Research Center for Natural Resources, Environment and Society

Mediterranean agro-silvo-pastoral ecosystems (MAEs) are increasingly affected by water scarcity, rising temperatures, drought, and land-use change, all of which reduce water availability and system resilience. These combined pressures threaten long-term ecological and economic sustainability by contributing to declining profitability, land abandonment, and land degradation. Collectively, these processes reduce ecosystem functions and the capacity for carbon sequestration.The Horizon Europe DRYAD project ("Demonstration and modelling of nature-based solutions to enhance the resilience of Mediterranean agro-silvo-pastoral ecosystems and landscapes") advances current knowledge by designing and implementing evidence-based, scientifically validated, and community-tailored nature-based solutions (NbS) in selected Pilot Demonstration Areas. The project explicitly addresses the hydrological and socio-ecological complexity of MAEs under multiple risk conditions. DRYAD employs an expanded interpretation of NbS, conceptualizing them as an "ecosystem of NbS" that includes intervention-, protection-, management-, and planning-oriented actions functioning in systemic interaction.One of DRYAD’s tasks is to develop a novel, standardized framework addressing a key limitation in current NbS implementation in agro-silvo-pastoral ecosystems: the lack of information, thereby enabling wider upscaling and mainstreaming. The framework, termed NbS Abacus, is implemented through the systematic documentation and evaluation of thirteen NbS using comprehensive fact sheets developed with stakeholder input. Each NbS is assessed against a set of characteristics, including implementation requirements, targeted ecosystem services (classified according to the Common International Classification of Ecosystem Services), expected benefits, potential trade-offs, strengths, constraints, costs, policy relevance, and upscaling potential. While all NbS are multifunctional, they are classified according to their primary ecosystem service focus into water-, soil-, and biodiversity-related interventions.Water-related NbS address key hydrological constraints in MAEs, such as strong precipitation seasonality and prolonged summer droughts. Examples include contour-aligned drainage ditches, dry detention ponds, and artificial ponds. The framework explicitly captures associated risks. These include, e.g., substrate clogging and groundwater contamination from polluted runoff. This enables risk-informed NbS design, implementation, and the selection of appropriate monitoring protocols and indicator sets.MAEs have also experienced increasing degradation driven by contrasting land-use dynamics, notably land abandonment and intensification. Soil-related NbS aim to improve land management efficiency by enhancing soil water retention, fertility, and erosion regulation. Representative examples include adaptive grazing schemes, real-time livestock monitoring systems, and wildfire prevention measures.Climate-induced drought poses a major threat to biodiversity in MAEs. Biodiversity-related NbS aim to restore or conserve ecological functioning through measures such as strategic forestation, agropastoral system reforestation, habitat islands, and remote sensing-based detection of tree decline. The framework accounts for both long-term ecological benefits and short-term socio-economic constraints, including infrastructure requirements, site biophysical limitations, maintenance costs, forage yield reductions, and temporary impacts on livestock productivity.The NbS Abacus supports the uptake of NbS by providing harmonized, practice-oriented information on performance, costs, risks, and scalability. The framework and its NbS catalogue facilitate informed decision-making, replication, and mainstreaming across land management and climate adaptation strategies, with relevance for practitioners, advisors, policy-makers, and planners in Mediterranean and other drought-prone regions.Acknowledgements. This research has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No. 101156076 (DRYAD).

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.

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.

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.

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations are essential for studying cardiovascular diseases, particularly atherosclerosis. The left coronary artery (LCA) and its bifurcations, which supply blood to a large portion of the myocardium, are recognized as high-risk sites for plaque formation. This systematic review addresses the question: “What are the main CFD approaches, modeling strategies, and hemodynamic parameters used to study LCA bifurcation over the last decade, and how have these advanced the understanding of atherosclerosis progression?” A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. Following preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses guidelines, the search focused on original studies published within the last decade employing CFD to analyze LCA bifurcation hemodynamics. The review includes 108 CFD studies, mostly three-dimensional (3D) simulations (104 studies). Forty-seven used idealized 3D LCA models and 48 used patient-specific models focusing on bifurcation. Recent studies increasingly focus on hemodynamic parameters linked to atherosclerosis and the impact of stenosis and post-stenting restenosis on local blood flow. Simulations incorporating physiological features, such as fluid–structure interaction, cardiac motion, and blood rheology, are also included. Additionally, artificial intelligence is being integrated to efficiently predict hemodynamic parameters, reducing simulation time and cost. There is a clear trend toward using high-resolution imaging and advanced modeling for patient-specific CFD simulations. Despite methodological differences, disturbed flow patterns, low wall shear stress, and high oscillatory shear index are studied in the LCA bifurcation, supporting their role in atherogenesis. Standardizing protocols and integrating clinical data are essential for translating CFD findings into practice.

Background/Objectives: The Mediterranean Diet (MD) is globally recognized for its nutritional, environmental, and cultural value. Although several indices assess adherence to the MD and its food environments, none evaluate the alignment of individual recipes with MD principles. This study aimed to develop and validate the Mediterranean Diet Recipe Index (MedRI), a novel scoring tool designed to quantify the concordance of recipes with MD guidelines. Methods: The MedRI was conceptualized through a comprehensive literature review and expert panel assessment, integrating two main dimensions: consumption context and recipe composition. The index evaluates ingredient selection, preparation methods, and food group inclusion, with criteria adapted to specific recipe categories. Validation was conducted using a structured questionnaire administered to 244 adults living in Portugal. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, Spearman correlations, intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs), Cohen’s kappa, Chi-square tests, Cramer’s V, and principal component analysis (PCA). Results: Validation results demonstrated strong internal consistency and construct validity, confirming the reliability and applicability of the MedRI in assessing recipe alignment with MD principles. Conclusions: The MedRI thus represents a reliable and innovative tool to assess and promote culinary practices consistent with the MD. It holds potential applications in nutrition education, public health policymaking, and gastronomic research, supporting the advancement of sustainable and health-promoting dietary models.

