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PubMed1994

The prevalence of Parkinson's disease in Portugal. A population approach.

Most of the epidemiological studies designed to determine the prevalence of Parkinson's disease (PD) in Portugal were hospital-based and the rates reported were around 1/1000. A sentinel network of general practitioners (GPs) has been in effect in the country since 1989, involving doctors with a relatively stable list of patients. This group of doctors notifies, every week, all the cases of certain selected diseases that may occur among the patients under their surveillance. On average, each doctor is responsible for 1500 to 1800 persons, of all ages and both sexes, whose main descriptive characteristics are known and updated every year. This led us to the idea of estimating the prevalence of Parkinson's disease in the community and to compare the estimated rates with hospital-based rates. One hundred and fifty general practitioners agreed to participate in a cross-sectional study which included a sample of 220,000 persons. The study took place between March and April 1992 and information on 291 PD patients was collected. Results show that among the study population, age-standardized rates were 1.4/1000 for males and 1.3/1000 for females. Sex-specific rates increase consistently with age in both sexes, reaching a level of 9/1000 in the oldest age group, '75 and more' years. These results estimate a higher prevalence of PD than was determined previously through hospital-based studies and allowed us to determine that patients aged 65 years and more are much likely to be followed by their own GP, either because the disease its already controlled and they are specifically seeking medication or because they find it difficult to attend neurology clinics.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Determination of selenium in duplicate diets of residents of Pinhel, Portugal, by neutron activation.

A rapid cyclic instrumental neutron activation analysis (CINAA) method has been used to determine the selenium content of 27 duplicate diet samples from each of the 27 districts surrounding Pinhel, Portugal. The accuracy and precision of the CINAA method have been evaluated by analyzing certified reference materials and observed to be within +/- 5-10% for samples containing at least 40 ppb of selenium. The detection limit has been found to vary between 26-42 ppb selenium depending on the sample composition. The average daily dietary intake has been calculated as 37 micrograms of selenium per day.

Diet↗
PubMed2006

New evidence of shared dinosaur across Upper Jurassic Proto-North Atlantic: Stegosaurus from Portugal.

More than one century after its original description by Marsh in 1877, we report in this paper the first uncontroversial evidence of a member of the genus Stegosaurus out of North America. The specimen consists of a partial skeleton from the Upper Jurassic of Portugal, herein considered as Stegosaurus cf. ungulatus. The presence of this plated dinosaur in the upper Kimmeridgian-lower Tithonian Portuguese record and synchronic levels of the Morrison Formation of North America reinforces previous hypothesis of a close relationship between these two areas during the Late Jurassic. This relationship is also supported by geotectonic evidences indicating high probability of an episodic corridor between the Newfoundland and Iberian landmasses. Together, Portuguese Stegosaurus discovery and geotectonic inferences could provide a scenario with episodical faunal contact among North Atlantic landmasses during the uppermost Kimmeridgian-lowermost Tithonian (ca. 148-153 Ma ago).

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Estimation and diversity of phylloplane mycobiota on selected plants in a Mediterranean-type ecosystem in Portugal.

Mediterranean ecosystems have not been consistently investigated as natural habitats for microbes in general, and fungi in particular. Here we present the results of a survey of epiphytic mycobiota (filamentous fungi and yeasts) on the phylloplane of selected plants in the Arrábida Natural Park, an ecosystem of Mediterranean characteristics in Portugal, using conventional culture-dependent isolation methods. Leaves from the species Acer monspessulanum and Quercus faginea (deciduous trees) and Cistus albidus, Pistacia lentiscus, and Osyris quadripartita (evergreen shrubs) were collected twice a year for two consecutive years, at two distinct locations of Serra da Arrábida: the more humid northern slope and the drier southern slope. A total of 1029 strains of filamentous fungi and 540 strains of yeasts were isolated, which represented at least 36 and 46 distinct species, respectively. Total counts were higher on the plants from the northern slope and there was a general increase from spring to autumn, notably on the deciduous trees for the yeasts. Plant species that had higher numbers of leaf colonists (A. monspessulanum, C. albidus, and Q. faginea) also yielded a wider range of species. Among the filamentous fungi there was a predominance of species of ascomycetous affinity, whereas basidiomycetous species dominated among yeast isolates. Some of the taxa recovered were common to other phylloplane studies (e.g., ubiquitous molds and yeasts such as Cladosporium spp. and Cryptococcus spp., respectively), but less common species were also found, some of which appeared to represent undescribed taxa. Interestingly, a few species seemed to be associated with a particular plant, notably in the case of the evergreen shrub C. albidus. However, for a considerable number of fungi and yeasts the same taxon was recovered throughout the year from more than one plant and at both sites, suggesting that such species might be genuine phylloplane inhabitants (or at least of aerial plant surfaces) even though they appeared not to display host specificity.

