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- Genetic polymorphisms of P2RX7 but not of ADORA2A are associated with the severity of SARS-CoV-2 infectionPublication . Lindo, Jorge; Nogueira, Célia; Soares, Rui; Cunha, Nuno; Almeida, Maria Rosário; Rodrigues, Lisa; Coelho, Patricia; Rodrigues, Francisco; Cunha, Rodrigo A.; Gonçalves, TeresaSARS-CoV-2 infection ranges from mild to severe presentations, according to the intensity of the aberrant inflammatory response. Purinergic receptors dually control the inflammatory response: while adenosine A2A receptors (A2ARs) are anti-inflammatory, ATP P2X7 receptors (P2X7Rs) exert pro-inflammatory effects. The aim of this study was to assess if there were differences in allelic andgenotypic frequencies of a loss-of-function SNP of ADORA2A (rs2298383) and a gain-of-function single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of P2RX7 (rs208294) in the severity of SARS-CoV-2-associated infection. Fifty-five individuals were enrolled and categorized according to the severity of the infection. Endpoint genotyping was performed in blood cells to screen for both SNPs. The TT genotype (vs. CT + CC) and the T allele (vs. C allele) of P2RX7 SNP were found to be associated with more severe forms of COVID-19, whereas the association between ADORA2A SNP and the severity of infection was not significantly different. The T allele of P2RX7 SNP was more frequent in people with more than one comorbidity and with cardiovascular conditions and was associated with colorectal cancer. Our findings suggest a more prominent role of P2X7R rather than of A2AR polymorphisms in SARS-CoV-2 infection, although larger population-based studies should be performed to validate our conclusions.
- Childhood and adolescent obesity in a school in interior Portugal: A teen without risk studyPublication . Coelho, Patricia; Duarte, Maria; Cabral, Ema Torres; Mateus, Sónia; Rodrigues, FranciscoIntroduction: Over the past 40 years, there has been a significant increase in the global prevalence of childhood obesity, which is associated with an increased risk of heart problems and the earlier onset of heart diseases. Objective: The aim of this research is to assess the prevalence of obesity and its risk factors in children and adolescents among students from the second and third cycle and secondary education of a school grouping in the interior of Portugal. Materials and Methods: The sample was collected from a school grouping in Alcains, among attending students from the fifth to the twelfth grade. The sample consisted of a total of 156 students aged between 10 and 18 years. A questionnaire was proposed, and blood pressure measurement and lipid profile evaluation were performed for each individual. The collection and statistical treatment of data for this study required a submission and authorization request to the Ethics Committee of the Polytechnic Institute of Castelo Branco, followed by authorization from the school group’s administration. Results: The percentage of elevated BMI was 30.8%, and was higher in males. A higher prevalence of hypertension (37.8%), elevated triglyceride levels in students who did not exercise outside of school, and in individuals who consumed larger amounts of meat, who also showed a higher prevalence of lower-than-expected high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels, were observed. Discussion: A high percentage of elevated BMI, high blood pressure levels, and changes in lipid profile were observed among high school students in this school in the interior of Portugal, as has been observed in other studies. Conclusions: It is essential to conduct more studies, screenings, and investigations that can identify these cases early, in order to mitigate risk factors.
