Molecular Identification and Characterization of a Novel Gammaherpesvirus in Wild Rabbits.

To date, five herpesviruses have been identified in Leporidae (LeHV-1, LeHV-2, LeHV-3, LeHV-4, and LeHV-5). Two of these have been shown to infect the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), causing either asymptomatic infection (LeHV-2, a gammaherpesvirus) or virulent disease (LeHV-4, an alphaherpesvirus). Unfortunately, apart from LeHV-4, for which complete genome sequences are available, molecular data on leporid herpesviruses are extremely limited, with no sequences available in public databases for LeHV-1 and LeHV-3, and only a few short sequences for LeHV-2 and LeHV-5.

Comprehensive Survey of PCV2 and PCV3 in Domestic Pigs and Wild Boars Across Portugal: Prevalence, Geographical Distribution and Genetic Diversity.

Porcine circoviruses are significant pathogens that affect swine populations worldwide, with implications for animal health and productivity. While PCV2 is well-documented, particularly due to widespread vaccination programs, PCV3 is less understood, and its epidemiological impact is still under investigation. This study screened for PCV2 and PCV3 in pigs and wild boars across Portugal to assess their prevalence.

Differential impacts of nickel toxicity: NiO and NiSO on skin health and barrier function.

Nickel is recognized as a potent skin sensitizer and a common cause of contact dermatitis. Nickel and its compounds are often associated with particulate matter in industrial settings. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of nickel oxide particulate matter (NiOPM) using in vitro skin models, and to compare the effects of NiSO topical application on healthy versus atopic dermatitis-sensitized skin.

Evidence of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus in livestock and wildlife in Northeastern Portugal.

Following the death of an 83-year-old man from the district of Bragança, in north-eastern Portugal due to Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), a serological survey was conducted to investigate domestic and wild ruminants. The survey included samples from cattle(n = 94), sheep(n = 30), goats(n = 4), and red deer(n = 10) collected within the affected region and neighboring areas where the human case was reported. CCHF antibodies were detected by ELISA in the serum of sheep, cattle and red deer, corresponding to seropositivity rates of 3.

Impact of Photoselective Nets on Phenolic Composition and Antioxidant Capacity in Different Apple Cultivars Under the Same Edaphoclimatic Conditions.

Phenolic compounds in apples provide significant health benefits, including antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. The phenolic profile and content in apples are influenced by genetics, environmental factors, and agricultural practices. Photoselective nets, which are designed to filter specific wavelengths of light, might impact fruit quality and phenolic content.

Assessing the efficacy of washing methods in reducing multi-pesticide residues in Brown, milled long, and milled basmati Rice.

Pesticides are vital for protecting crops from diseases but pose risks to human health and the environment, requiring careful evaluation. This study examines pesticide residues in rice and strategies for their removal. Brown, long-milled, and basmati-milled rice samples were spiked with 121 pesticides from different categories (e.

Rapid screening of fumonisins in maize using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and machine learning algorithms.

Fumonisins occurrence in maize represents a significant global challenge, impacting economic stability and food safety. This study evaluates the potential of near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy combined with chemometric algorithms to detect fumonisins in maize. For fumonisin B1 (FB1) and B2 (FB2) levels were developed predictive NIR models using partial least squares (PLS) and artificial neural networks (ANN).

Miniaturized QuEChERS extraction (μQuEChERS) combined with HPLC-MS/MS as new analytical method for determination of 105 residues of pesticides in fruit by-products extracts.

This study provides an improved approach to determining 105 pesticide residues in fruit by-product extracts, based on the miniaturization of the original QuEChERS (μQuEChERS) followed by HPLC-MS/MS. The methodology achieved good precision (RSD and RSD < 19 %) and accuracy, with recovery rates ranged from 90 % to 107 % and LOQ was 10 μg/kg, meeting the criteria presented in SANTE/11312/2021v2. The method was applied to various fruit by-products, including extracts from citrus pomace, sweet cherry pits, grape seeds, and date seeds, making this the first study to determine pesticide residues in by-products.

Tracking the Pathways of West Nile Virus: Phylogenetic and Phylogeographic Analysis of a 2024 Isolate from Portugal.

Birds are natural hosts for numerous zoonotic viral pathogens, including West Nile virus, which is transmitted by mosquitoes. During migration, birds can act as vectors for the geographic spread of viruses. WNV is endemic in Portugal, causing annual outbreaks, particularly in horses.

Fatal Bluetongue Virus Serotype 3 Infection in Female Dogs: A Case Report from Alentejo, Portugal, 2024.

The first official case of bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3) in Portugal was confirmed in sheep from the district of Évora in September 2024. Notably, mortality was observed in pregnant sheepdogs within the affected sheep flocks. This study presents four cases of pregnant dogs infected with BTV-3 in mid-September 2024, all of which aborted prior to death.

Validation of an HPLC-MS/MS method for the quantification of pesticide residues in Rice and assessment of the washing effect.

Unlabelled: A method was validated to determine 121 pesticide residues (carbamates, organophosphates, organochlorines, and pyrethroids) in rice samples, following the guidance document SANTE/11312/2021v2. QuEChERS method was selected for pesticide extraction, and the extract was analyzed by HPLC-MS/MS. The methodology demonstrated precision and accuracy, with recovery rates ranging from 70 % to 119 %.

Potential of fruit seeds: Exploring bioactives and ensuring food safety for sustainable management of food waste.

Sweet cherry pits, date seeds, and grape seeds are abundant fruit by-products in the Mediterranean region. Assessing their antioxidant capacity is crucial for their valorization. Grape and date seeds exhibited higher concentrations of total phenolic and flavonoid contents, and significant antioxidant capacity.

Unlocking the Potential of L.: Antioxidant Capacity and Phenolic Profile across Peel, Pulp, and Seeds.

L. is a traditional citrus fruit that is rich in bioactive compounds and has the potential to be used as a natural source of food additives. This study aims to evaluate the antioxidant capacity and characterize the phenolic compounds present in the peels (including flavedo and albedo), pulp, and seeds of citron.

Comparative Analysis of Maize Physico-Chemical Parameters and Mycotoxin Levels in Dual Environments.

Maize ( L.) stands as a vital staple food globally, holding significant nutritional and economic value. However, its susceptibility to mycotoxin contamination under stressful environmental conditions poses a considerable concern.

Molecular characterization of cetacean poxviruses along the coast of mainland Portugal.

Cetacean poxvirus (CePV) is the causative agent of tattoo skin disease (TSD) in dolphins, porpoises and whales, a condition characterized by pinhole, ring-like lesions or generalized tattoo-like skin lesions. This study genetically characterized cetacean poxviruses from stranded animals along mainland Portugal. Samples from skin lesions compatible with TSD were obtained from 4 odontocete species (Delphinus delphis, Stenella coeruleoalba, Phocoena phocoena, and Tursiops truncatus) and analyzed using a conventional PCR assay targeting the DNA polymerase gene partially.

Snapshot of the Phylogenetic Relationships among Avian Poxviruses Circulating in Portugal between 2017 and 2023.

Avipoxvirus (APV), a linear dsDNA virus belonging to the subfamily of the family , infects more than 278 species of domestic and wild birds. It is responsible for causing avian pox disease, characterized by its cutaneous and diphtheric forms. With a high transmission capacity, it can cause high economic losses and damage to the ecosystem.

The potential of citrus by-products in the development of functional food and active packaging.

Food by-product valorization has become an important research area for promoting the sustainability of the food chain. Citrus fruits are among the most widely cultivated fruit crops worldwide. Citrus by-products, including pomace, seeds, and peels (flavedo and albedo), are produced in large amounts each year.

Ergot Alkaloids on Cereals and Seeds: Analytical Methods, Occurrence, and Future Perspectives.

Ergot alkaloids are secondary metabolites resulting from fungi of the genus that have proven to be highly toxic. These mycotoxins commonly infect cereal crops such as wheat, rye, barley, and oats. Due to the increase worldwide consumption of cereal and cereal-based products, the presence of ergot alkaloids in food presents a concern for human safety.

Roles of the interaction with children and families in mediating the association between digital health literacy and well-being of early childhood teachers in Portugal: A cross-sectional study.

Aim: To analyze the associations between early childhood education (ECE) teachers´ digital health literacy (DHL) and well-being, and to determine whether the ECE teachers´ interaction with children and family mediated these associations.

Methods: A total of 853 early childhood teachers, predominantly women (99.4%) participated in this cross-sectional study.

Reopening ECEC Services for Children Under Three Amidst the Pandemic: Investigating the Association of Health Measures with Pedagogical Practices and Children's Well-being.

In Portugal, early childhood education and care services for children under-three were the first educational services to reopen after periods of lockdown. COVID-19 prevention and control measures had to be implemented nationwide, but no knowledge was yet produced on their impact in educational settings. This study aimed to map the implementation of COVID-19 prevention and control measures and examine associations among prevention and control measures, perceived changes to pedagogical practices and children's well-being in early childhood education and care services for children under three.

The Bright and Dark Sides of Herbal Infusions: Assessment of Antioxidant Capacity and Determination of Tropane Alkaloids.

Herbal infusions are highly popular beverages consumed daily due to their health benefits and antioxidant properties. However, the presence of plant toxins, such as tropane alkaloids, constitutes a recent health concern for herbal infusions. This work presents an optimized and validated methodology based on the QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged, and Safe) extraction procedure followed by Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography combined with Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC-ToF-MS) for the determination of tropane alkaloids (atropine, scopolamine, anisodamine, and homatropine) in herbal infusions, in accordance with criteria established by Commission Recommendation EU No.

Genome Characterization and Spaciotemporal Dispersal Analysis of Bagaza Virus Detected in Portugal, 2021.

In September 2021, Bagaza virus (BAGV), a member of the Ntaya group from the genus, was detected for the first time in Portugal, in the heart and the brain of a red-legged partridge found dead in a hunting ground in Serpa (Alentejo region; southern Portugal). Here we report the genomic characterization of the full-length sequence of the BAGV detected (BAGV/PT/2021), including phylogenetic reconstructions and spaciotemporal analyses. Phylogenies inferred from nucleotide sequence alignments, complemented with the analysis of amino acid alignments, indicated that the BAGV strain from Portugal is closely related to BAGV strains previously detected in Spain, suggesting a common ancestor that seems to have arrived in the Iberia Peninsula in the late 1990s to early 2000s.