Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra

This study evaluates the walkability around the bus rapid transit (BRT) system, Metrobus, which will commence operations in Coimbra, Portugal, in 2025. As part of the first phase of an electric mobility system, Metrobus will traverse the city along two primary axes, reshaping urban mobility patterns. Given this shift, assessing the pedestrian environment around BRT stations is crucial to anticipate potential increases in walking trips. This research employs the OS-WALK-EU tool, which operationalises walkability through four sub-indices – amenity proximity, pedestrian-network permeability, accessible green/blue space and residential density – while incorporating a slope-dependent reduction of the effective pedestrian catchment. Using open data sources, the study demonstrates that OS-WALK-EU is an effective method for assessing walkability, with potential applications in other urban contexts. The findings reveal significant asymmetries in walkability along the BRT corridors, highlighting areas where infrastructure improvements are needed to enhance pedestrian accessibility. These insights are particularly relevant for city planners and policymakers, as they underscore the importance of targeted urban interventions to maximise the benefits of the new mobility paradigm. Ensuring high-quality pedestrian access to Metrobus stations will be essential for leveraging sustainable mobility and fostering a more walkable and connected urban environment in Coimbra.

Introduction: Childhood is a critical stage for the development of motor competence and the adoption of healthy behaviors, such as physical activity, adequate sleep and limiting screen time. Aim: To characterize the motor competence of children aged 3 to 5 and to verify its relationship with scheduled physical activity habits, sedentary behaviour and sleep duration. Methods: A cross-sectional, exploratory study with 98 children (59 female and 39 male) from the public pre-school network in Beja (Portugal). Motor skills were assessed using the MOBAK-KG battery and data on physical activity, screen time and sleep were collected using the AF1 questionnaire from the National Food and Physical Activity Survey. Results: The average global motor competence was 9.62 ± 3.57 points, with no significant differences between genders (p>0.05). No child simultaneously complied with the three 24-hour movement recommendations, 31.5% complied with the screen time recommendation and 18% with the sleep recommendation. There were statistically significant associations between higher levels of motor competence and compliance with the sleep time (χ²=10.3; p=0.006) and screen time (χ²=9.9; p=0.007) recommendations. The associations were consistent in the subscales: manipulation (p=0.004) and locomotion (p=0.005 for screen time; p=0.024 for sleep). Conclusions: The results highlight the need to implement educational strategies that promote regular physical activity, limited screen time and an adequate sleep routine in order to enhance motor development in childhood.

Un síntoma característico del estrés es una reacción o respuesta inadecuada ante situaciones que percibe como amenazantes y la inteligencia emocional puede ayudar a controlar ese tipo de respuestas. El objetivo de esta investigación es identificar cómo se manifiesta el estrés deportivo y su conexión con el nivel de inteligencia emocional y de burnout en estudiantes universitarios pertenecientes a titulaciones relacionadas con las Ciencias de la Actividad Física y del Deporte, la Psicología y la Educación. Para ello se realizó un estudio cuantitativo, analítico, observacional, y transversal con una muestra de 534 participantes. Se emplearon las siguientes escalas: Escala de valoración del Estrés en el Ámbito Deportivo (EEAD) que evalúa los signos y síntomas físicos y psicológicos relacionados con el estrés en deportistas, así como su impacto en la práctica deportiva. La Escala de Rasgo de Metaconocimientos sobre Estados Emocionales-24 (TMMS-24), que mide la capacidad para comprender sentir y expresar sus emociones y el Athlete Burnout Questionnaire (ABQ) que mide tres componentes del burnout en deportistas: agotamiento físico/emocional, reducida sensación de logro y devaluación de la práctica deportiva. Los resultados obtenidos a partir del path analysis demuestran que, los estudiantes con altos niveles de inteligencia emocional tienden a manejar el estrés de manera más eficaz, lo que contribuye a una menor probabilidad de desarrollar síndrome de burnout. Como conclusión, esta investigación demuestra que la relación entre inteligencia emocional y burnout está modulada por la intensidad del estrés: a mayor nivel de estrés no regulado, mayor será la vulnerabilidad al burnout, incluso en individuos con alta inteligencia emocional. Abstract A characteristic symptom of stress is an inappropriate reaction or response to situations perceived as threatening. Emotional intelligence can help to control such responses. The aim of this research is to identify how sports stress manifests itself and its connection with the level of emotional intelligence and burnout in university students enrolled in degrees related to Physical Activity and Sports Sciences, Psychology, and Education. To this end, a quantitative, analytical, observational, and cross-sectional study was conducted with a sample of 534 participants. The following scales were used: the Stress in the Sporting Environment Assessment Scale (Escala de valoración del Estrés en el Ámbito Deportivo - EEAD), which evaluates the physical and psychological signs and symptoms related to stress in athletes, as well as its impact on sports practice; the Metacognitive Emotional Trait Scale-24 (Rasgo de Metaconocimientos sobre Estados Emocionales-24 - TMMS-24), which measures the ability to understand, feel and express emotions; and the Athlete Burnout Questionnaire (ABQ), which measures three components of burnout in athletes: physical/emotional exhaustion, a reduced sense of achievement, and the devaluation of sports practice. The results obtained from the path analysis show that students with high levels of emotional intelligence tend to manage stress more effectively, which contributes to a lower probability of developing burnout syndrome. In conclusion, this research demonstrates that the relationship between emotional intelligence and burnout is modulated by the intensity of stress: the higher the level of unregulated stress, the greater the vulnerability to burnout, even in individuals with high emotional intelligence.

Antibiotic contamination in aquatic environments poses a serious risk to public health and contributes to the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. In this study, a magnetic powder activated carbon derived from pulp and paper mill sludge, combined with Fe magnetic nanoparticles (PAC-Fe), was synthesized via a one-step activation and magnetization strategy for application in a flow mode heterogeneous solar photo-Fenton system. The PAC-Fe was applied for the degradation of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) and trimethoprim (TMP) in surface water at natural pH, under natural solar irradiation. The system achieved 91 %±2 % removal of SMX and complete removal of TMP, after 180min of irradiation with the degradation kinetics fitted to the BMG model. The results indicate that the hydroxyl radical (HO•) drives the degradation pathway. In ultrapure water, TMP degradation occurred mainly in solution, while SMX transformation occurred primarily on the catalyst surface. In surface water, the participation of HO• was still evident, although the dominant reaction zone could not be distinguished. The PAC-Fe catalyst exhibited satisfactory magnetic properties, enabling easy post-treatment separation and potential reuse. Transformation products (TPs) were identified for both antibiotics, one for SMX and five for TMP, mostly resulting from hydroxylation and demethylation pathways. ECOSAR predictions indicated that several of the TPs showed increased chronic toxicity. Yet, the treatment led to complete elimination of antibacterial activity for all tested bacterial strains after degradation of SMX and TMP. These results confirm the viability of PAC-Fe-based solar photo-Fenton treatment for efficient removal of antibiotics at environmentally relevant concentrations in complex water matrices.

Dynapenia, an age-related loss of muscle strength, is associated with adverse outcomes in older people. Elevated glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels may accelerate muscle decline, especially in individuals with diabetes mellitus. This study aimed to determine whether HbA1c levels are associated with dynapenia in community-dwelling older people, and whether this association differs between those with and without diabetes mellitus. A population-based cross-sectional study was conducted with a probabilistic sample of 404 community-dwelling older people in southern Brazil. Data collection included home interviews, physical assessments, and laboratory tests. Dynapenia was defined as mean handgrip strength below 26kg for men and 16kg for women. HbA1c was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess the association between HbA1c and dynapenia, stratified by diabetes status. The sample was predominantly female (72.0%) and aged 60-69 years (44.3%). The prevalence of diabetes mellitus was 36.4%, and dynapenia was observed in 23.5% of participants. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, higher HbA1c levels were independently associated with dynapenia among older people with diabetes mellitus (adjusted odds ratio = 1.34; 95% confidence interval: 1.05-1.71), regardless of sex, age, body mass index, and physical activity. Glycemic control is crucial to prevent muscle strength decline in older people with diabetes mellitus. Monitoring muscle strength should be part of clinical care to reduce functional impairment and adverse outcomes in this population.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory and neurodegenerative disease affecting the central nervous system, the cause of which remains unknown. Environmental, genetic, and immunological factors are considered risk factors. MS has no cure; therefore, therapy focuses on reducing the number of outbreaks, controlling symptoms, and therapies aimed at modifying the course of the disease. Innovative strategies that promote remyelination and repair of damaged brain tissue are under investigation. This review aims to compile and systematize the available knowledge on the multifactorial nature of MS, highlighting the main risk factors. It also discusses the mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of the disease, current therapies, and prospects, presenting a comprehensive overview of the effect of various drugs on remyelination and repair of central nervous system damage. Methods: A comprehensive literature search, guided by Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) standards, was conducted across PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials.gov to identify relevant clinical trials. Of the studies retrieved, 13 were selected for this review. These trials specifically explored integrated therapeutic approaches, combining pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions, for managing MS. Results: The results reflect the multifactorial nature of MS and the existence of several promising therapies to combat inflammation and demyelination, as well as to promote remyelination. Reducing inflammation remains the main target, but new approaches such as clemastine, liothyronine, interleukin (IL)-2, N-acetylglucosamine, and intracranial transplantation of fetal human neural precursor cells have shown promising results. Discussion: Currently, the therapies available for MS target the peripheral immune system. Therefore, more studies are needed on treatment therapies that combine immunomodulation of the peripheral and central nervous systems to reduce the neurological disability of patients. It is also concluded that the therapies were safe and were well tolerated, given the occurrence of a small number of adverse events.

IntroductionCardiometabolic index (CMI) has been highlighted as a useful tool for predicting cardiovascular and metabolic disease, but its association with systemic inflammatory status in the aged population is not yet fully understood. Thus, we investigated the association between the CMI and the triad -metabolic profile X body mass index X inflammaging -in older adults classified as having or not having obesity.MethodsA total of 132 older adults of both sexes (women-68; men-64, mean age of 71.3±6.5 years), participated in this study. Demographic and anthropometric data, as well as blood samples, were collected to assess blood glucose, lipids, protein, and inflammatory profiles.ResultsInitially, the volunteers were separated according to the CMI values into two groups: G1 (<50% of the mean CMI value) and G2 (>50% of the mean CMI value). Volunteers in the G2 group, regardless of gender, presented not only lower HDL-c values but also higher weight, BMI, levels of total cholesterol, LDL-c, triglycerides, and the triglycerides to HDL ratio (TG/HDL) than the G1 group. The correlation analysis and linear multivariate regression, with CMI-adjustment, showed a significant positive association with BMI, as well as with pro-inflammatory cytokines, both in the G1 and G2 groups, regardless of gender. After that, the volunteers were separated according to BMI into normal weight and those with obesity. In general, the G2 subgroups with obesity showed higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, IFN-γ, and TNF-α than the respective G1 subgroups, and also an association of CMI in favor of a pro-inflammatory systemic status, particularly in the older women group.ConclusionIn this cross-sectional study, our findings not only reinforce the potential role of CMI in cardiovascular risk assessment but also may putatively suggest that this index has an interesting association with systemic pro-inflammatory status in older adults, preferentially with obesity.

Abstract Obesity is a growing global health challenge which affects over 38% of the population and increases the risk of developing metabolic disorders. Effective long-term treatment options remain limited and often lead to significant side effects. The hypothalamus plays a central role in metabolic regulation by integrating peripheral and central signals to maintain energy homeostasis. While the hypothalamus regulates peripheral lipid metabolism, the role of lipid metabolic pathways within the hypothalamus itself remains unclear. Therefore, the molecular mechanisms linking hypothalamic activity to the development of obesity remain poorly understood. Given that cholesterol is the most abundant brain lipid, we investigated molecular players involved in its local regulation. Here, we identify the rate-limiting enzyme for brain cholesterol degradation, Cyp46a1, as a critical regulator of diet-induced obesity. We show that Cyp46a1 expression is significantly reduced in the hypothalamus of C57BL/6J mice exposed to a high-fat diet, suggesting a role in metabolic dysregulation. We used recombinant Adeno-Associated Viruses (AAV) to modulate Cyp46a1 expression in the arcuate nucleus, a key hypothalamic region regulating energy balance. We evaluated longitudinal changes in body weight, adipocyte size, PPAR-γ expression, and hepatic lipid accumulation and pancreatic histopathology in mice undergoing chow or high fat diets. These experiments demonstrated that hypothalamic Cyp46a1 regulates body weight, adipocyte size, and hepatic and pancreatic histopathology. Conversely, CYP46A1 overexpression protects against high-fat diet-induced obesity and improves glucose homeostasis and insulin sensitivity, likely via crosstalk with hepatic and pancreatic function. Moreover, we found that hypothalamic CYP46A1 expression selectively modulates gut microbiota composition, linking this enzyme to the microbiota-gut-brain axis. Finally, we found that Cyp46a1 levels influence cognitive and motor performance, suggesting broader physiological relevance. Collectively, our findings reveal a previously unrecognized role of hypothalamic Cyp46a1 and cholesterol pathway control in obesity pathophysiology and metabolic homeostasis. These findings identify hypothalamic Cyp46a1 as a promising therapeutic target for obesity and its related comorbidities.

Seaweed represents a diverse group of marine organisms rich in bioactive compounds that have attracted interest for their potential relevance in neurological research. Recent studies highlight their ability to modulate neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, synaptic plasticity, and pathways implicated in neurodegeneration in preclinical models. Extracts from brown, red, and green algae contain polysaccharides, polyphenols, carotenoids, and fatty acids that exhibit neuroprotective, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities in vitro and in vivo, although these findings remain limited to experimental systems. This review synthesizes current evidence on the neurological activities of seaweed-derived compounds, emphasizing mechanistic findings while clearly distinguishing between experimental observations and unvalidated clinical implications. Challenges related to bioavailability, pharmacokinetics, safety, and clinical translation are discussed, alongside considerations for future research. Evidence in humans remains scarce and indirect, and no seaweed-derived compound has demonstrated neuroprotection or disease-modifying effects in clinical settings.