http://hdl.handle.net/10174/584 Sat, 04 Apr 2026 13:30:08 GMT 2026-04-04T13:30:08Z http://hdl.handle.net/10174/36156 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. Fri, 01 Dec 2023 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10174/36156 2023-12-01T00:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10174/35660 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. Wed, 05 Jul 2023 23:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10174/35660 2023-07-05T23:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10174/34266 Title: Clinical usefulness of infrared thermography to detect sick animals: frequent and current cases Authors: Mota-Rojas, Daniel; Martinez-Burnes, Julio; Gomez-Prado, Jocelyn; Casas-Alvarado, Alejandro; Dominguez-Oliva, Adriana; Rodriguez-Gonzalez, Daniela; Pereira, Alfredo Abstract: Infrared thermography (IRT) is a tool that has been studied extensively in the experimental medical field as a method for assessing surface thermal responses under various conditions. These may involve local inflammatory processes resulting from surgical procedures, wounds, neoplasms, pathologies, painful events, or stressful states in animals. IRT measures changes in blood flow in surface blood capillaries and the resulting heat radiation. In the clinical field, thermography has been used as a support method for detecting painful conditions. However, some guidelines indicate that it could be applied for assessing and monitoring animals in rehabilitation to quantify objectively possible improvements in their quality of life. Similarly, IRT makes it possible to assess the degree of circulation in dermal tissue, suggesting that it could be used to determine the degree of damage in traumatized tissue in cases of thromboembolic diseases and burns. This would be useful to distinguish between damaged and healthy tissue and thus determine the optimal therapy for burn patients. This review aims to analyze scientific evidence on the clinical applications of IRT for detecting diseases and assessing painful conditions. A literature search on different databases was performed to recover articles related to the application of IRT as a complementary diagnostic tool, and its potential for assisting in rehabilitation, monitoring wounds, and evaluating body temperature in domestic animals. Sun, 21 Aug 2022 23:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10174/34266 2022-08-21T23:00:00Z http://hdl.handle.net/10174/34240 Title: Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) and Thermoregulation in Animals: Structural Biology and Neurophysiological Aspects Authors: Lezama-Garcia, Karina; Mota-Rojas, Daniel; Pereira, Alfredo; Martinez Burnes, Julio; Ghezi, Marcelo; Geraldo, Ana; Hernandez-Avalos, Ismael; Olmos-Hernandez, Adriana; Wang, Dehua Abstract: In this review, recent discoveries regarding transient receptor potential are discussed and analyzed to comprehend their role in the thermoregulatory mechanisms of animals. Understanding how these receptors are activated and the pathways through which they recognize specific thermal sensations (such as cold, warm, and hot temperatures) will help researchers verify their participation in inflammatory and pathological processes. Research on transient receptor potential and their functions is ongoing, and many current studies are designed to develop therapeutic approaches that will act directly on these receptors to improve the quality of life of non-human animals. Mon, 11 Jan 2021 00:00:00 GMT http://hdl.handle.net/10174/34240 2021-01-11T00:00:00Z