A Endodontia tem evoluído significativamente com a incorporação de tecnologias de ampliação, destacando-se o Microscópio Operatório (MO) como um instrumento fundamental na melhoria dos resultados clínicos. Este trabalho tem como objetivo avaliar o impacto do recurso ao MO na taxa de sucesso do tratamento endodôntico cirúrgico e não cirúrgico, analisando as suas vantagens, limitações e a forma como contribui para uma prática clínica mais precisa. Foi realizada uma revisão da literatura científica atual, com base em estudos clínicos, revisões sistemáticas. Como critérios de inclusão utilizamos: Estudos clínicos comparativos e revisões sistemáticas cujo objetivo de estudo é uso de MO ou outros dispositivos de ampliação nos tratamentos endodônticos. Estudos publicados nos últimos 20 anos em inglês, português e espanhol. Critérios de exclusão: Estudos em animais, estudos laboratoriais in vitro, artigos de opinião, cartas ao editor e resumos de conferências sem texto completo. Serão incluídos estudos comparativos clínicos, revisões sistemáticas, meta-análises e ensaios controlados randomizados, que comparem diretamente o uso de MO com tratamentos endodônticos convencionais sem microscopia. Iremos analisar trabalhos publicados no intervalo temporal 2004 e 2025. A seleção dos estudos seguirá o protocolo PRISMA. Os títulos e resumos serão inicialmente avaliados, seguindo-se a leitura completa dos artigos selecionados. Os dados serão recolhidos utilizando uma tabela padronizada, incluindo variáveis como número de pacientes, entre outros. A avaliação da qualidade dos estudos será feita através da ferramenta Cochrane para ensaios clínicos e o risco de viés será avaliado pela escala ROBINS-I para estudos não randomizados. Revisões sistemáticas serão avaliadas pela ferramenta AMSTAR 2. Os dados sugerem que a utilização do MO permite uma melhor visualização de detalhes anatómicos, deteção de canais acessórios, fraturas e outras alterações que, de outra forma, poderiam passar despercebidas, contribuindo para o aumento da taxa de sucesso do tratamento endodôntico. Apesar das suas vantagens, o uso deste equipamento requer formação adequada e implica desafios logísticos e económicos. Conclui-se que o MO representa um avanço significativo na endodontia contemporânea, sendo um aliado na obtenção de tratamentos mais previsíveis e eficazes.

Sugarcane is a popular crop whose cultivation generates a wide range of by-products. The aim was to optimize the hydrothermal extraction of hemicellulose from sugarcane straw using response-surface methods with a two-factor composite design and to assess its functional qualities. Three process parameters were subject to optimization: solid/liquid ratio (1:6–1:18), temperature (143–186 °C), and extraction time (20–60 min). A xylooligosaccharide (XOS)-enriched extract was characterized regarding its chemical composition, molecular weight, and antioxidant and antimicrobial potential. The optimized extraction yield was 24.46 g/100 g of straw with a polymerization degree of 17.40. Both hemicellulose and XOS demonstrated notable antioxidant properties, with antioxidant effects of 73% and 85%, respectively. Regarding skin enzyme activity, hemicellulose inhibited elastase by more than 50%, while XOS showed no significant effect. However, both extracts exhibited collagenase (MMP1) inhibition comparable to the positive control. In terms of production feasibility, the estimated costs were 130.5 EUR/kg for hemicellulose and 272.5 EUR/kg for XOS. Overall, the optimized XOS-enriched sugarcane straw extract demonstrated promising anti-aging, antioxidant, and preservative properties, highlighting its potential for cosmetic applications.

The encapsulation of retinol within silica microparticles has emerged as a promising opportunity in the realm of cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations, driven by the need to reinforce the photoprotection and oxidation stability of retinol. This work examines the process of encapsulating retinol into silica microparticles. The association efficiency, microparticle size, molecular structure, morphology, oxidation, and release profile, as well as biocompatibility and skin sensitization, were evaluated. Results showed that 0.03% of retinol and 9% of emulsifier leads to an association efficiency higher than 99% and a particle size with an average of 5.2 µm. FTIR results indicate that there is an association of retinol with the silica microparticles, and some may be on the surface. Microscopy indicates that when association happens, there is less aggregation of the particles. Oxidation occurs in two different phases, the first related to the retinol on the surface and the second to the associated retinol. In addition, a burst release of up to 3 h (30% free retinol, 17% associated retinol) was observed, as well as a sustained release of 44% of retinol up to 24 h. Encapsulation allowed an increase in the minimal skin cytotoxic concentrations of retinol from 0.04 μg/mL to 1.25 mg/mL without skin sensitization. Overall, retinol is protected when associated with silica microparticles, being safe to use in cosmetics and dermatology.

Mental health and active aging are two of the main concerns in the 21st century. To search for new neuroprotective compounds, extracts of Codium tomentosum Stackhouse and Fucus vesiculosus L. were obtained through multi-step (four step) subcritical water extraction using a temperature gradient. The safety assessment of the extracts was performed by screening pharmaceutical compounds and pesticides by UHPLC-MS/MS, and iodine and arsenic levels by ICP-MS. Although the extracts were free of pharmaceutical compounds and pesticides, the presence of arsenic and high iodine contents were found in the first two extraction steps. Thus, the health-benefits were only evaluated for the fractions obtained in steps 3 and 4 from the extraction process. These fractions were tested against five brain enzymes implicated in Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and major depression etiology as well as against reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, having been observed a strong enzyme inhibition and radical scavenging activities for the step 4 fractions from both seaweed species. Regarding the variation of the chemical composition during the extraction, step 1 fractions were the richest in phenolic compounds. With the increase in temperature, Maillard reaction, caramelization and thermo-oxidation occurred, and the resulting products positively affected the antioxidant capacity and the neuroprotective effects.

Mental health and active aging are two of the main concerns in the 21st century. To search for new neuroprotective compounds, extracts of Codium tomentosum Stackhouse and Fucus vesiculosus L. were obtained through multi-step (four step) subcritical water extraction using a temperature gradient. The safety assessment of the extracts was performed by screening pharmaceutical compounds and pesticides by UHPLC-MS/MS, and iodine and arsenic levels by ICP-MS. Although the extracts were free of pharmaceutical compounds and pesticides, the presence of arsenic and high iodine contents were found in the first two extraction steps. Thus, the health-benefits were only evaluated for the fractions obtained in steps 3 and 4 from the extraction process. These fractions were tested against five brain enzymes implicated in Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and major depression etiology as well as against reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, having been observed a strong enzyme inhibition and radical scavenging activities for the step 4 fractions from both seaweed species. Regarding the variation of the chemical composition during the extraction, step 1 fractions were the richest in phenolic compounds. With the increase in temperature, Maillard reaction, caramelization and thermo-oxidation occurred, and the resulting products positively affected the antioxidant capacity and the neuroprotective effects.

Mental health and active aging are two of the main concerns in the 21st century. To search for new neuroprotective compounds, extracts of Codium tomentosum Stackhouse and Fucus vesiculosus L. were obtained through multi-step (four step) subcritical water extraction using a temperature gradient. The safety assessment of the extracts was performed by screening pharmaceutical compounds and pesticides by UHPLC-MS/MS, and iodine and arsenic levels by ICP-MS. Although the extracts were free of pharmaceutical compounds and pesticides, the presence of arsenic and high iodine contents were found in the first two extraction steps. Thus, the health-benefits were only evaluated for the fractions obtained in steps 3 and 4 from the extraction process. These fractions were tested against five brain enzymes implicated in Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and major depression etiology as well as against reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, having been observed a strong enzyme inhibition and radical scavenging activities for the step 4 fractions from both seaweed species. Regarding the variation of the chemical composition during the extraction, step 1 fractions were the richest in phenolic compounds. With the increase in temperature, Maillard reaction, caramelization and thermo-oxidation occurred, and the resulting products positively affected the antioxidant capacity and the neuroprotective effects.