Ecosystem↗
PubMed2006

Time series forecasting of cyanobacteria blooms in the Crestuma Reservoir (Douro River, Portugal) using artificial neural networks.

In this work, time series neural networks were used to predict the occurrence of toxic cyanobacterial blooms in Crestuma Reservoir, which is an important potable water supply for the Porto region, located in the north of Portugal. These models can potentially be used to provide water treatment plant operators with an early warning for developing cyanobacteria blooms. Physical, chemical, and biological parameters were collected at Crestuma Reservoir from 1999 to 2002. The data set was then divided into three independent time series, each with a fortnightly periodicity. One training series was used to "teach" the neural networks to predict results. Another series was used to verify the results, and to avoid over-fitting of the data. An additional independently collected data series was then used to test the efficacy of the model for predicting the abundance of cyanobacteria. All of the models tested in this study incorporated a prediction time (look-ahead parameter) equal to the sampling interval (two weeks). Various lag periods, from 2 to 52 weeks, were also investigated. The best model produced in this study provided the following correlations between the target and forecast values in the training, verification, and validation series: 1.000 (P = 0.000), 0.802 (P = 0.000), and 0.773 (P = 0.001), respectively. By applying this model to the three-year data set, we were able to predict fluctuations in cyanobacteria abundance in the Crestuma Reservoir, with a high level of precision. By incorporating a lag-period of eight weeks, we were able to detect secondary fluctuations in cyanobacterial abundance over the annual cycle.

Cyanobacteria↗
PubMed2007

Genetic diversity of 10 X chromosome STRs in northern Portugal.

Genetic data of 10 X chromosome STRs (DXS8378, DXS9898, DXS8377, HPRTB, GATA172D05, DXS7423, DXS6809, DXS7132, DXS101 and DXS6789) were obtained in a sample of unrelated males born in the five northern Portuguese districts. In a global sample of 347 individuals, no shared haplotypes were found for this set of markers and single locus gene diversities were high, varying between 0.678 for DXS7423 and 0.921 for DXS8377. Linkage disequilibrium analysis did not reveal consistent evidence of association between the X-STRs used. Population comparisons of northern Portuguese districts (exact test of population differentiation; pairwise genetic distances) and analysis of molecular variance supported genetic homogeneity of this region and therefore a common genetic database was considered. In comparisons with other European data, the only population samples showing statistically significant differences to northern Portugal were Germany and Latvia. The present work demonstrates that these genetic markers are highly discriminating and therefore useful for human identification purposes and anthropological research.

Chromosomes, Human, X↗
PubMed1999

Detection of additional structural variation at the FES/FPS system and population data from S. Tomé e Príncipe and North Portugal.

Comparative analysis of heteroduplex patterns on the STR FES/FPS system led to the detection of a new non-consensus allele 10 in the African population of São Tomé e Príncipe. Automated sequencing confirmed a T-->C substitution at position 177 (1stT of the 6th repeat) which was exclusively found in haplotypic combination with base A in the previously described polymorphic position 34. The new substitution was not detected in a sample from North Portugal. Sequence analysis revealed a triplet of inverted bases, from positions 101 to 103, relative to the sequence described in the GeneBank (Accession No. X06292). This work confirms the capacity of heteroduplex analysis in the detection of DNA structural microvariation and emphasises the complementary utility of manual system analysis and semi-automated techniques for a full characterisation of the genetic variability of STRs.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Analysis of the allelic diversity of a (CA)n repeat polymorphism among alpha 1-antitrypsin gene products from northern Portugal.

The level of molecular heterogeneity associated with alpha 1-antitrypsin gene products was assessed in the population of northern Portugal using three restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) corresponding to specific amino acid substitutions and a highly variable (CA)n repeat polymorphism located at the 5' end of the PI gene. The allelic affinities inferred from the analysis of the DNA polymorphisms essentially agree with the evolutionary pattern proposed for the PI gene products on the basis of their amino acid sequences. PI*Z can be considered the most recent common PI allele and was found to be associated with the same predominant haplotype previously reported in northern European populations, thus confirming the hypothesis that most European Z alleles are derived from a single mutation. However, a rare deficient variant that is the likely result of a recurrent Z mutation on an M2 or M4 background was additionally observed. PIS was also found to be associated with a strongly predominant haplotype and seems to be the second most recent PI common allele, while M2 and M3 show weaker associations, suggesting more ancient origins of their corresponding mutations. M1Ala213 and M1Vat213 display more homogeneous (CA)n allele frequency distributions, M1Ala213 representing the most ancient PI allele as inferred from its highest variance in (CA)n allele length.

