The influence of overweight and obesity in the oral health of a sample of Portuguese adults

Background: Overweight and obesity may lead to different problems in various body systems and in the oral cavity. Dental caries and periodontal disease have been related with overweight. The aim of this study was to assess how overweight and obesity have impact on the lifestyle, oral habits and oral pathologies. Methods: We conducted an observational cross-sectional study where we applied a questionnaire to 140 individuals from Lisbon and Viseu, Portugal., which 70 had a normal Body Mass Index (BMI) (control group) and 70 had an excessive BMI. We also made an oral observation in each individual to record the permanent teeth decayed, missing and filled index (DMFT), the Community Periodontal Index and the oral hygiene status. Results: From the final sample, 30% of the subjects with overweight brushed their teeth once a day or less, while the majority (62.9%) of the control group brushed twice a day. In the oral examination, 70% had calculus, while in the control group only 22.5% presented calcified plaque. The DMFT was higher among the obesity group in comparison with the control group. Regarding periodontal disease, the participants with overweight need more dental intervention (81.4%) in contrast with the control group (14%). Conclusions: Most overweight and obese individuals present precarious oral hygiene habits, higher prevalence of dental caries, and worse periods of periodontal health. They are not aware of the repercussions of the association between their cariogenic diet, oral health and overweight.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Chemical Profiling and Assessment of Antineurodegenerative and Antioxidant Properties of Veronica teucrium L. and Veronica jacquinii Baumg.

Neuroprotective potential of V. teucrium and V. jacquinii methanol extracts was analyzed. Chemical analysis of investigated extracts showed the presence of phenolic acid derivatives, flavonoids and one secoiridoid. The detected flavonoids derived from flavones (luteolin and isoscutellarein in V. jacquinii; apigenin, isoscutellarein and luteolin in V. teucrium) and flavonol (quercetin in V. jacquinii). Acteoside was the dominant compound in V. jacquinii, while plantamajoside and isoscutellarein 7-O-(6‴-O-acetyl)-ß-allosyl (1‴?2‴)-ß-glucoside were the major phenolics in V. teucrium. Additionally, the antineurodegenerative activity was tested at concentrations of 25, 50, and 100 µg/ml using acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and tyrosinase (TYR) assays. The inhibition of both enzymes was achieved with the investigated extracts, ranging from 22.78 to 35.40% for AChE and from 9.57 to 16.38% for TYR. There was no statistical difference between the activities of the analyzed extracts. Our data indicate that V. teucrium and V. jacquinii may have beneficial effects against Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.The authors are grateful to Fundac ~ao para a Ci^encia e a Tecnologia (FCT, Portugal) for financial support to CIMO (strategic project PEst-OE/AGR/UI0690/2011). J. C. M. Barreira and M. I. Dias thank FCT, POPH-QREN, and FSE for their grants (SFRH/BPD/72802/2010 and SFRH/BD/84485/2012, respectively). The GIP-USAL is financially supported by the Spanish Government through the project AGL2015-64522-C2-2-R. The authors are also grateful to the Serbian Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development for financial support (Grant Numbers 173032, 173029, and 46013).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Modulation of butyrate-degrading methanogenic communities by conductive materials

Butyrate is a volatile fatty acid commonly present in anaerobic bioreactors. Previous research showed that methane production (MP) rates from butyrate, by lake sediment microbiomes, doubled by addition of carbon nanotubes, which was accompanied by changes in the microbial community composition, with enrichment of typical fatty-acid degrading bacteria (Syntrophomonas spp.), well known to exchange electrons with methanogens via hydrogen or formate formation1. But the authors suggested that electrons exchange via conductive materials (CM) may take place instead. In our study, anaerobic butyrate-degrading enrichment cultures were developed with other CM, namely activated carbon (AC) and magnetite (Mag) at 0.5 g/L. MP started earlier in AC enrichment and complete degradation was achieved faster in Mag enrichment. Syntrophomonas spp. were enriched in all cultures (representing 60 to 80 % of the total bacterial community), but hydrogenotrophic methanogens were highly stimulated by AC (78 % of Methanomicrobiales), while the methanogenic community of Mag culture was more diverse in acetoclastic methanogens (43% of Methanosarcina and Methanosaeta). It is still unclear if the improvement on butyrate degradation is associated to the role of CM in interspecies electron transfer, but it is undoubtful that they differentially modulate the methanogenic communities towards faster MP.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Chemical characterization and bioactivity of phytochemicals from Iberian endemic Santolina semidentata and strategies for ex situ propagation

Asteraceae family members are well-known for their medicinal potential, comprising several properties that make them unique among plants. Here we focus on Santolina semidentata, an endemic plant from the Iberian Peninsula, not yet described for its medicinal properties. Phytochemical characterization of S. semidentata was performed, concerning total phenol content, flavonoid content, antioxidant capacity, HPLC-DAD profile, acetylcholinesterase inhibitory capacity, cytotoxicity and neuroprotective effect in a human neurodegeneration cell model. Moreover, essential oil composition and antifungal activity were also analised. This oil might be useful for therapeutical purposes, particularly in the treatment of dermatophytosis. S. semidentata potential for neuroprotection was revealed by acetylcholinesterase inhibitory capacity and also by an effective protective effect in human neuronal cells. Furthermore, different seed conservation protocols, as well as successful in vitro propagation were established which may be useful when integrated in a broad strategy for the conservation of these endemic plants and their sustainable use for potential biotechnological applications. The results presented here greatly contribute to value this species regarding its potential as a source of phytochemicals with prospective neuroprotective health benefits, either as alternative neuroprotective drugs or as leads for synthetizing more effective molecules.The authors wish to thank to “Fundo EDP para a Biodiversidade” for financial support. This work was also supported by “Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia” through grant PEst-OE/EQB/LA0004/2011, BGCT/33418/2008, Green-it: UID/Multi/04551/2013, iNOVA4Health: UID/Multi/04462/2013 and financial support to CNS (IF/01097/20132), RP (SFRH/BD/63615/2009), IF (SFRH/BD/86584/2012) and AG (SFRH/BD/103155/2014).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Promising antioxidant and antimicrobial food colourants from Lonicera caerulea L. var. Kamtschatica

Lonicera caerulea L. (haskap) berries are widely known for their richness in anthocyanins. In this study, such fruits were assessed for their nutritional and chemical composition, but also as sources of anthocyanins with great colouring properties to be applied in foodstu . Haskap presented high levels of water, four free sugars (mainly fructose and glucose), five organic acids (mainly citric, malic, and quinic), - and -tocopherol, twenty fatty acids (with prevalence of linoleic acid), and eight phenolic compounds, among which six were anthocyanins (mainly cyanidin-3-O-glucoside). The extract presented great antioxidant properties, evaluated through TBARS and OxHLIA assays, as well as antimicrobial capacity against six bacteria and six fungi. Two colourants were obtained by spray-drying haskap juice with maltodextrin and a mixture of maltodextrin and arabic gum. These formulations were stable over 12 weeks of storage at room and refrigerated temperature, without significant variations in colour parameters and in anthocyanins concentration. They were considered safe for consumption once neither microbial contamination nor cytotoxicity in non-tumour cells were detected. The results obtained allow for the consideration of haskap as a promising source of colourants to be applied not only in the food industry, but also in other fields that rely on artificial colourants.The authors are grateful to Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) and FEDER under Programme PT2020 for financial support to CIMO (UID/AGR/00690/2019), and FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC) and FCT for financial support to LSRE-LCM (UID/EQU/50020/2019); national funding by FCT, P.I., through the institutional scientific employment program-contract for M.I. Dias, I.P.F., and L. Barros, and through the individual scientific employment program-contract for S.A. Heleno and J. Barreira; C. Pereira’s contract though the celebration of program-contract foreseen in No. 4, 5 and 6 of article 23º of Decree-Law No. 57/2016, of 29th August, amended by Law No. 57/2017, of 19th July; to FEDER-Interreg España-Portugal programme for financial support through the project 0377_Iberphenol_6_E; the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Regional Operational Program North 2020, within the scope of Project NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-023289: DeCodE and project Mobilizador Norte-01-0247-FEDER-024479: ValorNatural®.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Bio-based solar energy harvesting for onsite mobile optical temperature sensing in Smart Cities

The Internet of Things (IoT) fosters the development of smart city systems for sustainable living and increases comfort for people. One of the current challenges for sustainable buildings is the optimization of energy management. Temperature monitoring in buildings is of prime importance, as heating account for a great part of the total energy consumption. Here, a solar optical temperature sensor is presented with a thermal sensitivity of up to 1.23% °C-1 based on sustainable aqueous solutions of enhanced green fluorescent protein and C-phycocyanin from biological feedstocks. These photonic sensors are presented under the configuration of luminescent solar concentrators widely proposed as a solution to integrate energy-generating devices in buildings, as windows or façades. The developed mobile sensor is inserted in IoT context through the development of a self-powered system able to measure, record, and send data to a user-friendly website.publishe

Anthocyanins from rubus fruticosus l. And morus nigra l. applied as food colorants: a natural alternative

Given the importance of colour in the general acceptance or rejection of a product, the use of colorants is a widespread practice, particularly in the food industry. At the same time, with the increasing consumers’ awareness of the health effects that some artificial colorants can exert, there is a growing tendency to prioritize foodstuffs containing natural additives. In this work, Morus nigra L. and Rubus fruticosus L. fruit juices were characterized in terms of anthocyanins, organic acids, free sugars, and tocopherols, as also regarding their bioactive properties. Given their richness in anthocyanins, this study also aimed to prepare different solid colouring formulations by the spray-drying technique, using as stabilizers maltodextrin and arabic gum. Six free sugars and two organic acids were detected in the fruit juices, as well as the four tocopherol isoforms. Two cyanidin derivatives were found in M. nigra (cyanidin-3-O-glucoside and cyanidin-O-rhamnoside) and other four in R. fruticosus (cyanidin-O-hexoside, cyanidin-3-O-glucoside, cyanidin-O-pentoside, and cyanidin-3-O-dioxaloilglucoside). The developed colouring formulations revealed a good stability over time, in terms of anthocyanin concentration and colour parameters, and revealed to be safe for consumption, either concerning their low microbial load and lack of cytotoxicity. Thus, they represent a promising natural alternative to the massively used artificial colorants.The authors are grateful to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) for financial support through national funds FCT/MCTES to CIMO (UIDB/00690/2020); national funding by F.C.T. and P.I., through the institutional scientific employment program-contract for C.P., M.I.D., I.P.F., and L.B. contracts, through the individual scientific employment program-contract for S.A.H., J.C.M.B., and M.C., and A.K.M. PhD grant (2020.06231.BD). To FEDER-Interreg España-Portugal programme for financial support through the project TRANSCoLAB 0612_TRANS_CO_LAB_2_P; to ERDF through the Regional Operational Program North 2020, within the scope of project Mobilizador Norte-01-0247-FEDER-024479: ValorNatural® and Project GreenHealth-Norte-01-0145- FEDER-000042. The authors are grateful to the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of Serbia (Grant No. 451-03-9/2021-14/200007).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Neuroprotective effects of digested polyphenols from wild blackberry species

Abstract Purpose Blackberry ingestion has been demonstrated to attenuate brain degenerative processes with the benefits ascribed to the (poly)phenolic components. The aim of this work was to evaluate the neuroprotective potential of two wild blackberry species in a neurodegeneration cell model and compare them with a commercial variety. Methods This work encompasses chemical characterization before and after an in vitro digestion and the assessment of neuroprotection by digested metabolites. Some studies targeting redox/cell death systems were also performed to assess possible neuroprotective molecular mechanisms. Results The three blackberry extracts presented some quantitative differences in polyphenol composition that could be responsible for the different responses in the neurodegeneration cell model. Commercial blackberry extracts were ineffective but both wild blackberries, Rubus brigantinus and Rubus vagabundus, presented neuroprotective effects. It was verified that a diminishment of intracellular ROS levels, modulation of glutathione levels and activation of caspases occurred during treatment. The last effect suggests a preconditioning effect since caspase activation was not accompanied by diminution in cell death and loss of functionality. Conclusions This is the first time that metabolites obtained from an in vitro digested food matrix, and tested at levels approaching the concentrations found in human plasma, have been described as inducing an adaptative response

