Sandra Cavaco Gonçalves

Brucellosis is a neglected occupational zoonosis in Nigeria, driven by a large livestock sector and widespread exposure in high-risk settings. This systematic review and meta-analysis, conducted in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, synthesizes evidence from 2001 to 2025 to estimate group-specific occupational seroprevalence of brucellosis in Nigeria. We systematically searched PubMed, Scopus, Medline, Web of Science, African Journals Online, Embase, and Google Scholar, using ResearchGate as a supplementary source of gray literature, for studies reporting laboratory-confirmed human seroprevalence among occupational and nonoccupational comparator groups. We computed pooled estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using a random-effects (DerSimonian–Laird, logit-transformed) meta-analysis. The final corrected dataset comprises 15 studies from 10 named Nigerian states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), spanning 5 of Nigeria's 6 geopolitical zones (North-Central, North-East, North-West, South-East, South-West); no eligible studies from South-South. Overall pooled seroprevalence was 12.8% (95% CI: 8.6–18.6%; I² = 94.0%; raw seroprevalence: 13.6%, 477/3,508). Among nine occupational group studies, pooled seroprevalence was 13.7% (95% CI: 7.8–22.7%), with the highest among abattoir/slaughterhouse workers (27.2%, 95% CI: 21.3–34.1%), followed by livestock/cattle farmers (10.3%), nomadic herdsmen/pastoralists (10.0% and 0.7%, two divergent single- study estimates), and butchers (5.2%). Six non-occupational comparator studies pooled to 11.4% (95% CI: 6.1–20.5%), ranging from 3.8% among internally displaced persons to 28.7% among febrile/malaria patients in Enugu (South- East) and 19. 0% among women with miscarriage in Zaria. A high-quality-only sensitivity analysis (NOS ≥ 7/9) yielded 17.1% (95% CI: 11.0–25.7%). Key risk factors included handling aborted fetal tissue, raw dairy consumption, lack of personal protective equipment (PPE), and unregulated livestock migration. Abattoir workers remain the clearest, most robustly supported occupational risk group in the Nigerian evidence base and should be the priority target for mandatory PPE enforcement, targeted screening, and public health messaging.

This study investigates Brucella ceti infection in marine mammals stranded along the Lisbon and Tagus Valley coast between 2022 and mid-2024, marking the first report of Brucella presence in Portuguese waters. Out of 59 examined marine mammals, B. ceti was isolated in three common dolphins (5.1%), a prevalence rate consistent with previous studies from other coastlines. PCR-based detection indicated a higher infection rate (23.7%), suggesting an underestimation of the prevalence of B. ceti infection in this population. Multi-locus Sequence Typing (MLST) and Multiple-Locus Variable-Number Tandem-Repeat Analysis (MLVA) revealed distinct genetic profiles and close relationships to B. ceti strains from the Atlantic, supporting the hypothesis of specific host-adapted lineages in dolphins. Virulence genes, including those for host interaction (bspE, btpB) and intracellular survival (virB7, vceA), were consistent across isolates, highlighting the pathogenic potential. Additionally, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes, such as mprF and efflux proteins (bepC-G), were also identified. These findings underscore the need for further research and surveillance to understand B. ceti transmission, host range, and impacts on Atlantic cetaceans, as well as to develop effective diagnostic and management strategies to mitigate infection risks in marine environments.

This study investigates Brucella ceti infection in marine mammals stranded along the Lisbon and Tagus Valley coast between 2022 and mid-2024, marking the first report of Brucella presence in Portuguese waters. Out of 59 examined marine mammals, B. ceti was isolated in three common dolphins (5.1%), a prevalence rate consistent with previous studies from other coastlines. Pathological findings varied, with one dolphin exhibiting neurobrucellosis-like symptoms and others showing diverse clinical presentations, complicating diagnosis. PCR-based detection indicated a higher infection rate (23.7%), suggesting underestimation in prevalence due to sample preservation status. Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST) and Multiple-Locus Variable-Number Tandem-Repeat Analysis (MLVA) revealed distinct genetic profiles and close relationships to B. ceti strains from the Atlantic, supporting the hypothesis of specific host-adapted lineages in dolphins. These findings underscore the need for further research and surveillance to understand B. ceti transmission, host range, and impacts on Atlantic cetaceans, as well as to develop effective diagnostic and management strategies to mitigate infection risks in marine environments.

