Introduction: Pediatric Neurology training is mandatory during Neurology residency in Portugal, yet national data on its quality remain scarce. To address this gap, the Neurology Residents and Early-Career Neurologists Committee (CIREN) of the Portuguese Neurology Society, in collaboration with the Portuguese Society of Pediatric Neurology, developed this study. Methods: An anonymous 33-item online questionnair...
The simultaneous consumption and misuse of different drugs, including 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, “ecstasy”) and opioids, raise concerns about fatal intoxications, as a result of increased serotonin levels. However, research on the simultaneous consumption of MDMA and opioids is limited. This study aimed to evaluate the toxic effect of the simultaneous exposure of the undifferentiated human SH-SY5Y...
Background: Cebranopadol, a promising opioid analgesic undergoing phase III trials, was developed for the treatment of acute and chronic moderate-to-severe pain. Because it is a non-selective ligand acting at more than one member of the opioid receptor family, combining a dual agonist action on mu-, delta-, and kappa-opioid receptors (MOR, DOR, and KOR) and nociceptin/orphanin FQ peptide (NOP) receptors, it has...
A primeira edição da Noite Europeia dos Investigadores em Armamar representou uma iniciativa-piloto de descentralização e democratização da ciência em contexto rural. Integrado no consórcio internacional SCIEVER, o evento envolveu 207 participantes, 29 investigadores e 69 voluntários, através de uma abordagem de cocriação interinstitucional com parceiros locais e nacionais. A iniciativa teve como principais obj...
Plant-derived essential oils (EOs) possess significant antimicrobial potential against spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms. However, their efficacy can vary depending on the test method, making it difficult to standardise results. This study aimed to investigate the effect of polysorbate 80, a common surfactant used to emulsify EOs, on antimicrobial activity and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) determi...
Haematococcus pluvialis and Porphyridium cruentum are red microalgae with high biotechnological potential due to their rich composition of bioactive compounds. However, their intense flavor limits their application in food products. This study evaluated the impact of fermentation with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (30 ?C for 48 h; LAB-to-biomass ratio of 0.1:1; 106 CFU/mL) on the physicochemical and functional ...
Microalgae are emerging as a promising ingredient for the food industry due to their sustainable cultivation and production of a variety of bioactive compounds, including proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, antioxidant compounds, and pigments [1]. Among the many cataloged species of microalgae, two stand out in research due to their powerful applications in the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, cosmetic, and food and...
A primeira edição da Noite Europeia dos Investigadores em Ambientes Rurais – Armamar (NEI-Armamar 2023) marcou um passo importante na promoção da cultura científica neste território rural. Este evento integrou o consórcio internacional SCIEVER – “Ciência para todos: sustentabilidade e inclusão” e demonstrou como a ciência pode ser uma ferramenta poderosa para democratizar o conhecimento, fortalecer o desenvolvi...
Objective: This study evaluated the feasibility of using chocolate as a food matrix for delivering Akkermansia muciniphila, a next- generation probiotic known for improving gut barrier function and metabolic health. The research assessed the viability of A. muciniphila in three different chocolate formulations, characterised the chocolate’s biological characteristics, and evaluated the potential prebiotic and b...
Rising interest in healthier diets has increased demand for ready-to-eat products such as fresh vegetables and sprouts. However, Listeria monocytogenes, a foodborne pathogen linked to listeriosis outbreaks from contaminated produce, can adhere to plant tissues and persist there for long periods once it contacts the surface.¹ Because the initial microbial load on seeds or plant surfaces strongly affects survival...