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Dissertação de mestrado em Ecologia, apresentada ao Departamento de Ciências da Vida da Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia da Universidade de Coimbra.O Jardim Botânico da Universidade de Coimbra (JBUC) é composto essecialmente por espécies de plantas exóticas. A maioria destas espécies não são invasoras, mas algumas possuem comportamento invasor, causando problemas para a conservação do Jardim, sendo importante gerir de forma sustentável as áreas afectadas por estas espécies. Para tal, é necessário, em primeiro lugar, analisar a dimensão da invasão e identificar as suas possíveis causas. Para este efeito, este trabalho focou-se no mapeamento das três espécies invasoras mais problemáticas (Ailanthus altissima, Oxalis pes-caprae e Tradescantia fluminensis) e ainda de uma quarta espécie, Acanthus mollis, que embora não listada como invasora na legislação Portuguesa, apresenta na mata do JBUC um potencial invasor preocupante. Foi também objectivo deste trabalho elaborar um reconhecimento mais detalhado (através de mapeamento das regiões invadidas com respectivo número de espécimes) de A. altissima, a espécie mais “agressiva” de todas as presentes no JBUC. Através de análises de campo e usando Sistemas de Informação Geográfica foi possível mapear as áreas invadidas, determinar o número de indivíduos em cada local, a cobertura vegetal destas espécies, a acessibilidade a cada área e conhecer o historial das acções de controlo de A. altissima realizados anteriormente no Jardim, tentando contribuir, assim, com informação relevante para um plano de gestão eficaz e fundamentado das plantas invasoras na mata do JBUC. A espécie A. altissima encontra-se em elevado número na mata do Jardim e tentativas de controlar esta espécie apenas por corte simples mostraram ser ineficazes. No entanto, metodologias que incorporaram a injecção de herbicida mostraram ser mais eficazes no controlo desta espécie. Oxalis pes-caprae e T. fluminensis são espécies existentes na mata também com uma distribuição batstante extensa. Acanthus mollis encontra-se também espalhada por toda a mata. Contudo, não deve ser uma prioridade para controlo, pois restringe de alguma forma a invasão do subcoberto por outras invasoras mais agressivas. O mapeamento das áreas invadidas realizado neste trabalho conjuntamente com um estudo com base científica do controlo das espécies de plantas que existem na mata do JBUC, ajudará certamente na elaboração de um plano de gestão eficaz a longo prazo deste importante Jardim Botânico.The Botanical Garden of the University of Coimbra (BGUC) is composed mainly by exotic species. Most of these species are not invasive, but some have an invasive behavior, causing problems for the conservation of the Garden, beeing important to sustainably manage the areas affected by this type of species. For this it is necessary to identify and analyze the extent of the invasion and to identify possible causes. To this porpuse, this work focused on mapping the three most problematic invasive species (Ailanthus altissima, Oxalis pes-caprae, and Tradescantia fluminensis) and a fourth species, Acanthus mollis, though not listed as invasive in the Portuguese legislation, presents a concerning invasive potential in the woods of the BGUC. It was also an objective of this study to elaborate a more detailed acknowledgment (through mapping of invaded areas and respective number of specimens) of A. altissima, the more "aggressive" species of all. Through analysis of field work and using Geographic Informations Systems, it was possible to map the invaded areas, to determine the number of individuals for each site, vegetation cover of these species, the accessibility to each area, and previous types of control applied to A. altissima in the Garden, attempting this way, to contribute with relevant information to an effective management plan of the invasive plant species in the BGUC. The species A. altissima is found in large number in the woods of the Garden and attempts to control this species only by simple cut of the trees proved to be ineffective. However, methods that incorporated the injection of herbicide have demonstrated to be most effective in controlling this species. Oxalis pes-caprae and T. fluminensis are also species quite dispersed in the woods. A. mollis has been spread throughout the woods. However, it should not be considered a priority for control because somehow limits invasion at ground level by other invasive species. The mapping of the invaded areas together with a scientific-based study about the control of plant species that inhabit the woods of the BGUC will certainly help in developing a and long-term and effective management plan of this important Botanical Garden

Interrupting the trajectory of frailty in dementia with Lewy bodies with anabolic exercise, dietary intervention and deprescribing of hazardous medications

