The use of stranded aquatic-associated bird surveys for plastic litter monitoring in Portugal

Plastics durability and persistence, combined with their high production and low rates of recovery, are causing a net accumulation of plastic debris along shorelines, surface waters, throughout the water column and in bottom sediments. Pollution by plastic debris is an increasing environmental concern all around the globe, accounting for up to 90% of marine debris. Wildlife has been severely impacted by plastic debris in coastal and aquatic environments. Macroplastics (> 20 – 100 mm) pose a health risk to several aquatic animals, including fish, turtles and birds, because of possible entanglement and ingestion. When in the environment, macroplastic debris can brittle and break through UV radiation, mechanical action and biodegradation into small sized plastic particles, designated as microplastics (1 – 5 mm), that become more bioavailable to organisms throughout the food web. However, microplastic debris can also reach aquatic environments in their original form that were manufactured for particular industrial or domestic applications, such as plastic particles used in exfoliating facial scrubs, toothpastes and resin pellets used in plastic industry. Birds are top-predators, exposed to all threats affecting these environments and this makes them ideal sentinel organisms for monitoring ecosystem changes. Considering the knowledge gap existing in southern Europe, in particular in Portugal, about the use of stranded aquatic-associated bird surveys for plastic litter monitoring, this study tries to fill this gap by: (1) set a baseline assessment of the prevalence of plastic litter affecting multispecies populations of aquatic birds in Portugal and (2) test if species, gender, age and condition of the birds influence type and quantity of ingested plastics. In this study, the plastics accumulated in the stomachs of stranded aquatic birds collected across the Portuguese territory will be quantified and characterized. A total of 310 birds samples comprising four species sourced from five different wildlife rescue centres (Parque Biológico de Gaia, CERVAS, CERAS, LxCRAS and RIAS) were collected and examined for the presence of plastic litter. Of these, 15.48% were found to ingest plastic litter. The average number and mass of ingested plastics was 1.62 items per individuals and 0.0771 g, respectively. Results show that aquatic-associated birds in Portugal do ingest plastic litter, as in many other countries in the world. Monitoring plastic litter ingested by aquatic-associated birds has the potential to be a part of a wide monitoring programme that can help to inform mitigation and management measures for aquatic litter.À medida que os plásticos se tornaram num produto indispensável no nosso quotidiano, a sua rápida produção tem sido consequentemente acompanhada por um aumento da acumulação de plásticos no meio ambiente. A durabilidade e persistência dos plásticos, combinada com a sua elevada produção e baixas taxas de recuperação, causam a acumulação de detritos plásticos ao longo das costas, águas superficiais, ao longo da coluna de água e sedimentos. A poluição por detritos plásticos é uma crescente preocupação ambiental em todo o mundo, representando cerca de 90% dos detritos marinhos. Devido ao uso excessivo e à eliminação inadequada de produtos plásticos, a vida selvagem tem sido severamente afetada pelos detritos plásticos em ambientes costeiros e aquáticos. Os macroplásticos (> 20 – 100 mm) representam uma ameaça para vários animais aquáticos, incluindo peixes, tartarugas e aves marinhas, devido à possibilidade de enredamento e ingestão. Quando no meio ambiente, os macroplásticos podem fragmentar-se através da radiação UV, ação mecânica e biodegradação em partículas plásticas mais pequenas, designadas de microplásticos (1 – 5 mm). Estas novas partículas tornam-se mais biodisponíveis para todos os organismos da cadeia alimentar e podem libertar substâncias químicas tóxicas durante o processo de degradação. As aves aquáticas são predadores expostos a todas as ameaças que afetam estes ambientes, tornando-os organismos sentinelas ideais para monitorizar mudanças nos ecossistemas

The apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii

PTDC/CVT-CVT/31840/2017EXPL/CVT-EPI/1945/2013Toxoplasma gondii is a ubiquitous zoonotic parasite with an obligatory intracellular lifestyle. It relies on a specialized set of cytoskeletal and secretory organelles for host cell invasion. When infecting its felid definitive host, T. gondii undergoes sexual reproduction in the intestinal epithelium, producing oocysts that are excreted with the feces and sporulate in the environment. In other hosts and/or tissues, T. gondii multiplies by asexual reproduction. Rapidly dividing tachyzoites expand through multiple tissues, particularly nervous and muscular tissues, and eventually convert to slowly dividing bradyzoites which produce tissue cysts, structures that evade the immune system and remain infective within the host. Infection normally occurs through ingestion of sporulated oocysts or tissue cysts. While T. gondii is able to infect virtually all warm-blooded animals, most infections in humans are asymptomatic, with clinical disease occurring most often in immunocompromised hosts or fetuses carried by seronegative mothers that are infected during pregnancy.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Balancing act: tubulin glutamylation and microtubule dynamics in Toxoplasma gondii

This research was funded by FCT-Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, I.P. (Portugal) through CIISA - Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, project UIDB/00276/2020 and Laboratório Associado para Ciência Animal e Veterinária (AL4AnimalS) project LA/P/0059/2020.The success of the intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii in invading host cells relies on the apical complex, a specialized microtubule cytoskeleton structure associated with secretory organelles. The T. gondii genome encodes three isoforms of both α- and β-tubulin, which undergo specific post-translational modifications (PTMs), altering the biochemical and biophysical proprieties of microtubules and modulating their interaction with associated proteins. Tubulin PTMs represent a powerful and evolutionarily conserved mechanism for generating tubulin diversity, forming a biochemical 'tubulin code' interpretable by microtubule-interacting factors. T. gondii exhibits various tubulin PTMs, including α-tubulin acetylation, α-tubulin detyrosination, Δ5α-tubulin, Δ2α-tubulin, α- and β-tubulin polyglutamylation, and α- and β-tubulin methylation. Tubulin glutamylation emerges as a key player in microtubule remodeling in Toxoplasma, regulating stability, dynamics, interaction with motor proteins, and severing enzymes. The balance of tubulin glutamylation is maintained through the coordinated action of polyglutamylases and deglutamylating enzymes. This work reviews and discusses current knowledge on T. gondii tubulin glutamylation. Through in silico identification of protein orthologs, we update the recognition of putative proteins related to glutamylation, contributing to a deeper understanding of its role in T. gondii biology.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Balancing act: tubulin glutamylation and microtubule dynamics in Toxoplasma gondii

The success of Toxoplasma gondii (intracellular parasite) host cell invasion relies on the apical complex, a specialized microtubule cytoskeleton structure associated with secretory organelles. The genome encodes three isoforms of both α- and β-tubulin which are altered by specific post-translational modifications (PTMs), changing the biochemical/biophysical proprieties of microtubules, and modulating their interaction with associated proteins. Tubulin PTMs are a powerful and evolutionarily conserved mechanism to generate tubulin diversity, forming a biochemical ‘tubulin code’ that can be ‘read’ by microtubule-interacting factors. The T. gondii tubulin PTMs are: α-tubulin acetylation, α-tubulin detyrosination, Δ5α-tubulin, Δ2α-tubulin, α- and β-tubulin polyglutamylation, and α- and α-tubulin methylation. Tubulin glutamylation is a key candidate to assist microtubule remodeling in Toxoplasma, being involved in the regulation of microtubule stability, dynamics, interaction with motor proteins, and severing enzymes. The correct balance of tubulin glutamylation is achieved by the coordinated action of polyglutamylases and deglutamylating enzymes. In this work, we will review and discuss the current knowledge on T. gondii tubulin glutamylation. By in silico identification of mammalian protein orthologs, we explored and updated the identification of putative proteins related to glutamylation, contributing to a better understanding of the role of tubulin glutamylation in T. gondii.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Tick-borne diseases in asymptomatic cattle from São Miguel Island, Azores – A clinical perspective

