Neurosyphilis prevalence at a Portuguese stroke unit care.

INTRODUCTION: Syphilis is a systemic human disease which is caused by infection with the spirochete Treponema pallidum. It is spread worldwide, and there has recently been an increase in its incidence. Neurosyphilis (NS) can have a variety of presentations; meningovascular NS is a specific affection of the Treponema which occurs in an early stage after the primary infection, causing an inflammatory arteriopathy which may result in an ischemic stroke. As a rare manifestation of syphilis, there are few prevalence and epidemiological studies, and data are almost non-existent. The objective of this study is to analyse the prevalence of meningovascular NS in a stroke unit in a tertiary hospital. METHODS: A descriptive retrospective study was carried out over a period of 44 months in a stroke unit. All patients admitted had neurological symptoms compatible with a vascular event, and routine blood tests including infectious screening were performed. Those with positive test results for syphilis were identified and proceeded to lumbar puncture to CSF cytochemical analysis and VDRL. NS was categorized as confirmed or probable (using CDC criteria). RESULTS: A total of 525 patients were admitted, and 62.53% were submitted to a routine screening for syphilis. A total of 309 patients (95.67%) revealed a negative screening; 12 patients (3.72%) had a positive syphilis serology. Among the 12 patients with positive screening, a single case of NS (0.31%) was identified. CONCLUSION: We observed a low prevalence of NS (0.31%), but this result was surprisingly higher than what was expected in an elderly population.

Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation detection in patients with acute ischemic stroke through prolonged Holter: prospective study.

INTRODUCTION: The detection of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) is crucial in the etiological study of an acute ischemic stroke (AIS), although this type of arrhythmia is often under-diagnosed. This prospective study aims to (1) evaluate the new-onset PAF detection rate among elderly patients with AIS in an acute setting, and (2) to assess the applicability of the STAF score (Score for the Targeting of Atrial Fibrillation) for such patients. METHODOLOGY: An observational and prospective study was performed over a period of 11 months. Patients with acute ischemic stroke who had been admitted to the stroke unit were included. Exclusion criteria included prior AF, AF readings on ECG during admission, or stroke mimic. The patients were monitored with a bedside ECG monitor throughout the first 48 h, then simultaneously with an extended Holter recorder for a maximum of 6 days. The occurrence and duration of PAF events was evaluated. The STAF risk score for PAF was calculated and compared to the detection rate of PAF for each patient. RESULTS: The sample population consisted of 67 patients, whose median age was 76 years (IQR 71-84) and who were 57% males. The median duration of Holter recording was 3.5 days per patient (IQR 2-5). We detected new PAF cases in 16% of patients, and a total of 31% had supraventricular arrhythmia episodes lasting 10 s or longer. Among the patients in which this arrhythmia was detected, 10% had it detected by the bedside ECG monitor in the first 48 h. The median risk score was 5 (IQR 4-6). There was no association between the risk score used and PAF. CONCLUSION: In elderly patients with AIS, the use of an extended Holter recorder led to the detection of more cases of PAF, offering them the chance to initiate hypocoagulant therapy. Among this population, the STAF score was non-discriminative and did not prove useful in predicting PAF.

Association of classical markers and establishment of the dyslipidemic sub-phenotype of sickle cell anemia.

BACKGROUND: Sickle cell anemia (SCA) patients exhibit sub-phenotypes associated to hemolysis and vaso-occlusion. The disease has a chronic inflammatory nature that has been also associated to alterations in the lipid profile. This study aims to analyze hematological and biochemical parameters to provide knowledge about the SCA sub-phenotypes previously described and suggest a dyslipidemic sub-phenotype. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from 2013 to 2014, and 99 SCA patients in steady state were enrolled. We assessed correlations and associations with hematological and biochemical data and investigated the co-inheritance of -α3.7Kb-thalassemia (-α3.7Kb-thal). Correlation analyses were performed using Spearman and Pearson coefficient. The median of quantitative variables between two groups was compared using t-test and Mann-Whitney. P-values <0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: We found significant association of high lactate dehydrogenase levels with decreased red blood cell count and hematocrit as well as high levels of total and indirect bilirubin. SCA patients with low nitric oxide metabolites had high total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and reduced very low-density cholesterol, triglycerides, direct bilirubin level and reticulocyte counts. In SCA patients with high-density lipoprotein cholesterol greater than 40 mg/dL, we observed increased red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and fetal hemoglobin and decreased nitric oxide metabolites levels. The presence of -α3.7Kb-thal was associated with high red blood cell count and low mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, platelet count and total and indirect bilirubin levels. CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide additional information about the association between biomarkers and co-inheritance of -α3.7Kb-thal in SCA, and suggest the role of dyslipidemia and nitric oxide metabolites in the characterization of this sub-phenotype.

Horizontal Gaze Palsy and Progressive Scoliosis With ROBO 3 Mutations in Patients From Cape Verde.

Horizontal gaze palsy with progressive scoliosis (HGPPS) is a rare and autosomal recessive syndrome. We describe 2 cases of HGPPS which are the first documented in patients of African ancestry from an isolated population in Cape Verde. They demonstrated typical findings on neuro-ophthalmic examination and brain magnetic resonance imaging. One patient had novel heterozymous mutations of the ROB0 3 gene.

Comorbidity burden assessment in older people admitted to a Portuguese University Hospital.

PURPOSE: To determine the most valuable comorbidity index to apply in a clinical context and its prospective association with 1-year mortality and 3-month readmission. The authors also intend to gauge the evolution of older patients' admission profile over 13 years, in the same clinical setting. SUBJECTS/MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors analyzed data from 100 consecutive patients admitted in 2012. The Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale for Geriatrics (CIRS-G) and the Medication-Based Disease Burden Index (MDBI) were used to evaluate comorbidity. Length of stay, number of diagnoses and of medications, readmission and mortality were assessed. A p value <0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Mean age was 80.6 years, mean length of stay was 8.8 days, and mean number of diagnosis per patient was 7.9. Mean values of score were of 3.6 for the CCI, 11.3 for the CIRS-G and 0.552 for the MDBI. Three-month readmission and 1-year mortality rates related to higher CCI and CIRS-G scores. No association was found between MDBI and the outcomes evaluated. One-year mortality reached 24 % and 3-month readmission was of 43 %. Comparing the two samples, mean age increased in 2.1 years and the number of diagnosis by 2.2. Length of stay decreased 2 days. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: CCI was easier to use but the CIRS-G was better at evaluating comorbidity. MDBI did not seem to be a trustworthy tool. Despite an older population with high comorbidity, length of stay decreased over 13 years. However, readmission was high. Introduction of geriatric care standards is required to improve health outcomes for older patients.

[Recurrent Bacteremia after Cyanoacrylate Sclerotherapy of Ectopic Duodenal Varices]. / Bacteriemias Recorrentes após Escleroterapia de Varizes Ectópicas Duodenais com Cianoacrilato.

Sclerotherapy with N-butyl-2-cyanoacrylate is the first-line endoscopic approach for gastric and ectopic variceal bleeding, but it can be associated with local or systemic complications. Episodes of transient bacteremia after the procedure are frequent, but documented cases of recurrent bacteremia are rare. The authors report a 47-year-old female patient with liver cirrhosis who underwent duodenal sclerotherapy with cyanoacrylate after upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Subsequently, she developed five episodes of bacteremia with unknown origin. A definitive diagnosis of recurrent bacteremia due to cyanoacrylate was only possible after an exhaustive study to exclude other infectious foci. This case highlights a rare complication in an unusual topography (ectopic varices) and with a high number of episodes of bacteremia. A multidisciplinary management was paramount due to the patient's high surgical and anesthetic risk, comorbidities, and surgical aggressiveness.

