New geographic distribution records for Northeastern Atlantic species from Peniche and Berlengas Archipelago

During SCUBA dives and intertidal surveys carried out in 2006 and 2007 at Peniche and the Berlengas Archipelago (Portugal), undertaken as part of a research project with the objective of publishing an underwater marine guide, a photographic register of several species not yet recorded for the area was produced. Subsequent identification and bibliographic research confirmed that these records were made beyond the previously known geographic distribution boundaries for each of the species mentioned here

Summer aggregations of the common eagle ray, Myliobatis aquila

The aggregation of multiple individuals is a long known behaviour in a variety of elasmobranchs, including reef sharks (Speed et al. 2011), hammerhead sharks (Klimley & Nelson 1984), whale sharks (Hoffmayer et al. 2007), devilrays (Ward-Page et al. 2013; Sobral & Afonso 2014), stingrays (Semeniuk & Rotley 2008), eagle rays (Silliman & Gruber 1999) and cownose rays (Smith et al. 1987). Various functions have been hypothesised to explain these aggregations, including feeding (e.g. Wilson et al. 2001; Rohner et al. 2013), courtship or mating (Whitney et al. 2004; Dudgeon et al. 2008), and cleaning stations (Dewar et al. 2008). However, apart from the obvious cases whenever individuals directly engage in reproductive activities, the social functions that these aggregations might serve are not understood or even described. […]

A Critical Perspective on 3D Liver Models for Drug Metabolism and Toxicology Studies

The poor predictability of human liver toxicity is still causing high attrition rates of drug candidates in the pharmaceutical industry at the non-clinical, clinical, and post-marketing authorization stages. This is in part caused by animal models that fail to predict various human adverse drug reactions (ADRs), resulting in undetected hepatotoxicity at the non-clinical phase of drug development. In an effort to increase the prediction of human hepatotoxicity, different approaches to enhance the physiological relevance of hepatic in vitro systems are being pursued. Three-dimensional (3D) or microfluidic technologies allow to better recapitulate hepatocyte organization and cell-matrix contacts, to include additional cell types, to incorporate fluid flow and to create gradients of oxygen and nutrients, which have led to improved differentiated cell phenotype and functionality. This comprehensive review addresses the drug-induced hepatotoxicity mechanisms and the currently available 3D liver in vitro models, their characteristics, as well as their advantages and limitations for human hepatotoxicity assessment. In addition, since toxic responses are greatly dependent on the culture model, a comparative analysis of the toxicity studies performed using two-dimensional (2D) and 3D in vitro strategies with recognized hepatotoxic compounds, such as paracetamol, diclofenac, and troglitazone is performed, further highlighting the need for harmonization of the respective characterization methods. Finally, taking a step forward, we propose a roadmap for the assessment of drugs hepatotoxicity based on fully characterized fit-for-purpose in vitro models, taking advantage of the best of each model, which will ultimately contribute to more informed decision-making in the drug development and risk assessment fields.This research has been supported by FCT (Portugal) through the research grants and scholarship PTDC/MED-TOX/29183/2017, UIDB/04138/2020, UIDP/04138/2020, and SFRH/BD/144130/2019 to JR and by the H2020, European Commission, though the MSCA-IF-EF-ST – Standard EF to MC (GA-845147-LIV-AD-ON-A-CHIP). Conflict of Interestinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Optimization of Au:CuO thin films by plasma surface modification for high-resolution LSPR gas sensing at room temperature

In this study, thin films composed of gold nanoparticles embedded in a copper oxide matrix (Au:CuO), manifesting Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance (LSPR) behavior, were produced by reactive DC magnetron sputtering and post-deposition in-air annealing. The effect of low-power Ar plasma etching on the surface properties of the plasmonic thin films was studied, envisaging its optimization as gas sensors. Thus, this work pretends to attain the maximum sensing response of the thin film system and to demonstrate its potential as a gas sensor. The results show that as Ar plasma treatment time increases, the host CuO matrix is etched while Au nanoparticles are uncovered, which leads to an enhancement of the sensitivity until a certain limit. Above such a time limit for plasma treatment, the CuO bonds are broken, and oxygen is removed from the film’s surface, resulting in a decrease in the gas sensing capabilities. Hence, the importance of the host matrix for the design of the LSPR sensor is also demonstrated. CuO not only provides stability and protection to the Au NPs but also promotes interactions between the thin film’s surface and the tested gases, thereby improving the nanocomposite film’s sensitivity. The optimized sensor sensitivity was estimated at 849 nm/RIU, which demonstrates that the Au-CuO thin films have the potential to be used as an LSPR platform for gas sensors.This research was sponsored by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) in the framework of the Strategic Funding UIDB/04650/2020 and by the project CO2Plasmon with reference EXPL/CTM-REF/0750/2021. M.P. acknowledges her Ph.D. Scholarship from FCT, with reference SFRH/BD/137076/2018. Diana I. Meira acknowledges her Ph.D. Scholarship from FCT, with reference SFRH/BD/143262/2019

Índices para monitorização de qualidade ecológica de costas rochosas com base em comunidades de macroalgas : simplificação para utilização em áreas geográficas alargadas

