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Recent Submissions

Cognitive impairment in neurodegenerative diseases: A trans-diagnostic approach using a lesion-symptom mapping analysis

Publication . Morais, Ricardo Félix; Pires, Ricardo; Jesus, Tiago; Baptista de Lemos Guerra de Oliveira, Raquel Maria; Duro, Diana; Lima, Marisa; Baldeiras, Inês; Oliveira, Tiago Gil; Santana, Isabel

Introduction: Neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD), reflect a spectrum of cognitive impairments unified by cognitive decline. Traditional diagnostic approaches often overlook shared landscapes of these disorders. A transdiagnostic approach, cutting across conventional boundaries, may improve understanding of shared mechanisms. This study uses lesion-symptom mapping (LSM) to identify critical brain structures responsible for cognitive impairments. Methods: Patients diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), probable AD, and probable bvFTD were recruited from our memory clinic. Diagnoses were made by a multidisciplinary team using established criteria. Participants underwent detailed medical and neurological examinations, neuroimaging, cerebrospinal fluid analysis, and neuropsychological assessment. MRI scans were processed using FreeSurfer. LSM was used to assess correlations between brain structures and cognitive performance. Results: Significant correlations were found between neuropsychological test scores and reduced volume in specific brain regions. The Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test was linked to the right hippocampus and left nucleus accumbens. The Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised correlated with the right hippocampus, left nucleus accumbens, and right middle temporal gyrus. Verbal fluency was linked to the left superior temporal sulcus and left middle temporal gyrus. Digit Span forward correlated with left superior frontal gyrus and left inferior parietal region, while Digit Span backward was linked to the right precuneus. Digit-Symbol Coding was associated with the left inferior parietal region. Conclusions: This study highlights common neural targets in MCI, AD, and bvFTD and their link with cognitive impairment, emphasizing the value of LSM within a transdiagnostic approach to neurodegenerative diseases.

2025-05Journal article

Restricted access

Does time matter? The role of time perspective and ageism in mental health along the lifespan

Publication . Miguel, Isabel; von Humboldt, Sofia; Leal, Isabel; Thijssen, Sandra

Time perspective is a consistent personal viewpoint which evolves with age and may influence mental health across the lifespan. This study aims to: (1) compare time perspective, perceived ageism and mental health indicators, in three age cohorts across the lifespan; (2) examine the influence of time perspective on mental health indicators (depression, anxiety, and stress); and (3) assess whether ageism serves as a moderating factor between time perspective and mental health indicators. 1311 participants from three distinct age groups (18–39, 40–59, and 60+) participated in this cross-sectional study. The following instruments were used: (a) Future Time Perspective Scale (FTPS); (b) Perceived Ageism Questionnaire (PAQ); (c) Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales (DASS-21); and (d) a sociodemographic, health and lifestyle questionnaire. MANOVAs and moderated regression analyses were performed on the data. Results indicated the highest levels of stress, anxiety and perceived ageism among younger and older participants. A decrease in FTP-Opportunity and an increase of FTP-Limitation, and the perception of increased positive ageism were found throughout the life cycle. FTP-Opportunity was found to negatively impact stress, anxiety, and depression, whereas FTP-Limitation showed a positive effect. Positive ageism also moderated the effects of FTP-Opportunity on anxiety and depression. This study unveils the intricate relationship between time perspective, mental health, and ageism, indicating that time perspective significantly influences mental health outcomes such as depression, anxiety, and stress. Addressing ageism emerges as a crucial component in enhancing mental health in individuals of all ages.

2025-03-14Journal article

Open access

Bioprospecting bioactive peptides in Halobatrachus didactylus Body Mucus: From in silico insights to essential in vitro validation

Publication . Cunha, Marta Fernandez; Coscueta, Ezequiel R.; Brassesco, María Emilia; Almada, Frederico; Gonçalves, David; Pintado, Maria Manuela

Fish body mucus plays a protective role, especially in Halobatrachus didactylus, which inhabits intertidal zones vulnerable to anthropogenic contaminants. In silico predicted bioactive peptides were identified in its body mucus, namely, EDNSELGQETPTLR (HdKTLR), DPPNPKNL (HdKNL), PAPPPPPP (HdPPP), VYPFPGPLPN (HdVLPN), and PFPGPLPN (HdLPN). These peptides were studied in vitro for bioactivities and aggregation behavior under different ionic strengths and pH values. Size exclusion chromatography revealed significant peptide aggregation at 344 mM and 700 mM ionic strengths at pH 7.0, decreasing at pH 3.0 and pH 5.0. Although none exhibited antimicrobial properties, they inhibited Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm formation. Notably, HdVLPN demonstrated potential antioxidant activity (ORAC: 1.560 μmol TE/μmol of peptide; ABTS: 1.755 μmol TE/μmol of peptide) as well as HdLPN (ORAC: 0.195 μmol TE/μmol of peptide; ABTS: 0.128 μmol TE/μmol of peptide). Antioxidant activity decreased at pH 5.0 and pH 3.0. Interactions between the peptides and mucus synergistically enhanced antioxidant effects. HdVLPN and HdLPN were non-toxic to Caco-2 and HaCaT cells at 100 μg of peptide/mL. HdPPP showed potential antihypertensive and antidiabetic effects, with IC50 values of 557 μg of peptide/mL for ACE inhibition and 1700 μg of peptide/mL for α-glucosidase inhibition. This study highlights the importance of validating peptide bioactivities in vitro, considering their native environment (mucus), and bioprospecting novel bioactive molecules while promoting species conservation.

2025-02-13Journal article

Open access

Não te deixes enganar! Projeto de literacia no combate à desinformação no ensino superior

Publication . Lopes, Carlos; Antunes, Maria Luz; Sanches, Tatiana

O projeto “Be careful!” assenta numa relação de confiança e parceria entre as bibliotecas, os seus profissionais, estudantes e investigadores. O objetivo é combater a dimensão académica e científica do fenómeno da desinformação e garantir a integridade académica, desenvolvendo melhores e mais apuradas competências para o estudo, investigação, publicação e divulgação do conhecimento científico. Para tal, serão traduzidos e adaptados instrumentos e ferramentas que melhorem a qualidade do trabalho académico através do reforço de critérios baseados na literacia da informação, quer na seleção da credibilidade das fontes, quer na aferição de critérios de qualidade das publicações científicas, quer na prevenção do plágio e de outras práticas académicas ilícitas.

2025-06-27Conference object

Open access

Southernmost record of Liparis montagui (Donovan, 1804) (Perciformes, Liparidae) in European waters (central Portugal), with genetic validation

Publication . Duarte-Coelho, Pedro; Miranda, Carolina; Pereira, Ana; Vasco-Rodrigues, Nuno; Almada, Frederico

In January 2022, the presence of adult Liparis montagui (Donovan, 1804) was documented at its southernmost point along the west coast of Portugal. The species was identified through both morphological and genetic barcoding analyses. This observation, part of an ongoing long-term coastal survey, suggests that L. montagui may be a transient species, influenced by complex climate and oceanic interactions along the western Iberian coast. This finding stresses the importance of long-term ecological studies and regular field surveys in understanding species distribution and the effects of climate change on marine biodiversity.

2025-04-01Journal article

Open access