Central Region Of Portugal Research Articles

Whooping cough – a recurrent epidemic

Abstract Background Whooping cough (WC), or Pertussis, is a vaccine-preventable and highly contagious infectious disease. Although it has a relatively low fatality rate, approximately 13% of reported cases develop secondary bacterial pneumonia. This was because of several recurrent epidemics across Europe in the last decades, with the latest beginning in mid-2023 and still ongoing. The Central Region of Portugal is currently being affected, and this study aims to describe the current epidemic at the regional level. Methods Data from epidemiological inquiries of confirmed and probable cases of WC pertaining to the Central Region of Portugal from January 2020 till April 2024 was gathered from the mandatory report national epidemiological surveillance system (SINAVE). Both a temporal comparison of number of cases and a statistical space-time scan with permutation were conducted (software SaTScan v10.) Results A comparison by month of reported cases shows an increase in cases from September 2023 until December 2023 followed by an exponential increase from January 2024 until April 2024 denoting an ongoing epidemic. In the statistical space-time analysis of 107 reported cases between September 2023 and April 2024, 8 nonsignificant clusters were identified with different locations involved in non-overlapping periods. Conclusions The finding of several unrelated clusters, even though nonsignificant, during a short time period indicates that Pertussis transmission is ongoing at the local level probably through asymptomatic or barely symptomatic cases that act as reservoirs. Clinicians must hold a high clinical suspicion for a timely diagnosis, treatment and report and health authorities must reinforce control measures to limit the spread of this disease. Key messages • Pertussis remains a disease of significant concern recurrent outbreaks across Europe show that public health local authorities have an important role in timely management of cases and outbreaks. • Local level transmission and intervention may play a pivotal role in the epidemiologic dynamic of Pertussis.

Assessing the Occurrence of Carbapenemase Producers Using Marine Animals as Sentinel Species

Carbapenemase-producing (CP) strains represent a substantial global threat, deactivating carbapenems and conferring resistance to β-lactam antibiotics. They can spread across various environments, yet data on their presence in marine animals are sparse. This study aimed to assess the occurrence of carbapenemase-producing strains in wild marine animals and to analyse their antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles to crucial antimicrobials and heavy metals frequently encountered in the marine environment due to anthropogenicactivity. A total of 28 samples were obtained from a fish auction in the Centre Region of Portugal. Non-fermenting bacilli (NFB) was isolated from the visceral content of wild marine animals. Identification of isolates was achieved through PCR-based amplification of the 16S rRNA gene, followed by sequencing. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was conducted according to EUCAST guidelines, covering nine antimicrobials. Research of carbapenemases and metal tolerance genes was conducted by PCR, and statistical analysis utilized the Fisher’s exact test. Pseudomonas spp. and Aeromonas spp., among other isolates were identified (n=47/9/7, respectively). Susceptibility profiles showed 100% resistance or intermediate resistance to ticarcillin, piperacillin, piperacillin-tazobactam, ceftazidime, ciprofloxacin, and imipenem (n=63/63), while 27% were resistant to meropenem (n=17/63) and 13% to tobramycin (n=8/63). All of them exhibited susceptibility to amikacin and carried multidrug resistance (MDR) profiles, including heavy metal genes (merA and silA). None harboured the carbapenemase genes searched (blaKPC, blaGES, blaIMP, blaNDM or/and blaVIM). In this study, MDR profiles to clinically important antimicrobials were observed, including to carbapenems. However, no carbapenemase-producing strains were identified, suggesting the presence of other genes or alternative mechanisms of resistance. These findings underscore the importance of monitoring AMR in marine ecosystems, particularly given its close ties to the food chain.

The impact of accessibility changes on local development: A spatial approach

Throughout the years, the European Commission has allocated significant financial resources to road infrastructure construction, based on the belief that it would boost, socioeconomic development. However, literature evidence shows it is not consensual whether those investment policies will yield the expected outcomes. The main goal of this work is to shed light on where, and to what extent, accessibility changes due to road infrastructure construction might contribute to boost socioeconomic development at the municipal scale and regional cohesion, resorting to a case study consisting of the municipalities located in the Center Region of Portugal. The analysis uses spatial statistical methods and considers both space and time-lagged variables simultaneously, while controlling for endogeneity, spatial autocorrelation and demographic variables. Results show that accessibility changes induced by 20 years of road infrastructure construction had, in general, a positive impact on the development of the Center Region municipalities. However, depending on how accessibility is defined, negative impacts were also reported, as well as impacts that depend on geographic location. It is suggested that these latter impacts might be related to population migration within the Center Region. Concerning cohesion, no significant impacts of accessibility changes were found.

