Serosurvey of Mycobacterium avium Complex in wild boars in Portugal

Serosurvey of Mycobacterium avium Complex in wild boars in Portugal

Deteção molecular de Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis em raposas-vermelhas (Vulpes vulpes)

Deteção molecular de Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis em raposas-vermelhas (Vulpes vulpes)

APOE genotypes and dyslipidemias in a sample of the Portuguese population

The objective of this work was to study the distribution of apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotypes in a sample of the Portuguese population, and its association with the dyslipidemias observed. Study participants were healthy users of local Public Health Laboratories in six regions of mainland Portugal (Porto, Vila Real, Viseu, Lisboa, Portalegre and Faro). A total of 779 men and 1153 women aged 15-74 years agreed to participate. Fasting lipid levels and APOE genotypes were determined centrally at the National Institute of Health in Lisboa. The frequency distribution of APOE alleles was: epsilon2=5.3%, epsilon3=84.9% and epsilon4=9.8%. Dyslipidemias were present in 66.6% of men and 60.7% of women. Comparison of APOE genotypes and relative allele frequencies showed that in dyslipidemic compared to normolipidemic subjects, the epsilon4 allele was more frequent in both sexes, although in a more pronounced way in men than in women due to higher frequencies of epsilon3/epsilon4 and epsilon4/epsilon4 genotypes. The known association of the epsilon4 allele with high cholesterol levels, the association of the epsilon2 allele with low cholesterol levels, and the association of the epsilon2 allele with high levels of triglycerides and low levels of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol were confirmed in this study

Tuberculose disseminada com manifestações cerebrais, pulmonares, ganglionares e intestinais em raposas

Tuberculose disseminada com manifestações cerebrais, pulmonares, ganglionares e intestinais em raposas

Effect of sodium and nitrogen on yield function of irrigated maize in Southern Portugal

Salinization and nitrate leaching are two of the leading threats to the environment of the European Mediterranean regions. Inefficient use of water and fertilizers has led to a nitrate increase in the aquifers and reduction in crop yields caused by salts. In this study, a triple emitter source irrigation system delivers water, salt (Na+), and fertilizer (N) applications to maize (Zea mays L.). The objective of the study was to evaluate the combined effect of saline water and nitrogen application on crop yields in two different textured soils of Alentejo (Portugal) and to assess if increasing salinity levels of the irrigation water can be compensated by application of nitrogen while still obtaining acceptable crop yield. Maximum yield was obtained from both soils with an application of 13 g m−2 of nitrogen. Yield response to Na+ application was different in the two studied soils and depended on the total amount of Na+ or irrigation water applied. No significant interaction was found between nitrogen and sodium, but a positive effect on maize yield was observed in the medium textured soil for amounts of Na+ less than 905 g m−2 when applied in the irrigation water

Importância dos Saca-Rabos (Herpestes Ichneumon) como Reservatório de Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis. Deteção por Técnicas Tradicionais e Moleculares

Poster apresentado nas IV Jornadas de Genética, realizadas na UTAD, Vila Real, nos dias 1,2 e 3 de Março de 2012.Os saca-rabos (Herpestes ichneumon) também conhecidos por mangustos, são carnívoros diurnos selvagens que juntamente com a geneta (Genetta genetta) representam os exemplares da família Viverridae em Portugal. É uma espécie cinegética de caça menor que se alimenta de coelhos, roedores, aves, cobras, insectos e ovos. Neste estudo colheram-se amostras de 8 animais mortos por atropelamento e em ações de controlo de predadores, durante os anos de 2010 e 2011, nos concelhos de Idanha-a-Nova e Penamacor do distrito de Castelo Branco. As amostras colhidas foram fígado, pulmão, baço, intestino, rim, gânglio mesentérico, retrofaríngeo, mediastínico, amígdalas e fezes. As amostras foram submetidas à técnica de PCR e a cultura microbiológica em meios específicos. Em três saca-rabos (37,5%) detectou-se Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (Map) através da técnica de biologia molecular. Dois eram machos e um era fêmea. Map foi confirmado também em cultura nos dois machos. Sete saca-rabos (87,5%) apresentaram bactérias álcool-ácido resistentes compatíveis com Map em esfregaços de diferentes tecidos, quando corados pelo método de Ziehl-Neelsen. Estes resultados preliminares confirmam os saca-rabos como reservatório de Map no nosso país. Atualmente, estão a ser desenvolvidos mais estudos para a avaliação dos saca-rabos na dinâmica da infeção de Map em mamíferos selvagens

Pulmonary lesions consistent with disseminated adiaspiromycosis in egyptian mongooses (Herpestes ichneumon) from Portugal.

Pulmonary lesions consistent with disseminated adiaspiromycosis in egyptian mongooses (Herpestes ichneumon) from Portugal

Deteção molecular de Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis em duas lontras (Lutra lutra, Linnaeus, 1758)

Deteção molecular de Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis em duas lontras (Lutra lutra, Linnaeus, 1758)