- Short-term high-intensity resistance training: A feasibility study on pulmonary, immune and physical-functional fitness benefits for older adults with metabolic syndromePublication . Santos, Juliana de Melo Batista dos; Furtado, Guilherme Eustáquio; Correa, Eviton Sousa; Rangel, Maysa Alves Rodrigues Brandao; Junior, Manoel Carneiro Oliveira; Cardoso, Katielle Rodrigues da Silva; Souza, Mariana Alvarez de; Rodrigues, Francisco; Coelho, Patricia; Oliveira, Luís Vicente Franco de; Bachi, André Luís Lacerda; Jorge, Luciana Malosa Sampaio; Martins, Patrícia Sardinha Leonardo Lopes; Albertini, Regiane; Vieira, Rodolfo P.The incidence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) is rising rapidly, particularly among older adults, and is associated with comorbidities that impair respiratory and immune functions. Physical exercise has proven effective in mitigating the adverse effects of both aging and MetS. However, evidence on the impact of high-intensity resistance training (HIRT) on the respiratory and immune systems in older adults with MetS remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of HIRT on respiratory function, skeletal muscle strength, and immune modulation in older adults with MetS, highlighting its potential as a complementary therapeutic approach. A total of 43 older adults with MetS were enrolled and divided into two groups: a HIRT intervention group (n = 23; mean age 66.71 ± 4.98 years) and a non-exercising control group (n = 20; mean age 66.91 ± 5.26 years). The HIRT protocol involved twice-weekly sessions (10 total) over 5 weeks, performed at 80–90% of one-repetition maximum. Results showed that HIRT significantly improved lung mechanics (R5Hz, R20Hz, Z5Hz, X5Hz), peripheral muscle strength, and both maximal expiratory and inspiratory pressures. Furthermore, HIRT increased antiinflammatory and anti-fibrotic cytokines in sputum (klotho, IL-10, adiponectin) and serum (klotho, relaxin-1, relaxin-3, IL-10), while reducing pro-inflammatory cytokines in sputum (IL-6, TNF-α) and serum (IL-1ra, IL-6, TNF-α, leptin). A decrease in total leukocyte, neutrophil, lymphocyte, and monocyte counts was also observed. In conclusion, HIRT effectively mitigates the effects of MetS on respiratory, muscular, and immune functions in older adults and may be recommended as a complementary strategy for managing MetS in this population.
- Investigation of electrocardiographic changes in individuals with three or more cardiovascular risk factors on Santiago Island: The Cross-Sectional PrevCardio.CV StudyPublication . Coelho, Patricia; Mascarenhas, Kelly; Rodrigues, Júlio; Rodrigues, FranciscoCerebrocardiovascular diseases represent one of the greatest public health concerns globally. In Cabo Verde, non-communicable diseases, such as cerebrocardiovascular diseases, have become leading causes of morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to correlate risk factors with cardiac electrical changes in adult individuals residing on Santiago Island—Cabo Verde. A cross-sectional population-based study using simple random sampling was conducted in 2021 with individuals aged 18 and over, of both sexes, having authorization 35/2021 from the Cabo Verde Ethics Commission. The sample size was calculated based on Santiago Island’s projected population for 2021, considering an estimated prevalence of 50%, a 95% confidence interval, and a standard error of 4%, resulting in a sample of 599 individuals. The data were collected through a questionnaire on risk factors and cerebrocardiovascular diseases, blood pressure measurement, capillary blood glucose evaluation, and a 12-lead electrocardiogram. The study sample was predominantly female (54.8%), with the largest age group being 18–27 years (21%). Among the sample, 9.3% had no risk factors, 27.5% had one risk factor, 36.2% had two risk factors, and 26.9% had three or more risk factors. Of those who underwent electrocardiography, 60.24% showed electrocardiographic changes, with the most prevalent being ventricular repolarization changes, nonspecific repolarization changes, and early repolarization. A relationship was observed between cerebrocardiovascular disease risk factors and the electrocardiographic changes found in the study participants.
- Influência da prática desportiva na qualidade de sono de atletas e não atletasPublication . Pires, Fátima; Carvalho, Lucinda; Coelho, Patricia; Rodrigues, Francisco; Pires, JoanaEnquadramento: têm sido vários os estudos que abordam a problemática do sono e a importância deste para a recuperação física e mental, sendo particularmente importante para os atletas de desporto coletivo. Objetivo: comparar a qualidade de sono dos atletas com não atletas. Metodologia: estudo prospetivo e quantitativo, com 62 participantes (31 atletas e 31 não atletas) que tiveram acesso a um questionário para autopreenchimento, que incluía uma caracterização sociodemográfica e o índice de Pittsburgh para avaliação da qualidade de sono. Resultados: observou-se que os atletas dormem em média cerca de oito horas por noite, apresentando, um tempo maior de latência do sono em comparação aos não atletas (este último sem significado estatístico). Apurou-se também que existe um maior número de indivíduos com boa qualidade de sono no grupo dos atletas em relação aos não atletas. Conclusão: neste estudo, ser atleta parece contribuir para um número médio de horas de sono superior em relação aos não atletas. A consciencialização da adoção de práticas saudáveis para otimizar a qualidade de sono nos atletas pode melhorar a sua performance desportiva.