Copyright © 2013 APRH.Este estudo centra-se em características de comunidades de macroalgas do intertidal rochoso para avaliação da qualidade ecológica das massas de águas costeiras no âmbito da Diretiva-Quadro da Água (DQA). É proposto um índice alternativo aos desenvolvidos nas Ilhas Britânicas, no norte da Espanha e em Portugal continental, que resulta da comparação da aplicação de todos os índices a um conjunto de dados recolhidos em praias açorianas, discutindo-se a adequação dos parâmetros utilizados em cada índice. Os parâmetros incluídos no índice proposto foram selecionados de forma a permitir a sua aplicação numa área geográfica alargada.ABSTRACT: This study focuses on intertidal rocky shore seaweed community features used for the assessment of ecological quality of coastal water bodies for the Water Framework Directive (WFD). An alternative index to those developed in the British Isles, in northern Spain and in mainland Portugal is proposed. Results from the application of all indices to a dataset collected on Azorean shores are compared and the suitability of the features used in each index discussed. The features included in the proposed index were selected to allow its applicability throughout a large geographic area

Prickly connections: sociodemographic factors shaping attitudes, perception and biological knowledge about the european hedgehog

The modern lifestyle of humans is leading to a limited exposure to nature. While several wild species are adapting and thriving in anthropic environments, natural history knowledge is declining, and positive attitudes and behaviours towards nature are facing challenges. Because anticipating attitudes and engendering broad-based support for nature-related measures requires a good grasp of social contexts, we set out to evaluate the sociodemographic factors driving the perception, attitudes towards, and natural history knowledge of a keystone species?the European hedgehog. In 2022, we conducted a questionnaire answered by 324 Portuguese adults. We found generally positive feelings and attitudes towards this species. A higher degree of academic qualifications and previous personal experience with the species seem to play a role in (i) people?s perception about human impacts on hedgehogs and (ii) positive attitudes, especially during encounters where the animals were in difficulty. Despite this, the extent of natural history knowledge was low overall, and the study population was self-aware of this. Our insights underline the need to tailor educational programmes if we are to encourage people to re-establish meaningful connections with nature, to foster social support for biodiversity stewardship, and to implement the One Health approach in a way that resonates with distinct social groups.A91F-E8B8-FA62 | Teresa Susana Letra MateusN/

A Secreted NlpC/P60 Endopeptidase from Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida Cleaves the Peptidoglycan of Potentially Competing Bacteria

Peptidoglycan (PG) is a major component of the bacterial cell wall, forming a mesh-like structure enwrapping the bacteria that is essential for maintaining structural integrity and providing support for anchoring other components of the cell envelope. PG biogenesis is highly dynamic and requires multiple enzymes, including several hydrolases that cleave glycosidic or amide bonds in the PG. This work describes the structural and functional characterization of an NlpC/P60-contain-ing peptidase from Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida (Phdp), a Gram-negative bacterium that causes high mortality of warm-water marine fish with great impact for the aquaculture industry. PnpA (Photobacterium NlpC-like protein A) has a four-domain structure with a hydrophobic and narrow access to the catalytic center and specificity for the γ-D-glutamyl-meso-diaminopimelic acid bond. However, PnpA does not cleave the PG of Phdp or PG of several Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial species. Interestingly, it is secreted by the Phdp type II secretion system and degrades the PG of Vibrio anguillarum and Vibrio vulnificus. This suggests that PnpA is used by Phdp to gain an advantage over bacteria that compete for the same resources or to obtain nutrients in nutrient-scarce environments. Comparison of the muropeptide composition of PG susceptible and resistant to the catalytic activity of PnpA showed that the global content of muropeptides is similar, suggesting that susceptibility to PnpA is determined by the three-dimensional organization of the muropeptides in the PG. IMPORTANCE Peptidoglycan (PG) is a major component of the bacterial cell wall formed by long chains of two alternating sugars interconnected by short peptides, generating a mesh-like structure that enwraps the bacterial cell. Although PG provides structural integrity and support for anchoring other components of the cell envelope, it is constantly being remodeled through the action of specific enzymes that cleave or join its components. Here, it is shown that Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida, a bacterium that causes high mortality in warm-water marine fish, produces PnpA, an enzyme that is secreted into the environment and is able to cleave the PG of potentially competing bacteria, either to gain a competitive advantage and/or to obtain nutrients. The specificity of PnpA for the PG of some bacteria and its inability to cleave others may be explained by differences in the structure of the PG mesh and not by different muropeptide composition.Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional (FEDER) funds through the COMPETE 2020 Operacional Program for Competitiveness and Internationalization (POCI), Portugal 2020, and by Portuguese funds through Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia/Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior and Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT), I.P., within the scope of the Norma Transitória - DL57/2016/CP1355/CT0010. This work had also support from the State Agency for Research (AEI) of Spain cofunded by the FEDER Program from the European Union (grants AGL2016-79738-R and BIO2016-77639-P

A generative-oriented model-driven design environment for customizable video surveillance systems

To tackle the growing complexity and huge demand for tailored domestic video surveillance systems along with a high demanding time-to-market expectation, engineers at IVV Automação, LDAa are exploiting video surveillance domain as families of systems that can be developed following a pay-as-you-go fashion rather than developing an ex-nihilo new product. Several and different new functionalities are required for each new product’s hardware platforms (e.g., ranging from mobile phone, PDA to desktop PC) and operating systems (e.g., flavors of Linux, Windows and MAC OS X). Some of these functionalities have special economical constraints of development time and memory footprint. To better accommodate all the above listing requirements, a model-driven generative software development paradigm supported by mainstream tools is proposed to offer a significant leverage in hiding commonalities and configuring variabilities across families of video surveillance products while maintaining the new product quality.This work was funded through the Competitive Factors Operational Program COMPETE and through national funds though the Science and Technology Foundation - FCT, within the project: FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-022674. This work was developed in cooperation with IVV Automation; all support and means provided by the company is acknowledged