A qualitative study of older adults: The difficulties and needs of returning home after hip fractures

BackgroundFalls and consequent fractures are an increasing problem among older adults, with low rates of return to previous functional condition and a substantial risk of subsequent falls. This scenario points to the need for an improved response to this population's needs. ObjectiveTo define the difficulties and needs felt by older adults with hip fractures when returning home. MethodsThis was a descriptive and exploratory qualitative study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with hip fracture patients who had been submitted to surgery and who were treated at a hospital in the central region of Portugal. Bardin's content analysis was used to analyze the data. Content analysis was carried out with the support of MAXQDA® Analytic pro 2022 software. ResultsThe analysis of the results of the 15 interviews yielded three categories related to the difficulties perceived by hip fracture patients on returning home: functional limitations; pain; and emotional management. Regarding the needs felt, the following categories emerged: resources/help with activities of daily living; capacity-building for the return home; and information. ConclusionsThe needs and difficulties of older adults with hip fractures on returning home are multiple and variable. Knowledge of these aspects can significantly enhance the standardized actions of nurses in this area of intervention, contributing to the improvement of continuity of care and ensuring a safe transition.

Prevalence, sociodemographic risk factors, and coverage of myopia correction among adolescent students in the central region of Portugal

BackgroundKnowing the prevalence of myopia at school age is essential to implement preventive measures and appropriate interventions, ensure access to vision care, promote a healthier educational environment and improve academic performance. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of myopia and its associated sociodemographic risk factors, as well as to estimate the coverage of myopia correction among adolescents in center of Portugal.MethodsThis cross-sectional study evaluated 1115 adolescents from the 5th to the 9th year of school, with an average of 12.9 years (SD = 1.5) ranging from 10.0 to 18.0 years. Optometric evaluations were carried out in a school environment and consisted of the evaluation of distance visual acuity, assessed using a logarithmic visual acuity chart (ETDRS charts 1 and 2) at 4 m, and measured by refractive error with a pediatric autorefractometer (Plusoptix), by non-cycloplegic. Myopia was defined as spherical equivalent (SE ≤ -0.50 diopter (D)) and uncorrected visual acuity (UVA ≤ 95VAR). Adjusted logistic regression analysis was applied to investigate risk factors.ResultsWe found a myopia rate of 21.5% and a high myopia rate of 1.4%. Higher school level and attendance at urban schools were associated with myopia, but no association was found with age or sex. Only 34.6% of myopic adolescents use the best optical correction and 26.4% do not use any type of optical correction.ConclusionsData on the prevalence of refractive problems in Portugal are scarce and heterogeneous. This study, although regional, provides a valuable contribution with a clear and reproducible methodology, following international guidelines and filling gaps in the existing literature. The results show that the rate of myopia in this age group is similar to reports from other European studies. The high rate of adolescents with uncorrected or under-corrected myopia in Portugal is a problem that deserves attention.

Serological and Molecular Survey of Hepatitis E Virus in Small Ruminants from Central Portugal

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is currently recognized as an emerging problem and a growing concern for public health in developed countries, with HEV infections mainly attributable to foodborne transmission of HEV-3. The zoonotic HEV genotype 3 infects a wide range of mammalian hosts, with swine considered as the primary host. This study investigates the occurrence of HEV among small ruminants in Portugal. The primary aim of the present research was to evaluate the circulation and the potential for HEV infection among sheep and goats. A total of 400 bile samples and 493 blood samples were collected from sheep and goats at a slaughterhouse in the center region of Portugal, between January 2022 and March 2023. The HEV RNA detection in bile samples was performed using a nested broad-spectrum RT-PCR targeting the ORF1 region. Serological analysis to detect anti-HEV antibodies was conducted using a commercial double-antigen sandwich multi-species ELISA. The HEV RNA was not detected in any bile samples using the nested broad-spectrum RT-PCR. Serological analysis revealed an overall HEV antibody seroprevalence of 2% (10/493, 95% CI: 0.98–3.70) among the small ruminants, namely 2.2% in goats and 2.0% in sheep. Curiously, no statistically significant association among the factors, age, sex and species and HEV seroprevalence was observed. Although HEV RNA was not detected in the bile of sheep and goats, this study the evidence of seroprevalence in these small ruminant species. Further research could provide additional insights into the factors influencing HEV transmission dynamics in small ruminants in Portugal and its potential implications for public health.

Adobe Blocks Reinforced with Vegetal Fibres: Mechanical and Thermal Characterisation

The present study is based on the characterisation of adobe blocks of the central region of Portugal. It is recognised that the safeguarding of the existing building stock of constructions in the traditional adobe construction technique, through different levels interventions, should also preserve the historical and cultural identity of the area as well as the traditional construction techniques, starting from the ground itself. Soil, as a repository of valuable information on the history of the site, underpins the conservation and preservation process. However, the soil is a local expression of the site, and a precise knowledge of its characteristics is necessary to hypothesise building recovery strategies. For this reason, the characteristics of adobe blocks from old buildings in the village of Torres in Anadia, in a rural area that has not yet been the subject of scientific research, were evaluated. These adobe blocks were taken from the buildings to be used in the laboratory to determine the similar mixing rates for the new adobe mixtures by analysing the material’s chemical, physical, mechanical, and thermal properties, as well as its particle size distribution. In the study area, a wetland was identified characterised by a notable presence of vegetation, namely bunho and junco (Schoenoplectus lacustris L.). These fibres, which can be assimilated to Typha, are wild aquatic plants that can impair the biodiversity of wetlands but which, used as reinforcement for the production of adobe bricks, can stimulate new, more sustainable forms of economy in in the area, which is classified as rural. The fibres were divided into two groups of 10–30 mm and 30–60 mm in length, and compositions with an additional 1 to 3% of fibres were formulated. This experimental approach was useful for understanding how the length and quantity of these fibres influence the performance of the material, thus contributing to improving knowledge about the behaviour of adobe blocks in relation to the incorporation of vegetable fibre reinforcement. The research findings reveal that the length of the fibres and percentage of incorporation have a significant impact on the mechanical behavior of the material, particularly in relation to its compressive strength up to 50%. The tested formulations were also assessed with respect to capillarity, for which most of the formulations were classified as weakly capillary, with a capillary index (Cb) of less than 20. With respect to thermal conductivity, the incorporation of fibres led to a reduction of up to 20%. The characterisations demonstrate that the optimisation of adobe is the initial stage in attaining comprehensive insight into the heritage of traditional construction in the central region of Portugal, with a particular focus on the village of Torres and the ancient adobe construction technique.

The Role of Field Measurements of Fine Dead Fuel Moisture Content in the Canadian Fire Weather Index System—A Study Case in the Central Region of Portugal

The Canadian Fire Weather Index System (CFWIS), empirically developed for forests in Canada, estimates the fuel moisture content (mf) at different depths and loads through meteorological parameters. While it is often suggested that adapting an existing fire danger rating system like CFWIS for a new environment requires developing new relationships or modifying existing ones, it is worth considering if such adaptations are always necessary. Based on a dataset of field measurements for surface litter (Pinus pinaster) carried out in the central region of Portugal (2014–2023), we propose a correction of mf based on the Fine Fuel Moisture Code (FFMC) of the CFWIS. This moisture correction was used to determine the Initial Spread Index (ISI) directly and, subsequently, the Fire Weather Index (FWI). Fire records from the study region were used to analyze the performance of the corrected indices. We found that the moisture correction led to higher values and potentially more accurate indices under dry conditions but did not provide a significant improvement in predicting the number of fires and burned areas compared to the original indices. The results suggest that, in relation to fire activity, the CFWIS is sufficiently robust to variations in the fuel moisture content in the study region.