A escleroterapia com N-butil-2-cianoacrilato é a abordagem endoscópica de primeira linha nas hemorragias por varizes gástricas ou ectópicas, podendo estar associada a complicações locais ou sistémicas. São frequentes situações de bacteriemia transitória após o procedimento, mas são raros os casos documentados de bacteriemias recorrentes. O caso relata uma doente de 47 anos com cirrose hepática submetida a esclerose de varizes duodenais com cianoacrilato após hemorragia digestiva alta. Posteriormente, desenvolveu cinco episódios de bacteriémia sem foco evidente. O diagnóstico definitivo de bacteriemias recorrentes com ponto de partida no cianoacrilato só foi possível após estudo exaustivo para excluir outros focos infeciosos. Este caso evidencia uma complicação rara, numa topografia também incomum (varizes ectópicas) e com um elevado número de episódios de bacteriémia. Destaca-se a importância de uma abordagem multidisciplinar para gerir esta doente, tendo em conta as comorbilidades, o elevado risco anestésico e a agressividade cirúrgica para extração do foco infecioso.

Direct and Indirect Effects of Youth Sports Participation on Emotional Intelligence, Self-Esteem, and Life Satisfaction.

The present study investigated the mediating effects of emotional intelligence and self-esteem between youth sports participation and life satisfaction, as well as the comparative effects of different types of sports involvement (team, individual, and non-participation) on these selected variables. A sample of 1053 Portuguese adolescents (612 girls and 441 boys), aged between 12 and 18 years (M = 14.40; SD = 1.55), completed the following self-report measures: the Wong and Law Emotional Intelligence Scale, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and the Satisfaction with Life Scale. The structural equation modeling results indicated a complete mediating role of two emotional intelligence dimensions (use of emotion and self-emotional appraisal) and self-esteem in the relationship between sports participation and adolescents' life satisfaction. Team sport participants reported higher emotional intelligence and self-esteem scores than their non-sport participant counterparts who revealed lower levels of emotion use than their individual sport participant peers. These findings provide novel insights into the potential emotional and psychological mechanisms underlying the association between youth sports participation and life satisfaction.

Night-Time Noise and Sleep Quality in an Internal Medicine Ward in Portugal: An Observational Study.

INTRODUCTION: Hospitals should provide a quiet environment to promote patient healing and well-being. However, published data indicates that World Health Organization's guidelines are frequently not met. The aim of the present study was to quantify night-time noise levels in an internal medicine ward and evaluate sleep quality, as well as the use of sedative drugs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective observational study in an acute internal medicine ward. Between April 2021 and January 2022, on random days, noise was recorded using a smartphone app (Apple® iOS, Decibel X). Night-time noise was recorded from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. During the same period, hospitalized patients were invited to respond to a questionnaire regarding their sleep quality. RESULTS: A total of 59 nights were recorded. The average noise level recorded was 55 dB with a minimum of 30 dB and a maximum of 97 dB. Fifty-four patients were included. An intermediate score for night-time sleep quality (35.45 out of 60) and noise perception (5.26 out of 10) was reported. The main reasons for poor sleep were related to the presence of other patients (new admission, acute decompensation, delirium, and snoring), followed by equipment, staff noise and surrounding light. Nineteen patients (35%) were previous users of sedatives, and during hospitalization 41 patients (76%) were prescribed sedatives. CONCLUSION: The noise levels detected in the internal medicine ward were higher than the levels recommended by the World Health Organization. Most patients were prescribed sedatives during hospitalization.

Initial Validation of the Coach-Athlete Relationship Questionnaire in a Sample of Portuguese Athletes.

Our primary objectives in this study were to translate and provide psychometric support for the Coach Athlete Relationship Questionnaire (CART-Q) Portuguese version, assess its invariance across sex, and explore its nomological validity in relation to enjoyment. Our sample participants were 470 athletes (226 females, 244 males) aged between 16 to 39 years from various individual and team sports. We found that the translated Portuguese version of the CART-Q exhibited satisfactory test-retest reliability and can serve as a reliable tool for evaluating the core constructs of the coach-athlete relationship - closeness, commitment, and complementarity. Moreover, this instrument showed evidence of nomological validity through significant positive correlations between its underlying factors and athletes' enjoyment with their sport. The proposed model for explaining item variance was also found to be invariant between male and female respondents. We recommend further use of this instrument in research and practical applications.

Consensus of the Brazilian Association of Hematology, Hemotherapy and Cellular Therapy (ABHH) and the Brazilian Ministry of Health - General management of blood and blood products on the tests necessary for the release of exceptional medicines for sickle cell disease.

