Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2022-08"
Now showing 1 - 10 of 15
Results Per Page
Sort Options
- Kaempferol Derivatives from Hedychium gardnerianum : Unveiling the Potential of an Invasive PlantPublication . Tavares, Wilson R.; Barreto, Maria do Carmo; Seca, Ana M. L.The therapeutic properties of plants and of their secondary metabolites are a current research topic of great interest. Considering that Hedychium species are used in folk medicine around the globe, Hedychium gardnerianum Sheppard ex Ker Gawl., an extremely aggressive invasive plant in Hawaii and in Azores, was selected and phytochemically studied in order to search for natural compounds with interesting biological activities. […].
- Environmental drivers and spatial scaling of species abundance distributions in Palaearctic grassland vegetationPublication . Ulrich, Werner; Matthews, Thomas J.; Biurrun, Idoia; Campos, Juan Antonio; Czortek, Patryk; Dembicz, Iwona; Essl, Franz; Filibeck, Goffredo; del Galdo, Gian‐Pietro Giusso; Güler, Behlül; Naqinezhad, Alireza; Török, Péter; Dengler, JürgenSpecies abundance distributions (SADs) link species richness with species abundances and are an important tool in the quantitative analysis of ecological communities. Niche-based and sample-based SAD models predict different spatial scaling properties of SAD parameters. However, empirical research on SAD scaling properties is largely missing. Here we extracted percentage cover values of all occurring vascular plants as proxies of their abundance in 1725 10-m2 plots from the GrassPlot database, covering 47 regional data sets of 19 different grasslands and other open vegetation types of the Palaearctic biogeographic realm. For each plot, we fitted the Weibull distribution, a model that is able to effectively mimic other distributions like the log-series and lognormal, to the species–log abundance rank order distribution. We calculated the skewness and kurtosis of the empirical distributions and linked these moments, along with the shape and scale parameters of the Weibull distribution, to plot climatic and soil characteristics. The Weibull distribution provided excellent fits to grassland plant communities and identified four basic types of communities characterized by different degrees of dominance. Shape and scale parameter values of local communities on poorer soils were largely in accordance with log-series distributions. Proportions of subdominant species tended to be lower than predicted by the standard lognormal SAD. Successive accumulation of plots of the same vegetation type yielded nonlinear spatial scaling of SAD moments and Weibull parameters. This scaling was largely independent of environmental correlates and geographic plot position. Our findings caution against simple generalizations about the mechanisms that generate SADs. We argue that in grasslands, lognormal-type SADs tend to prevail within a wider range of environmental conditions, including more extreme habitats such as arid environments. In contrast, log-series distributions are mainly restricted to comparatively species-rich communities on humid and fertile soils.
- Drinking Bottled and Tap Water for Healthier Living in Volcanic Areas : Are All Waters the Same?Publication . Linhares, Diana P.; Gaspar, Diogo; Garcia, Patrícia; Rodrigues, ArmindoIn most volcanic areas, the population considers the use of bottled waters as a healthier and safer option. This study aimed to (i) assess the fluoride concentrations in tap and bottled water consumed on São Miguel Island, (ii) confirm the accuracy of the labeling of fluoride levels on bottled water, and (iii) assess the fluoride daily intake and risk exposure and discuss the possible health effects in adults and children. Fluoride concentrations were measured in tap water (49 samples) and bottled water (23 samples) with a fluoride ion-selective electrode. The fluoride concentration was above the recommended limit in tap water from Sete Cidades (1.71 mg/L), in bottled waters nº 5 and 7 from category C (2.05 ± 0.04 mg/L and 2.36 ± 0.14 mg/L, respectively), and in bottled water nº 5 from category D (1.92 ± 0.03 mg/L). Fluoride daily intake in children reached a maximum value in gasified water nº 7 (0.059 mg F/day/kg). The risk assessment evidenced that all the brands with over 1.2 mgF/L might be a concern for potential non-cancer health effects, especially in adults. The most recognized brands of gasified and gasified flavored waters represent a higher risk of exceeding fluoride daily intake when compared to tap and mineral bottled waters.
