Search Results (70)

Health literacy improves informal caregivers’ knowledge and ability to provide care. The aim of this study is to analyze the impact of a group-based intervention on the health literacy of informal caregivers of children with special health needs (SHNs). The intervention focuses on movement, hydrotherapy, walking, and relaxation, with three evaluation stages. Participants included 34 informal caregivers of children with SHNs, recruited at a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Service. We collected sociodemographic data of the participants and measured their health literacy through the short-form version of the European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire (HLS-EU-Q16). Around 70% of the participants were female, with a mean age of 41.06 ± 4.98 years, and nearly 85% were married or in a de facto union. About 26% were unemployed, and more than 65% had completed secondary education or higher. The mean scores of the HLS-EU-Q16 were statistically significantly higher throughout the intervention, with differences over the evaluation stages [F(2,56) = 75.55; p < 0.05]. A structured, dynamic, and group-based intervention plan showed improvements in the health literacy of the participants, with an increase in the percentage of participants with sufficient and excellent levels of health literacy at the end of the intervention. Full article

Considering the global health concern and the significant morbidity associated with canine angiostrongylosis, this study aimed to update the epidemiological profile and geographic distribution of the disease in canine populations across all continental and insular districts of Portugal, some of which were never studied before. A total of 1059 dogs were included in the study and tested for Angiostrongylus vasorum antigens using a commercial immunochromatographic assay. The overall prevalence was 1.13%. Higher infection rates were found in northern (3.9% in Viana do Castelo) and central (3.6% in Viseu and 3.8% in Lisbon) districts, and infection was reported, for the first time, in the districts of Leiria and Beja. The mild temperatures and elevated humidity levels, characteristic of Portugal’s northern and coastal regions, promote increased gastropod host activity and population density while also accelerating parasite development. The effect of wildlife reservoirs must also be considered, since higher seroprevalences were detected recently in red foxes from Portuguese northern regions. Bivariate Chi-square test analysis identified male sex and an outdoors lifestyle as risk factors. These findings confirm the enzootic presence of A. vasorum throughout the country and highlight the need for increased clinical awareness, routine screening, and the implementation of effective prophylactic strategies. Full article

Background: Antimicrobial resistance is a pressing global concern affecting both human and animal health, with environment playing a key role in the dissemination of resistance determinants. This study aimed to investigate the presence of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) associated with tetracyclines, β-lactams, macrolides, and sulfonamides in environmental matrices collected from 65 sheep and goat farms in central Portugal. Methods: Environmental samples, including water, soil, pasture, and bedding, were analyzed through qPCR for the detection of clinically relevant ARGs. Results: ARGs were detected in 83% of the samples, with over half exhibiting genes from three or more antibiotic classes, suggesting potential multidrug resistance. β-lactamase genes were the most prevalent, followed by those conferring resistance to tetracycline and sulfonamide resistance, while macrolide resistance genes were least frequent. The distribution of ARGs varied by farm type, host species, and municipality. Conclusions: These findings suggest that small ruminant farms serve as important reservoirs for ARGs. The results underscore the need for systematic surveillance and further research into the ecological and genetic factors driving ARG persistence and dissemination in extensive livestock systems, including proper waste management strategies to limit the spread and persistence of antibiotic resistance and mitigate broader public health risks. Full article

The saliva of hematophagous arthropods, such as ticks and triatomines, contains bioactive ligands capable of modulating immune molecules, including cytokines. Cytokines play a critical role in immune regulation and have therapeutic relevance in inflammatory and immune-mediated diseases. Despite recent advances, identifying cytokine-binding molecules remains a significant challenge. Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin-4 (IL-4), and interleukin-17 (IL-17) are key cytokines involved in inflammation, adaptive immunity, and host defense. This study evaluated the ability of salivary components from Amblyomma sculptum and compared the results to the triatomine Rhodnius neglectus (used as control) to bind to IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-17, IFN-γ, and TNF-α using ELISA assays with human cytokines. Saliva samples were tested at dilutions of 1:25, 1:50, and 1:100. Saliva from A. sculptum, which demonstrated significant anti-cytokine activity, was fractionated via HPLC to identify the active components. The results confirmed the inhibitory capacity of A. sculptum saliva on IFN-γ, IL-4, and IL-17, with inhibition rates ranging from 30% to 70%, depending on the cytokine and dilution. No inhibitory activity was observed against IL-2, IL-6, IL-10, or TNF-α. These findings underscore the immunomodulatory role of A. sculptum saliva during tick feeding and suggest its potential for the development of novel immunobiologics to treat inflammatory and immune-mediated diseases. Full article

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of tactile stimulation on calf welfare. A total of 54 Nellore calves were assessed, with 28 of them receiving tactile stimulation (WTS) for ~60 s and 26 serving as a control. Five body movements and seven facial expressions were scored. Heart rates (HRs) were recorded in three situations: when the calves were placed in lateral recumbency (HR1), during identification procedures (HR2), and after completion of identification procedures (HR3). The differences between HR3 and HR1, as well as HR3 and HR2 were calculated. Initial and weaning weights were recorded, and ADG and weaning weights adjusted to 240 days were determined. Tactile stimulation significantly influenced “head movements”, “third eyelid” exposure, “eye-opening”, and “strained nostrils”. Except for “strained nostrils”, WTS calves exhibited higher scores in these behavioral categories. Treatment also influenced the difference between HR3 and HR2 (p < 0.05) and showed a trend for HR3 and the difference between HR3 and HR1 (p < 0.06). A qualitative behavior assessment (QBA) was applied using facial expressions. Two main principal components were identified, PC1 explaining 63.01% of the data variance and reflecting the calves’ emotionality, and PC2 explaining 19.88% and reflecting excitability. Most WTS calves displayed positive emotional states and high excitability, whereas most NTS calves exhibited the opposite. Treatment did not significantly impact PC1 and PC2 indexes and long-term performance indicators (p > 0.05). We conclude that tactile stimulation of newborn Nellore calves during their initial handling has the potential to enhance their short-term welfare, but only to a limited extent. Full article

Despite their potential impact on meat safety and occupational health, fungi are often underestimated contaminants in slaughterhouses. Moulds and yeasts may be associated with meat contamination in multiple processing stages, and mycotoxigenic species, such as Aspergillus, Fusarium, and Penicillium, pose food safety concerns. Bioaerosols may carry infectious fungi at the slaughterhouse that are capable of causing respiratory conditions and allergies. Chronic exposure to mycotoxins can have hepatotoxic, nephrotoxic, and carcinogenic effects in humans. While bacterial contamination in meat has been widely studied, fungal contamination remains overlooked due to limited evidence of immediate disease and the perception that its risks are lower than those of bacteria, which may contribute to insufficient research, awareness, and standardised surveillance protocols. This review compiles published data on the occurrence of fungi in slaughterhouses over the past twenty-five years. It highlights the primary mould and yeast isolated species, mainly identified based on morphological and microscopic characteristics, providing context for their role in meat safety and occupational health. The findings emphasise the need for improved risk assessment and fungal monitoring in meat plants. Standardised fungal detection and control protocols are also suggested for implementation to enhance meat safety and workplace conditions. Full article

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder linked to oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and neuroinflammation. This study evaluates the neurofunctional and immunomodulatory effects of an aqueous extract combining cocoa seed husk and guarana powder (GuaCa). Eighteen extracts were characterized by flavonoid and polyphenol content, antioxidant activity, and genoprotective potential. The HCE3 extract, rich in catechins, quercetin, and epigallocatechin gallate, was selected for further analysis in three models: Eisenia fetida earthworms, SH-SY5Y neuron-like cells, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from PD patients. Results: The extracts showed antioxidant and genoprotective activity and contained flavonoid. No significant toxicity was observed in Eisenia fetida. In SH-SY5Y cells, GuaCa increased cell viability and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels and reduced mitochondrial damage by lowering extracellular NDUSF7 (subunit of the NADH dehydrogenase (ubiquinone) complex) levels. In dPD-PBMCs cultures, GuaCa reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 levels, indicating immunomodulatory effects. Conclusion: GuaCa shows promise as a nutraceutical for managing neuroinflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction in PD. Further clinical studies are needed to confirm GuaCa extract efficacy and potential for neuroprotective dietary strategies. Full article

Microplastic pollution, particularly particles smaller than 5 mm, poses significant environmental and health risks due to their potential for inhalation and long-range transport. This study provides the first long-term assessment of airborne microplastics and fibers in Porto, Portugal, over 18 months (September 2022 to March 2024). Bi-weekly samples were collected using a Microplastic Collector NILU, which were size-fractionated into five categories (>125 μm, 125–63 μm, 63–25 μm, 25–12 μm, and 12–1.2 μm) and quantified via optical microscopy. Microplastic concentrations ranged from 26 to 1484 MPs/day/m², while fiber concentrations varied from 14 to 646 fibers/day/m². With a focus on the 12–1.2 μm size range due to their classifications as PM₁₀ and PM_2.5, the highest microplastic concentrations were 164 MPs/day/m² (12–1.2 μm) and 534 MPs/day/m² (25–12 μm). Recovery rates varied among polymers, with PP, PE-HD, and ABS showing high accuracy (75.9%) and PES significantly lower (26.5%). This study highlights the significant temporal variability in airborne microplastic and fiber pollution, correlations with meteorological parameters, and the need for ongoing monitoring and targeted mitigation strategies to address associated health risks. Full article

Oils and lipids help make water-insoluble drugs soluble by dispersing them in an aqueous medium with the help of a surfactant and enabling their absorption across the gut barrier. The emergence of microemulsions (thermodynamically stable), nanoemulsions (kinetically stable), and self-emulsifying drug delivery systems added unique characteristics that make them suitable for prolonged storage and controlled release. In the 1990s, solid-phase lipids were introduced to reduce drug leakage from nanoparticles and prolong drug release. Manipulating the structure of emulsions and solid lipid nanoparticles has enabled multifunctional nanoparticles and the loading of therapeutic macromolecules such as proteins, nucleic acid, vaccines, etc. Phospholipids and surfactants with a well-defined polar head and carbon chain have been used to prepare bilayer vesicles known as liposomes and niosomes, respectively. The increasing knowledge of targeting ligands and external factors to gain control over pharmacokinetics and the ever-increasing number of synthetic lipids are expected to make lipid nanoparticles and vesicular systems a preferred choice for the encapsulation and targeted delivery of therapeutic agents. This review discusses different lipids and oil-based nanoparticulate systems for the delivery of water-insoluble drugs. The salient features of each system are highlighted, and special emphasis is given to studies that compare them. Full article

Osteomyelitis is a significant cause of total carcass condemnation in pigs at the slaughterhouse. The decision for total condemnation of a pig carcass for osteomyelitis is often based on traditional perceptions of the risk of pyaemia, leading to controversy among Official Veterinarians (OV) in the industry. This review aims to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the etiopathogenesis of osteomyelitis in pigs, the microorganisms involved, and the risk factors. It also highlights the urgent need for a more uniform method to evaluate osteomyelitis cases, which could significantly reduce economic losses in the industry. Lesions originating from tail-biting, tail docking, castration, teeth resection, and raw management are described as risk factors for osteomyelitis. Osteomyelitis is caused by the entry of pathogens into the animal’s bloodstream through an open wound. Trueperella monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, and Streptococcus spp. are the most described pathogens. At slaughter, OVs condemn carcasses with osteomyelitis due to pyaemia. Signs of acute disease are essential to identify pyaemia cases. In chronic cases, total carcass condemnation can be avoided depending on the number of lesions and vertebrae affected. A clear overall image of the problem would help authorities in various countries adopt a more homogenous approach. Full article

Functionally Graded Materials (FGMs) can outperform their homogeneous counterparts. Advances in digitalization technologies, mainly additive manufacturing, have enabled the synthesis of materials with tailored properties and functionalities. Joining dissimilar metals to attain compositional grading is a relatively unexplored research area and holds great promise for engineering applications. Metallurgical challenges may arise; thus, a theoretical critical analysis is presented in this paper. A multidisciplinary methodology is proposed here to unify optimal design, multi-feed Wire-Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM), and image-based characterization methods to create structure-specific oriented FGM parts. Topology optimization is used to design FGMs. A beam under pure bending is used to explore the layer-wise FGM concept, which is also analytically validated. The challenges, limitations, and role of WAAM in creating FGM parts are discussed, along with the importance of numerical validation using full-field deformation data. As a result, a conceptual FGM engineering workflow is proposed at this stage, enabling digital data conversion regarding geometry and compositional grading. This is a step forward in processing in silico data, with a view to experimentally producing parts in future. An optimized FGM beam, revealing an optimal layout and a property gradient from iron to copper along the build direction (bottom–up) that significantly reduces the normal pure bending stresses (by 26%), is used as a case study to validate the proposed digital workflow. Full article

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in dogs is the most common chronic gastrointestinal disease in dogs. Its etiology evolves an aberrant immunological response towards food antigens and indigenous bacteria in the gut bacteria and, consequently, dysbiosis. Prebiotics provide substrates for the growth of beneficial bacteria and promote the production of beneficial fermentation products. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of oral supplementations of beta-glucans and mannanoligosaccharides (MOSs) over 60 days in fecal microbiota and fecal concentrations of fermentation products in dogs with mild IBD. Eighteen dogs with mild IBD were divided into three experimental groups in a blinded and randomized manner: A—dogs received 0.1% of a beta-glucan-based prebiotic, B—dogs received 0.1% of a MOS + beta-glucan-based prebiotic, and C—dogs received 0.1% of a placebo. Fecal microbiota was analyzed using the latest generation 16S rRNA sequencing (Illumina^®). Relative abundances of each taxon were analyzed using a generalized linear model, and fermentation products using a mixed model. A significance level of p was used. The prebiotics positively modulated the bacterial population of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. Treatment A improved alpha diversity and populations of beneficial bacteria. Beta-glucan supplementation for 60 days had beneficial effects on modulating intestinal microbiota in dogs with mild IBD. Full article

Cancer patients, prone to severe COVID-19, face immune challenges due to their disease and treatments. Identifying biomarkers, particularly extracellular vesicle (EV)-derived microRNAs (miRNAs), is vital for comprehending their response to COVID-19 vaccination. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate specific EV-miRNAs in the plasma of cancer patients under active treatment who received the COVID-19 booster vaccine. The selected miRNAs (EV-hsa-miR-7-5p, EV-hsa-miR-15b-5p, EV-hsa-miR-24-3p, EV-hsa-miR-145- 5p, and EV-hsa-miR-223-3p) are involved in regulating SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and cytokine release, making them potential biomarkers for vaccination response. The study involved 54 cancer patients. Plasma and serum samples were collected at pre-boost vaccination, and at 3 and 6 months post-boost vaccination. Anti-spike antibody levels were measured. Additionally, RNA was extracted from EVs isolated from plasma and the expression levels of miRNAs were assessed. The results showed a significantly positive antibody response after COVID-19 boost vaccination. The expression levels of EV-hsa-miR-7-5p, EV-hsa-miR-15b-5p, EV-hsa-miR-24-3p, and EV-hsa-miR-223-3p increased significantly after 6 months of COVID-19 booster vaccination. Interestingly, an increased expression of certain EV-hsa-miRNAs was positively correlated. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that these correlated miRNAs play a critical role in regulating the targets present in antiviral responses and cytokine production. These findings suggest that EV-hsa-miR-15b-5p, EV-hsa-miR-24-3p, and EV-hsa-miR-223-3p may be crucial in immune response induced by mRNA vaccines. Full article

Reducing the rotation period through thinning and changing planting spacing can influence the technological properties of wood, with little attention paid to the effects of these variables on the raw material, which limits its processing in the wood sector. This work aimed to evaluate the physical and mechanical properties of wood from Anadenanthera peregrina juveniles thinned in three planting spacings (3 m × 3 m, 4 m × 4 m, and 5 m × 5 m). The physical properties in the base-top and pith–shell directions and the mechanical properties of the samples were evaluated. The results indicate better technological properties for wood with larger spacings. The physical properties showed decreasing trends in the base-top direction and increasing trends in the pith-bark direction, with a distinct trend in the degree of collapse. The average basic density of the different planting spacings varied between 0.47 g cm⁻³ and 0.63 g cm⁻³. The mechanical properties obtained for the 4 m × 4 m spacing were superior to those of the other spacings. Wood from young A. peregrina is an alternative for industrial processing, as wood from higher planting densities is more suitable for purposes that require resistance and rigidity. Full article