http://hdl.handle.net/10174/1025 2026-04-03T23:17:12Z http://hdl.handle.net/10174/40110 Title: Adipose gene expression profiles in Northern Finncattle, Mirandesa cattle, Yakutian cattle and commercial Holstein cattle Authors: Ruvinskiy, Daniil; Amaral, Andreia; Weldenegodguad, Melak; Ammosov, Innokentyi; Honkatukia, Mervi; Heli, Lindeberg; Peippo, Jaana; Popov, Ruslan; Soppela, Paivi; Stammler, Florian; Uimari, Pekka; Ginja, Catarina; Kantanen, Juha; Pokharel, Kisun Abstract: The drastic change in global climate has led to in-depth studies of the geneticresources of native cattle adapted to challenging environments. Native cattle breeds may harbor unique genetic mechanisms that have enabled them adapt to their given environmental conditions. Adipose tissues are key factors in the regulation of metabolism and energy balance and are crucial for the molecular switches needed to adapt to rapid environmental and nutritional changes. The transcriptome landscape of four adipose tissues was used in this study to investigate the differential gene expression profiles in three local breeds, Yakutian cattle (Sakha Republic), Northern Finncattle (Finland), Mirandesa cattle (Portugal) and commercial Holstein cattle. A total of 26 animals (12 cows, 14 bulls) yielded 81 samples of perirenal adipose tissue (n = 26), metacarpal adipose tissue (n = 26), tailhead adipose tissue (n = 26) and prescapular adipose tissue (n = 3). More than 17,000 genes were expressed in our dataset. Principal component analysis of the normalized expression profiles revealed a differential expression profile of the metacarpal adipose tissue. We found that the genes upregulated in the metacarpal adipose tissue of Yakutian cattle, such as NR4A3, TEKT3, and FGGY, were associated with energy metabolism and response to cold temperatures. In Mirandesa cattle, the upregulated genes in perirenal adipose tissue were related to immune response and inflammation (AVPR2, CCN1, and IL6), while in Northern Finncattle, the upregulated genes appeared to be involved in various physiological processes, including energy metabolism (IGFBP2). According to the sex-based comparisons, the most interesting result was the upregulation of the TPRG1 gene in three tissues of Yakutian cattle females, suggesting that adaptation is related to feed efficiency. The highest number of differentially expressed genes was found between Yakutian cattle and Holstein, several of which were associated with immunity in Yakutian cattle, indicating potential differences in disease resistance and immunity between the two breeds. This study highlights the vast difference in gene expression profiles in adipose tissues among breeds from different climatic environments, most likely highlighting selective pressure and the potential significance of the uniquely important regulatory functions of metacarpal adipose tissue. 2024-09-26T23:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10174/40101 Title: Evaluation of multidrug-resistant bacteria and their molecular mechanisms found in small animal veterinary practices in Portugal Authors: Silva, Joana; Menezes, Juliana; Fernandes, Laura; Marques, Cátia; Costa, Sofia; Dorina, Timofte; Amaral, Andreia; Pomba, Constança Editors: Pirolo, mattia Abstract: Introduction: Intensive medical care provided in companion animal practices carries the potential risk of selecting and disseminating multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs). However, data on infection, prevention and control standards specific to small animal veterinary practices (SAVPs) remains limited. The goal of our work was to evaluate the environmental contamination and staff carriage by MDROs in veterinary practices across Portugal. Methods: Fourteen SAVPs were enrolled. Environmental samples were collected from critical areas such as operating room, wards and pre-operative area. Veterinary team members voluntarily gave nasal, hand and rectal swabs. All samples were screened for the presence of, including extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL)- and carbapenemase-producing Gram-negative bacteria and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus spp. (MRS). Whole-genome sequencing was performed for carbapenem resistant strains. Results: Environmental evaluation by surface swabs revealed that 6.5% (n=32/490) were contaminated with multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. OXA-23-producing Acinetobacter spp. (n=5) and IMP-8-producing Pseudomonas juntendi (n=2) strains were described on different locations of different SAVPs. Moreover, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (n=12) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n=3) strains were also found on multiple surfaces of different SAVPs. Three human samples (two rectal, one hand) had carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa strains by OprD mutations, while S. maltophilia strains were recovered from four samples (two rectal, two hands). One nasal swab was positive for carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae ST11. Only one SAVP surface was positive for the newly typed for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) ST9220-II. MRSA nasal carriage was found in 14% of samples (n=9/64), with an equal prevalence of ST22-IV and ST8-VI. As for hand samples, MRSA was present in 10.7% (n=4/38), with a predominance of ST8-VI. Discussion: These emerging data indicate that SAVPs may significantly contribute to the dissemination of MDROs. To address this, rigorous infection, prevention and control (IPC) measures should be implemented, alongside educational workshops directed to all veterinary staff as well as to veterinary and nursing students. 2025-05-04T23:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10174/40098 Title: Building a Portuguese coalition for biodiversity genomics Authors: Marques, João; Alves, Paulo; Amorim, Isabel; Lopes, Ricardo; Moura, Mónica; Meyers, Eugene; Sim-sim, Manuela; Sousa-Santos, Carla; Alves, Judite; Borges, Paulo; Brown, Thomas; Carneiro, Miguel; Carrapato, Carlos; Ceríaco, Luís; Ciofi, Cláudio; Silva, Luís; Diedericks, Genevieve; Amaral, Andreia Abstract: The diverse physiography of the Portuguese land and marine territory, spanning from continental Europe to the Atlantic archipelagos, has made it an important repository of biodiversity throughout the Pleistocene glacial cycles, leading to a remarkable diversity of species and ecosystems. This rich biodiversity is under threat from anthropogenic drivers, such as climate change, invasive species, land use changes, overexploitation, or pathogen (re)emergence. The inventory, characterisation, and study of biodiversity at inter- and intra-specific levels using genomics is crucial to promote its preservation and recovery by informing biodiversity conservation policies, management measures, and research. The participation of researchers from Portuguese institutions in the European Reference Genome Atlas (ERGA) initiative and its pilot effort to generate reference genomes for European biodiversity has reinforced the establishment of Biogenome Portugal. This nascent institutional network will connect the national community of researchers in genomics. Here, we describe the Portuguese contribution to ERGA’s pilot effort, which will generate high-quality reference genomes of six species from Portugal that are endemic, iconic, and/or endangered and include plants, insects, and vertebrates (fish, birds, and mammals) from mainland Portugal or the Azores islands. In addition, we outline the objectives of Biogenome Portugal, which aims to (i) promote scientific collaboration, (ii) contribute to advanced training, (iii) stimulate the participation of institutions and researchers based in Portugal in international biodiversity genomics initiatives, and (iv) contribute to the transfer of knowledge to stakeholders and engaging the public to preserve biodiversity. This initiative will strengthen biodiversity genomics research in Portugal and fuel the genomic inventory of Portuguese eukaryotic species. Such efforts will be critical to the conservation of the country’s rich biodiversity and will contribute to ERGA’s goal of generating reference genomes for European species. 2024-09-08T23:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10174/39939 Title: A Comprehensive Review of Bovine Colostrum Components and Selected Aspects Regarding Their Impact on Neonatal Calf Physiology Authors: Silva, Flávio; Silva, Severiano; Pereira, Alfredo; Cerqueira, Joaquim; Conceição, Cristina Editors: MDPI Abstract: Colostrum contains macro- and micronutrients necessary to meet the nutritional and energy requirements of the neonatal calf, bioactive components that intervene in several physiological aspects, and cells and microorganisms that modulate the calf’s immune system and gut microbiome. Colostrum is sometimes mistaken as transition milk, which, although more nutritive than whole milk, has a distinct biochemical composition. Furthermore, most research about colostrum quality and colostrum management focuses on the transfer of maternal IgG to the newborn calf. The remaining components of colostrum and transition milk have not received the same attention, despite their importance to the newborn animal. In this narrative review, a large body of literature on the components of bovine colostrum was reviewed. The variability of these components was summarized, emphasizing specific components that warrant deeper exploration. In addition, the effects of each component present in colostrum and transition milk on several key physiological aspects of the newborn calf are discussed. 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z