Vulnerabilidade das Ilhas-Barreira e dinâmica da Ria Formosa na óptica da gestão

Dissertação mest., Gestão e conservação da natureza, Universidade do Algarve, 2007O sistema de ilhas-barreira da Ria Formosa oferece excelentes condições a diversas actividades, das quais se podem salientar as turístico-balneares. Desde os anos 60 que essas actividades vêm sendo exercidas com grande intensidade, com a construção de infra-estruturas e cargas superiores ao limite de capacidade em algumas ilhas, sendo mais notável na chamada «Praia de Faro», na Península do Ancão. Há, porém, que atender à instabilidade que caracteriza este sistema, o qual impõe fortes condicionamentos à sua ocupação, uma vez que esta tende a localizar-se em zonas muito vulneráveis e de grande risco. Como a maioria dos sistemas deste tipo, a Ria Formosa apresenta um carácter extremamente dinâmico, com elevadas taxas de evolução das ilhas e barras. A ocorrência de temporais e a elevação do nível médio do mar são dos principais factores que conduzem a uma alta susceptibilidade a galgamentos oceânicos, neste sistema. É nas ilhas-barreira que ocorrem os maiores problemas de gestão do sistema. Com vários grupos de interesse envolvidos torna-se necessário manter uma gestão eficiente no sistema de ilhas-barreira. A intervenção é, actualmente, urgente, correndo-se o risco do sistema se perder de forma irreversível. Tal intervenção terá, necessariamente, de ser ampla e cautelosa. Para tal, esta terá que ser suportada e apoiada por uma sólida base de investigação cientifica, não menosprezando aspectos de carácter social, económico e ambiental. Podem destacar-se três técnicas de intervenção a serem adoptadas: intervenção rígida, intervenção suave e demolição de infra-estruturas

Epstein-Barr virus encephalitis presenting with brain mass lesions in a patient with human immunodeficiency virus infection

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) disease of central nervous system (CNS) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients is mostly associated with primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL). In patients who cannot undergo biopsy and have typical clinical and radiographic findings, detection of EBV deoxyribonucleic acid in CSF may provide enough evidence to start treatment for PCNSL. Here, we described a case of EBV encephalitis presenting with fever, memory, and psycho-motor deficits in a patient with HIV infection and severe immunosuppression who started antiretroviral therapy (ART) one month earlier. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed periventricular lesions with nodular enhancing pattern and restricted diffusion, and CSF was positive for EBV. Brain biopsy revealed inflammatory lesions and lymphoid infiltrate without signs of malignancy. After three months of ART, patient improved significantly and MRI showed a marked reduction of lesions. Two years later, patient’s condition remains stable. PCNSL is the leading diagnosis in HIV patients with CNS mass lesions and positive CSF for EBV. In the case described, starting treatment for PCNSL could have been considered if the patient could not undergo biopsy, or if there was no improvement under ART. However, EBV encephalitis can be a differential diagnosis in patients with compatible histopathology and clinical course. © 2023 Termedia Publishing House Ltd.. All rights reserved

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) 2 Superinfection in a Patient Receiving Antiretroviral Therapy With Longstanding HIV-1 Viral Load Suppression

Dual human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) 1 and HIV-2 superinfections are rare but challenging. A HIV-1–infected patient receiving effective antiretroviral therapy was investigated for a severe CD4+ cell count decline. HIV-2 superinfection was diagnosed and genotypic test revealed mutations conferring resistance to most drug class, limiting options for treatment

The cephalopod prey of the Weddell seal, Leptonychotes weddellii, a biological sampler of the Antarctic marine ecosystem

Weddell seals, Leptonychotes weddellii, are important apex predators in the food web of the Antarctic marine ecosystem. However, detailed information on their trophic relationships with cephalopods is scarce. Moreover, cephalopods play a key role in the marine environment, but knowledge of their feeding habits is limited by lack of data. Here, we have combined the use of this seal as a biological sampler together with measurements of the stable isotopic signature of the beaks of their cephalopod prey. Thus, the aims of the present study were: (1) to examine in detail the cephalopod portion of the diet of Weddell seals by means of scat analysis and (2) to assess the habitat use and trophic level of the different cephalopod prey taxa identified. From January to February 2009, a total of 48 faecal droppings were collected at Hope Bay, Antarctic Peninsula. Cephalopods were mainly represented by beaks (n = 83) which were identified to the lowest possible taxonomic level. Furthermore, subsamples of beaks were separated for further isotopic analysis. Relative abundance of stable isotopes of carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) was determined by continuous-flow isotope-ratio mass spectrometry. Cephalopods were represented uniquely by octopods of the subfamily Eledoninae. Pareledone turqueti was the dominant prey species followed by the papillated Pareledone species group and Adelieledone polymorpha. We conclude that Weddell seals preyed primarily on benthic prey resources. Furthermore, the relatively similar δ13C and δ15N values in beaks of the three octopod prey taxa suggest that these share the same type of habitat and occupy similar trophic level positions

Portuguese study of familial dilated cardiomyopathy: the FATIMA study

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a myocardial disease, characterized by ventricular dilatation and impaired systolic function, that in more than 30% of cases has a familial or genetic origin. Given its age-dependent penetrance, DCM frequently manifests in adults by signs or symptoms of heart failure, arrhythmias or sudden death. The predominant mode of inheritance is autosomal dominant, and in these cases mutations are identified in genes coding for cytoskeletal, sarcomeric or nuclear envelope proteins. To date, most studies aimed at molecular diagnosis of DCM have been in selected families, or in larger groups of patients, but screening for mutations in a limited number of genes. Consequently, the epidemiology of mutations in familial DCM remains unknown. There is thus a need for multicenter studies, involving screening for a wide range of mutations in several families and in cases of idiopathic DCM. The present article describes the methodology of a multicenter study, aimed at clinical and molecular characterization of familial DCM patients in the Portuguese population.A miocardiopatia dilatada (MCD) é uma doença do músculo cardíaco caracterizada pela dilatação ventricular e compromisso da função sistólica, sendo possível identificar, numa percentagem superior a 30% dos casos, uma origem familiar ou genética. Dada a penetrância dependente da idade, manifesta-se muitas vezes em adultos por sinais ou sintomas de insuficiência cardíaca, arritmias ou morte súbita. O padrão autossómico dominante predomina, sendo possível identificar, nestes casos, mutações em genes de proteínas do citoesqueleto celular, sarcómero ou membrana nuclear. Até ao momento, a maioria dos trabalhos visando o diagnóstico molecular nos casos de MCD foi realizada em famílias seleccionadas, ou em grupos mais abrangentes de doentes, mas rastreando mutações num número restrito de genes. Consequentemente a epidemiologia das mutações nos casos familiares de MCD continua por esclarecer. É neste contexto que se coloca a necessidade de efectuar estudos multicêntricos, envolvendo uma pesquisa mutacional diversificada em várias familias e nos casos idiopáticos de MCD. O presente artigo descreve a metodologia de um estudo multicêntrico que tem como objectivo a caracterização clínica e molecular de casos familiares de MCD na população portuguesa

Distribution, habitat and trophic ecology of Antarctic squid Kondakovia longimana and Moroteuthis knipovitchi: inferences from predators and stable isotopes

Cephalopods have a key role in the marine environment though knowledge of their distribution and trophic ecology is limited by a lack of observations. This is particularly true for Antarctic species. Toothfish species are key predators of cephalopods and may be viewed as ideal biological samplers of these species. A total of 256 cephalopod lower beaks were identified from the stomachs of Patagonian toothfish (Dissostichus eleginoides) and Antarctic toothfish (Dissostichus mawsoni), captured in fisheries of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands in the South Atlantic between March and April 2009. Long-armed octopus squid (Kondakovia longimana) and smooth-hooked squid (Moroteuthis knipovitchi) were the main cephalopod prey and both were predated upon wherever toothfish were captured, though this cephalopod species appear to inhabit deeper waters at the South Sandwich Islands than at South Georgia. Measurements of δ13C from beak material indicated a clear segregation of habitat use comparing adult and sub-adult sized K. longimana. Variation in δ15N with size indicated an ontogenetic shift in the diet of cephalopods and also suggested some trophic plasticity among years. This study provides new insights into the private life of some elusive Antarctic cephalopods in an underexplored region of the South Atlantic

Dynamics of a Dual SARS-CoV-2 Lineage Co-Infection on a Prolonged Viral Shedding COVID-19 Case: Insights into Clinical Severity and Disease Duration

A few molecularly proven severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) cases of symptomatic reinfection are currently known worldwide, with a resolved first infection followed by a second infection after a 48 to 142-day intervening period. We report a multiple-component study of a clinically severe and prolonged viral shedding coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) case in a 17-year-old Portuguese female. She had two hospitalizations, a total of 19 RT-PCR tests, mostly positive, and criteria for releasing from home isolation at the end of 97 days. The viral genome was sequenced in seven serial samples and in the diagnostic sample from her infected mother. A human genome-wide array (>900 K) was screened on the seven samples, and in vitro culture was conducted on isolates from three late samples. The patient had co-infection by two SARS-CoV-2 lineages, which were affiliated in distinct clades and diverging by six variants. The 20A lineage was absolute at the diagnosis (shared with the patient's mother), but nine days later, the 20B lineage had 3% frequency, and two months later, the 20B lineage had 100% frequency. The 900 K profiles confirmed the identity of the patient in the serial samples, and they allowed us to infer that she had polygenic risk scores for hospitalization and severe respiratory disease within the normal distributions for a Portuguese population cohort. The early-on dynamic co-infection may have contributed to the severity of COVID-19 in this otherwise healthy young patient, and to her prolonged SARS-CoV-2 shedding profile.The authors acknowledge the support of the i3S Scientific Platforms BioSciences Screening and Genomics, members of the national infrastructure PPBI-Portuguese Platform of Bioimaging (PPBI-POCI-01-0145-FEDER-022122), PT-OPENSCREEN, GenomePT project (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-022184)

Improvement of primary care for patients with chronic heart failure: a pilot study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Many patients with chronic heart failure (CHF) receive treatment in primary care, but data have shown that the quality of care for these patients needs to be improved. We aimed to evaluate the impact and feasibility of a programme for improving primary care for patients with CHF.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>An observational study was performed in 19 general practices in the south-eastern part of the Netherlands, evaluation involving 15 general practitioners and 77 CHF patients. The programme for improvement comprised educational and organizational components and was delivered by a trained practice visitor to the practices. The evaluation was based on case registration forms completed by health professionals and telephone interviews.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Management relating to diet and physical exercise seemed to have improved as eight patients were referred to dieticians and five to physiotherapists. The seasonal influenza vaccination rate increased from 94% to 97% (75/77). No impact on smoking was observed. Pharmaceutical treatment was adjusted according to guideline recommendations in 12% of the patients (9/77); 7 patients started recommended medication and 2 patients received dosage adjustments. General practitioners perceived the programme to be feasible. Clinical task delegation to nurses and assistants increased in some practices, but collaboration with other healthcare providers remained limited.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The improvement programme proved to have moderate impact on patient care. Its effectiveness should be tested in a larger rigorous evaluation study using modifications based on the pilot experiences.</p

The first global deep-sea stable isotope assessment reveals the unique trophic ecology of Vampire Squid Vampyroteuthis infernalis (Cephalopoda)

Vampyroteuthis infernalis Chun, 1903, is a widely distributed deepwater cephalopod with unique morphology and phylogenetic position. We assessed its habitat and trophic ecology on a global scale via stable isotope analyses of a unique collection of beaks from 104 specimens from the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans. Cephalopods typically are active predators occupying a high trophic level (TL) and exhibit an ontogenetic increase in δ15N and TL. Our results, presenting the first global comparison for a deep-sea invertebrate, demonstrate that V. infernalis has an ontogenetic decrease in δ15N and TL, coupled with niche broadening. Juveniles are mobile zooplanktivores, while larger Vampyroteuthis are slow-swimming opportunistic consumers and ingest particulate organic matter. Vampyroteuthis infernalis occupies the same TL (3.0–4.3) over its global range and has a unique niche in deep-sea ecosystems. These traits have enabled the success and abundance of this relict species inhabiting the largest ecological realm on the planet.Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article’s Creative Commons license, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article’s Creative Commons license and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. The attached file is the published pdf