Immunoprophylaxis with MV140 Is Effective in the Reduction of Urinary Tract Infections-A Prospective Real-Life Study.

Background/objectives: Urinary tract infections (UTI) represent a highly frequent and debilitating disease. Immunoactive prophylaxis, such as the polyvalent bacterial whole-cell-based sublingual vaccine MV140, have been developed to avoid antibiotic use. However, the effectiveness of this tool in the Portuguese population is still unknown.

Effect of exercise training on modulating the TH17/TREG imbalance in individuals with severe COPD: A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) induces an imbalance in T helper (Th) 17/regulatory T (Treg) cells that contributes to of the dysregulation of inflammation. Exercise training can modulate the immune response in healthy subjects.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the effects of exercise training on Th17/Treg responses and the differentiation of Treg phenotypes in individuals with COPD.

Outcome measures used in the evaluation of adult upper-limb prostheses - kinematic and functional aspects: A scoping review.

The abandonment rates of upper-limb (UL) prostheses are concerning and are related to limitations in the functional and kinematic aspects of the UL prosthesis. Evaluating the usability of prostheses is essential to make improvements in relation to these aspects and develop effective equipment and inform clinical results relevant to rehabilitation. The purpose of this scoping review is to explore the current state of the literature, the characteristics of studies on the topic, and the main parameters and instruments used to evaluate UL prosthesis, regarding kinematic and functional aspects.

From museum drawer to tree: Historical DNA phylogenomics clarifies the systematics of rare dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeinae) from museum collections.

Although several methods exist for extracting and sequencing historical DNA originating from dry-preserved insect specimens deposited in natural history museums, no consensus exists as to what is the optimal approach. We demonstrate that a customized, low-cost archival DNA extraction protocol (∼€10 per sample), in combination with Ultraconserved Elements (UCEs), is an effective tool for insect phylogenomic studies. We successfully tested our approach by sequencing DNA from scarab dung beetles preserved in both wet and dry collections, including unique primary type and rare historical specimens from internationally important natural history museums in London, Paris and Helsinki.

Exploring the Gastrointestinal Microbiome of Eurasian Griffon Vultures () Under Rehabilitation in Portugal and Their Potential Role as Reservoirs of Human and Animal Pathogens.

The Eurasian griffon vulture (), a widely distributed scavenger, plays a crucial role in ecosystem health by consuming decomposing carcasses. Scavengers have adapted to avoid disease from the rotting carrion they feed on, probably through a specialized gut microbiome. This study aimed to characterize the gut microbiome of (n = 8) present in two rehabilitation centers in mainland Portugal and evaluate their potential as reservoirs of pathogens.