BackgroundThe temporomandibular joint disc plays a vital role in daily activities, and when it is compromised, it significantly impairs oral health and quality of life. The use of animal tissues for decellularized tissue engineering applications has been gaining interest, and an appropriate method for storing these tissues before processing has yet to be explored.MethodsThis study characterizes the native temporomandibular ovine disc and compares storage protocols aimed at maintaining its morphology, biochemical content, and mechanical and thermal properties. Three storage protocols were tested: (i) freezing at −20 °C in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and thawing at 4 °C (PBS + 4 °C); (ii) freezing at −20 °C in PBS and thawing at room temperature (RT) (PBS + RT); and (iii) wrapping the discs in PBS-embedded gauze, freezing at −20 °C, and thawing at RT (Gauze + RT). Protocols were evaluated for short-term storage at 1, 7, and 14 days, and compared with a native and a collagenase-treated disc.ResultsAll conservation protocols induced changes, though less pronounced than the enzymatic degradation. The PBS + 4 °C and PBS + RT highlighted contrasting biochemical and mechanical outcomes, and thermal analysis revealed alterations to collagen structure. The Gauze + RT protocol preserved the biochemical content over time but exhibited a higher compression modulus on day 14.ConclusionThese results highlight how crucial it is to select adequate conservation techniques when preparing the TMJ disc for future studies.

Microplastics (MPs) largely originate from terrestrial environments, especially urban areas, where controlling their spread is difficult. This is concerning due to MPs' impacts on ecosystems and human health. To develop mitigation strategies, understanding how MPs move and spread is essential. This study examined MP transport and distribution in Coimbra municipality, Portugal, at a small watershed scale. Samples were collected from dry and wet atmospheric deposition, runoff, and streams, both before and during rainfall events, across five watersheds with varying urbanization and sizes. MPs were extracted by density separation, counted under a stereo microscope, and identified using μ-FTIR. Results showed higher MP fluxes in wet deposition (235 ± 231 p•m-2•day-1) than dry deposition (70 ± 96 p•m-2•day-1). Stream concentrations nearly doubled during rainfall (59 ± 83 p•L-1) compared to before rainfall (39 ± 21 p•L-1). Wet deposition (41 ± 34 p•L-1) generally had slightly higher MP levels than runoff (38 ± 29 p•L-1) or streams before rainfall, though differences were not statistically significant. Correlations indicated that stream MP levels tended to increase in more urbanized, smaller watersheds, while longer dry periods before rainfall were associated with increased MP levels in wet deposition. Land use influenced MP runoff, with higher concentrations from residential areas, and dry deposition was elevated near a hospital. The most common MPs found were polyethylene, polypropylene, and rubber (5-250 μm). Findings highlight MPs' widespread transport through the environment and emphasize the need for monitoring pathways. Urban littering and tire wear should receive particular attention. Overall, urgent measures are needed to control plastic production, usage, and environmental dispersion of MPs.

Endophytic fungi are recognized for their capacity to produce bioactive metabolites, yet their metabolic output is strongly modulated by preservation strategies. This study evaluated the influence of three long-term preservation methods—PDA slants with mineral oil (PB), Castellani’s method (PC), and filter paper with mineral oil (PF)—on the production of phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity by the Amazonian endophytes Cophinforma mamane and Aspergillus niger. Post-reactivation morphological analyses revealed method-dependent changes in colony pigmentation, texture, and sporulation intensity. PB preservation induced the most vigorous growth and enhanced sporulation in A. niger. For extracellular metabolites (AcOEt extracts), PB yielded the highest total phenolic content in A. niger (258.24 mg GAE/g), whereas PF and PC favored C. mamane (154.48 and 153.33 mg GAE/g). For intracellular ethanolic extracts, PB was most effective for C. mamane, producing 206.19 mg GAE/g for total phenols and the highest antioxidant activities (EC50 = 1.40 mg/mL and FRAP = 95.61 µmol TE/g). HPLC–DAD identified protocatechuic acid as the predominant compound, which was especially abundant in PC and PF-preserved A. niger (60.76 and 85.38 µg/mg, respectively). Multivariate correlations indicated syringic (r = 0.53) and p-coumaric (r = 0.63) acids as the main contributors to antioxidant potential. These findings demonstrate that preservation methods may positively or negatively modulate fungal biosynthetic capacity, underscoring the importance of species-specific preservation protocols for maintaining metabolic stability in culture collections.

Abstract This article examines a largely underexplored and non-obvious historical process: the interactions between the Portuguese imperial state and the emerging field of international indigenous law during the post-war period. It demonstrates how this process was shaped by contemporary dynamics of transformation, protection, and discrimination in relation to indigenous populations and their social, po-litical and physical environments. Although these processes were not directly or explicitly connected to environmental concerns, they reflected some of the logics that would later inform environmental actions and discourses at both local and international levels.