The global crisis of plastic pollution, particularly involving microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs), has profound ecological implications. Birds, serving as bioindicators, are especially susceptible to these pollutants. This systematic review synthesizes the current research on the presence, distribution, and impact of MPs and NPs on avian species, alongside advancements in detection methodologies. MPs and NPs have been identified in over 200 bird species across 46 families, encompassing several ecosystems, from Antarctica to Labrador, including Australia, China, and South Europe. Seabirds such as penguins, gulls, and shearwaters exhibit a high burden of MPs in tissues and feces due to fishing debris, while terrestrial species face contamination from urban and agricultural sources. Depending on their composition, MPs can cause gastrointestinal damage, oxidative stress, and bioaccumulation of toxic chemicals, particularly polyethylene and polypropylene. However, challenges in detection persist due to methodological inconsistencies, though advances in spectroscopy and flow cytometry offer improved accuracy. Addressing this pollution is vital for bird conservation and ecosystem health, requiring international collaboration and standardized research protocols.

West Nile Virus (WNV) is a zoonotic, vector-borne pathogen affecting humans and animals, particularly in Europe. The virus is primarily transmitted through mosquitoes that infect birds, which serve as the main reservoirs. Humans and horses are incidental hosts. This review focuses on the epidemiology of WNV in southern Europe, particularly its increasing prevalence. Methods included an extensive literature review and analysis of recent outbreaks. WNV is largely asymptomatic in humans, but a small percentage can develop West Nile neuroinvasive disease (WNND), leading to severe neurological symptoms and fatalities. Horses can also suffer from neurological complications, with high mortality rates. Climate change, migratory birds, and mosquito population dynamics contribute to the virus spread across Europe. Control efforts focus on vector management, and while vaccines are available for horses, none has been approved for humans. Surveillance, particularly of bird and mosquito populations, and further research into the virus molecular structure are crucial for understanding and mitigating future outbreaks.

Background: In Veterinary Medicine, traditional methods for evaluating technical skills, such as multiple-choice exams or short questions, have limitations in assessing practical competencies. The Objective Structured Clinical Practical Examination (OSPE) has been successfully implemented in other Health Sciences degrees to improve objectivity and minimize bias in skill evaluation. This study aimed to assess the outcomes of implementing OSPE for evaluating Veterinary students' technical skills and to analyze students' perceptions and satisfaction with the method.Methods: Over two academic years, OSPE was introduced as an evaluation tool for Veterinary students, featuring four stations: Clinical Examination, Blood Sample Extraction, Anesthesia, and Surgery. Student performance was recorded, and their perceptions were gathered through voluntary surveys. Descriptive statistics were applied to analyze the exam results and survey responses.Results: A total of 144 students participated, with 93.8% passing the OSPE on their first attempt. Among the stations, the Surgery station received the highest scores both in student performance and survey feedback. Overall, 96% of students considered OSPE a positive evaluation method, and 92.7% acknowledged its effectiveness in assessing practical skills.Conclusions: The OSPE has significantly improved the evaluation of practical skills in Veterinary Medicine, offering an objective and structured approach that enhances learning strategies. Students demonstrated high satisfaction with the method, which also resulted in favorable exam outcomes.