Background: Neurovascular interfaces, specifically the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and blood-retinal barrier (BRB), play pivotal roles in maintaining the homeostasis of the central nervous system (CNS). For a long time, these structures were seen only as a way of protection, but we currently know that they have a critical role in CNS (dys)function. Several studies have identified neurovascular alterations in earl...
A Conferência sobre Longevidade Saudável decorreu no dia 25 de novembro de 2023, em formato presencial, organizada no âmbito do programa de atividades da SpinOff do Politécnico de Leiria, AGILidades. Este encontro procurou ser um espaço de partilha, discussão e reflexão em torno de trabalhos de investigação, experiências profissionais e comunitárias, em que o tema da longevidade, o trabalho com diferentes geraç...
Fungi constitute a diverse group with highly positive and negative impacts in different environments, having several natural roles and beneficial applications in human life, but also causing several concerns. Fungi can affect human health directly, but also indirectly by being detrimental for animal and plant health, influencing food safety and security. Climate changes are also affecting fungal distribution, p...
Maize is a significant crop to the global economy and a key component of food and feed, although grains and whole plants can often be contaminated with mycotoxins resulting in a general exposure of the population and animals. To investigate strategies for mycotoxins control at the grain production level, a pilot study and exploratory research were conducted in 2019 and 2020 to compare levels of mycotoxins in gr...
Objectives – The aim of this study was to determine and analyze the behavioral profile of students in the use of school backpacks in the first cycle of basic education. Methods – An observational, analytic, and transversal study. The study sample included 88 students of all grades in the 1st cycle of basic education school in Vila Nova de Famalicão (Portugal). The questionnaire was applied to evaluate the type,...
A raquialgia crónica é cada vez mais frequente nos estudantes universitários. O posicionamento mantido tem sido referido como um potencial fator de risco. Nas últimas décadas, o desenvolvimento de dispositivos eletrónicos tem mudado os hábitos posturais. Um exemplo disso são os smartphones. Mediante o exposto, este estudo pretendeu analisar a associação entre a dependência autorreferida do uso de smartphone e a...
Identification of Aspergillus to species level is important since sibling species may display variable susceptibilities to multiple antifungal drugs and also because correct identification contributes to improving the knowledge of epidemiological studies. Two retrospective laboratory studies were conducted on Aspergillus surveillance at the Portuguese National Mycology Reference Laboratory. The first, covering ...
Exposure to Aspergillus conidia is an increased risk factor for the development of respiratory symptoms. The emergence of azole resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus is a major concern for the scientific community. The aim of this study was to perform the molecular identification of Aspergillus species collected from different occupational and non-occupational indoor settings and to study the azole susceptibility...
Few studies have explored the impacts of COVID-19 and lockdown on the mental health of undergraduate nursing students. This study aimed: a) to explore perceived stress among undergraduate nursing students in Portugal and Spain during the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak; and b) to analyze several COVID-19 related factors and psychological issues that may be associated with perceived stress. A cross-sectional study wa...
Identification of Aspergillus to species level is important since sibling species may display variable susceptibilities to multiple antifungal drugs and also because correct identification contributes to improve the knowledge of epidemiological studies. Two retrospective laboratory studies were conducted on Aspergillus surveillance at the Portuguese National Mycology Reference Laboratory. The first, covering th...