Occurrence of tail docking and tail biting in weaner pigs—A preliminary study in Portuguese abattoirs

EU legislation forbids the systematic use of tail docking. Tail-biting is a welfare problem in swine production, including weaners. In Portugal, like in Spain, Greece, Italy, Croatia, and Serbia the transport of five-week-old pigs to the abattoir is a common practice. This study aimed to evaluate the occurrence of tail docking and tail-biting in weaners and associate it with the farm of origin/grouping centre and meat inspection results. Weaners were observed at 6 abattoirs in the Central Region of Portugal. Origin, docking status, tail lesions, and carcass condemnation were recorded during post-mortem inspection. A total of 15,863 weaners were assessed, 12.6 % came from assembly centres, 22 % with docked tails, 21.5 % with tail lesions, and 60 weaners were condemned. Tail-biting lesions were significantly associated with having an undocked tail. This association was stronger if the weaners came from intermediate assembly centres compared to weaners that came directly from the farm (AOR = 5.642, 95 %CI 2.885 to 11.030, P = 0.017 versus AOR = 1.403, 95 %CI 1.062 to 1.853, P < 0.001). The rate of carcass condemnations was higher among weaners presenting tail lesions (6.15 versus 3.13/1000 in weaners without tail lesion). The most frequent cause of condemnation was polyarthritis/purulent arthritis (1.6 per 1000 weaners). Our study shows that tail-docking is still practiced, and having the tails undocked is an additional vulnerability in what concerns tail-biting, especially in those weaners that do not go directly from the farm to the abattoir, with intermediate stops at assembly centres. New regulation is needed that takes into account this further deterioration in animal welfare.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on antidepressant consumption in the Central region of Portugal: interrupted time series.

To evaluate the impact of the pandemic on the consumption of antidepressive agents in Central Portugal. To estimate the causal effect of the pandemic an interrupted time series analysis was conducted. Data of antidepressant drugs monthly dispensed in community pharmacies between Jan-2010 and Dec-2021 were provided by the regional Health Administration. Anti-Parkinson dopaminergic agents and statins, theoretically not influenced by COVID-19 pandemics, were used as comparator series. The number of packages was converted into defined daily doses and presented as defined daily doses/1000 inhabitants/day. A Bayesian structural time-series model with CausalImpact on R/RStudio was used to predict the counterfactual. Analyses with different geographical granularity (9 sub-regions and 78 municipalities) were performed. When compared to counterfactual, regional consumption non-significantly increased after the pandemic declaration, with a relative effect of + 1.30% [95%CI -1.6%:4.2%]. When increasing the granularity, differences appeared between sub-region with significant increases in Baixo Mondego + 6.5% [1.4%:11.0%], Guarda + 4.4% [1.1%:7.7%] or Cova da Beira + 4.1% [0.17%:8.3%], but non-significant variation in the remaining 6 sub-regions. Differences are more obvious at municipality level, ranging from increases of + 37.00% [32.00%:42.00%] to decreases of -11.00% [-17.00%:-4.20%]. Relative impact positively correlated with percentage of elderly in the municipality (r = 0.301; p = 0.007), and negatively with population density (r=-0.243; p = 0.032). No other predicting variables were found. Antidepressant consumption suffered very slight variations at regional level after the COVID-19 pandemic declaration. Analysis with higher granularity allowed identifying municipalities with higher impact (increase or decrease). The absence of clear association patterns suggests other causal hypotheses of the differences.

“Not Even Hell Must Look like This”—Print Media Narratives about the October 2017 Wildfires in Portuguese Public-Managed Forests

The unprecedented wildfires of 2017 in Portugal, particularly affecting the Centre Region, resulted in more than 100 deaths and numerous other dramatic socioeconomic and environmental impacts. Due to the unparalleled magnitude of these events, the extent of the burned area, and the catastrophic consequences, forest and fire management were placed at the center stage of public and political concerns, receiving wide mass media attention and amplification likely to shape public opinion and influence policy decisions. Through a quasi-qualitative content analysis approach, this article focuses on the media narratives conveyed by the news issued over two years (N = 1056) by eight newspapers of different periodicities and geographical scopes regarding the wildfires of October 2017 in the Matas do Litoral—coastal public-managed forest areas located in the Centre Region of Portugal. The analysis focuses on three main dimensions: the agents and actors mentioned and their power-related positions, the geographical coverage of the newspapers, and the relevance ascribed to emotions and feelings in the media narratives about the wildfires. The results demonstrate the relevance attributed in media narratives to the views of institutional agents and the negligence of local people’s voices. When particularly highlighting the material impacts of the wildfires, media narratives tended to focus less on people’s emotions and other non-tangible issues. The variation in these narratives according to the geographical scope of the newspapers and the publication time of the news strongly points out the need to address the heterogeneous character of the media coverage of wildfires.

