Understanding pseudo-albinism in sole (Solea senegalensis): a transcriptomics and metagenomics approach

Pseudo-albinism is a pigmentation disorder observed in flatfish aquaculture with a complex, multi-factor aetiology. We tested the hypothesis that pigmentation abnormalities are an overt signal of more generalised modifications in tissue structure and function, using as a model the Senegalese sole and two important innate immune barriers, the skin and intestine, and their microbiomes. Stereological analyses in pseudo-albino sole revealed a significantly increased mucous cell number in skin (P < 0.001) and a significantly thicker muscle layer and lamina propria in gut (P < 0.001). RNA-seq transcriptome analysis of the skin and gut identified 573 differentially expressed transcripts (DETs, FDR < 0.05) between pseudo-albino and pigmented soles (one pool/tissue from 4 individuals/phenotype). DETs were mainly linked to pigment production, skin structure and regeneration and smooth muscle contraction. The microbiome (16 S rRNA analysis) was highly diverse in pigmented and pseudo-albino skin but in gut had low complexity and diverged between the two pigmentation phenotypes. Quantitative PCR revealed significantly lower loads of Mycoplasma (P < 0.05) and Vibrio bacteria (P < 0.01) in pseudo-albino compared to the control. The study revealed that pseudo-albinism in addition to pigmentation changes was associated with generalised changes in the skin and gut structure and a modification in the gut microbiome.Agência financiadora H2020 European Funds MSCA-RISE project 691102 Portuguese national funds from FCT - Foundation for Science and Technology UID/Multi/04326/2019 Portuguese national funds from the operational programme CRESC Algarve 2020 EMBRC. PT ALG-01-0145-FEDER-022121 Portuguese national funds from the operational programme COMPETE 2020 EMBRC. PT ALG-01-0145-FEDER-022121 European Union (EU) 654008 Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia (FCT) SFRH/BPD/84033/2012 Portuguese Institute for Employment and Vocational Training 0068/ET/18info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Molecular evidence for the occurrence of a new sibling species within the Anopheles (Kerteszia) cruzii complex in south-east Brazil

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Anopheles cruzii </it>(Diptera: Culicidae) has long been known as a vector of human and simian malaria parasites in southern and south-eastern Brazil. Previous studies have provided evidence that <it>An. cruzii </it>is a species complex, but the status of the different populations and the number of sibling species remains unclear. A recent analysis of the genetic differentiation of the <it>timeless </it>gene among <it>An. cruzii </it>populations from south and south-east Brazil has suggested that the population from Itatiaia, Rio de Janeiro State (south-east Brazil), is in a process of incipient speciation.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A ~180 bp fragment of <it>cpr</it>, a gene encoding the NADPH-cytochrome P450 reductase, an enzyme involved in metabolic insecticide resistance and odorant clearance in insects, was used in this study as a molecular marker to analyse the divergence between five <it>An. cruzii </it>populations from south and south-east Brazil.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Analysis of the genetic differentiation in the <it>cpr </it>gene revealed very high <it>F_ST</it>values and fixed differences between Itatiaia and the other four populations studied (Florianópolis, Cananéia, Juquitiba and Santa Teresa). In addition, the data also provided preliminary evidence that seems to indicate the occurrence of two sympatric sibling species in Itatiaia.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Population genetics analysis of <it>An. cruzii </it>samples from different localities using a fragment of the <it>cpr </it>gene suggests that the Itatiaia sample represents at least one new sibling species in this complex.</p

Avaliação de serviços de ecossistema de conservação do solo associados a processos erosivos

