto, Daniel Gomes; Lopes, Pedro; Madeira, Márcio; Ramos, Sancia; Gil, Victor; Cardim, Nuno; Félix, AnaAIMS: Myocardial fibrosis (MF) is a common pathological process in a wide range of cardiovascular diseases. Its quantity has diagnostic and prognostic relevance. We aimed to assess if the complementary use of an automated artificial intelligence software might improve the precision of the pathologist´s quantification of MF on endomyocardial biopsies (EMB). Methods and results: Intraoperative EMB samples from 30 patients with severe aortic stenosis submitted to surgical aortic valve replacement were analysed. Tissue sections were stained with Masson´s trichrome for collagen/fibrosis and whole slide images (WSI) from the experimental glass slides were obtained at a resolution of 0.5 μm using a digital microscopic scanner. Three experienced pathologists made a first quantification of MF excluding the subendocardium. After two weeks, an algorithm for Masson´s trichrome brightfield WSI (at QuPath software) was applied and the automatic quantification was revealed to the pathologists, who were asked to reassess MF, blinded to their first evaluation. The impact of the automatic algorithm on the inter-observer agreement was evaluated using Bland-Altman type methodology. Median values of MF on EMB were 8.33% [IQR 5.00-12.08%] and 13.60% [IQR 7.32-21.2%], respectively for the first pathologist´s and automatic algorithm quantification, being highly correlated (R2: 0.79; p < 0.001). Interobserver discordance was relevant, particularly for higher percentages of MF. The knowledge of the automatic quantification significantly improved the overall pathologist´s agreement, which became unaffected by the degree of MF severity. Conclusions: The use of an automated artificial intelligence software for MF quantification on EMB samples improves the reproducibility of measurements by experienced pathologists. By improving the reliability of the quantification of myocardial tissue components, this adjunctive tool may facilitate the implementation of imaging-pathology correlation studies.
- A systematic review of natural products for skin applications: targeting inflammation, wound healing, and photo-agingPublication . Fernandes, A.; Rodrigues, P. M.; Pintado, M.; Tavaria, F. K.Background: Every day the skin is constantly exposed to several harmful factors that induce oxidative stress. When the cells are incapable to maintain the balance between antioxidant defenses and reactive oxygen species, the skin no longer can keep its integrity and homeostasis. Chronic inflammation, premature skin aging, tissue damage, and immunosuppression are possible consequences induced by sustained exposure to environmental and endogenous reactive oxygen species. Skin immune and non-immune cells together with the microbiome are essential to efficiently trigger skin immune responses to stress. For this reason, an ever-increasing demand for novel molecules capable of modulating immune functions in the skin has risen the level of their development, particularly in the field of natural product-derived molecules. Purpose: In this review, we explore different classes of molecules that showed evidence in modulate skin immune responses, as well as their target receptors and signaling pathways. Moreover, we describe the role of polyphenols, polysaccharides, fatty acids, peptides, and probiotics as possible treatments for skin conditions, including wound healing, infection, inflammation, allergies, and premature skin aging. Methods: Literature was searched, analyzed, and collected using databases, including PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar. The search terms used included “Skin”, “wound healing”, “natural products”, “skin microbiome”, “immunomodulation”, “anti-inflammatory”, “antioxidant”, “infection”, “UV radiation”, “polyphenols”, “polysaccharides”, “fatty acids”, “plant oils”, “peptides”, “antimicrobial peptides”, “probiotics”, “atopic dermatitis”, “psoriasis”, “auto-immunity”, “dry skin”, “aging”, etc., and several combinations of these keywords. Results: Natural products offer different solutions as possible treatments for several skin conditions. Significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities were reported, followed by the ability to modulate immune functions in the skin. Several membrane-bound immune receptors in the skin recognize diverse types of natural-derived molecules, promoting different immune responses that can improve skin conditions. Conclusion: Despite the increasing progress in drug discovery, several limiting factors need future clarification. Understanding the safety, biological activities, and precise mechanisms of action is a priority as well as the characterization of the active compounds responsible for that. This review provides directions for future studies in the development of new molecules with important pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical value.
- Potential of omega-3 and conjugated fatty acids to control microglia inflammatory imbalance elicited by obesogenic nutrientsPublication . Salsinha, A. S.; Socodato, R.; Rodrigues, A.; Vale-Silva, R.; Relvas, J. B.; Pintado, M.; Rodríguez-Alcalá, L. M.High-fat diet-induced obesity detrimentally affects brain function by inducing chronic low-grade inflammation. This neuroinflammation is, at least in part, likely to be mediated by microglia, which are the main immune cell population in the brain. Microglia express a wide range of lipid-sensitive receptors and their activity can be modulated by fatty acids that cross the blood-brain barrier. Here, by combining live cell imaging and FRET technology we assessed how different fatty acids modulate microglia activity. We demonstrate that the combined action of fructose and palmitic acid induce Ikβα degradation and nuclear translocation of the p65 subunit nuclear factor kB (NF-κB) in HCM3 human microglia. Such obesogenic nutrients also lead to reactive oxygen species production and LynSrc activation (critical regulators of microglia inflammation). Importantly, short-time exposure to omega-3 (EPA and DHA), CLA and CLNA are sufficient to abolish NF-κB pathway activation, suggesting a potential neuroprotective role. Omega-3 and CLA also show an antioxidant potential by inhibiting reactive oxygen species production, and the activation of LynSrc in microglia. Furthermore, using chemical agonists (TUG-891) and antagonists (AH7614) of GPR120/FFA4, we demonstrated that omega-3, CLA and CLNA inhibition of the NF-κB pathway is mediated by this receptor, while omega-3 and CLA antioxidant potential occurs through different signaling mechanisms.
- Study of the viability of using lipase-hydrolyzed commercial vegetable oils to produce microbially conjugated linolenic acid-enriched milkPublication . Fontes, Ana Luiza; Pimentel, Lígia; Soares, Ana Maria Silva; Domingues, M. Rosário; Rodríguez-Alcalá, Luis Miguel; Gomes, Ana MariaThis work studied the viability of using vegetable oils as precursor substrates to develop a dairy product enriched in microbial conjugated linoleic (CLA) and conjugated linolenic (CLNA) acids. Hydrolysis of hempseed, flaxseed (FSO) and soybean (SBO) oils was tested with Candida rugosa (CRL), Pseudomonas fluorescens, or Pancreatic porcine lipases. FSO and SBO, previously hydrolyzed with CRL, were further selected for cow’s milk CLA/CLNA-enrichment with Bifidobacterium breve DSM 20091. Thereafter, higher substrate concentrations with hydrolyzed FSO were tested. For all tested oils, CRL revealed the best degrees of hydrolysis (>90%). Highest microbial CLA/CLNA yield in milk was achieved with hydrolyzed FSO, which led to the appearance of mainly CLNA isomers (0.34 mg/g). At higher substrate concentrations, maximum yield was 0.88 mg/g CLNA. Therefore, it was possible to enrich milk with microbial CLNA using vegetable oil, but not with CLA, nor develop a functional product that can deliver a reliable effective dose.
- Validation of the “International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire – Urinary Incontinence Short Form (ICIQ-UISF)" for the Portuguese populationPublication . Guerra, Maria João; Almeida, Sofia Pinto de; Nogueira, Helena Maria; Alves, Paulo Jorge PereiraIntroduction: Urinary incontinence can be considered a common condition associated with the aging process with extremely disabling symptoms, being two to three times more prevalent in women than in men. The use of validated instruments for the initial diagnosis of urinary incontinence is essential to obtain uniformity and systematization in the assessment of this condition. Objective: To adapt and validate the International Consultation Questionnaire Urinary Incontinence Short Form (ICIQ-UI SF) for the Portuguese population. Methodology: Two independent translations of the ICIQ-UI SF were performed by Portuguese translators fluent in English. After harmonizing them, the resulting translation was independently back translated by two English translators fluent in Portuguese. The final version of the ICIQ-UI SF into Portuguese was applied to 90 users of the outpatient urology, urology and gynecology inpatient clinic of a hospital located in Gaia. The psychometric properties and reliability of the questionnaire were evaluated.Results: No changes to the original format of the ICIQ-UI SF were observed at the end of the instrument's translation and adaptation process. The average age of participants was 55 years. Internal consistency was high, as demonstrated by Cronbach's alpha coefficient (0.85). Pearson's coefficient for questions 3 and 4 was 0.88 and for questions 4 and 5 it was 0.82. The evaluation was considered satisfactory and statistically significant.Conclusion: The Portuguese version of the ICIQ-UI SF was successfully validated, making it possible to apply it to the Portuguese population with satisfactory reliability and construct validity.
- Looking up or down on the social ladder: how socioeconomic comparisons shape judgments about monetary and time donationsPublication . Demczuk, Rafael; Mantovani, Danielle; Fernandes, DanielThe increasing inequality rate within countries worldwide makes social comparisons more evident. In seven experiments, we demonstrate that people comparing themselves to others in a superior socioeconomic position (upward comparison) judge that wealthier others should donate more time and money to charity. However, social comparison to others in an inferior position (downward comparison) does not always increase monetary donations. This discrepancy in prescriptions for monetary donations between those who make upward and downward social comparisons is driven by judgments about relative spare money; while people making upward comparisons believe that others have more spare money, people making downward comparisons only think they have more spare money, and should donate more, when reminded of their hierarchical position at the time of judgment. Low meritocracy beliefs exacerbate the difference between the prescriptions of how much oneself and others should donate given their socioeconomic position. This differential pattern among individuals making upward and downward social comparisons helps to propagate economic inequality. People making upward comparisons prescribe to wealthier others the responsibility to donate to charity, who in turn may not think they should donate more money. These findings have implications for charitable and non-profit organizations and contribute to research on social comparison, inequality, and judgments about monetary and time donations.