Assessment of gamma radiation effects on antioxidant activity of cork wastewater

Cork cooking wastewater results from the process of boiling cork planks. It is an aqueous and complex dark liquor with high concentration of phenolic compounds such as phenolic acids and tannins [1, 2], which are known for their high antioxidant activity. The aim of this work is to perform a compreensive assessment of the effects of gamma radiation on the antioxidant activity of cork cooking water. The irradiation experiments were carried out at room temperature in a Co-60 experimental equipment (Prescisa 22, Graviner, Lda, UK), with an activity of 140 Tbq (3.77 kCi) and at a dose rate of 1.5 kGy/h, located at the Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias Nucleares (Portugal). Samples of wastewater were irradiated at. three distinct. doses (10, 20 and 50 KGy) and the antioxidant activity was evaluated by in vitro assays based on different mechanisms of action: DPPH radical scavenging activity, reducing power and inhibition of β-carotene bleaching. Antioxidant capacity was compared with the physico-chemical characterization [3) of cork wastewater - Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Total Suspended Solids (TSS) and Total Phenolic Content. (TP) - when exposed to gamma radiation. The obtained results point out that gamma radiation induces changes in complex compounds leading to an increase in the antioxidant capacity. These results demonstrate the potential of this technology in order to increase the added value of cork wastewaters.We are grateful to FCT (Portugal) by the supporting of RECI/AAG-TEC/0400/2012 "Application of lonizing Radiation for a Sustainable Environment" project and to lnternational Atomic Energy Agency (Austria) by the supporting of CRP 1539 - F23029 "Radiation Treatment of Wastewater for Reuse with Particular Focus on Wastewaters Containing Organic Pollutants"' project.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Efficient second harmonic generation by para-nitroaniline embedded in electro-spun polymeric nanofibres

Intense well polarized second harmonic light was generated by poly(methyl methacrylate) nanofibres with embedded para-nitroaniline nanocrystals. Subwavelength diameter fibres were electro-spun using a 1.2 weight ratio of chromophore to polymer. Analysis of the generated second harmonic light indicates that the para-nitroaniline molecules, which nominally crystalize in the centrosymmetric space group, were organized into noncentrosymmetric structures leading to a second order susceptibility dominated by a single tensor element. Under the best deposition conditions, the nanofibrers display an effective nonlinear optical susceptibility approximately two orders of magnitude greater than that of potassium dihydrogen phosphate. Generalizing this approach to a broad range of organic molecules with strong individual molecular second order nonlinear responses, but which nominally form centrosymmetric organic crystals, could open a new pathway for the fabrication of efficient sub-micron sized second harmonic light generators.Hugo Goncalves thanks the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) for the support under grant PD/BD/111873/2015. The equipment used to characterize the second harmonic response of the electro-spun fibres was acquired within the framework of the Portuguese National Program for Scientific Re-equipment, contract REEQ-25/FIS/2005 with funds from POCI 2010 (FEDER) and FCT. The Raman microscope was acquired through the project nSTeP Nanostructured Systems for Tailored Performance, NORTE-07-0124-FEDER-000039, ON. 2. This work was in part developed in the scope of the projects CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials (UID/CTM/50011/2013), financed by national funds through the Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia/Ministerio da Educacao e Ciencia (FCT/MEC) and co-financed by FEDER under the PT2020 Partnership Agreement. The authors are grateful to A M P Botas (University of Aveiro) for help in acquiring the hyperspectral microscopy data.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio