Metabolites released by poaceae roots under iron‐deficient conditions

BackgroundStrategy-II, as a response mechanism, is limited to grasses under Fe deficiency and is based on the secretion of phytosiderophores (PS) into the rhizosphere, in conjunction with the induction of a high-affinity system for Fe(III)-PS uptake. This strategy has a significant ecological impact and is essential for sustainable agriculture.AimsIn this work, we studied the physiological and metabolic responses of Poa pratensis L., Lolium perenne L., and Festuca rubra L. when grown in nutrient solution under Fe deficiency.MethodsAfter chlorosis appeared, we analyzed leaf pigment concentrations, biomass, and ferric chelate reductase (FCR) activity of root tips. We also screened the metabolites released by root exudates using liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS).ResultsPlants grown with low or no Fe availability had significantly lower fresh weight (FW) and leaf chlorophyll (Chl) but higher FCR activity as compared to control plants. The root exudates contain carboxylic acids, phenolic acids, polyphenols, and peptides, among others. An increase in carboxylic acid content was correlated with Fe chlorosis in all species studied. However, the specific compounds that were upregulated varied depending on the species. Root exudates contained several upregulated metabolites that were identified as small peptides and/or peptide derivates based on their spectral data and formulas that are compatible with small peptides and/or peptide derivatives.ConclusionsThese results, together with the metal binding/chelation properties of many peptides, highlight the release of these compounds and/or their derivatives as a response of grasses to increase the Fe bioavailability.ALG-01-0145-FEDER-022121

Sea turtles in the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, a step towards understanding bycatch and management of these species in tuna fisheries

Knowledge of the spatiotemporal behavior and interactions with fishing gear of bycatch species is essential to improve conservation and fisheries management strategies. We analyze fine-scale data from onboard observers, covering 25 fishing fleets from 2002 through 2018, to assess temporal trends and spatial variation in sea turtle bycatch in longline and purse seine tuna fisheries in the Atlantic and Indian oceans. For the spatial analysis, we used the latest Regional Management Units for Sea Turtles (RMUs). In 117,381 fishing sets (51,431 in longlines and 65,950 in purse seine), a total of 26,050 sea turtles were incidentally caught. Bycatch was significantly higher in the Atlantic than in the Indian Ocean. Some bycatch trends were observed in longline fisheries but should be interpreted with caution due to low observer coverage and uneven sampling. In purse seine fisheries, where observer coverage was higher, an increasing trend over time was found in the bycatch rate of the three most caught species during the study period. This could be related to an increase in population size as suggested in other regional-scale analyses. We identified RMUs that should receive further attention from the perspective of increased capture rates over time. Our large-scale analysis confirms that surface longline sets capture significantly more turtles than deep longline sets. Purse seine sets on fish aggregating objects (FOB) captured more turtles than sets made on free schools of fish. These results are of relevance for the management and protection of these threatened species and the development of management measures.Grant Agreement no. SI2.839159

Links between GRACE water storage and NAO-EA-SCAND climate patterns in Iberia

Groundwater drought develops as a smoothed and delayed response to persistent or frequent deficits in rainfall, or as result of a continued negative balance between recharge and extraction. Although not as accurate as in-situ observations, remote sensing has the advantage of providing near real-time and spatially continuous data. GRACE satellite data has been used to show evidence of groundwater depletion in aquifers all over the world (Rodel et al. 2018), and NASA currently generates weakly groundwater and soil moisture drought indicators based on GRACE-FO as part of the United States drought monitoring program. In Europe the Copernicus Global Drought Observatory also uses GRACE total water storage (TWS) anomalies as a proxy of groundwater drought. The use of GRACE satellite data for water resources management, particularly for groundwater systems in the Iberia Peninsula, looks promising (Neves et al. 2020), but its suitability to monitor drought requires further research. On the other hand, large scale atmospheric circulation patterns also known as teleconnections control the interannual to interdecadal natural variability of the climate system. In the Iberian Peninsula, the North Atlantic oscillation (NAO), the East Atlantic (EA) and the Scandinavian (SCAND) patterns are the three main modes of variability driving winter precipitation, river flow and therefore surface and subsurface water storage. These patterns or modes of variability are characterized by indices which measure the strength of atmospheric pressure anomalies. Positive and negative phases of the indices, defined by values above or below given thresholds(e.g. NAO+ is defined for aggregates of winter month indices above 0.5), are generally associated with either wet or dry conditions. Previous studies have shown that wintertime NAO+ and EAphases potentiate droughts in Iberia, the opposite occurring for NAO- and EA+ phases. However, few studies have recognized the importance of interactions amongst climate patterns and only recently did we become aware that their combinations or superpositions, as well as the temporal shifts in their synchronization, may lead to major anomalies in groundwater storage (Neves et al. 2019). The purpose of the present study is to address the question: Do combined NAO-EA-SCAND phases also produce noticeable extremes in GRACE TWS observations? This question is relevant for two main reasons. First, GRACE offers a unique opportunity of fast and reliable large-scale monitorization of groundwater and can be used as an early warning system for groundwater drought or aquifer depletion. Second, the NAO-EASCAND indices provide a potential source of seasonal forecast since their wintertime value determines the availability of water in the following summer. Teleconnections may also be a source of long-term forecasting as they exert periodic controls on groundwater level and are linked to recurrent droughts.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Banking reputation and its impact on stock markets: a big data analysis through online comments

Purpose Given the substantial number of social conversations on the Internet, companies must remain vigilant about protecting their reputations and businesses. The purpose of this research is to measure the impact on share prices of reputational variables, measured through online comments, at the banking sector level as well as patterns of behavior between these variables and fluctuations in share rices. Design/methodology/approach Using big data and business intelligence techniques, bank reputation was analyzed through online social comments. The sample includes seven Spanish banks. To measure the impact of reputational variables on share prices, an Online Reputation Index was created. These variables were then correlated and filtered with the share price variation rate of each bank on a daily basis under two scenarios: using all share price data and also focusing on times of sharp fluctuations. Finally, multiple linear regression analysis was used to identify patterns in these relationships. Findings The findings reveal that negative comments focusing on attitude, emotions and governance experiences - particularly regarding ethical performance - are the only reputational variables with a clear impact on share price fluctuations in the banking sector. Strong correlations between reputation variables and share prices were observed only when online comments were extremely negative. These behaviors were more frequent during periods of significant price fluctuations. Originality/value This is the first study to analyze the impact of the reputation of the banking sector measured in the online environment on share price, taking into account its multidimensional construct

Healthy aging: the role of public policies

O envelhecimento da população é atualmente uma realidade em Portugal, sendo o desenvolvimento de políticas públicas que promovam o envelhecimento saudável imprescindíveis. Foi realizada uma revisão narrativa onde se identificaram na literatura quais os principais desafios e as principais oportunidades para o desenvolvimento de políticas públicas orientadas para o envelhecimento saudável e prevenção do idadismo. Esta revisão baseou-se no levantamento bibliográfico de artigos científicos publicados nas principais bases de dados. Alguns dos principais desafios identificados passam pela necessidade crescente de combater o preconceito relacionado com a idade; permitir o acesso a serviços e recursos primordiais de forma a existir equidade intergeracional; recolha de dados e monitorização em relação ao envelhecimento saudável. É possível criar a oportunidade para, por um lado manter estes indivíduos a sentirem-se parte integrante da sociedade, e por outro, acrescentarem valor a esta.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Current distribution of the African citrus psyllid Trioza erytreae in Portugal: relation to climatic conditions

The onset of Trioza erytreae, the African citrus psyllid, in the northwest of the Iberian Peninsula (north of Portugal and northwest of Spain) caused great concern among citrus growers in Europe. This insect is a vector of the bacteria Candidatus Liberibacter spp., the causal agent of huanglongbing, one of the most devastating citrus diseases. The first report of T. erytreae presence in mainland Europe refers to an area with isolated citrus trees and no significant citrus orchards. However, it was predictable that T. erytreae could spread quickly reaching the most important citrus growing area, in the south. Therefore, the Portuguese citrus industry is the first to be threatened in Europe, but the entire European citrus industry is at risk. In addition to the containment measures taken by the Portuguese and Spanish Phytosanitary Services, several models were made to predict how the African citrus psyllid could advance through the territory of the two countries. Releases of the parasitoid Tamarixia dryi were used for psyllid control. Despite that, T. erytreae has moved south and is on the verge of reaching the most important Portuguese citrus-producing area, which is connected to the citrus-growing areas of the other Mediterranean countries. This advance took place along the coast, without reaching interior regions of the country, where, according to some models, a high-water vapor pressure deficit hinders the insect's development in warmer areas. Populations of T. erytreae dropped significantly in 2021 and 2022, making it difficult to detect even in previously infested areas. This doesn't give farmers peace of mind because the presence of T. erytreae, even in low populations, could lead to a quick spread of huanglongbing, if or when the disease arrives in Europe. Therefore, it is crucial to continue to monitor T. erytreae populations and implement the necessary containment measures for the vector.LIFE G.A. LIFE18 CCA/ES/001109; Horizon 2020, G. A. 817526info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Estudo de mercado: Laranja do Algarve

Este relatório sintetiza os resultados de um estudo de mercado, com recurso a um questionário, sobre a Laranja do Algarve

Role of ancillary techniques in the differential diagnosis of salivary gland carcinomas

Paiva-Correia A, Hellquist H, Apolónio J, Castelo-Branco P. Role of ancillary techniques in the differential diagnosis of salivary gland carcinomas. The diagnosis of salivary gland carcinomas (SGC) rests mainly on histology, but immunohistochemical and molecular investigations are often necessary for differential diagnosis. This review is primarily aimed as a tool for pathologists in non-specialised head and neck hospitals who encounter a limited number of SGC annually. The use of testing an initial antibody panel, which may comprise both positive and negative expression for a suspected entity, and examples of different panels are outlined. We also focused on acinic cell carcinoma (AcCC), which is positive for DOG1 and negative for mammaglobin, whilst secretory carcinoma (SC) is positive for mammaglobin and negative for DOG1. In addition, the exclusive expression of androgen and HER2 in salivary duct carcinoma (SDC) and its use for differential diagnosis are also addressed. This review also highlights the particularities of mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) and its negativity for S100 and SOX10, which distinguishes it from some of its mimics. In laboratories with limited access to antibodies for SGC, we recommend inclusion of mammaglobin. The use of molecular techniques for the diagnosis of MEC (MAML2), SC (ETV6), adenoid cystic carcinoma (MYB), and AcCC (NR4A3) is discussed. We highlight the role of commonly available antibodies for the histological classification of SGC

Transcriptional regulation of Synaptonemal complex assembly and disassembly during meiosis

Human female meiosis can take several decades to be concluded, as the oocytes enter meiosis before birth and stay arrested in prophase I in a dormant state until puberty. We aim to better understand the mechanisms responsible for the correct awakening of the oocyte, and the way they ensure successful meiotic progression and oocyte maturation. We and others showed that the prophase I-arrested Drosophila oocyte is transcriptionally quiescent for approximately 36 hours, and similarly to human oocytes, its reactivation is associated with a poorly understood global remodelling of its chromatin architecture. A screen for endogenously GFP-tagged transcription factors allowed the identification of Polycomb as being highly enriched in the oocyte chromatin and we will present our ongoing work related with the function of this protein complex and our attempts to visualize oocyte reactivation using live-cell imaging techniques. Additionally, the synaptonemal complex (SC) is a proteinaceous scaffold that is assembled between the paired homologous chromosomes during the onset of meiosis. The SC stabilizes chromosome pairing and is important for crossovers formation, recombination and accurate segregation of meiotic chromosomes. Timely expression of SC genes is essential for SC assembly and successful meiosis. However, SC components have an intrinsic tendency to self-organize into alternative repetitive structures (polycomplexes), being potentially deleterious for meiosis and gametogenesis. In this work, we show that Sfmbt, is required to avoid excessive expression of SC genes during prophase I and consequently formation of polycomplexes during SC disassembly. Overexpression of Corona and depletion of other Polycomb group proteins are similarly associated to polycomplexes formation during SC disassembly. These polycomplexes are highly dynamic and have a well-defined periodic structure. Further confirming the importance of Sfmbt for female gametogenesis, germ line depletion of this protein is associated to significant metaphase I defects and a reduction of female fertility.meiose feminina humana pode levar várias décadas para ser concluída, pois os oócitos entram na meiose antes do nascimento e permanecem dormentes na prófase I até a puberdade. Neste trabalho procurámos compreender os mecanismos responsáveis pelo correto despertar do oócito e a forma como garantem a progressão e maturação meiótica. Foi demonstrado que o oócito de Drosophila preso na prófase I é transcricionalmente quiescente aproximadamente 36 horas e, de maneira semelhante aos oócitos humanos, a reativação está associada à remodelação global da arquitetura da cromatina. Usufruindo de uma seleção de fatores de transcrição marcados com GFP endógenos permitiu identificámos o Polycomb altamente enriquecido na cromatina do oócito e procurámos descobrir a função desta proteína bem como a visualizar oócitos através de técnicas de imagem ex vivo. Mais ainda, o complexo sinaptonémico (CS) é uma estrutura proteica que se forma entre os cromossomas homólogos durante o início da meiose. O CS estabiliza o emparelhamento de cromossomas sendo importante para a formação de crossingovers, recombinação e segregação dos cromossomas meióticos. A expressão correta dos genes do CS é essencial para a formação do CS e para o sucesso meiótico. No entanto, estes componentes têm uma tendência intrínseca de se auto-organizarem em estruturas repetitivas alternativas de ordem superior (policomplexos), sendo potencialmente perigosos para a meiose e a gametogénese. Neste trabalho, mostramos que o Sfmbt é necessário para evitar a expressão excessiva destes genes e, consequentemente, a formação de policomplexos durante a desmontagem do SC. A sobre expressão de Corona e a depleção de outras proteínas do grupo Polycomb estão também associadas à formação de policomplexos durante a desmontagem do SC. Estes policomplexos são altamente dinâmicos e possuem uma estrutura periódica bem definida. A depleção de Sfmbt está também associada com defeitos de metafase I e a uma redução da fertilidade feminina

Stress granules in Polyglutamine diseases: new targets for therapeutic intervention?

Polyglutamine (PolyQ) diseases are a group of hereditary and incurable neurodegenerative pathologies, caused by abnormal expansion of CAG trinucleotide repeats in the disease-causing genes. In these disorders, the formation of toxic aggregated species from the expanded protein leads to dysfunction of several biological systems, ultimately resulting in neuronal degeneration and death widespread across different brain regions. Dysfunction of cellular pathways also correlates with stress responses, such as the formation of stress granules (SGs). Recently, multiple evidence suggested that SGs and its components play a role in the pathogenesis of PolyQ diseases. Therefore, the general goal of this project was to clarify the SGs role in the context of PolyQ diseases pathogenesis, trying to identify new pathways and targets for a therapeutic intervention, using spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) and type 2 (SCA2) as PolyQ disease models. We found that several SGs components have their gene expression levels altered in these two diseases, including regulated heat stable protein 1 (CARHSP1) and Pumilio homolog 1 (PUM1), which have their levels upregulated in SCA3 and SCA2 diseases. We found that the downregulation of CARHSP1 resulted in reduced mutant protein aggregation in SCA3 cellular and mouse models, as well as amelioration of motor and neuropathological abnormalities. On the other hand, knockdown of PUM1 levels led to increased aggregation of polyQ-expanded protein, as well as worsening of motor deficits in mouse models of SCA3 disease. We further assessed the downregulation of CARHP1 in a novel striatal lentiviral mouse of SCA2, although no alterations in neuropathological features were observed. Overall, our study contributes to the putative involvement of SGs in PolyQ disease and showed that the modulation of CARHSP1 SGs component could be potential therapeutic approach for SCA3 disease. Future studies are needed to fully understand SGs and its components importance in the context of PolyQ and other neurodegenerative diseases.As doenças de poliglutaminas são um grupo de nove doenças neurodegenerativas causadas pelo mesmo tipo de mutação genética. Estas patologias resultam de uma repetição aberrante do códão CAG na região codificante dos genes responsáveis por cada uma destas doenças. Esta mutação genética traduz-se numa expansão tóxica de glutaminas nas respetivas proteínas traduzidas, que sofrem alterações conformacionais levando à formação de agregados proteicos em diversas populações de neurónios. Apesar de serem causadas por genes e proteínas diferentes, as doenças de poliglutaminas partilham vários mecanismos de patogénese, que incluem a desregulação de diversos sistemas celulares essenciais à sobrevivência celular. Para além disto, a expressão de proteínas com expansões de poliglutaminas conduz a aumento dos níveis de stress celular, induzindo a formação de grânulos de stress. Diversos estudos sugeriram que os grânulos de stress podem desempenhar um papel relevante na patogénese das doenças de poliglutaminas e de outras doenças neurodegenerativas. Assim, o objetivo global deste trabalho foi estudar o papel dos grânulos de stress e dos seus componentes nestas doenças, de forma a tentar identificar novas vias celulares envolvidas nestas patologias e novos alvos com um potencial terapêutico, utilizando a ataxia espinocerebelosa do tipo 3 (SCA3, do inglês spinocerebellar ataxia type 3) e do tipo 2 (SCA2, do inglês spinocerebellar ataxia type 2), como modelos das doenças de poliglutaminas. Estas duas doenças resultam da expansão anormal de poliglutaminas nas proteínas ataxina-3 e ataxina-2, respetivamente. Neste trabalho, começámos por analisar quais os componentes dos grânulos de stress que estavam diferencialmente expressos, utilizando a análise de dados de transcriptómica, de modelos de murganho de cada uma das doenças modelo. Estes resultados demonstraram que as proteínas, CARHSP1 (do inglês calcium regulated heat stable protein 1) e PUM1 (do inglês Pumilio homolog 1) tinham os seus níveis aumentados, comparados com animais saudáveis. De seguida, decidimos avaliar se a diminuição dos níveis destas proteínas através da ferramenta de edição génica CRISPR-Cas (do inglês clustered regularly short palindromic repeats-CRISPR associated nucleases) poderia ter um impacto em diversas caraterísticas da SCA3. Os resultados obtidos demonstraram que a diminuição de CARHSP1 levou a uma redução da agregação da proteína ataxina-3 expandida em modelos celulares e animais desta doença. Para além disto, observou-se a melhoria do fenótipo motor e das características neuropatológicas em murganhos de SCA3. Por outro lado, a diminuição dos níveis de PUM1 resultou no aumento dos níveis de agregação da proteína mutante e no agravamento da função motora na doença de SCA3. Assim, estes resultados demonstraram que a diminuição dos níveis de CARHSP1 teve um efeito benéfico nos modelos de doença de SCA3. De forma a podermos testar o efeito do componente dos SGs, CARHSP1, na doença SCA2, procedemos ao desenvolvimento de um novo modelo de murganho desta doença com patologia no estriado. Para isto, recorremos ao uso de vetores lentivirais para expressar a construção com o gene mutante de SCA2. A caraterização deste modelo revelou a expressão da proteína mutante resulta na formação de agregados dentro dos neurónios do estriado, levando à depleção de marcadores neuronais, à morte neuronal e à indução de inflamação no estriado. O modelo lentiviral de murganho de SCA2 criado revelou-se como uma ferramenta útil para estudar novos mecanismos de doenças e testar novos potencias alvos terapêuticos. De seguida, fomos então avaliar se a diminuição dos níveis de CARHSP1 poderia ter o mesmo papel benéfico na doença SCA2. Após a modulação dos níveis de CARHSP1, não observámos alterações significativas na neuropatologia dos animais com SCA2. Em conclusão, este trabalho identificou a proteína CARHSP1, componente dos SGs, como um potencial alvo terapêutico para o tratamento da doença de PolyQ SCA3. Por outro lado, este alvo não resultou em melhorias no modelo de doença de SCA2. Assim, estudos futuros em outras doenças de PolyQ devem ser feitos para validar o CARHSP1 como alvo terapêutico para estas doenças