41 documents found, page 1 of 5
Exploring the diverse properties of Mentha piperita L.: a systematic review
Ferreira, Inês; Sousa, Mariana; Sequeira, Susie; Cruz, AgostinhoBackground: Mentha piperita L., widely recognized as peppermint, is globally renowned and popular due to its versatile applications in medicine, industry, and cuisine [1]. This perennial plant has a worldwide distribution, with origins in Europe and Middle East. As member of the Lamiaceae family it’s a natural hybrid of Mentha aquatic L. and Mentha spicata L. [1]. Traditionally, it has been used for alleviating...
Plants with anti-inflammatory properties: a review regarding Portuguese ethnobo...
Sousa, Mariana; Cruz, AgostinhoBackground: Ethnobotany represent a key element to identify plants with medicinal properties, gathering ancestral traditions with scientific inquiry. In Portugal, ethnobotany has contributed to the identification of plant species used to address various health concerns. In this context, the emergence of anti-inflammatory properties stands out. The search and collection of plants with these characteristics not o...
A comprehensive analysis of viability assessment methods for Giardia lamblia an...
Sequeira, Susie; Sousa, Mariana; Cruz, AgostinhoBackground: Giardia lamblia (G. lamblia) and Trichomonas vaginalis (T. vaginalis) are flagellated protozoan parasites responsible for giardiasis and trichomoniasis, respectively. These infections, often asymptomatic, can manifest with gastrointestinal and genitourinary symptoms [1,2]. Metronidazole serves as the primary pharmacological treatment for both diseases, but it has limitations, including adverse effec...
Development of new phytochemical-based disinfectant formulations for the contro...
Sousa, Mariana; Borges, Anabela; Simões, ManuelBackground: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) remain a critical public health challenge due to the persistence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria and the inefficacy of conventional disinfectants [1]. Biofilms further enhance bacterial resistance and limit the effectiveness of biocides [2]. Phytochemicals have emerged as natural alternatives due to their antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties [3]. Thi...
The potential of selected natural products as biofilm control agents and antibi...
Massano, Francisca; Sousa, Mariana; Borges, Anabela; Simões, ManuelBackground: The emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria, especially within biofilms, poses a serious public health threat and represents a major challenge for effective infection management. Traditional antibiotics often fail to effectively treat bacteria and biofilm-associated infections, prompting the need for novel strategies to combat bacterial resistance and biofilm formation. Natural compounds, such as ...
Cellulose-based colorimetric test strips for SARS-CoV-2 antibody detection
Sousa, Mariana; Pereira, Ana Cláudia; Correia, Bárbara; Carmo, Anália do; Matos, Ana Miguel; Cruz, Maria Teresa; Moreira, FelisminaThe COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for rapid, cost-effective tools to monitor transmission and immune response. We developed two novel paper-based colorimetric biosensors using glutaraldehyde as a protein dyeits first use in this context. Glutaraldehyde reacts with amino groups to generate a brown color, enabling detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Wathman filter paper was functionalized with (3-aminopr...
Pedagogia XXI: boas práticas de inovação e de formação na educação superior
Gonçalves, Daniela; Cruz, Joana; Orvalho, Luísa; Sousa, Mariana; Torres, Joana; Ribeiros, InêsA Educação Superior vive um momento de transformação profunda, impulsionado pela necessidade de responder a desafios sociais, tecnológicos e pedagógicos cada vez mais complexos. Tendo em conta este espaço-tempo contemporâneos, o presente e-book reúne um conjunto de reflexões, experiências e boas práticas de inovação pedagógica e de formação docente, no âmbito do Pedagogia XXI.
Biocides as drivers of antibiotic resistance: A critical review of environmenta...
Sousa, Mariana; Machado, Idalina; Simões, Lúcia Chaves; Simões, ManuelThe widespread and indiscriminate use of biocides poses significant threats to global health, socioeconomic development, and environmental sustainability by accelerating antibiotic resistance. Bacterial resistance development is highly complex and influenced significantly by environmental factors. Increased biocide usage in households, agriculture, livestock farming, industrial settings, and hospitals produces ...
Use of Medicinal Plants for Treatment and Prophylaxis of Canine Parasitic Infec...
Santos, Patrícia; Sousa, Mariana; Cruz, Agostinho; Cruz, AgostinhoDogs have been perceived as providing companionship to all members of the family, yet they can act as a vector for the transmission of parasitic agents to humans, particularly those who own or care for them. Traditional medicine seem to demonstrate effects in the treatment of diseases in animals; however, it is necessary to prove their effectiveness using more recent scientific evidence.
Innovative pedagogical tools for parasitology based on interactive learning
Sequeira, Susie; Sousa, Mariana; Fernandes, Sara; Barreiros, Luísa; Cunha, Agostinho; Cruz, Agostinho; Fernandes, Sara; Barreiros, LuisaParasitic infections in children, in particular ectoparasitoses, remain a public health challenge within the school context in Portugal. As part of the curricular unit “Agentes e Vectores de Doença I” included in the first year of the Bachelor of Pharmacy, pedagogical tools have been developed to raise awareness on this issue among the various stakeholders involved in primary education. The developed activities...