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Embryo developmental and morphokinetic patterns in the domestic cat (Felis catus): associations with maternal age and SRT1720 supplementation during oocyte in vitro maturation

Sun, 31 May 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Title: Embryo developmental and morphokinetic patterns in the domestic cat (Felis catus): associations with maternal age and SRT1720 supplementation during oocyte in vitro maturation Authors: Meco, Michele; Payan Carreira, Rita; Ochota, Małgorzata; Wojciech, Niżański Abstract: This study describes embryo developmental progression and morphokinetic patterns in embryos derived from oocytes of young and aged domestic cats, a model for endangered felids, using a time-lapse monitoring system. Because maternal aging is associated with reduced oocyte competence, possibly linked to mitochondrial dysfunction that may impair fertilization and embryo development, the potential influence of the SIRT1 activator SRT1720 during in vitro maturation on embryo developmental progression was also evaluated under these conditions. Oocytes from young (1.13 ± 0.79 years) and old (7.0 ± 1.10) cats were matured in vitro with SRT1720 (1-μM, 0.1-μM, and 0.05-μM) and without, followed by in vitro fertilization. 8-Day embryo in vitro culture was noninvasively monitored using the MIRI® time-lapse system. Embryos from aged cats exhibited accelerated progression up to the morula stage; in contrast, embryos from young cats showed faster progression at later preimplantation stages and reached the hatched blastocyst stage. In young queens, embryos exposed to 0.1-μM showed numerically higher first cleavage and morula formation rates than controls, while 1-μM was associated with altered first cleavage timing and short cell cycles. In older queens, 0.1-μM maintained cleavage timing patterns comparable to untreated embryos but fail to produce hatched blastocysts, whereas 1-μM yielded a single hatched blastocyst despite signs of altered cell cycle dynamics. Overall, SRT1720 supplementation did not significantly influence embryo development under the tested conditions. Morphokinetic monitoring provided descriptive observations suggesting distinct age-related developmental profiles. These findings provide baseline information on feline developmental kinetics and may support further investigation of metabolic modulators in feline assisted reproduction.

Raman Spectroscopy for Differentiating High- and Low-Grade Canine Cutaneous Mast Cell Tumours

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Title: Raman Spectroscopy for Differentiating High- and Low-Grade Canine Cutaneous Mast Cell Tumours Authors: Catarino, José; Silva, Ssusana; Novais, Susana; Santos, Joana; Payan Carreira, R; Faísca, Pedro; Reis, Joana Abstract: Canine cutaneous mast cell tumours (MCTs) demonstrate variable clinical behaviour. Histological grading remains the primary prognostic approach, but some low-grade tumours behave aggressively, and interobserver variability persists. This underscores the need for complementary and objective biomarkers. Raman spectroscopy (RS) is a non-destructive optical technique based on the inelastic scattering of monochromatic light capable of detecting subtle biochemical changes in tissues. This exploratory study evaluates whether RS could differentiate low-grade from high-grade cutaneous MCTs based on characteristic vibrational signatures. Eighteen canine cutaneous mast cell tumours were graded according to the Kiupel two-tier system, comprising 10 low-grade and 8 high-grade cases. Formalin-fixed tumour samples were analysed, yielding a total of 68 Raman spectra. Spectra were acquired with a 785 nm laser, pre-processed using baseline correction, and normalized to the 1007 cm−1 phenylalanine band. Data normality was tested with the Shapiro–Wilk test, and group comparisons used the Mann–Whitney U test (α = 0.05). The 1007 cm−1 band showed no significant difference between Low- and High-Grade tumours (p = 0.068), validating its use for normalization. Conversely, the 860 cm−1 tyrosine-associated band was significantly higher in high-grade tumours (p = 0.033). Ratios normalized to the 1007 cm−1 peak consistently discriminated between grades, with significantly higher values in low-grade tumours across multiple spectral regions—particularly 1007/1299 and 1007/1301–1320 (all p < 0.05). Overall, RS identified distinct biochemical fingerprints between tumour grades in canine cutaneous MCTs, especially in spectral regions associated with amino acids, lipids, and nucleic acids. These findings support the potential of RS as a complementary tool for MCT characterization and encourage further validation in larger cohorts with clinical outcome data.

BOOK DE ABSTRACTS e RELATOS DE CASO

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Title: BOOK DE ABSTRACTS e RELATOS DE CASO Authors: Mendes, Cláudia; Figueiredo, Luís; Marques, Maria do Céu; Goes, Margarida; Pedrosa, Miguel; Pires, Rute; Ferreira, Vanda; Pequito, Telmo Abstract: O presente eBook reúne os abstracts e relatos de caso apresentados no I Simpósio Cuidados de Saúde em Emergência e Urgência, promovido pela Escola Superior de Enfermagem São João de Deus da Universidade de Évora. A obra integra um conjunto de trabalhos desenvolvidos no âmbito da formação pós-graduada, refletindo experiências clínicas fundamentadas na evidência científica e na prática baseada em referenciais teóricos de enfermagem. Os casos apresentados abordam situações de elevada complexidade clínica, incluindo emergências cardiovasculares, neurológicas, traumáticas, alérgicas e respiratórias, evidenciando a importância da avaliação sistematizada, do raciocínio clínico, da tomada de decisão em tempo útil e da atuação interdisciplinar. Os diferentes contributos demonstram o papel determinante dos enfermeiros na prestação de cuidados à pessoa em situação crítica, desde o contexto pré-hospitalar até aos cuidados intensivos e à continuidade assistencial. Este volume constitui um recurso científico e pedagógico que promove a disseminação do conhecimento, a reflexão crítica e a valorização das boas práticas em cuidados de saúde de emergência e urgência, contribuindo para o desenvolvimento da enfermagem baseada na evidência e para a melhoria da qualidade e segurança dos cuidados.

Adolescent’s views of positive and negative influences of family on wellbeing

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 23:00:00 GMT

Title: Adolescent’s views of positive and negative influences of family on wellbeing Authors: Grácio, Luísa; Pires, Heldemerina; Alves, Sofia; Carapeto, Maria João Abstract: Psychological wellbeing is a central component of mental health during adolescence. A range of risk and protective factors influencing adolescents’ wellbeing and mental health have been systematically identified, with the family context frequently highlighted as a critical domain. This study aimed to examine the family-related factors that adolescents perceive as having either a positive or negative impact on their mental health. Data were collected via two open-ended questions in a paper-and-pencil questionnaire, in which 9th- to 12th-grade students were asked to describe how family influences adolescents’ wellbeing. Responses were analyzed using both qualitative and quantitative methods. The findings indicate that parental support (emotional, advice, academic), a favorable family environment, and the promotion of autonomy balanced with appropriate monitoring were frequently perceived as protective/promotive factors. In contrast, perceived risk factors included the absence of parental support, inadequate parental control, and inappropriate family environment. These results underscore adolescents’ recognition of the dual role that family (particularly parents) can play as both a source of risk and a protective/promotive influence on their wellbeing and mental health. The findings point to valuable directions for preventive interventions targeting parental roles in adolescent mental health.