Alleles↗
PubMed1997

Hb Lepore-Baltimore (delta 68Leu-beta 84Thr) and Hb Lepore-Washington-Boston (delta 87Gln-beta IVS-II-8) in central Portugal and Spanish Alta Extremadura.

Hb Lepore is one of the most common abnormal haemoglobins in Caucasians in Central Portugal and in the Spanish Alta Extremadura (0.28% in a survey of school children). A group of 19 Portuguese and 14 Spanish Hb Lepore carriers (all unrelated) was characterised at the molecular level by the polymerase chain reaction, sequencing and restriction enzyme analysis. The Portuguese and one Spanish carrier were heterozygous for Hb Lepore-Baltimore, whereas all other Spanish subjects were Hb Lepore-Washington-Boston carriers. Sequencing of the Hb Lepore-Baltimore gene further established the crossover at delta 68-beta 84, a region two codons (CDs) shorter than that previously described and easily confirmed by digestion with MaeI and BanI. Data from haplotype analysis suggest that this crossover occurred as an independent event on the Iberian Peninsula. The haematological data were similar in both groups except for the levels of Hb F and the G gamma chain, which were significantly higher in the Hb Lepore-Baltimore heterozygotes. Quantification of the globin chains and the mRNA transcripts showed that the delta beta gene is transcribed at a higher level than the delta gene with levels of translation giving rise to 10%-15% of Hb Lepore. The different levels of Hb F observed in the two groups are the results of the higher transcription rate of the gamma genes in Hb Lepore-Baltimore heterozygotes and an apparently less efficient translation of G gamma genes in Hb Lepore-Washington-Boston heterozygotes.

Base Sequence↗
PubMed2000

The urban heat island in a small city in coastal Portugal.

This project arose from the need to study the phenomenon of the urban heat island, since only by recognising this phenomenon can we moderate it to improve the human and urban environments. Not only big cities develop urban heat islands. This study detected the presence and recorded the characteristics of an urban heat island in the small coastal city of Aveiro, Portugal. The study was developed through the scheduled measurements of air temperature and the analysis of the geographical, meteorological and urban conditions. The form and intensity of Aveiro's heat island are a response to the interaction of three principal factors: the urban morphology (the hottest zones in the city are those with the tallest and the highest density of buildings, without green spaces and with intense generation of heat from traffic, commerce and services); the meteorological conditions (the intensity of the island is at its maximum when the sky is totally clear and there is no wind, and at its minimum in those situations when there is atmospheric instability, such as wind, cloud and precipitation); and the proximity of the coastal lagoon (which borders the city to the west and northwest and moderates seasonal temperatures. The urban heat island influences the comfort and health of its inhabitants, thus urban planning is very important in the moderation and prevention of this phenomenon.

Air Movements↗
PubMed2006

Mutational spectrum of classical galactosaemia in Spain and Portugal.

Classical galactosaemia is an autosomal recessive inherited metabolic disorder due to deficient galactose-1-phosphate uridyltransferase (GALT). Over 180 different base changes and disease-causing mutations have been reported in the GALT gene. Mutation p.Q188R was found to be the most common molecular defect among caucasian classical galactosaemia patients. We have characterized the spectrum of GALT mutations in a group of 51 Spanish families and 32 Portuguese families with this disease. p.Q188R is also the most prevalent mutation in the Spanish and Portuguese population, accounting for 50% and 57.8% of galactosaemic alleles, respectively. An additional 15 mutations were also identified in Spanish patients, four of which were novel: p.D28H, p.S181A, c.658dupG and c.377+53_1059+87del. In the Portuguese population, 11 different mutations were found, three of which were novel: p.R33H, p.P185S, and p.S192G. The differences observed between the genotypes identified in Portuguese and Spanish galactosaemic populations are notable. Only mutations p.Q188R, p.R148Q and c.820+13g>a were identified in both populations. In spite of the geographical proximity of Spain and Portugal, it seems that they have received genetic influences from different populations. The repeated migrations that occurred in the Iberian Peninsula throughout centuries may explain such variability.

Alleles↗
PubMed2004

The 'Coral Bulker' fuel oil spill on the north coast of Portugal: spatial and temporal biomarker responses in Mytilus galloprovincialis.