An 87-year-old man with dementia with Lewy bodies, living in residential aged care, exhibited rapid functional decline and weight loss associated with injurious falls over 9 months. Independent clinicians (geriatrician and exercise physiologist) assessed him during an extended wait-list period prior to his commencement of a pilot exercise trial. The highly significant role of treatable factors including polypharmacy, sarcopenia and malnutrition as contributors to frailty and rapid functional decline in this patient are described. The results of a targeted intervention of deprescribing, robust exercise and increased caloric intake on his physical and neuropsychological health status are presented. This case highlights the need to aggressively identify and robustly treat reversible contributors to frailty, irrespective of advanced age, progressive ‘untreatable’ neurodegenerative disease and rapidly deteriorating health in such individuals. Frailty is not a contraindication to robust exercise; it is, in fact, one of the most important reasons to prescribe it

Caring for Informal Dementia Caregivers and their Loved Ones via the HOMeCARE Exercise and Mindfulness for Health Program (HOMeCARE): A Randomized, Single-blind, Controlled Trial

Objective: To investigate the effects of a dyadic intervention of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) for dementia family caregivers and home-based balance and progressive resistance training(PRT) for their loved ones. Methods: The study was a two arm, randomized, controlled, singleblinded, parallel-group trial. Dyads were randomized to an intervention group: an 8-week MBSR course (daily) and an 8-week PRT and balance training (3 days/week) for their loved ones or a waiting list control group. Results: Nine dyads were randomized [caregivers: median age 75 (40 – 81) years, loved ones: 77 (73 – 88) years]. MBSR significantly improved mindfulness [relative effect size (95% confidence interval) 1.35 (–0.10,2.81); P = .009], no significant effects on caregiver burden [relative effect size (95% confidence interval) 0.22 (–1.09, 1.54); P = .622], and PRT and balance training improved functional mobility [mean difference(95% confidence interval) 1.53 (–3.09, 6.14)]. Discussion: The study appeared feasible to the home environment and future trials should test the feasibility of a more abbreviated MBSR intervention to optimize adoption and adherence

Promoting independence in Lewy body dementia through exercise (PRIDE) study: protocol for a pilot study

Background: Lewy Body dementia (LBD) is the second most prevalent neurodegenerative dementia. This form of dementia is notable for an aggressive disease course consisting of a combination of cognitive, Parkinsonian, affective, and physiological symptoms that significantly increase morbidity and mortality, and decrease life expectancy in this population compared to more common dementias. Additionally, those diagnosed with LBD are often excluded from trials evaluating exercise in similar diseases such as Alzheimer's disease or Parkinson's disease due to the complexity and concurrency of motor and cognitive symptoms. Consequently, there is scarce research evaluating the effect of exercise on individuals with LBD. Methods: The PRomoting Independence in Lewy Body Dementia through Exercise (PRIDE) trial is a novel non-randomised, crossover pilot study consisting of an 8-week wait-list usual care period, followed by an 8-week exercise intervention targeting progressive resistance and balance training. The trial aim is to evaluate the effect of exercise on the primary outcome of functional independence and secondary outcomes including cognitive, physical, psychosocial and quality of life measures in people living with LBD and their caregivers. The intervention involves 3 supervised 1-h sessions per week (24 sessions in total) administered by an Accredited Exercise Physiologist in a clinical facility at the University of Sydney in Lidcombe, Australia. Discussion: The PRIDE study is the first controlled trial to evaluate a robust exercise intervention within a LBD cohort and will provide crucial information required to inform robust future clinical trials

Kung Fu Training Improves Physical Fitness Measures in Overweight/Obese Adolescents: The “Martial Fitness” Study

Aim. To examine the efficacy of a six-month Kung Fu (KF) program on physical fitness in overweight/obese adolescents. Methods. Subjects were randomly assigned to the KF or sham exercise (Tai Chi, TC) control group. Physical measurements in cardiovascular fitness and muscle fitness occurred at baseline and after 6 months of training thrice weekly. Results. Twenty subjects were recruited. One subject was lost to follow-up, although overall compliance to the training sessions was 46.7 ± 27.8%. At follow-up, the cohort improved in absolute upper (P = .002) and lower (P = .04) body strength, and upper body muscle endurance (P = .02), without group differences. KF training resulted in significantly greater improvements in submaximal cardiovascular fitness (P = .03), lower body muscle endurance (P = .28; significant 95% CI: 0.37–2.49), and upper body muscle velocity (P = .03) relative to TC training. Conclusions. This short-term KF program improved submaximal cardiovascular fitness, lower body muscle endurance, and muscle velocity, in overweight/obese adolescents with very low baseline fitness