Estudos recentes mostram a necessidade de incorporar os conceitos de serviços de ecossistema e de sistemas sócio-ecológicos nos processos de planeamento e gestão dos espaços naturais. Esta necessidade reflete não só a importância dos ecossistemas, e dos serviços que lhes estão associados, para o sucesso dos processos de planeamento, mas também a relevância da implementação de estudos interdisciplinares que acrescentem conhecimento na avaliação das interações entre Homem e Natureza. Neste contexto, foram desenvolvidos um conjunto de trabalhos que pretendem, em zonas bastante distintas em termos climáticos e de ocupação e gestão do solo (i.e. Alto‐Minho [NO de Portugal] e Portel [SE de Portugal]), mostrar a aplicação e a importância da avaliação de serviços de ecossistema para a condução dos processos de planeamento local, definição de estratégias de gestão da terra e definição de políticas de investimento e regulamentação das atividades em espaço rural. A utilização de técnicas de detecção remota, assim como de um modelo conceptual orientado à identificação e quantificação de serviços de ecossistema associados à proteção do solo,permitem-­‐nos inferir por um lado, quais as estratégias de gestão da terra mais adequadas à provisão deste serviço, identificando assim limiares de gestão adequados, e por outro, quais as necessidades de planeamento e regulamentação à escala regional. Sendo o solo o elemento central do desenvolvimento local e regional, os resultados obtidos evidenciam o valor dos serviços de ecossistema associados à proteção do solo e a necessidade de definir novos planos e estratégias de gestão da terra que contribuam para a mitigação dos riscos associados à erosão do solo não só à escala local, como à escala regional

Determination of phytoextraction potential of plant speciesfor toxic elements in soils of abandoned sulphide-mining areas

This study has determined contamination levels in soils and plants from the Sa˜o Domingos mining area, Portugal, by k0-INAA. Total concentrations of As, Sb, Cr, Hg, Cu, Zn and Fe in soils were very high, exceeding the maximum limits in Portuguese legislation. Concentrations of toxic elements like As, Sb and Zn were highest in roots of Erica andevalensis, Juncus acutus, Agrostis castellana and Nicotiana glauca. Additionally, As, Br, Cr, Fe, Sb and Zn in all organs of most plants were above toxicity levels. Those species that accumulated relatively high concentrations of toxic elements in roots (and tops) may be cultivated for phytostabilisation of similar areas

Teoria da vulnerabilidade de redes hidráulicas de abastecimento de água (TVRHAA)

O objectivo deste trabalho é apresentar a Teoria da Vulnerabilidade de Redes Hidráulicas de Abastecimento de Água (TVRHAA) e, em particular, os seus principais fundamentos teóricos. O contributo da sua utilização prende-se com o projecto de redes hidráulicas de abastecimento de água (RHAA) mais robustas sendo igualmente um importante auxiliar na gestão mais eficiente destes sistemas e atendendo a que as partes mais vulneráveis de uma RHAA são identificadas

A novel strategy of acrylamide mitigation in fried potatoes using asparaginase and high pressure technology

The potentiality of high pressure processing (HPP) to possibly enhance diffusion of asparaginase into raw potato sticks, and consequently on reduction of acrylamide levels in fried potatoes was evaluated. Raw potato sticks were immersed in asparaginase (10,000 ASNU/L) and immediately subjected to 0.1, 100, 200 and 400 MPa for 5 min, with total enzymatic reaction times of 5, 10 and 20 min and room temperature. Pressurized raw potato sticks became softer, more flexible, and required lower energy for cutting (up to 47% less); the roughness of potato surface and moisture content were slightly reduced; and the concentration of soluble solids in the exterior solutions increased, indicative of a leaching effect. Due to changes induced by asparaginase and/or HPP on raw potatoes, fried potatoes exhibited higher weight loss after frying, and higher hardness (crispness). The combined treatment with asparaginase and HPP showed to reduce acrylamide levels by 26 -47%, while with asparaginase or HPP alone there was no significant reduction.publishe

Evolution of land cover in the special area of conservation of Monchique (Southern Portugal): Have the objectives of the Natura 2000 network been achieved (1995–2018)?

The Natura 2000 Network, as the European Union's ecological network, aims toensure the long-term conservation of Europe's most threatened species and habitats,helping to stop the loss of biodiversity. Based on this assumption, the changes in landcover in the Special Area of Conservation (SAC) of Monchique between 1995 and2018 are analysed and related to identify favourable and unfavourable policies con-cerning the habitats and respective species conservation. The most important landcovers are compared with the habitats and species legally protected at the Nationaland European level, as well as the Red List of Vascular Flora of Mainland Portugal. Asmain results can be highlighted the increase in the forest area occupied by species suchasEucalyptus globulusandPinus pinaster, and a reduction in the areas of grazing andshrub species. Can also be noted an increase in the areas covered by invasive species,which may be associated with the abandonment of rural areas. We identified 21 taxawith high heritage interest in the Monchique SAC, occurring mainly in forest habitats,namely 91E0, 92A0, 9240, 9330 and 9340, which should be considered in the elabora-tion of future Territorial Management Plans. Thus, it can be concluded that the objec-tives initially stipulated by the Natura 2000 Network were not fully achieved withinthe Monchique SAC. Alternative management methods must be studied to allow con-servation in a territory with a high land consolidation and low population densityinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Enhanced control of Bacillus subtilis endospores development by hyperbaric storage at variable/uncontrolled room temperature compared to refrigeration

The effect of hyperbaric storage on Bacillus subtilis endospores, as a new food preservation methodology with potential to replace the conventional refrigeration processes, was assessed and compared to refrigeration. To do so, three different matrices (McIlvaine buffer, carrot juice and brain-heart infusion broth, BHI-broth) were inoculated with B. subtilis endospores and stored at 25, 50 and 100 MPa at variable/uncontrolled room temperature (18-23 °C), under refrigeration (4 °C), and room temperature at atmospheric pressure (0.1 MPa), up to 60 days. Two different quantification procedures were performed to assay both vegetative and endospores (unheated samples) and endospores (heated samples), to assess germination under pressure. The results showed that hyperbaric storage yielded pronounced endospore loads reductions in carrot juice and BHI-broth at 50 and 100 MPa, while in McIlvaine buffer, lower endospore loads reductions were observed. At 25 MPa, the endospores germinated and outgrew in carrot juice. Under refrigeration conditions, both carrot juice and BHI-broth underwent endospore germination and outgrowth after 60 and 9 days of storage, respectively, while in McIlvaine buffer there were no endospore outgrowth. These results suggest that hyperbaric storage at room temperature might not only be a feasible preservation procedure regarding endospores, but also that the food product (matrix characteristics) seems to influence the microbial inactivation that occurs during hyperbaric storage.publishe

Conventional and emergent technologies for honey processing: A perspective on microbiological safety, bioactivity, and quality

Honey is a natural food of worldwide economic importance. Over the last decades, its potential for food, medical, cosmetical, and biotechnological applications has been widely explored. One of the major safety issues regarding such applications is its susceptibility to being contaminated with bacterial and fungi spores, including pathogenic ones, which may impose a hurdle to its consumption in a raw state. Another factor that makes this product particularly challenging relies on its high sugar content, which will lead to the formation of hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) when heated (due to Maillard reactions). Moreover, honey’s bioactivity is known to be affected when it goes through thermal processing due to its unstable and thermolabile components. Therefore, proper food processing methodologies are of utmost importance not only to ensure honey safety but also to provide a high-quality product with low content of HMF and preserved biological properties. As so, emerging food processing technologies have been employed to improve the safety and quality of raw honey, allowing, for example, to reduce/avoid the exposure time to high processing temperatures, with consequent impact on the formation of HMF. This review aims to gather the literature available regarding the use of conventional and emergent food processing technologies (both thermal and nonthermal food processing technologies) for honey decontamination, preservation/enhancement of honey biological activity, as well as the sensorial attributes.Thanks are due to the University of Aveiro and FCT/MCT for the financial support for the LAQV/REQUIMTE and CIMO research Units (FCT UID/QUI/50006/2020 and UIDB/00690/2020, respectively) through national funds and, where applicable, co-financed by the FEDER, within the PT2020 Partnership Agreement, and to the Portuguese NMR Network. The authors Hana Scepankova and Carlos A. Pinto would like to thank also FCT/MCT for the Ph.D. grants (SFRH/BD/88133/2012 and SFRH/BD/137036/2018).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio