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Thermal performance of early stages of Sparus aurata integrating body condition, behavior and physiological responses
Publication . Almeida, João Carlos; Costa, Ana Beatriz; Ozkan, Buzenur; Martins-Cardoso, Sara; Maulvault, Ana Luísa; Pousão-Ferreira, Pedro; Ribeiro, Laura; Lima, André Ricardo Araújo; Faria, Ana Margarida; Lopes, Ana Rita
Temperature has a profound impact on fish, particularly during the early life stages (ELS), when they exhibit a narrower range of thermal tolerance compared to later developmental phases. This study investigated the long-term effects of temperature on
ELS that were exposed to four temperature regimes for 11 weeks: 19 °C, 22 °C, 24 °C and 28 °C. Parameters evaluated included growth, Fulton’s condition factor, behavior (risk-taking, activity and aggressiveness), routine metabolic rate (RMR), metabolic enzyme activity (citrate synthase and lactate dehydrogenase) and oxidative stress biomarkers (Lipid Peroxidation, Catalase and Glutathione-S-Transferase). Growth and condition were highest at 28 °C and lowest at 19 °C. While risk-taking behavior was unaffected by temperature, aggressiveness increased at 24 °C and 28 °C. Swimming activity increased from 22 °C to 28 °C, but RMR remained stable. Antioxidant enzyme activity increased in the brain and gills at 28 °C, but no signs of Lipid Peroxidation were found. Physiological biomarkers accounted for over 67% of trait variability. These findings suggest that S. aurata ELS adopt temperature-specific physiological strategies, such as upregulating metabolic enzymes at lower temperatures to sustain body condition and enhancing antioxidant defenses at higher temperatures to counteract oxidative stress. Thus, ELS can maintain physiological performance across a broad thermal range, albeit with acclimatize trade-offs.
Adaptation of the eco-anxiety scale to adult Portuguese native speakers: a validity and reliability study
Publication . Ferrajão, Paulo; Torres, Nuno; Martins, Amadeu Quelhas
Eco-anxiety is a multidimensional construct that includes emotional, behavioral and cognitive manifestations related to potential environmental calamities. There is a need to adapt and validate measures that evaluate eco-anxiety into Portuguese using a multi-trait approach. This study examined the psychometric properties of the Hogg Eco-Anxiety Scale (HEAS) in adult Portuguese speakers (18–83 years old). Data were collected on the Portuguese adaptation of the HEAS, environmental identity and psychological symptoms, and sociodemographic data. The construct validity of the HEAS was subsequently examined through exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. The factorial structure of the original scale was the best explanation of the sample data. The scale showed good internal consistency and presented measurement invariance for both sex and age groups. The global score of the HEAS and the dimensions of emotional and behavioral symptoms were moderately associated with clinical symptoms. Females and younger participants presented higher levels of eco-anxiety apart from rumination symptoms. The results suggest the suitability of the HEAS as a valid measure to evaluate the different signs of eco-anxiety among adult Portuguese native speakers.
Diaphragm ultrasound for muscle strength assessment: A systematic literature review
Publication . Leote, Joao; Monteiro, Margarida; Rocha, Cláudia; Rodrigues, Carolina; Pereira, Marco; Antunes, Maria Luz; Dias, Hermínia; Antunes, Maria da Luz
Objective: To assess if diaphragmatic ultrasound (DU) reflects diaphragmatic muscle strenght when compared to respiratory tests and neurophysiological studies.
Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted on adults undergoing DU, compared to any respiratory or neurophysiological technique. The search strategy was applied in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, and the analysis was conducted using the PRISMA methodology. Three eligibility assessment stages were performed: title, abstract, and full-text reading. The risk of bias was evaluated using the RoB 2.0, ROBINS-I, and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale tools.
Results: Out of 155 identified articles, 25 were selected for full-text review (14 nonrandomised studies, 8 case-control studies, and 3 randomised studies). The overall risk of bias was moderate, with the main biases related to population selection and intervention
assessment.
Twenty-three articles used maximal inspiratory pressure easurement as a comparator which showed a weak-to-moderate correlation, significant in 10 studies, with diaphragmatic excursion. Three studies reported a weak association between diaphragmatic thickening and sniff pressure.
