http://hdl.handle.net/10174/584 2026-07-29T05:49:27Z 2026-07-29T05:49:27Z Mendonça, Madalena Damm, Anika Xia, Chongjing Vicente, Cláudia S.L. Eves-van den Akker, Sebastian Espada, Margarida http://hdl.handle.net/10174/42403 2026-07-28T10:55:41Z 2026-05-31T23:00:00Z

Title: A transcription factor-pair work in concert to regulate gene expression across the life cycle of the pinewood nematode, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus Authors: Mendonça, Madalena; Damm, Anika; Xia, Chongjing; Vicente, Cláudia S.L.; Eves-van den Akker, Sebastian; Espada, Margarida Abstract: The migratory endoparasitic pinewood nematode (PWN), Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, is the causal agent of pine wilt disease, causing significant economic and ecological losses in conifer forest ecosystems in Europe and Asia. Understanding the molecular mechanisms regulating PWN parasitism-related genes may lead to new sustainable solutions for control. Based on previous PWN transcriptomic datasets from the pre-parasitic and parasitic stages and from the pharyngeal gland cells (GC), an in silico analysis was performed to identify transcription factors (TF) highly expressed in the GC. Seven candidates TF genes were selected, and their spatial expression validated by in situ hybridisation. From those, two GC-expressed TFs, BXY_079 and BXY_022, each encoding zinc finger domains, were successfully knocked down by RNA interference. Transcriptomic data from silenced BXY_079 and BXY_022 TFs, analysed with existing life cycle specific transcriptomic data, showed that both TFs control genes expressed at similar times, by repressing male-related genes while activating genes expressed during the J3 and D3 stages, yet each represents the extreme of the others’ minor function. In addition to these common roles, BXY_079 also activates parasitism-related genes in the J2 stage. These BXY_079-activated parasitism-related genes predominantly encode proteins with lytic functions, including secreted peptidases and glycoside hydrolases. Consistent with their proposed role in parasitism, these genes are highly expressed during the parasitic juvenile stages and are likely involved in nematode feeding, tissue penetration, and migration within the host. In contrast, BXY_022 also represses the expression of several genes related to the reproduction system, such as major sperm proteins and cytosolic motility proteins, particularly in the adult male stage. Taken together, both dual-functional TFs work together, non-redundantly, to regulate gene expression across the life cycle, while each is additionally specialised to regulate diverse and distinct gene sets: ranging from genes implicated in lytic parasitic functions to sexual dimorphism.

2026-05-31T23:00:00Z Consentini, Carlos Prata, Alexandre Souza, Alexandre Carvalho, Paulo Ferreira, Tiago Gonzales, Bruno Carneiro, Tiago Belli, Rodrigo Melo, Leonardo Santos, Vanda Wiltbank, Milo Sartori, Roberto http://hdl.handle.net/10174/42251 2026-06-24T16:23:31Z 2026-05-31T23:00:00Z

Title: O primeiro serviço pós-parto é o carro-chefe da reprodução - e sabemos como dirigi-lo Authors: Consentini, Carlos; Prata, Alexandre; Souza, Alexandre; Carvalho, Paulo; Ferreira, Tiago; Gonzales, Bruno; Carneiro, Tiago; Belli, Rodrigo; Melo, Leonardo; Santos, Vanda; Wiltbank, Milo; Sartori, Roberto Editors: Fontes, Flávia Abstract: O objetivo do manejo reprodutivo é maximizar o número de vacas que emprenham no início da lactação, permitindo atingir um intervalo entre partos (IEP) adequado para cada sistema de produção. Para isso, a efi ciência reprodutiva deve ser constantemente monitorada por meio de indicadores-chave, com destaque para a taxa de serviço (TS), taxa de concepção (TC) e taxa de prenhez a cada 21 dias (TP21d). Esses indicadores são, em geral, mensurados em intervalos de 21 dias, utilizando softwares de gerenciamento ou planilhas específi cas adotadas pelos técnicos de campo.

2026-05-31T23:00:00Z Geraldes, Martim Cunha, Mónica Godinho, Carlos Lima, Ricardo Giovanetti, Marta Lourenço, José http://hdl.handle.net/10174/36156 2024-01-18T10:55:07Z 2023-12-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The historical ecological background of West Nile virus in Portugal provides One Health opportunities into the future Authors: Geraldes, Martim; Cunha, Mónica; Godinho, Carlos; Lima, Ricardo; Giovanetti, Marta; Lourenço, José Abstract: West Nile (WNV) is a zoonotic arbovirus with an expanding geographical range and epidemic activity in Europe. Not having yet experienced a human-associated epidemic, Portugal remains an outlier in the Mediterranean basin. In this study, we apply ecological niche modelling informed by WNV historical evidence (1969-2022) and a multitude of environmental variables from across Portugal. We identify that ecological backgrounds compatible with WNV historical circulation are mostly restricted to the south, characterized by a warmer and drier climate, high avian diversity, specific avian species and land types. We estimate WNV ecological suitability across the country, identifying overlaps with the distributions of the three relevant hosts (humans, birds, equines) for public and animal health. From this, we propose a category-based spatial framework providing first of a kind valuable insights for future WNV surveillance under the One Health nexus. We also forecast that climate trends alone will contribute to pushing adequate WNV ecological suitability northwards, toward regions with higher human density. This unique perspective on the past, present and future ecology of WNV addresses existing national knowledge gaps, enhances our understanding of the evolving emergence of WNV, and offers opportunities to prepare and respond to the first human-associated epidemic in Portugal.

2023-12-01T00:00:00Z Jung, Martin Alagador, Diogo Chapman, Melissa Hermoso, Virgilio Kujala, Heini O'Conoor, Loiuse Schinegger, Rafaela Verburg, Peter Visconti, Piero http://hdl.handle.net/10174/35660 2023-11-21T09:51:49Z 2023-07-05T23:00:00Z

Title: An assessment of the state of conservation planning in Europe Authors: Jung, Martin; Alagador, Diogo; Chapman, Melissa; Hermoso, Virgilio; Kujala, Heini; O'Conoor, Loiuse; Schinegger, Rafaela; Verburg, Peter; Visconti, Piero Abstract: Expanding and managing current habitat and species protection measures is at the heart of the European biodiversity strategy. A structured approach to gain insights into such issues is systematic conservation planning, which utilizes techniques from decision theory to identify places and actions that contribute most effectively to policy objectives given a set of constraints. Yet culturally and historically determined European landscapes make the implementation of any conservation plans challenging, requiring an analysis of synergies and trade-offs before implementation. In this work, we review the scientific literature for evidence of previous conservation planning approaches, highlighting recent advances and success stories. We find that the conceptual characteristics of European conservation planning studies likely reduced their potential in contributing to better-informed decisions. We outline pathways towards improving the uptake of decision theory and multi-criteria conservation planning at various scales, particularly highlighting the need for (a) open data and intuitive tools, (b) the integration of biodiversity-focused conservation planning with multiple objectives, (c) accounting of dynamic ecological processes and functions, and (d) better facilitation of entry-points and codesign practices of conservation planning scenarios with stakeholders. By adopting & improving these practices, European conservation planning might become more actionable and adaptable towards implementable policy outcomes.

2023-07-05T23:00:00Z