Valorization of watermelon fruit (Citrullus lanatus) byproducts: phytochemical and biofunctional properties with emphasis on recent trends and advances

Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) a fruit crop, is an herbaceous creeping plant belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae. It is a tropical plant, mainly propagated by seeds and thrives best in warm areas. While the fruit pulp is consumed, seeds are often discarded. The continuously growing global market for the main tropical fruits is currently estimated at 85 million tons, of which approximately half is lost or wasted throughout the whole processing chain. Developing novel processes for the conversion of these byproducts into value‐added products could provide a viable way to manage this waste problem, aiming at the same time to create a sustainable economic growth within a bio‐economy perspective. Given the ever‐increasing concern about sustainability, complete valorization through a bio‐refinery approach, that is, zero waste concepts is therefore most important. This paper aims to report the status on the valorization of tropical fruit byproducts, more specifically in watermelon seeds and their content in bioactive compounds, such as phenolic acids, flavonoids, carotenoids, alkaloids. Moreover, the bioactivity of the different types of phytochemicals and their possible application as a resource for different sectors (food, pharmaceutical, and environmental sciences) is discussed. Consequently, this review presents the concepts of tropical fruit byproducts recovery, and the potential applications of the isolated fractions.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Trace minerals in human health: iron, zinc, copper, manganese and fluorine

Trace elements exist in the environment in small amounts but play an essential part in sustaining various physiological and metabolic processes occurring within living tissues, as enzymes structure and function, bone and blood maintenance, immune responses or transmission of nerve impulses. They must be obtained from diet, being a varied and balanced diet important for obtaining a series of elements necessary for our body. The total amount of a mineral in a food that is dependent on digestion, its release from the food matrix and the absorption rate by the intestinal cells. If minerals are not supplied in adequate quantities, signs and symptoms of trace elements deficiencies appear. Beyond the nutritional aspects, trace elements have applications in the pharmaceutical industry, integrating pharmacologically active compounds. Usually, in the form of metal complexes, these metal-based drugs are used as anticancer therapeutics, antiinflammatories, antidiabetic drugs or antimicrobial agents. This evolving field is developing metal complexes with remarkable actions, and new metal-based drugs are emerging every year. This article aims to review the main effects of trace elements in human health, namely iron, zinc, copper, manganese and fluorine, focusing on the physiopathology and consequences of lack or excess of these elements. Also, it offers an overview of research information published in recent years concerning the use of these metals in compounds that show promising pharmacological activities.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The effects of a mindfulness-based program on higher education students

Background: Entering higher education is a process with multiple challenges that requires the mobilization of personal, social and instrumental resources. As a result, students tend to experience grater stress, anxiety, and depression. In this regard, mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) can serve as a useful tool to help students deal with these demands. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a Mindfulness in Education program in reducing stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms among students. Methods: Forty-four students of higher education from four degrees in the fields of Social and Cultural Sciences participated and finished surveys before and after the 12-weeks intervention, measuring stress, depression, anxiety, mindfulness, and self-compassion. Twenty-three students (82.61% female; Mage = 20.35 DPage = 3.24) participated in Mindfulness in Education. These participants were paired with 21 students (90.48% female; Mage = 18.67, DPage = 0.73), which constituted the control condition. Results: The results showed a session × condition interaction that was statistically significant for depression (p < 0.012) and stress (p < 0.026). In the follow-up exploration, the experimental condition revealed a statistically significant and moderate change in the severity of the symptoms of depression [t(14) = –2.315, p = 0.036, ξ = 0.304, 95% CI (–0.023, –0.499)] but not at the stress level [t(14) = –1.443, p = 0.171, ξ = 0.223, 95% CI (–0.006, –0.364)]. Conclusion: Outcomes were promising, adding to evidence that MBIs can play an important role in helping students manage stress and depression. However, it is still necessary to investigate the mechanisms underlying this type of interventions.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Propriedades nutricionais e bioativas de espécies silvestres da etnoflora transmontana tradicionalmente consumidas em verde.

A informação sobre a composição dos alimentos em macronutrientes e micronutrientes mas, também, em compostos bioativos, nomeadamente antioxidantes, é extraordinariamente importante para o consumidor. Essa informação torna-se ainda mais relevante no que diz respeito a plantas silvestres da Etnoflora Transmontana tradicionalmente consumidas, de forma a recuperar a sua utilização em hábitos alimentares inerentes à nutrição moderna. As verduras, em particular, são conhecidas como excelentes fontes de antioxidantes naturais, e a sua inclusão na dieta alimentar pode contribuir para a ingestão diária de antioxidantes. Neste trabalho, estudaram-se cinco espécies silvestres amplamente consumidas em muitas comunidades rurais da região do Mediterrâneo como verduras de folha: Borago officinalis L. (borragem), Montia fontana L. (merujas), Rorippa nasturtium-aquaticum (L.) Hayek (agrião), Rumex acetosella L. (azedinhas) e Rumex induratus Boiss. & Reut. (azedas) com o objetivo de descrever e caraterizar a sua composição em macronutrientes, micronutrientes e não-nutrientes. A espécie R. induratus revelou os maiores teores de açúcares, ácido ascórbico, tocoferóis, licopeno, clorofilas, flavonóides, flavonóis, ésteres tartáricos, e capacidade antioxidante, expressa em atividade captadora de radicais DPPH (2,2-difenil-1-picril-hidrazilo), inibição de descoloração do β-caroteno e inibição de formação de TBARS (espécies reativas do ácido tiobarbitúrico). A espécie R. nasturdium-aquaticum mostrou razões de PUFA/SFA (ácidos gordos polinsaturados/ácidos gordos monoinsaturados) e n-6/n-3 mais saudáveis, e a espécie B. officinalis provou ser uma fonte de GLA (ácido γ-linolénico) e outros ácidos gordos da série n-6 que são precursores de mediadores de resposta do processo inflamatório. As caraterísticas nutricionais e o potencial antioxidante destas verduras silvestres sugerem a reavaliação do seu papel não só na dieta tradicional, como também na dieta contemporânea. Além disso, podem ser encontradas aplicações dos seus extratos na prevenção de doenças crónicas relacionadas com radicais livres, incluídas em formulações específicas de nutracêuticos ou como alimentos funcionais

Assessing the content of a package of SGT-151 sold online

Abstract in proceedings of the Fourth International Congress of CiiEM: Health, Well-Being and Ageing in the 21st Century, held at Egas Moniz’ University Campus in Monte de Caparica, Almada, from 3–5 June 2019.This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Rehabvisual: validation of an application to stimulate visuomotor skills in preterm babies with developmental alterations

The methods of evaluation and intervention related to the visuomotor skills, for children under the age of 18 months with neurological dysfunctions are not systematic and individualized. Hence, the RehabVisual platform was developed. The aim of this article is to present the usability tests applied to the platform validation, as well as describing the application of the platform in the therapy sessions of a baby with a clinical diagnosis of prematurity. The study concludes that the application of the platform allows the treatment to be more individualized and specific to the baby needs through a common method to all service. Through usability tests, it was possible to ascertain that at the level of occupational therapy, this is a useful tool adapted to the needs of its users.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Toxicity of synthetic cannabinoids is increasing along with the regulatory measures taken for their control

Abstract in proceedings of the Fourth International Congress of CiiEM: Health, Well-Being and Ageing in the 21st Century, held at Egas Moniz’ University Campus in Monte de Caparica, Almada, from 3–5 June 2019.This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Subprodutos e desperdícios da produção vinícola para a obtenção de nutracêuticos

Atualmente, a União Europeia encoraja o uso de subprodutos agro-alimentares como forma de obtenção de nutracêuticos, tais como proteínas, fibras, polissacarídeos, fitoquímicos, entre outros. A reutilização destes subprodutos pode passar pela produção de ingredientes funcionais, com aplicação na indústria alimentar, farmacêutica e cosmética. Os polifenóis apresentam diferentes propriedades fisiológicas associadas aos diferentes grupos de compostos bioativos, tais como antioxidante, cardioprotetora, anticarcinogénica, anti-inflamatória, antimicrobiana. O benefício do consumo de vinho tinto é já reconhecido, sendo este associado à presença de certos compostos polifenólicos, tais como resveratrol, quercetina e catequina; no entanto, estes não são suficientes para caracterizar o vinho como alimento funcional. Por esse motivo, o interesse por ingredientes funcionais com base em extratos de vinho de uva e de videira (subprodutos e desperdícios da produção vinícola), tem vindo a aumentar, fomentando o conceito de sustentabilidade.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Qualidade de Vida Relacionada com a Saúde Oral: Perceção Parental das Crianças em Idade Pré‐Escolar

Resumo Enquadramento: O conhecimento dos determinantes de saúde que afetam a saúde oral e a qualidade de vida das crianças são da maior importância para alavancar a definição de políticas de redução do risco de doença e de promoção da saúde (DGS, 2008b). Objetivo: Avaliar a perceção dos pais sobre a Qualidade de Vida Relacionada com a Saúde Oral das crianças em idade pré-escolar. Metodologia: Estudo descritivo-correlacional e transversal. Foi utilizado o Questionário Qualidade de Vida Relacionado com a Saúde Oral das Crianças/Adolescentes (Q2VRSOC/A), construído por Pahel, Rozier e Slade, (2007) e traduzido e validado por Bica-Costa (2013), numa amostra de 412 pais/educadores de crianças (50,5% meninos e 49,5% meninas), com idades compreendidas entre os 3 e 6 anos ( ݔ̅=4,33; DP=0,934), a frequentar jardins de infância do distrito de Viseu. Resultados: Apurou-se que 47,5% das crianças/adolescentes apresenta bons hábitos de higiene oral; 31,9% fracos e 20,6% razoáveis. A Qualidade de Vida Relacionada com a Saúde Oral é influenciada pela idade da criança (p=.000); pela sua preferência alimentar (p=.014); pelo estado de saúde geral (p=.034) e oral (p=.000); pela abordagem da saúde e higiene oral realizada pelo enfermeiro (p=.026); pela observação da boca e dentes das crianças pelos pais (p=.006); pela consulta no dentista (p=.000) e pela presença de cáries dentárias (p=.000). Conclusão: Pelos resultados obtidos infere-se que quanto maior o impacto dos problemas orais, pior é a qualidade de vida relacionada com a saúde oral das crianças e, sendo assim, é de primordial importância desenvolver ações de educação para a saúde oral.Abstract Background: The knowledge of the determinants of health that affect oral health and quality of life of children are of paramount importance to leverage the definition of policies to reduce risk and promote health (DGS, 2008b). Objective: To evaluate the perception of parents on the Quality of Life Related to Oral Health of children in preschool age. Methodology: Study descriptive-correlational and cross. A questionnaire was used Quality of Life Related to Oral Health for Children / Teens (Q2VRSOC/A) in a sample of 412 parents/carers of children (50.5% boys and 49.5% girls), aged between 3 and 6 years (ݔ̅= 4.33; DP=0,934), who attended the kindergartens from the district of Viseu. Results: The majority of oral hygiene habits are good (47.5%), 31.9% are poor and 20.6% reasonable. The overall score Q2VRSOC/A is influenced by age (p = .000), food preference (p = .014), general and oral health (p = .034 p = .000, respectively); approach to health and oral hygiene performed by nurses (p = .026); observation of the mouth and teeth of children (p = .006); consultation at the dentist (p = .000); and for the presence of dental caries (p = .000). Conclusion: With regard to parental perception, the greater the impact of oral problems, the worse the quality of life related to oral health of children and therefore it is of paramount importance to develop education activities for oral healt