Prehospital Care Times and Interventions for Victims of Major Trauma in the Central Region of Portugal: A Retrospective Study

The quality and promptness of prehospital care for major trauma patients are vital in order to lower their high mortality rate. However, the effectiveness of this response in Portugal is unknown. The objective of this study was to analyze response times and interventions for major trauma patients in the central region of Portugal. This was a retrospective, descriptive study, using the 2022 clinical records of the National Institute of Medical Emergency's differentiated resources. Cases of death prior to arrival at the hospital and other non-transport situations were excluded. Five-time intervals were determined, among which are the response time (T1, between activation and arrival at the scene), on-scene time (T2), and transportation time (T5; between the decision to transport and arrival at the emergency service). For each ambulance type, averages and dispersion times were calculated, as well as the proportion of cases in which the nationally and internationally recommended times were met. The frequency of recording six key interventions was also assessed. Of the 3366 records, 602 were eliminated (384 due to death), resulting in 2764 cases: nurse-technician ambulance (SIV) = 36.0%, physician- nurse ambulance (VMER) = 62.2% and physician-nurse helicopter = 1.8%. In a very large number of records, it was not possible to determine prehospital care times: for example, transport time (T5) could be determined in only 29%, 13% and 8% of cases, respectively for SIV, VMER and helicopter. The recommended time for stabilization (T2 ≤ 20 min) was met in 19.8% (SIV), 36.5% (VMER) and 18.2% (helicopter). Time to hospital (T5 ≤ 45 min) was achieved in 80.0% (SIV), 93.1% (VMER) and 75.0% (helicopter) of the records. The administration of analgesia (42% in SIV) and measures to prevent hypothermia (23.5% in SIV) were the most recorded interventions. There was substantial missing data on statuses and a lack of information in the records, especially in the VMER and helicopter. According to the records, the time taken to stabilize the victim on-scene often exceeded the recommendations, while the time taken to transport them to the hospital tended to be within the recommendations.

Podejście oparte na GIS analizie do relacji między jednostkami gruntów a użytkowaniem gruntów w centralnym regionie Portugalii

Land units refer to coherent spatial areas characterized by a degree of homogeneity concerning certain properties like geology, soils, and climate. The Land use mosaic corresponds to a circumstantial layer representing the landscape’s present state, depicting the present resource allocation factors. Nevertheless, the stable potential layer is related to the stable characteristics of each site and allows the identification of use constraints or potentials. In this study, we use a methodology based on the land unit concept to define a stable potential layer at a regional level. Therefore, land units were delimited for the Central region of Portugal, resulting from the combination of geomorphology, soil parent material, and bioclimatic influence. For each land unit representative sample areas were characterized in terms of their land use mosaic characteristics. For that purpose, selected landscape metrics were used to quantify the land use mosaic geometrical attributes: Shannon’s Diversity Index, Edge Density, Mean Patch Size, and Number of Patches. The existing land use types were also quantified. Finally, a cluster analysis was performed to define groups of samples representing the land units with similar land-use mosaic types. The landscape metrics that best explain the influence of the permanent structure of the territory on the circumstantial structure of use are Shannon's Diversity Index, Edge Density, and Number of Patches. The highest diversity land cover patterns are located in formations with a lithology rich to very rich in silica under Mesomediterranean dry to subhumid climate. The validation of the previously defined land units confirmed the reliability of the proposed methodology, with most of the land units strongly influencing the land use mosaic. The delimitation and characterization of homogeneous land units are useful for the definition of soil suitability and for the choice of the most appropriate uses and activities by the stakeholders.