Tick-borne diseases in asymptomatic cattle from São Miguel Island, Azores – A clinical perspective Introduction/Background: The Azores archipelago is one of the regions with the highest cattle production, in Portugal. Outbreaks of tick-borne (TB) diseases have been reported by local field veterinarians and different tick species are described in São Miguel. At this study, we decided to investigate the presence of some of these agents in asymptomatic cattle, in S. Miguel. Materials & methods: In October 2019, 10 blood samples from each of 10 farms were randomly selected. Species belonging to the Babesia/Theileria and Anaplasma/ Ehrlichia genus were tested by PCR screening. Results: There were 45 positive samples later confirmed as species belonging to the Theileria orientalis group (45/100, 45%), in 9 farms (9/10, 90%) and it was also possible to identify Anaplasma bovis, in 2 animals, at two farms (2/10, 20%). Discussion: As far as we were able to verify, this is the first reference to the presence of these agents in S. Miguel. However, although asymptomatic, the repercussions associated with these infections are probably being underestimated or confused with other health problems. Since ixodids were not found in cows, other factors may be contributing to the high percentage of positive samples found, such as poor management practices. This is clearly an interesting subject for further investigation, as a better understanding of the life cycle of these parasites will contribute to their control

New food, new technology: innovative spreadable cream with strawberry syrup

A strawberry spreadable cream was developed, valorizing regional raw materials, contributing to food waste reduction and agri-food ecosystem sustainability. Spreadable creams are water-in-oil emulsions whose lipid phase normally contains a blend of vegetable oils, natural colourants, stabilizers, emulsifers, favourings, antioxidants, lecithin, and fat-soluble vitamins. The aqueous phase normally contains skim milk proteins and small quantities of other ingredients, such as salt, preservatives, thickeners, and water-soluble vitamins. The methodology involved the experimental technological development articulated with microbiological, proximal, physicochemical, and sensorial analysis. This new product revealed nutritional advantages over similar products already on the market. The fnal prototype was subjected to food pairing and food design with incre mental acceptance according to gastronomic use, in addition to its direct use as a spreadable cream. This work was part of the project Agrio et Emulsio—new products development (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-023583), whose main objective was the formulation and design of innovative food emulsions based on processed raw materials, with potential application in certain markets such as gourmet, diet, and vegan.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Long-term mortality analysis in Parkinson's disease treated with deep brain stimulation.

Background. Few data have been published regarding long-term mortality in patients with Parkinson's disease treated with DBS. Methods. This study analyzed long-term mortality rates, causes, and correlates in PD patients treated with DBS. Results. 184 consecutive patients were included; mean follow-up was 50 months. Fifteen deaths occurred (total 8.15%, annual mortality rate 1.94%). Mean age at disease onset and at surgery was 48 ± 2.4 and 63 ± 1.6 years, respectively. Mean disease duration until death was 21 ± 7.8 years. Most deaths related to stroke, myocardial infarction, other vascular/heart disorders, or severe infection; one suicide was recorded. Deceased PD patients were mostly male and had lower motor benefit after DBS, but univariate analysis failed to show significant differences regarding gender and motor benefit. Survival was 99% and 94% at 3 and 5 years. Conclusions. Long-term survival is to be expected in PD patients treated with DBS, possibly higher than previously expected. Death usually supervenes due to vascular events or infection

MAMMALS IN PORTUGAL : A data set of terrestrial, volant, and marine mammal occurrences in P ortugal