Five articles reported a concordant correlation between iaphragmatic thickening and compound muscle action potential amplitude, significant only in one study.
Conclusion: The variability of results obtained across different pathologies does not support the use of DU alone to predict diaphragmatic muscle strength
Putting mental health deinstitutionalisation back on track: A scoping review of what empirically hinders and drives deinstitutionalisation of adults who experience mental illness
Publication . Sá-Fernandes, Luís; Sacchetto, Beatrice; Pires, Johann; Ornelas, José; Vargas-Moniz, Maria
Mental health deinstitutionalisation continues to be a global human rights priority. After over half a century, the discharge to the community often means the transition to smaller-scale institutions, segregation environments, and limited opportunities for community inclusion. This scoping review aims to identify what hinders and drives the deinstitutionalisation process of adults experiencing mental health challenges.
Method: A scoping review was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and reported under the PRISMA extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR). A systematic search of four electronic databases, PubMed, APA PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Scopus, was undertaken between January and March 2024. Only empirical studies focusing on the deinstitutionalisation process of adults with mental health challenges, published in English, from 1991 to 2024 were eligible for inclusion. A template in Microsoft Excel was created for data extraction. Results were descriptively synthesised and organised into the system change framework’s four fundamental dimensions (norms, resources, regulations, and operations).
A total of 57 studies were included. Most of those included studies, 53% were qualitative ( = 30), 60% were published from 2014 to 2024 ( = 34), 26% were from North Americas ( = 15), and 25% were from Europe ( = 14). Factors that hindered mental health deinstitutionalisation included the exclusiveness of the medical model, social discrimination, insufficient community services, transinstitutionalisation, lack of support for community inclusion, most funds allocated to institutionalisation, economic incentives for institutionalisation, institutional policies, inefficient governance, professional control, and limited advocacy. Drivers included a model for community inclusion, an inclusive society, resourcing community alternatives, independent housing, individualised context-oriented support, economic pressures, policy and legal reform, consumer participation in services, and consumer advocacy.
The study findings constitute an important basis to inform the ongoing or future deinstitutionalisation processes of adults with mental illness diagnoses.
Promoting socioemotional development in early childhood: Implementation and evaluation of the VIPP-SD parenting intervention in Portugal
Publication . Verissimo, Manuela; Guedes, Maryse; Fernandes, Marilia; Fernandes, Carla; Santos, Carolina; Diniz, Eva; Oliveira, Paula; Negrão, Mariana; Sampaio, Filipa; Bakermans-Kranenburg, Marian
The prevention of internalizing and externalizing behavioral problems in children is a critical scientific and public health priority. Research highlights maternal sensitivity—defined as a caregiver’s ability to perceive, interpret, and respond appropriately to their child’s cues—and consistent but non-coercive discipline as key factors in reducing these behavioral issues. The Video-feedback Intervention to Promote Positive Parenting and Sensitive Discipline (VIPP-SD) aims to enhance maternal sensitivity and promote non-coercive discipline strategies. Meta-analyses have demonstrated its effectiveness in improving parental sensitivity, limit-setting practices, and child attachment security, particularly among socioeconomically disadvantaged families. However, evidence on its impact on externalizing behaviors remains mixed, with some studies suggesting delayed or context-specific effects. This project aims to evaluate VIPP-SD’s impact on parental sensitivity, discipline, child behavioral problems, and parental mental health in Portugal. Additionally, it seeks to assess the intervention’s cost-effectiveness by analyzing health outcomes, resource utilization, and associated costs.
The program consists of a baseline visit, four intervention sessions, and optional booster sessions, focusing on themes such as sensitive responsiveness, positive reinforcement, and empathetic boundary-setting. 120 families from vulnerable populations in Portugal will be recruited and randomly assigned to the VIPP-SD intervention or the same number of contacts without feedback on parenting. Trained interveners will deliver the intervention. Pre- and posttest assessments include observed and self-reported parenting behaviors, parental mental health, quality of life, and resource use. Follow-up assessments include questionnaires on parent and child variables.
Discussion
The study aims to provide robust evidence to inform health policy decisions and prioritize cost-effective early interventions that improve developmental outcomes, reduce societal costs, and support family well-being.