To date, hydroxyurea is the only effective and safe drug that significantly reduces morbidity and mortality of individuals with Sickle cell disease. Twenty years of real-life experience has demonstrated that hydroxyurea reduces pain attacks, vaso-occlusive events, including acute chest syndrome, the number and duration of hospitalizations and the need for transfusion. The therapeutic success of hydroxyurea is directly linked to access to the drug, the dose used and adherence to treatment which, in part, is correlated to the availability of hydroxyurea. This consensus aims to reduce the number of mandatory exams needed to access the drug, prioritizing the requesting physician's report, without affecting patient safety.

Primary Central Nervous System Vasculitis: A Rare Cause of Stroke.

Primary central nervous system vasculitis (PCNSV) is a rare cause of ischemic stroke and is considered idiopathic in most cases. PCNSV can present with a wide variety of neurological manifestations and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of ischemic stroke, particularly if the neurological deficit cannot be explained by the affected vascular area or when it is multifocal. The diagnosis of PCNSV is relevant because the required therapy differs from the treatments commonly used for frequent ischemic strokes. We report the case of a 64-year-old woman admitted for an ischemic stroke with a right frontal cortico-subcortical ischemic lesion. The etiological investigation documented multiple intracranial arterial stenoses. Secondary causes of central nervous system vasculitis were excluded. The patient refused a brain biopsy, and corticosteroid therapy was initiated due to high suspicion of PCNSV, supported by findings from transcranial Doppler ultrasound and brain magnetic resonance angiography. The patient had a positive clinical outcome and did not have any recurrences while under therapy. This case raises awareness of the importance of considering PCNSV in the differential diagnosis of ischemic stroke. It emphasizes the importance of promptly initiating therapy to minimize PCNSV-associated complications.

Iodine-Induced Hypothyroidism After Chemoembolization With Ethiodized Oil: A Case of Failure to Escape From Wolff-Chaikoff Effect (WCE).

Wolff-Chaikoff effect (WCE) is an acute physiologic response of the thyroid gland to high levels of iodine. The WCE is usually temporary, and the thyroid gland adjusts to high iodine levels within days or weeks. It is a protective mechanism and a failure to escape from it can result in thyroid dysfunction. Hypothyroidism is rare but more likely in patients who have had thyroid disease, are under stress, or are exposed to high iodine concentrations for a long time. The use of iodinated contrast media in radiologic studies or invasive medical procedures is a common source of excessive iodine exposure and can lead to thyroid disfunction. Despite the frequent use of contrast media in health care, the thyroid dysfunction associated with their use is poorly recognized. We report a patient who developed iodine-induced hypothyroidism after chemoembolization of recurrent chylothorax with ethiodized oil (Lipiodol®, Villepinte, France). This case report raises awareness of the importance of the physiologic WCE as well as the relevance of monitoring thyroid function when using iodinated contrast media in patients with specific risk factors.

Association of the clinical profile and overall survival of pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Introduction: The clarification of etiopathology, the improvement of chemotherapy regimens and their risk stratifications, and the improvement in treatment support have increased the survival of children and adolescents affected by Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) past few years. This study aimed to estimate overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) in an onco-hematology treatment center in Brazil, reports the main clinical-laboratory characteristics of patients at diagnosis, verify the frequency of treatment-related adverse effects and the main causes of death. Material and methods: Retrospective analysis involving patients diagnosed with ALL, treated with the protocol of the Brazilian Group for Treatment of Leukemias in Childhood (GBTLI), between 2010 and 2020 was carried out; the outcomes (relapse, deaths, development of new neoplasms) were analyzed SPSS® software was used for the statistical analyses, and the p-value was considered significant when less than 0.05 for all analyses. Results: 109 patients were included in the study; the median age was 5 years, with a slight predominance of males. Sixty-six patients were classified as high-risk (HR) group and 43 patients were classified as low-risk (LR) group. After 5 years of diagnosis, the OS was 71.5%, and the EFS was 65%. No statistical difference was found between the HR and LR groups for OS and EFS, while leukocyte counts were statistically associated with the outcome of death (p = 0.028). Among the patients, 28 (25.6%) died due to infection accounting 46.4% of death causes. Among the 34 patients with unfavorable outcomes (death and/or relapse), 32 had no research for the minimal residual disease at the end of remission induction, and 25 were not investigated for the presence of chromosomal abnormalities. The most reported complications and treatment-related adverse effects were increased liver transaminases (85.9%), airway infection (79.4%), oral mucositis (67.2%), febrile neutropenia (64.4%), and diarrhea (36.4%). Conclusions: The rates of OS and EFS obtained in this cohort are similar to those obtained in the few previous similar studies in Brazil and lower than those carried out in developed countries. The unavailability of prognostic tests may have hindered risk stratification and influenced the results obtained.

Leg Ulcers in Sickle Cell Disease: A Multifactorial Analysis Highlights the Hemolytic Profile.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is characterized by the presence of the variant S hemoglobin (HbS). The homozygous genotype (HbSS) is sickle cell anemia (SCA), while the double heterozygous of HbS and HbC (HbSC) is defined as SC hemoglobinopathy. The pathophysiology is based on chronic hemolysis, inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and vaso-occlusion, which results in vasculopathy and serious clinical manifestations. Sickle leg ulcers (SLUs) are cutaneous lesions around the malleoli frequent in 20% of Brazilian patients with SCD. SLUs present a variable clinical and laboratory pattern modulated by several characteristics that are not fully understood. Hence, this study aimed to investigate laboratory biomarkers and genetic and clinical parameters associated with the development of SLUs. This descriptive cross-sectional study included 69 SCD patients, 52 without SLU (SLU-) and 17 with active or previous SLU history (SLU+). The results showed a higher incidence of SLU in SCA patients and there was no observed association of α-3.7 Kb thalassemia in SLU occurrence. Alterations in NO metabolism and hemolysis were associated with clinical evolution and severity of SLU, in addition to hemolysis modulating the etiology and recurrence of SLU. Our multifactorial analyses demonstrate and extend the role of hemolysis driving the pathophysiological mechanism of SLU.

Development of a catalogue of damage in Portuguese forest associated with extreme extratropical cyclones.

In European forests, extreme wind events associated with severe extratropical cyclones are considered the main abiotic agent of forest vulnerability, leading to high economic losses in forests due to damage caused by the uprooting of trees and trunk breaks. Despite the importance recognized to severe cyclones and associated extreme phenomena, the impact on forest stocks is not always properly reported, leading to underestimation in the perception of losses, with direct consequences on forest governance decisions. This is particularly true in countries where other agents traditionally have a high impact, such as the countries under the influence of the Mediterranean, where wildfire is a recurrent menace with devastating effects. This work characterizes the situation observed in Portugal and presents the methodology followed to obtain information about forest damages and the procedure to identify the extreme extratropical cyclones responsible for those damages. As an example, available information and the recording of damage occurring in the Portuguese forest in winter 2017-2018 are presented and discussed. The study shows how difficult and demanding it is to obtain past information about the damage. In addition, there is high uncertainty about the precise identification of the event that caused the damage, as field records often occur several days or even weeks after the storm. To reduce the constraints, it is proposed to use a model whose skeleton of information has been designed to obtain useful information from traditional registries. The proposed model is useful for the characterization of losses and to support national policies to reduce the impact of damage associated with extreme wind events. The design of the catalogue can be used for recording information at the stand scale level by stakeholders and ensure compatibility with international databases for updating information purposes.

A Description of the Hemolytic Component in Sickle Leg Ulcer: The Role of Circulating miR-199a-5p, miR-144, and miR-126.

Sickle leg ulcers (SLU) are malleoli lesions with exuberant hemolytic pathophysiology. The microRNAs are potential genetic biomarkers for several pathologies. Thereby, we aimed to assess the expression of circulating miR-199a-5p, miR-144, and miR-126 in association with hemolytic biomarkers in SLU. This cross-sectional study included 69 patients with sickle cell disease, 52 patients without SLU (SLU-) and 17 patients with active SLU or previous history (SLU+). The results demonstrated elevated expression of circulating miR-199a-5p and miR-144 in SLU+ patients while miR-126 expression was reduced. Circulating miR-199a-5p and miR-144 were associated with hemolytic biomarkers such as LDH, indirect bilirubin, AST, GGT, iron, ferritin, RBC, hemoglobin, and NOm, in addition to association with impaired clinical profile of SLU. Furthermore, in silico analyses indicated interactions of miR-199a-5p with HIF1A, Ets-1, and TGFB2 genes, which are associated with vasculopathy and reduced NO. In contrast, miR-126 was associated with an attenuating clinical profile of SLU, in addition to not characterizing hemolysis. In summary, this study demonstrates, for the first time, that hemolytic mechanism in SLU can be characterized by circulating miR-199a-5p and miR-144. The circulating miR-126 may play a protective role in SLU. Thus, these microRNAs can support to establish prognosis and therapeutic strategy in SLU.