- The influence of structured physical activity on vaccination response from adults to older individuals: a systematic review on the Immunoinflammatory crosstalk of COVID-19Publication . Ferreira, Bruna Maria Palotino; Rocha, Saulo Vasconcelos; Silva, Albená Nunes; Gomes, Antonio Felipe Souza; Rodrigues, Francisco; Coelho, Patricia; Bachi, André Luís Lacerda; Oliveira, Rodrigo Assunção de; Barros, Marcelo Paes de; Furtado, Guilherme EustáquioBackground: Amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, understanding factors that influence vaccine efficacy is crucial, particularly in older adults. Regular physical exercise and/or structured physical activity (SPA) has emerged as a potential modulator of immune responses, enhancing vaccine effectiveness. This systematic review aims to consolidate current evidence on the impact of SPA/exercise on both immune and inflammatory responses to COVID-19 vaccination in adults and older individuals. Methods: Most relevant studies were extracted from indexed databases using health subject terms in English, Portuguese, and Spanish. Studies that examined the impact of regular exercise or SPA on inflammatory and/or immunological responses in relation to COVID-19 immunization were selected. In particular, all chosen studies included individuals who received vaccinations either prior to or following the exercise regimen or SPA, and the main goal was to evaluate these effects on immunological and/or inflammatory reactions induced by vaccination. Results: Among the 7 studies included (n = 1149), the effects of regular exercise or PA on vaccine-induced imune responses while concurrently assessing inflammatory markers were examined. The findings suggest that moderate to high-intensity structured physical activity (50–70% of maximum heart rate for aerobic exercise and 60–80% of 1RM for resistance training), performed 3–5 times per week, was able to enhance immune responses to COVID-19 vaccination, particularly by mitigating chronic low-grade inflammation. Acute exercise can transiently boost immunity, whilst engagement in moderate SPA over a period of six months may contribute to sustained improvements in imune function, especially in older adults. However, these findings should be interpreted with caution due to variability in study design, sample characteristics, and potential confounding factors. Conclusion: Regular exercise and SPA play a significant role in improving immune/inflammatory responses to COVID-19 vaccination. Older adults, in particular, may benefit from regular SPA and exercise as a strategy to counteract immunosenescence and optimize vaccine efficacy. However, further research is needed to better refine exerciseprotocols and determine long-term benefits in different populations.
- Community surveillance of MRSA and Staphylococcus aureus in rural Portugal: The BI-STAPH Project—Phase 1: SertãPublication . Cordero, Ainhoa; Ferreira, Francisco; Coelho, Patricia; Belo, João; Metello, João; Santos, Carina; Mateus, Sónia; Miguel Castelo-Branco; Rodrigues, FranciscoIntroduction: Colonization by Staphylococcus aureus—including methicillin-resistant strains (MRSA)—represents a growing public health concern, particularly in community and rural settings. In Portugal, limited data are available regarding its prevalence in populations with agricultural or animal-related exposures. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of S. aureus and MRSA nasal colonization among adults residing in the municipality of Sertã, Portugal, and to explore potential sociodemographic and behavioral factors associated with colonization. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 292 adult participants from multiple parishes of Sertã. Nasal swabs were collected for microbiological identification of S. aureus and MRSA. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, occupational exposure, animal contact, and recent antibiotic use were collected via structured questionnaires. Descriptive statistics and inferential analyses (chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests) were performed, and odds ratios were estimated. Results: The overall prevalence of S. aureus colonization was 19.9% (58/292), with MRSA detected in 4.8% (14/292) of participants, representing 24.1% of all S. aureus carriers. Colonization by S. aureus was slightly more frequent among females (51.7%) and predominantly observed in individuals aged 35–59 years. MRSA was more frequent in participants aged ≥ 60 years and was equally distributed between sexes. 57% of MRSA cases reported recent antibiotic use and all MRSA cases reported daily contact with animals—primarily domestic species. No statistically significant associations were identified between colonization and the analyzed variables, although trends suggested increased risk among individuals with animal contact and moderate to high-risk occupations. Conclusions: This study revealed a notable prevalence of S. aureus and MRSA colonization in a rural Portuguese population. Although no statistically significant associations were found, with animal contact, occupational exposure, and recent antibiotic use emerged as relevant epidemiological factors. These findings highlight the need for strengthened surveillance and further investigation into zoonotic transmission and occupational risk in rural environments.