Prevalence and Classification of Pediatric Neuromuscular Disorders in the Central Region of Portugal.

Neuromuscular disorders are a group of rare heterogenous diseases with profound impact on quality of life, for which overall pediatric prevalence has rarely been reported. The purpose of this study was to determine the point prevalence of pediatric neuromuscular disorders and its subcategories in the central region of Portugal. Retrospective case identification was carried out in children with neuromuscular disorders seen between 1998 and 2020 from multiple data sources. Demographics, clinical and molecular diagnoses were registered. On January 1, 2020, the point overall prevalence in the population <18 years of age was 41.20/100 000 (95% confidence interval 34.51-49.19) for all neuromuscular disorders. The main case proportion were genetic disorders (95.7%). We found a relatively higher occurrence of limb-girdle muscular dystrophies, congenital myopathies, and spinal muscular atrophy and a slightly lower occurrence of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, hereditary spastic paraparesis, and acquired neuropathies compared to previous studies in other countries. Molecular confirmation was available in 69.5% of pediatric neuromuscular patients in our cohort.Total prevalence is high in comparison with the data reported in the only previous study on the prevalence of pediatric neuromuscular disorders in our country. Our high definitive diagnostic rate underscores the importance of advances in investigative genetic techniques, particularly new sequencing technologies, in the diagnostic workup of neuromuscular patients.

User-Generated Content in Tourism: Could it impact Brand Equity and Intention to Visit?

The Internet has changed communication and created significant challenges for the tourism and hospitality sectors. Due to the abundance of tourist destinations available, competition is fierce. Therefore, destinations must devise strategies to set themselves apart and strengthen customer brand equity by providing informative and engaging content on digital platforms, specifically social media, with millions of users. Web 2.0 allows users to generate and distribute information through user-generated content and e-word-of-mouth as trustworthy sources for tourist information that can significantly influence travellers' decision-making process. Therefore, businesses must share pertinent information and incentivize online customer feedback on social media platforms where ideas and opinions are highly valued. These can influence a potential tourist's decision to visit, which makes them critical to destination promotion. Effective communication is essential in shaping consumer opinion and fostering strong customer relationships. This study analyses whether user-generated content impacts brand equity and visitation intentions. It utilized a quantitative approach, using a survey to collect data from tourists and potential tourists of Portugal's Central Region. The sample size consisted of 515 participants. The collected data was then analyzed statistically with the assistance of Smart PLS 3.3.2 software. Based on the results, it was found that user-generated content has an impact on destination awareness, perceived quality, and intention to visit.

Pulmonary and Gastrointestinal Parasitic Infections in Small Ruminant Autochthonous Breeds from Centre Region of Portugal-A Cross Sectional Study.

The production of small ruminant autochthonous breeds in the Centre region of Portugal is practiced in a semi-extensive husbandry system, exposing animals to parasitic infections. The main objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of lungworm infection and identify risk factors. Fecal samples of 203 goats and 208 sheep from 30 herds were collected per rectum and subjected to the modified Baermann test. The overall prevalence of infection was 57.7%, significantly higher in goats (95.6%) than in sheep (20.7%) (p < 0.001). According to the binary logistic regression model, sheep dewormed with albendazole, mebendazole plus closantel, or ivermectin plus clorsulon presented a risk of Protostrongylidae infection 29.702, 7.426, or 8.720 times higher, respectively, than those dewormed with eprinomectin. Additionally, the presence of gastrointestinal parasites was investigated in 307 fecal samples using Mini-FLOTAC®. The overall prevalence of infection was 86.3%, also significantly higher in goats (93.2%) than in sheep (79.9%) (p < 0.001). Strongyle-type eggs were the most frequently identified, both in sheep (69.8%) and goats (87.8%), followed by Eimeria oocysts (40.3% in sheep and 68.9% in goats). Considering the high prevalence and the burden of lungworm parasitic infection, it is urgent to determine its economic impact and the repercussions in animal health in the Centre region of Portugal to establish appropriate therapeutic guidelines.

Hunting for Answers: Assessing Brucella spp. Seroprevalence and Risks in Red Deer and Wild Boar in Central Portugal.

