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- Lumpfish physiological response to chronic stressPublication . Lopes, Tiago da Santa; Costas, Benjamin; Ramos-Pinto, Lourenço; Reynolds, Patrick; Imsland, Albert K. D.; Fernandes, Jorge M. O.; Aragão, CláudiaIn this study, we explored the effects of chronic stress on lumpfish (Cyclopterus lumpus) physiological, immune response, health, and plasma free amino acids. 3 groups of lumpfish were exposed to 1-minute air exposure. 1 group was exposed to stress once per week, a second group exposed 2 times per week, and a third group exposed 4 times per week. The present study revealed significant alterations in immunity and increased nutritional demands, particularly the branched chain amino acids and lysine. Cortisol levels fluctuated, with significantly higher levels halfway through the experiment on the groups that were stressed more often. Though, by the end of the experiment, there were no significant differences in cortisol levels between groups. Regardless of stress exposure, cataract developed in virtually all sampled fish, pointing toward a potential dietary imbalance. A transient immunomodulation of stress was visible. While in early stages stress had an immune enhancing effect, as seen by the increase in plasma nitric oxide and peroxidase in the group most frequently exposed to stress, these differences were not apparent by the end of the experiment. Additionally, the worst health condition was found in this group. Our results underscore the complex interplay between stress, immunity and nutrition, highlighting the need for tailored dietary strategies and improved rearing practices.
- First report of Schlumbergera virus X infecting dragon fruit (Selenicereus spp.) in PortugalPublication . Tomás Marques, Natália; Trindade, Ana Rita; Duarte, AmilcarDragon fruit (Selenicereus spp.) is a fruit crop with a high commercial value. In recent years, there has been an increased interest in this crop in the southern region of Por tugal, with the introduction of new cultivars (Trindade et al. 2023). In June 2022, a survey was conducted to monitor the sanitary status of a plantation in Moncarapacho. Seven two- to three-year-old plants of Selenicereus stenopterus (F.A.C. Weber) D.R.Hunt × S. undatus (Haw.) D.R.Hunt cv. ‘Connie Mayer’ were sampled. The plants exhibited a range of symptoms on their cladodes, including systemic mottling, small irregular chlorotic spots which may also appear ring-shaped, and chlorotic patches. Total RNA was extracted from the symptomatic cladodes and one asymp tomatic plant. The RNA was subjected to reverse tran scription (RT)-PCR using Ribolock (Thermo Scientific, USA), M-MuLV Reverse Transcriptase (Roche, Sigma Aldrich), and Dream Taq DNA polymerase (Thermo Sci entific, USA). The degenerate primer pair Potex5Fw and Potex2RC (van der Vlugt and Berendsen 2002) were used for the amplification of a 584-bp sequence.
- Association between COVID-19 and the incidence of type 1 diabetes in Portugal – a registry studyPublication . Andersen, Morten Bjerregaard; Silva, Jessica Da; Diogo,. Rui; Claro, Ana Raquel; Ferro, Inês; Romana, Andreia; Rocha, Patrícia; Sá, Beatriz; Lobarinhas, Goreti; Rolim, Sara; Juhl, Claus Bogh; Højlund, Kurt; Fernandes, Isabel; Antunes, Sónia; Calha, Maria Manuela Félix; Gama, Guida; Amálio, Sofia; Figueiras, Mariana; Silva, Teresa; Rosado, Margarida; Ferrão, Estela; Arez, Luísa; Baptista, Ana; Ferreira, Adriana Martins; Alba, Diana; Godinho, Carlos; Leite, Ana Luísa; Lopes, Maria de Lurdes Afonso; Sampaio, Maria Lurdes; Caetano, Joana Serra; Carvalho, EugéniaBackground: Viral respiratory infections may precipitate type 1 diabetes (T1D). A possible association between the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus responsible for COVID-19, and the incidence of T1D is being determined. This study was carried out using Portuguese registries, aiming at examining temporal trends between COVID-19 and T1D.MethodsHospital data, comparing the incidence before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, from children and young adults diagnosed with new-onset T1D, was acquired beginning in 2017 and until the end of 2022. Data was obtained from nine different Portuguese hospital units. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, beginning in March 2020, was assessed comparing the annual numbers of new-onset T1D cases. The annual median levels of glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and fasting C-peptide at T1D diagnosis were compared. The annual number of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) episodes among new T1D cases was also assessed at two centers.ResultsIn total, data from 574 newly diagnosed T1D patients was analyzed, including 530 (92.3%) children. The mean ages for child and adult patients were 9.1 (SD 4.4) and 32.8 (SD 13.6) years, respectively. 57.8% (331/573) were male, one patient had unknown sex. The overall median (25-75 percentiles) levels of glucose, HbA1c and fasting C-peptide at diagnosis were 454 mg/dL (356-568), 11.8% (10.1-13.4) and 0.50 mu g/L (0.30-0.79), respectively. DKA at T1D diagnosis was present in 48.4% (76/157). For eight centers with complete 2018 to 2021 data (all calendar months), no overall significant increase in T1D cases was observed during the COVID-19 pandemic, i.e. 90 cases in 2018, 90 cases in 2019, 112 in 2020 and 100 in 2021 (P for trend = 0.36). Two of the centers, Faro (CHUA) and Dona Estef & acirc;nia (CHULC) hospitals, did however see an increase in T1D from 2019 to 2020. No significant changes in glucose (P = 0.32), HbA1c (P = 0.68), fasting C-peptide (P = 0.20) or DKA frequency (P = 0.68) at the time of T1D diagnosis were observed over the entire study period.ConclusionThe T1D incidence did not increase significantly, when comparing the years before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, nor did key metabolic parameters or number of DKA episodes change.