Mammals are threatened worldwide, with 26% of all species being includedin the IUCN threatened categories. This overall pattern is primarily associatedwith habitat loss or degradation, and human persecution for terrestrial mam-mals, and pollution, open net fishing, climate change, and prey depletion formarine mammals. Mammals play a key role in maintaining ecosystems func-tionality and resilience, and therefore information on their distribution is cru-cial to delineate and support conservation actions. MAMMALS INPORTUGAL is a publicly available data set compiling unpublishedgeoreferenced occurrence records of 92 terrestrial, volant, and marine mam-mals in mainland Portugal and archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira thatincludes 105,026 data entries between 1873 and 2021 (72% of the data occur-ring in 2000 and 2021). The methods used to collect the data were: live obser-vations/captures (43%), sign surveys (35%), camera trapping (16%),bioacoustics surveys (4%) and radiotracking, and inquiries that represent lessthan 1% of the records. The data set includes 13 types of records: (1) burrowsjsoil moundsjtunnel, (2) capture, (3) colony, (4) dead animaljhairjskullsjjaws, (5) genetic confirmation, (6) inquiries, (7) observation of live animal (8),observation in shelters, (9) photo trappingjvideo, (10) predators dietjpelletsjpine cones/nuts, (11) scatjtrackjditch, (12) telemetry and (13) vocalizationjecholocation. The spatial uncertainty of most records ranges between 0 and100 m (76%). Rodentia (n=31,573) has the highest number of records followedby Chiroptera (n=18,857), Carnivora (n=18,594), Lagomorpha (n=17,496),Cetartiodactyla (n=11,568) and Eulipotyphla (n=7008). The data setincludes records of species classified by the IUCN as threatened(e.g.,Oryctolagus cuniculus[n=12,159],Monachus monachus[n=1,512],andLynx pardinus[n=197]). We believe that this data set may stimulate thepublication of other European countries data sets that would certainly contrib-ute to ecology and conservation-related research, and therefore assisting onthe development of more accurate and tailored conservation managementstrategies for each species. There are no copyright restrictions; please cite thisdata paper when the data are used in publications.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Mammals in Portugal: a data set of terrestrial, volant, and marine mammal occurrences in Portugal

Mammals are threatened worldwide, with ~26% of all species being included in the IUCN threatened categories. This overall pattern is primarily associated with habitat loss or degradation, and human persecution for terrestrial mammals, and pollution, open net fishing, climate change, and prey depletion for marine mammals. Mammals play a key role in maintaining ecosystems functionality and resilience, and therefore information on their distribution is crucial to delineate and support conservation actions. MAMMALS IN PORTUGAL is a publicly available data set compiling unpublished georeferenced occurrence records of 92 terrestrial, volant, and marine mammals in mainland Portugal and archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira that includes 105,026 data entries between 1873 and 2021 (72% of the data occurring in 2000 and 2021). The methods used to collect the data were: live observations/captures (43%), sign surveys (35%), camera trapping (16%), bioacoustics surveys (4%) and radiotracking, and inquiries that represent less than 1% of the records. The data set includes 13 types of records: (1) burrows | soil mounds | tunnel, (2) capture, (3) colony, (4) dead animal | hair | skulls | jaws, (5) genetic confirmation, (6) inquiries, (7) observation of live animal (8), observation in shelters, (9) photo trapping | video, (10) predators diet | pellets | pine cones/nuts, (11) scat | track | ditch, (12) telemetry and (13) vocalization | echolocation. The spatial uncertainty of most records ranges between 0 and 100 m (76%). Rodentia (n =31,573) has the highest number of records followed by Chiroptera (n = 18,857), Carnivora (n = 18,594), Lagomorpha (n = 17,496), Cetartiodactyla (n = 11,568) and Eulipotyphla (n = 7008). The data set includes records of species classified by the IUCN as threatened (e.g., Oryctolagus cuniculus [n = 12,159], Monachus monachus [n = 1,512], and Lynx pardinus [n = 197]). We believe that this data set may stimulate the publication of other European countries data sets that would certainly contribute to ecology and conservation-related research, and therefore assisting on the development of more accurate and tailored conservation management strategies for each species. There are no copyright restrictions; please cite this data paper when the data are used in publications