In December 2000, the ship 'Coral Bulker' ran aground at the entrance of the port of Viana do Castelo (North-west coast of Portugal). A large amount of fuel oil was spilled and part of it reached the shore. To evaluate the spatial and temporal impact of this oil spill, a field study, and several laboratory toxicity tests were performed using Mytilus galloprovincialis as biological indicator of environmental contamination and the biomarkers glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) as indicative criteria. Fifteen days after the oil spill, mussels collected at stations located near the ship presented higher and lower values of GSTs and AChE activity, respectively. These results, and those obtained in the laboratory toxicity tests, evidence that these biomarkers were sensitive indicators of exposure to this kind of pollution and were able to monitor a spatial impact of the oil spill of at least 10 km, confirming the higher level of contamination near the ship and a contamination gradient along the sampling stations. One year after the accident, such a contamination gradient was no longer evident. This study highlight the potential suitability of a biomarker approach for assessing spatial and temporal impacts of marine pollution accidents, such as fuel oil spills, suggesting the inclusion of these biomarkers in risk assessment studies, as cost-effective and early warning recognized tools. Major advantages and limitations of the biomarker approach used in this study are further discussed.

Acetylcholinesterase↗
PubMed2005

Gravimetric and chemical features of airborne PM 10 AND PM 2.5 in mainland Portugal.

This paper describes concentration amounts of arsenic (As), particulate mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni) and lead (Pb) in PM(10) and PM(2.5), collected since 1993 by the Technological and Nuclear Institute (ITN) at different locations in mainland Portugal, featuring urban, industrial and rural environments, and a control as well. Most results were obtained in the vicinity of coal- and oil-fired power plants. Airborne mass concentrations were determined by gravimetry. As and Hg concentrations were obtained through instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), and Ni and Pb concentrations through proton-induced X-ray emission (PIXE). Comparison with the EU (European Union) and the US EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency) directives for Ambient Air has been carried out, even though the sampling protocols herein--set within the framework of ITN's R&D projects and/or monitoring contracts--were not consistent with the former regulations. Taking this into account, 1) the EU daily limit for PM(10) was exceeded a few times in all sites except the control, even if the number of times was still inferior to the allowed one; 2) the EU annual mean for PM(10) was exceeded at one site; 3) the EPA daily limit for PM(2.5) was exceeded one time at three sites; 4) the EPA annual mean for PM(2.5) was exceeded at most sites; 5) the inner-Lisbon site approached or exceeded the legislated PMs; 6) Pb levels stayed far below the EU limit value; and 7) concentrations of As, Ni and Hg were also far less than the reference values adopted by EU. In every location, Ni appeared more concentrated in PM(2.5) than in coarser particles, and its levels were not that different from site to site, excluding the control. The highest As and Hg concentrations were found in the neighbourhood of the coal-fired, utility power plants. The results may be viewed as a "worst-case scenario" of atmospheric pollution, since they have been obtained in busy urban-industrial areas and/or near major power-generation and waste-incineration facilities.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed2005

The water quality of the Cértima River basin (Central Portugal).

The aim of this study was to evaluate the water quality of the Cértima River basin (Central Portugal). For that purpose, surface water samples were collected in March, May and July 2003, at 10 selected sampling sites, and were analysed for physicochemical parameters, namely temperature, conductivity, pH, total suspended solids, dissolved oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD(5)), Kjeldahl nitrogen and total phosphorus. Results revealed an acceptable water quality during the spring season. Maxima of 64 mg dm(-3) for BOD(5), 39 mg dm(-3) for Kjeldahl nitrogen, and 5.2 mg dm(-3) for total phosphorus, were recorded during summer, indicating a significant degradation of the water quality in a river stretch located downstream of the town of Mealhada. These values, which did not comply with the objectives of minimum quality for surface waters prescribed by the Portuguese legislation, were related to domestic wastewater discharges and runoff waters from a cattle farm. Besides their effects on the middle stretch of the river, these pollution sources were the most likely cause of the high nutrient load in downstream waters, and thus may have a major impact on the trophic status of Pateira de Fermentelos, a sensitive wetland area located in the lower Cértima basin.

Animal Husbandry↗
PubMed2005

Relevant aspects of air quality in Oporto (Portugal): PM10 and O3.

The air quality Framework Directive (FWD) and the correspondent Daughter Directives defined the new strategy for air quality management in Europe. In general, the new standards are more restrictive than those established by the previous legislation. In Portugal, some difficulties can be previewed to achieve those new standards. Thus, this paper aims at evaluating the impact of application of the FWD to Oporto Metropolitan Area in what concerns to the most critical air pollutants in the area (PM10 and O3). The specific objectives were: (i) to analyse the concentration exceedances between 1999 and 2001; (ii) to identify the main emission sources; (iii) to evaluate the possibility of a new redistribution of the existing monitoring sites; (iv) to contribute to the definition of a new strategy for air quality management. The results showed that; (i) the standard values for PM10 and O3 were largely surpassed, possibly concluding that the FWD application implies a strong impact on the air quality management strategies; (ii) the main emission sources (road traffic and the neighbour stationary sources localised upwind) affect all the Metropolitan area through intra-region pollutant transport; (iii) it is safer maintaining the site localisation to avoid previewing exceedances through mathematical correlations; (iv) the reduction of PM10 and of ozone precursors must be performed considering new technologies for 'cleaner production' and gaseous depuration, a rigorous urban and territory planning, the creation of an efficient public transport network and the definition of strict measures for car maintenance.

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed2005

Consumers' perceptions of community pharmacy in Portugal: a qualitative exploratory study.

OBJECTIVE: Pharmacists are health professionals who are ideally positioned to perform a primary health care role. However, the definition of professional value needs to be considered not just as professional education and skills, but also in terms of how consumers perceive it. The main aim of this work was to explore the public's perceptions and attitudes towards community pharmacy in Portugal. METHODS: A pure qualitative approach was undertaken. The data were collected through a semi-structured interview, conducted with a 'snowball' like sample. First, individuals (n = 15) were interviewed, allowing for adjustment and validation of the interview schedule, followed latter by group interviews with adults in rural and urban areas. Group participants (n = 25) were asked about their behaviour and beliefs, resulting from their perceptions of community pharmacies, pharmacists and medicines. Future expectations regarding the community pharmacy service were also explored. The interviews were tape recorded and transcribed verbatim. An iterative, reflexive coding process was applied, assisted by the qualitative software package QSR NUD*IST v4. The inductive analysis of the extracted codes assembled those codes into themes. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: This article will mainly focus on community pharmacy service representations and cognitions (theme A) and community pharmacy evaluative perceptions and behaviours (theme B). Participants displayed general and contradictory ideas about the actual functions of the pharmacist, including weak conceptualizations and a positive demand for services in relation to product supply. This superficial understanding is in line with previous results from satisfaction studies, confirming a low expectation level. The public's poor knowledge and low expectations can justify a reduced desire for an extended role of the pharmacist in the community. This uncertain service conceptualization does not define the professional responsibility from a consumer's perspective. CONCLUSIONS: Although these results allow for the development of a framework to describe the perceptions of community pharmacy users, further research is needed to determine the prevalence of these and other possible results.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Epithelial salivary gland tumors of children and adolescents in southern Portugal. A clinicopathologic study of twenty-four cases.

During a 30-year period 24 epithelial salivary gland tumors were diagnosed in children and adolescents less than 18 years of age. The cases were retrieved from a series of 759 consecutive cases of salivary gland tumors (3.2%) from the area corresponding to southern Portugal during the same period of time. The mean age of the patients was 13.4 years, and one case was congenital. There was a slight female predominance (male/female ratio 1:1.7). The parotid gland was affected in most cases (70.8%). Seventeen neoplasms were benign, and the remaining seven were malignant. As in the adult group, pleomorphic adenoma was the most frequent benign tumor (66.6%), with similar histologic findings and clinical course. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma was the prevalent malignant tumor (20.8%), had a high grade of differentiation, and had a favorable outcome. The histologic pattern of the congenital neoplasm was similar to that of adult epithelial-myoepithelial carcinoma.

Adenoma, Pleomorphic↗
PubMed1990

Heavy metal contents of paddy fields of Alcácer do Sal, Portugal.

Recent claims of metal contamination in the lower reaches of the Sado River, in the Alcácer do Sal region, Portugal, a major rice-producing area were investigated by carrying out metal surveys in the area. The elements Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu and Pb were measured in the soil and in rice plant parts--roots, shoots and grain--as well as in some weeds growing in the Sado banks, near the paddy fields. Results showed that the metal contents of paddy soils were similar to background concentrations, with the exception of Zn and Cu, which were above those concentrations and reached their highest levels at Vale de Guizo, the monitored station located furthest upstream in the Sado River. At some sites, plant roots accumulated relatively large amounts of Fe, Mn, Zn and Cu, but the shoot levels of these metals were within the normal range for rice plants. It is possible that varying, but significant, amounts of Fe associated with the roots were in the form of ferric hydroxide plaque covering their surfaces. Copper levels in the shoots of rice were below the normal contents cited for this plant in the literature. Metal levels of river sediments collected near Vale de Guizo seem to corroborate the possibility of some metal contamination in the Sado River, most probably derived from pyrites mining activity in the upper zone of the Sado basin.

Copper↗