Between 2016 and 2023, a cross-sectional study was conducted in the central region of Portugal in order to better understand the epidemiology and public health risks resulting from the handling and consumption of game animals infected with Brucella spp. The seroprevalence and risk factors for Brucella spp. seropositivity were evaluated. Antibodies against Brucella spp. were determined using a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) according to the manufacturer's instructions. Results showed that in the 650 serum samples collected from red deer (n = 298) and wild boars (n = 352) in Portugal, 21.7% (n = 141; 95% CI: 18.6-25.1%) tested positive. Wild boar had a significantly higher prevalence (35.5%; 95% CI: 30.5-40.8%) than red deer (5.4%, 95% CI: 3.1-8.6%; p ≤ 0.001). Risk factors for seropositivity were investigated using multivariable logistic regression models. The odds of being seropositive was 8.39 (95% CI: 4.75-14.84; p ≤ 0.001) times higher in wild boar than in red deer. Correlations between sex, age, body condition, and seropositivity could not be observed. The higher seroprevalence in wild boar suggests that this species may primarily contribute to the Brucella spp. ecology in central Portugal.

Tourist’s motivations to visit the Western Region of Portugal

The Western Region, located in the Central Region of Portugal, has a vast and rich natural and cultural heritage allowing a wide range of tourist experiences. Consequently, the aim of this study is to analyse the tourist interests and motivations that lead tourists to visit the Western Region of mainland Portugal. In 2021, 355 individuals were surveyed through a questionnaire survey, mostly living in mainland Portugal. The results reveal that the preferences of respondents for the types of tourism they most like or would like to undergo in the Western Region are Sun and Sea Tourism, Leisure Tourism, Cultural Tourism, Adventure and Nature Tourism, and Gastronomic Tourism. This study may contribute to a better understanding of the tourists’ motivations to visit the Western Region, and may be an important contribution to the tourism management entities, in order for them to enhance and/or improve their offers in this region of Portugal.

VoxSenes Acoutic Database

Motivated by the need to increase knowledge about the effect of age on speech production, and by the lack of speech data on European Portuguese (EP), this work focuses on the development of a speech database, with acoustic data of healthy adults using standardized recording procedures. The objective of this database is to support a comprehensive analysis of age and gender effects in EP speech at segmental and suprasegmental levels. In this vein, the present work provides the description of one acoustic speech database containing all EP vowels produced in similar context (reading speech), and also semi-spontaneous speech (image description) collected from a large sample of 144 adults from the central region of Portugal, between the ages 35 and 97. This paper summarizes the research design of the acoustic database and includes details about the study region, participants, participants’ tasks, corpus, data acquisition, and segmentation/annotation of the data. This database has been used in different studies, where various aspects of the aging speech were explored through different methods, such as static acoustic features and dynamic vowel formants. However, the collected data could be used on other acoustic studies of speech over the lifespan.

Sudden death in young South European population: a cross-sectional study of postmortem cases

To describe the annual incidence and the leading causes of sudden non-cardiac and cardiac death (SCD) in children and young adult Portuguese population. We retrospectively reviewed autopsy of sudden unexpected deaths reports from the Portuguese National Institute of Legal Medicine and Forensic Sciences’ database, between 2012 and 2016, for the central region of Portugal, Azores and Madeira (ages 1–40: 26% of the total population). During a 5-year period, 159 SD were identified, corresponding to an annual incidence of 2,4 (95%confidence interval, 1,5–3,6) per 100.000 people-years. Victims had a mean age of 32 ± 7 years-old, and 72,3% were male. There were 70,4% cardiac, 16,4% respiratory and 7,5% neurologic causes of SD. The most frequent cardiac anatomopathological diagnosis was atherosclerotic coronary artery disease (CAD) (33,0%). There were 15,2% victims with left ventricular hypertrophy, with a diagnosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy only possible in 2,7%. The prevalence of cardiac pathological findings of uncertain significance was 30,4%. In conclusion, the annual incidence of SD was low. Atherosclerotic CAD was diagnosed in 33,0% victims, suggesting the need to intensify primary prevention measures in the young. The high prevalence of pathological findings of uncertain significance emphasizes the importance of molecular autopsy and screening of first-degree relatives.