Preclinical trials are essential to test efficacious options to substitute the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disk. The contemporary absence of an ideal treatment for patients with severe TMJ disorders can be related to difficulties concerning the appropriate study design to conduct preclinical trials in the TMJ field. These difficulties can be associated with the use of heterogeneous animal models, the use of the contralateral TMJ as control, the absence of rigorous randomized controlled preclinical trials with blinded outcomes assessors, and difficulties involving multidisciplinary teams. This study aims to develop a new, reproducible, and effective study design for preclinical research in the TMJ domain, obtaining rigorous data related to (1) identify the impact of bilateral discectomy in black Merino sheep, (2) identify the impact of bilateral discopexy in black Merino sheep, and (3) identify the impact of three different bioengineering TMJ discs in black Merino sheep. A two-phase exploratory randomized controlled preclinical trial with blinded outcomes is proposed. In the first phase, nine sheep are randomized into three different surgical bilateral procedures: bilateral discectomy, bilateral discopexy, and sham surgery. In the second phase, nine sheep are randomized to bilaterally test three different TMJ bioengineering disk implants. The primary outcome is the histological gradation of TMJ. Secondary outcomes are imaging changes, absolute masticatory time, ruminant time per cycle, ruminant kinetics, ruminant area, and sheep weight. Previous preclinical studies in this field have used the contralateral unoperated side as a control, different animal models ranging from mice to a canine model, with nonrandomized, nonblinded and uncontrolled study designs and limited outcomes measures. The main goal of this exploratory preclinical protocol is to set a new standard for future preclinical trials in oromaxillofacial surgery, particularly in the TMJ field, by proposing a rigorous design in black Merino sheep. The authors also intend to test the feasibility of pilot outcomes. The authors expect to increase the quality of further studies in this field and to progress in future treatment options for patients undergoing surgery for TMJ disk replacement. The study has commenced, but it is too early to provide results or conclusions.

Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells have unique properties favorable to their use in clinical practice and have been studied for cardiac repair. However, these cells are larger than coronary microvessels and there is controversy about the risk of embolization and microinfarctions, which could jeopardize the safety and efficacy of intracoronary route for their delivery. The index of microcirculatory resistance (IMR) is an invasive method for quantitatively assessing the coronary microcirculation status. To examine heart microcirculation after intracoronary injection of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells with the index of microcirculatory resistance. Healthy swine were randomized to receive by intracoronary route either 30x10⁶ MSC or the same solution with no cells (1% human albumin/PBS) (placebo). Blinded operators took coronary pressure and flow measurements, prior to intracoronary infusion and at 5 and 30 minutes post-delivery. Coronary flow reserve (CFR) and the IMR were compared between groups. CFR and IMR were done with a variance within the 3 transit time measurements of 6% at rest and 11% at maximal hyperemia. After intracoronary infusion there were no significant differences in CFR. The IMR was significantly higher in MSC-injected animals (at 30 minutes, 14.2U vs. 8.8U, p = 0.02) and intragroup analysis showed a significant increase of 112% from baseline to 30 minutes after cell infusion, although no electrocardiographic changes or clinical deterioration were noted. Overall, this study provides definitive evidence of microcirculatory disruption upon intracoronary administration of mesenchymal stem/stromal cells, in a large animal model closely resembling human cardiac physiology, function and anatomy.

Avaliou-se a capacidade de ligação dos espermatozóides de carneiro ao ácido hialurónico (% HBS), no sémen fresco (FS) e refrigerado (CS) diluído com leite de vaca desnatado (CS-SM) e sémen refrigerado (CS-EY) ou e congelado (FTS-EY) diluído com um diluidor de tris-glicerol-gema de ovo. A % de HBS (espermatozóides móveis ligados/total de espermatozóides móveis) nos grupos FS e CS-SM foram semelhantes (73,6 % vs. 71,2 %), ambas significativamente superiores aos grupos CS-EY (25 %) e FTS-EY (29,7 %). A diferença entre os grupos CS-EY e FTS-EY não foi significativa. A percentagem de motilidade individual progressiva (IMS) mais baixa foi obtida no grupo FTS-EY (21,7 %), não havendo diferenças entre os grupos FS (63,3 %), CS-SM (55 %) e CS-EY (48,3 %). Verificou-se uma correlação positiva entre a IMS e a HBS (r= 0,62; p