Long-term macular vascular density measured by OCT-A in children with retinopathy of prematurity with and without need of laser treatment.

PURPOSE: To assess long-term vascular density measured by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) in former preterm children with history of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) with and without need of laser treatment. METHODS: This observational study included former preterm children that developed ROP stage 2 or 3. Infants were divided in two groups according to previous need of laser treatment, and underwent a complete ophthalmologic evaluation, including assessment of macular morphologic and vascular parameters by OCT-A. RESULTS: Fifteen eyes were included in group 1 (laser-requiring ROP) and 19 in group 2 (non-treated ROP). Group 1 had lower mean gestational age and birth weight values than group 2 (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was lower in group 1 (0.08 ± 0.04 logMAR vs 0.04 ± 0.07 logMAR, p = 0.03). Laser-requiring ROP had lower vascular parameters, especially of central and internal vascular density (9.15 ± 2.75 vs 10.52 ± 0.86 mm-1, p = 0.05; 13.74 ± 1.00 vs 15.86 ± 0.64 mm-1, p = 0.05; respectively), and lower avascular zone circularity (0.58 ± 0.06 vs 0.76 ± 0.02, p < 0.001). Mean macular thickness was higher in group 1 (300.50 ± 10.50 vs 281.11 ± 2.50 µm, p = 0.05). Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was correlated with superficial vascular density (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Laser-requiring ROP seems to result in a decrease of long-term BCVA, which is at least partially attributed to a decrease in superficial macular vascular density. However, prematurity degree was more pronounced in children that required treatment, which might have influenced our results.

Therapy-related acute myeloid leukemia with KMT2A-SNX9 gene fusion associated with a hyperdiploid karyotype after hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.

Therapy-related acute myeloid leukemia (t-AML) following treatment with topoisomerase-II inhibitors has been increasingly reported. These compounds (e.g. etoposide) promote DNA damage and are associated with KMT2A rearrangements. They are widely used as first-line treatment in hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). Here we describe a newborn who developed t-AML after HLH treatment. We provide detailed clinical, cytogenetic, and molecular characteristics of this patient, including the identification of a novel gene fusion - KMT2A-SNX9 - in t-AML. Considering the dismal outcome of this case, we discuss the side-effects of etoposide administration during HLH treatment in infants.

Large Scale Shrub Biomass Estimates for Multiple Purposes.

With the increase of forest fires in Portugal in recent decades, a significant part of woodlands is being converted into shrubland areas. Background: From an ecological point of view, woodlands and shrublands play an essential role, as they not only prevent soil erosion and desertification, but also contribute to soil protection, habitat preservation and restoration, and also increased biodiversity for carbon sequestration. Concerning the shrublands, the assessment of their biomass is essential for evaluating the fuel load and forest fire behavior and also beneficial for obtaining estimates of carbon and biomass for energy use. Methods: In this study, we collected data about the potential shrub biomass accumulation along fifteen years in former burnt areas within North Portugal. Results: The achieved results showed that for a post-fire period ranging from one to 15 years, the accumulated shrubs' biomass ranged from 0.12 up to 28.88 Mg ha-1. The model developed to estimate the shrub biomass using the time after a fire (age) as a predictor variable presented a high adjustment to data (p-value of the F statistic <0.01 and R2 = 0.89), allowing estimating shrub biomass regeneration within former burnt areas with an RMSE of 3.31 Mg ha-1. Conclusions: This paper provides practical information on the availability and assessment of shrub biomass in North Portugal, highlighting the suitability of shrubs as potential sources of biomass.