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Simple Summary: Advances in pain research challenge the concept that animals lack pain senses, showing that they have similar neural pathways to humans and experience pain similarly. Understanding brain circuits for effective pain control is crucial for adjusting pain control to individual patient responses and conditions. Pain management in oncological patients aims to lessen the impact of tumor cell development and its consequences on the immune system. Researchers have focused on improving algological approaches to better respond to patient needs, which requires a deeper understanding of how analgesics work, interact with other drugs, and affect patients' conditions. Opioids, although linked to tumor progression, remain the mainstay for managing oncologic pain. Advancements in understanding pain physiopathology have historically challenged animals' absence of pain senses. Studies have demonstrated that animals have comparable neural pain pathways, suggesting that cats and dogs likely experience pain similarly to humans. Understanding brain circuits for effective pain control has been crucial to adjusting pain management to the patient's individual responses and current condition. The refinement of analgesic strategies is necessary to better cater to the patient's demands. Cancer pain management searches to ascertain analgesic protocols that enhance patient well-being by minimizing or abolishing pain and reducing its impact on the immune system and cancer cells. Due to their ability to reduce nerve sensitivity, opioids are the mainstay for managing moderate and severe acute pain; however, despite their association with tumor progression, specific opioid agents have immune-protective properties and are considered safe alternatives to analgesia for cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: While most research on claw diseases focuses on dairy cattle, this study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of claw disorders in beef cattle in northeast Portugal. The investigation was an observational study carried out at two slaughterhouses, in which claw lesions were assessed according to the ICAR Claw Health Atlas. The influence of sex and age and the potential economic impact on hot carcass weight, carcass classification, and fat coverage were investigated. The results revealed a high animal prevalence of claw lesions (65.8%), with the primary lesions being of a non-infectious mechanical nature, including heel horn erosion, double sole, and asymmetric claws. The lesions found are consistent with the production method in the area under study, where beef cattle are raised in small, rustic premises with uneven floors and beds made of a mix of manure and plant material. Also, the impact of claw lesions on carcass characteristics (weight, classification, and fat deposition) was not evident. Thus, the presence of claw lesions in beef cattle raised under the conditions of this geographical area does not seem to cause a negative impact on both animal health and the farm economy. Claw diseases have a profound impact on cattle welfare, affecting behaviors such as grazing, rumination, rest, decubitus, and water consumption. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of claw lesions and classify them according to the ICAR Claw Health Atlas (International Committee of Animal Recording) in two slaughterhouses. The influence of claw lesions on carcass weight, classification, and fat deposition was also examined. Involving 343 crossbreed cattle from 103 different extensive or semi-intensive farms, this study found an animal prevalence of claw disorders at 65.8%, with a higher incidence in females (n = 207, 60.35%) compared to males (n = 136, 39.65%). Despite the observed prevalence, claw lesions were not influenced by age or sex (p > 0.05). The main claw lesions identified, including heel horn erosion, double sole, and asymmetric claw, were consistent with the cattle management practices in the study area. These cattle were raised in small, rustic premises with uneven floors, utilizing a mix of manure and plant material as bedding and lacking access to pasture. Also, no negative economic impact was detected concerning carcass weight, classification, or fat deposition. Consequently, it was concluded that the presence of claw lesions in beef cattle raised under the characteristic management of this geographical area does not adversely affect animal health or farm economics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This study aims to investigate the admission causes, outcomes, and mortality of vultures admitted to a wildlife rehabilitation centre and necropsy service in Northern Portugal. The data were obtained from the Rehabilitation of Wild Fauna archives centre of the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal. Over 17 years (2005–2022), 84 animals were admitted: 10 A. monachus, 69 G. fulvus, and 5 N. percnopterus. The main causes of admission to the centre were 80% (n = 63) unknown cause, 13% (n = 10) found debilitated, 6% (n = 5) vehicle collision, 4% (n = 3) captivity, 1% (n = 1) gunshot, and 1% (n = 1) electrocution. Most animals were admitted during the summer (45.2%) and autumn (36.9%). Analysis of outcome data showed that 73% (n = 58) of the animals that arrived alive at the centre could be rehabilitated and released back into the wild. Thirteen animals died during treatment and five were found dead. Portugal is the habitat of three species of vultures. According to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, Neophron percnopterus is an Endangered species, Aegypius monachus is nearly Threatened, and Gyps fulvus is of Least Concern. This study aims to investigate the admission causes, morbidity, and outcomes of vultures admitted to a wildlife rehabilitation centre and necropsy service in Northern Portugal. Over 17 years (2005–2022), 84 animals were admitted: 10 A. monachus, 69 G. fulvus, and 5 N. percnopterus. The main causes of admission to the centre were 80% (n = 63) unknown cause, 13% (n = 10) found debilitated, 6 % (n = 5) vehicle collision, 4% (n = 3) captivity, 1% (n = 1) gunshot, and 1% (n = 1) electrocution. Most animals were admitted during the summer (45.2%) and autumn (36.9%). Analysis of outcome data showed that 73% (n = 58) of the animals that arrived alive at the centre could be rehabilitated and released back into the wild. Thirteen animals died during treatment and five were found dead. This is the first time that such a lengthy study of results and mortality has been carried out for these species in Portugal. Although the data are limited, they can already provide some information about these populations, particularly for the endangered species that are so rare to observe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The animal cancer burden is essential for the translational value of companion animals in comparative oncology. The present work aims to describe, analyze, and compare frequencies and associations of tumors in dogs and cats based on the Animal Cancer Registry created by Vet-OncoNet. With 9079 registries, regarding 2019 and 2020, 81% (n = 7355) belonged to dogs. In comparison, cats have a general one-year right advance in the mean age of cancer diagnosis compared to dogs. The multivariate topography group analysis shows a distinct pattern between the two species: dogs have higher odds of cancer in the genito-urinary system, spleen, soft tissue tumors and skin, while cats show higher odds for tumors in the eyes, digestive organs, nasal cavity, lymph nodes, bones and mammary glands. Regarding morphologies, dogs are overrepresented in mast cell tumors (MCT), melanomas, and hemangiosarcomas. While cats are overrepresented in fibrosarcomas, lymphomas (T and B-cell), in malignant mammary tumors, and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Females have greater odds only in the mammary gland, with males having greater odds in six of twelve topographies. This study is the first outcome of continuous animal cancer registration studies in Portugal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was focused to gather the data available concerning the mortality of 440 wild animals admitted in the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre in Parque Biológico de Gaia from 2008-2017. Only the species with unfavorable conservation status according to the Portuguese Red Book of Vertebrates were included. The animals belonged to the classes Mammalia (5.68%), Aves (86.14%), Reptilia (7.95%), and Amphibia (0.22%), 19 different orders. Overall, the most common cause of death was trauma (72%), mainly due to an unknown origin (75.5%) and shooting (2.5%). The nontraumatic causes were mainly of unknown origin (n= 18.4%) and due to nutritional problems (4.7%). Amongst the identified pressures, the proximity to a high density of small and medium companies was the most significant. There were high coefficients of redetermination (R2>0.8) which relates pressures with endangered animals' mortality. It is, therefore, possible to conclude that according to our results human activity has an important impact on the mortality of these species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aim: Wild mammals are among the most threatened species of the world in large part due to human activity. In this work, we used the method of partial least squares-path modeling associated with a geographic information system to analyze the impact of anthropogenic pressures on the mortality of wild mammals. Materials and Methods: We collected the data related to the cause of death of native wild mammals admitted to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre of Parque Biológico de Gaia in Northern Portugal, during 10 years (2008-2017). Results: A total of 359 animals from 42 municipalities (rural and urban areas) were included in the study. The main cause of death was of traumatic origin. From the anthropogenic pressures included in the study, water reservoirs, small companies, and residential buildings were the ones that contributed the most to increase the mortality of traumatic and nontraumatic origin. This relation of cause-effect (mortality-anthropogenic pressures) was supported by the high coefficients of determination obtained (R2?0.8). Conclusion: The present results allow a general view on the reality of mammal's mortality in Northern Portugal. Furthermore, it could also constitute a valuable tool for the conservation of wild mammals in those areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies have described Spirocerca lupi-like nematodes in the stomach of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Europe. A phylogenetic analysis of those specimens using mitochondrial DNA and their morphological reexamination allowed their characterization as a different species, Spirocerca vulpis. Between the years of 2010 and 2017, roundworms were collected from seven red foxes of northeastern Portugal found at necropsy with nodular lesions on their stomach wall. Histopathological analysis of four foxes revealed granulomatous lesions of the gastric nodules. On morphological assessment, by light microscopy, nematodes revealed the presence of six triangular teeth-like buccal capsule structures, which are absent in S. lupi. Polymerase chain reaction was run to amplify a 551 bp partial fragment of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene. Sequences were 99% similar to S. vulpis (85% coverage) of red foxes from Spain and Bosnia and Herzegovina, 99% similar (99% coverage) to sequences of Spirocerca sp. of red foxes from Denmark and 93% similar (99% coverage) to S. lupi from South Africa. This is the first report of S. vulpis in foxes or any other host from Portugal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To describe the 6.5-year incidence and progression of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in a coastal town of central Portugal. Methods: Population-based cohort study. Participants underwent standardized interviews and ophthalmological examination. Color fundus photographs were graded according to the International Classification and Grading System for AMD and ARM. The crude and age-standardized incidence of early and late AMD was calculated, and progression was analyzed. Results: The 6.5-year cumulative incidence of early AMD was 10.7%, and of late AMD it was 0.8%. The incidence of early AMD was 7.2, 13.1 and 17.7% for participants aged 55–64, 65–74 and 75–84 years (p < 0.001). The late AMD incidence was 0.3, 0.9 and 2.8% for the corresponding age groups (p = 0.003). The age-standardized incidence was 10.8% (95% CI, 10.74–10.80%) for early and 1.0% (95% CI, 1.00–1.02%) for late AMD. The incidence of both neovascular AMD and geographic atrophy was 0.4%. Progression occurred in 17.2% of patients. Conclusion: The early AMD incidence in a coastal town of central Portugal was found to be similar to that of major epidemiological studies of European-descent populations; however, the incidence of late AMD was lower, and further analysis on risk factors will be conducted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vertebral osteomyelitis (VO) it is often a suppurative lesion that, in Portugal, represents the main cause of total condemnation of slaughtered finishing pigs. Based on the EU Meat Inspection legislation, meat from generalized VO cases presenting signs of pyemia should be declared unfit for human consumption. For that reason, the main objective of this study is to establish a classification scheme to differentiate between localized and generalized VO cases using macroscopic findings and validate it based on the presence of pyemia. To assist in, a combination of macroscopic characteristics of gross lesions (e.g., presence of pyaemia-related lesions (PRL), acute/chronic characteristics of VO) was used to create a classification scheme to differentiate between localized and generalized VO cases. The scheme was applied to 40 VO cases that had been totally condemned in an undifferentiated way. In those 40 cases, histopathological analysis was used to validate acute/chronic macro-criteria, and microbiological analysis was performed to identify the pyemia cases. From the 40 selected VO cases, 20 were macroscopically classified as chronic and 20 as acute. Cohen's kappa coefficient (κ = 0.80; p < 0.001), revealed a substantial agreement between macroscopic and histopathology classification. Microbiological analyses identified 13 pyemia cases (13/40; 32.5%). Among those, 12 were macroscopically classified as acute, this association being highly significant (p < 0.001). By using the proposed VO classification scheme, 14 possible cases out of 40 could have been spared from total condemnation. This scheme can be used to harmonize the classification of VO and meat inspection decisions in Portuguese abattoirs. The output would lead to avoidance of unnecessary carcasses condemnation (food waste/economic losses), under an evidence-based approach, without compromising food safety and public health as demanded by the EU Meat Inspection legislation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The Western European hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus (Linnaeus, 1758) is one of the most common mammals in urban areas. We collected data over 17 years (2002–2019) regarding outcomes and causes of mortality on this species from two of the main wildlife rehabilitation centers in the north of Portugal. A total of 740 animals were admitted; the majority were juveniles, with the highest admission rate occurring during summer (36.8%). The main cause of admission was debilitation (30.7%). Of the total number of individuals admitted to these centers, 66.6% were released successfully. The main cause of death was trauma of unknown origin (32.7%). This study aimed to analyze the admission causes, outcomes, primary causes of death, and main lesions observed in the post mortem examinations of Western European hedgehogs, Erinaceus europaeus (Linnaeus, 1758), in the north of Portugal. The data were obtained by consulting the records from the two main wildlife rehabilitation centers located in the north of Portugal (Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre of Parque Biologico de Gaia and the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre of the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro). Over 17 years (2002–2019) a total of 740 animals were admitted. Most of the animals were juveniles, with the highest number of admissions occurring during summer (36.8%) and spring (33.2%). The main reasons for admission were debilitation (30.7%) and random finds (28.4%). Of the total number of individuals admitted to these centers, 66.6% were successfully released back into the wild. The most relevant causes of death were trauma of unknown origin (32.7%), nontrauma causes of unknown origin (26.6%), and nutritional disorders (20.2%). The main lesions observed were related to trauma, including skeletal and skin lesions (fractures, hemorrhages, wounds) and organ damage, particularly to the lungs and liver. The hedgehog is a highly resilient and adaptable animal. The urban environment has many benefits for hedgehogs, yet the presence of humans can be harmful. In the future, the public needs to become even more involved in the activities of the wildlife centres, which will make a positive difference for these populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A free-living European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) adult female was admitted to the Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre of Parque Biológico de Gaia (Portugal), with severe breathing distress and poor body condition. Its neck was displaced 60 degrees caudally. During the post- mortem exam, an abscess in the cervical vertebras was observed. Paeniclostridium sordellii was the agent isolated from the purulent exudate that was removed from the lesion. This is the first reported case of P. sordellii associated osteomyelitis on the cervical vertebras, and the first time that this pathology is describe in this specie associated with this agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sarcocystis species are worldwide spread cyst-forming protozoa that can infect wild boar but little is known about the prevalence of these parasites. In this study we assessed the prevalence of Sarcocystis spp. infections in wild boars from northeastern Portugal, for which novel PCR testing assays targeting Sarcocystis genus, S. miescheriana and S. suihominis were implemented, and risk factors potentially associated with these infections were evaluated. Samples from muscle tissue, namely diaphragm ( n = 102), oesophagus ( n = 96) and heart ( n = 101), were collected from a total of 103 wild boar hunted between October 2011 and February 2012. Diaphragm muscle was used for the PCR detection of Sarcocystis nucleic acids since a higher proportion of samples showed the presence of cysts during histological examination. PCR assay targeting Sarcocystis genus yielded a 73.8% infection rate, which indicate a high level of exposure to these protozoan parasites among wild boars. These samples showed to be positive with the S. miescheriana -specific PCR assay and no sample was positive with the S. suihominis -specific assay, suggesting that a single species infecting wild boar is circulating in Portugal. These results were confirmed by the partial sequencing of the 18S rRNA gene amplified from selected samples from different geographic regions. Adults, young adults and female wild boars were found to be more likely infected. Hunters have an important role in the life cycle of S. miescheriana since potentially infected viscera and carcasses can be left behind promoting the protozoan dissemination to the scavenging final hosts. If hunting dogs bite and ingest infected meat they can perpetuate the life cycle of Sarcocystis spp. spreading oocysts or sporocysts in the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite advances in modern therapeutic strategies, cancer remains the second leading cause of death worldwide. Therefore, there is a constant need to develop more efficient anticancer targeting strategies. The anticancer therapeutic proprieties of medicinal plants and their bioactive compounds have been reported for several years, making natural extracts and/or compounds derived from these a promising source of novel anticancer agents. Sand dune plants are subjected to severe environmental stresses, leading to the development of adaptations, including the production of secondary metabolites with a wide range of bioactivities, such as: anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antiseptic, hypoglycaemic, hypotensive, antinociceptive, antioxidant and anticancer. Aim of the study : The anticancer potential of sand dune plants remains under-investigated, so this research describes the characterisation of the composition of bioactive EOs from sand-dune plants of Peniche (Portugal), and assessment of their activity in vitro and potential mechanism of action. EOs were extracted from six sand-dune species of plants from Peniche sand dunes: Crithmum maritimum L., Seseli tortuosum L., Artemisia campestris subsp. maritima (DC.) Arcang., Juniperus phoenicea var. turbinata (Guss.) Parl., Otanthus maritimus (L.) Hoffmanns. & Link, and Eryngium maritimum L.. EOs composition was fully characterised chemically using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The assessment of anticancer activity and mechanism of action was performed in vitro using breast and colorectal cancer 2D and 3D spheroid cell line models, through cell proliferation assay, western blotting analysis, and cell cycle analysis. EOs from the majority of the species tested (S. tortuosum , A. campestris subsp. maritima , O. maritimus , and E. maritimum) were mainly composed by hydrocarbon compounds (sequisterpenes and monoterpenes), showing antiproliferative activity in both 2D and 3D models. EO extracted from S. tortuosum and O. maritimus were identified as having the lowest IC 50 values for both cell lines when compared with the other species tested. Furthermore, this antiproliferative activity was associated with increased p21 expression and induction of apoptosis. The present study suggests that EOs extracted from S. tortuosum and O. maritimus present promising cytotoxic properties. Further evaluation of the extracts and their key components as potential anticancer agents should therefore be explored. Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sarcocystis is a genus of protozoa with a worldwide distribution infecting a wide range of animals, including humans. Wild boars can harbor at least two species of Sarcocystis, that is, the zoonotic Sarcocystis suihominis, using humans as definitive hosts, and Sarcocystis miescheriana, for which wild and domestic canids serve as definitive hosts. In Portugal, hunting holds significant economic and social importance, and wild boars are among the most appreciated hunted species. As the consumption of wild boar meat can expose humans to several foodborne pathogens, the presence of trained hunters can make a difference in ensuring animal health surveillance and food safety. Herein, we report the detection of macroscopic cystic lesions associated with S. miescheriana in a wild boar hunted for human consumption, resulting in carcass condemnation. To the best of the authors' knowledge, the presence of S. miescheriana in wild boar tissues has never been associated with macroscopic pathological alterations before. Although S. miescheriana cannot infect humans, carcasses affected by grossly visible pathological changes must be declared unfit for consumption. Therefore, our finding points out the potential economic damage associated with carcass rejection due to the presence of gross lesions associated with generalized sarcocystosis. Nonetheless, further studies are required to investigate these alterations that currently appear to be occasional findings., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: Respiratory diseases, including the multifactorial "swine respiratory disease complex," have a significant impact on swine production. Recently, a condition manifesting primarily in the trachea, known as hemorrhagic tracheitis syndrome (HTS), has been described in pigs. HTS is characterized by severe coughing and high mortality in finishing pigs., Case Description: This report presents the first case of HTS in an adult male pig from a Portuguese farm. The animal died without any previous clinical signs. Necropsy revealed significant thickening of the trachea. Fibrinous necrotic hemorrhagic tracheitis was identified through histopathological analysis, but no bacterial infectious agents were detected during microbiological examination., Conclusion: This case underscores the need for comprehensive research, including systematic necropsies and histopathological assessments, to understand the actual prevalence of the disease, elucidate the etiology, and develop effective interventions for HTS in swine productions., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest

Among the transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), chronic wasting disease (CWD) in cervids is now a rising concern in wildlife within Europe, after the detection of the first case in Norway in 2016, in a wild reindeer and until June 2022 a total of 34 cases were described in Norway, Sweden and Finland. The definite diagnosis is post-mortem , performed in target areas of the brain and lymph nodes. Samples are first screened using a rapid test and, if positive, confirmed by immunohistochemistry and Western immunoblotting. The study of the genetics of the prion protein gene, PRNP , has been proved to be a valuable tool for determining the relative susceptibility to TSEs. In the present study, the exon 3 of PRNP gene of 143 samples from red deer ( Cervus elaphus ) and fallow deer ( Dama dama ) of Portugal was analysed. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were found in red deer - codon A136A, codon T98A, codon Q226E - and no sequence variation was detected in fallow deer. The low genetic diversity found in our samples is compatible with previous studies in Europe. The comparison with results from North America suggests that the free-ranging deer from our study may present susceptibility to CWD, although lack of experimental data and the necessity of continuous survey are necessary to evaluate these populations.

A pedunculated cauliflower-like mass was detected on the left posterior limb of a subadult male red deer ( Cervus elaphus ) after a hunt in Portugal. Histologically the lesion was classified as cutaneous fibropapilloma. The identification of Cervus elaphus papillomavirus (CePV-1 variant) was based on sequencing of the L1 gene. The L2 sequence revealed a nine-nucleotide deletion, as already reported in the Italian and Hungarian CePV-1, further supporting the theory that this is a distinctive genomic characteristic of this viral variant, as this feature has been found in distinct cases from geographically distant countries. In addition, a coinfection with bovine papillomavirus was evidenced by amplification and sequencing of the E5 gene, confirming the ability of Delta papillomaviruses to cross-infect different animal species and providing more evidence that wildlife may act as reservoir for papillomaviruses affecting domestic species. Papillomavirus infection in red deer has been sporadically described in different European countries; in this work, we describe the identification of a CePV-1 variant infection associated with a red deer fibropapilloma in Portugal.