- Valorization of Macaronesia Beach-Cast Seaweeds : Secondary Metabolites and Antiaging ActivityPublication . Seca, Ana M. L.; Faustino, Luís M. M.; Viveiros, Mariana Moniz; Rosa, Gonçalo P.; Barreto, Maria do CarmoBeach-cast seaweeds are a seasonal phenomenon consisting of the accumulation of large tons of algae on beaches, which is unpleasant for beach users and affects the tourism industry, mainly because tourists often interpret stranded natural litter as lowering beach quality, especially if the material starts to decompose. These beach casts are always variable mixtures of different species of seagrass and seaweeds. The present work aimed to contribute to the valorisation of this biomass by studying its chemical composition and bioactivities that reveal its potential in the pharmaceutical and/or cosmeceutical industries. […].
- Laurus Azorica Leaves : Sesquiterpene Lactones and Antiaging ActivityPublication . Viveiros, Mariana Moniz; Barreto, Maria do Carmo; Seca, Ana M. L.Plants are a relevant source of biologically active compounds for skin protection. Laurus azorica (Seub.) Franco, an endemic species from Azores, was traditionally used as a disinfectant, and the oil from its berries was used to treat wounds. This species is barely studied concerning its chemical constituents and biological activities. In this study, three sesquiterpene lactones, costunolide, 11,13-dehydrosantonin and reynosin, were isolated for the first time on the hexane fraction of the ethanol extract from Laurus azorica leaves by chromatographic techniques. […].
- Laurus azorica : Valorization through Its Phytochemical Study and Biological ActivitiesPublication . Viveiros, Mariana Moniz; Barreto, Maria do Carmo; Seca, Ana M. L.Laurus azorica (Seub.) Franco is an endemic species from the Azores, traditionally used in all the islands as a seasoning in cooking. The studies carried out with this species refer mainly to its essential oils. The study that was developed here allowed, for the first time, to determine the chemical composition and biological activities of the ethanol extract, fractions, and pure compounds from L. azorica. The hexane fraction was analyzed by GC–MS and revealed the presence of 48 compounds, comprising mainly fatty acids, fatty alcohols and terpenes, the family of fatty alcohols identified here for the first time in the genus Laurus. Three sesquiterpene lactones—costunolide, 11,13-dehydrosantonin and reynosin—were isolated for the first time in L. azorica from the same fraction, and structurally characterized using spectroscopic techniques. The compounds identified belong to families known to have relevant medicinal and nutritional properties. Regarding antioxidant activities, the results obtained showed a moderate radical scavenging effect of extracts and fractions, while in the β-carotene bleaching assay, costunolide was shown to be the most active (IC₅₀ = 4.08 ± 0.76 μg/mL), about 3.6 times more active than the standard, gallic acid, which presented IC₅₀ = 14.56 ± 0.13 μg/mL. Although the inhibition of extracellular matrix-degrading enzymes was not detected, the ethanol extract showed good inhibitory activity of tyrosinase, with an IC₅₀ of 12.04 ± 0.23 μg/mL, only 6.6-fold lower than the control kojic acid. The results presented deepen the knowledge about a little studied species, opening new perspectives for the development of value-added applications in the food and cosmeceutical fields.
- Observations on Riccia sorocarpa Bisch. subsp. erythrophora R.M.Schust. ex Konstant. & L.Söderstr. and its occurrence in Portugal and the AzoresPublication . Sérgio, Cecília; Gabriel, Rosalina; Sim-Sim, Manuela; Martins, Anabela; Porley, Ron; Garcia, César AugustoINTRODUCTION: Recent bryological research in Portugal has revealed the occurrence of a littleknown segregate of the Riccia sorocarpa group, representing the first record for mainland Portugal and the Azores of Riccia sorocarpa Bisch. subsp. erythrophora R.M.Schust. ex Konstant. & L.Söderstr. New data are presented on the taxonomy and phytogeography of this globally rare taxon. METHODS: A revision of approximately 200 samples of Riccia sorocarpa s.l. from selected Portuguese herbaria, together with some recent field collections, was carried out, based on the results of light and scanning electron microscopy. KEY RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Our findings confirm that Riccia sorocarpa subsp. erythrophora is a distinct subspecies, and show that morphological differences of the thallus, primarily the violet-red purple bases of the ventral scales, are the most important characters for its delimitation. Scanning electron micrographs of spores of this taxon are presented for the first time. Phytogeographically, our data significantly extend the known distribution of the subspecies.
- The global spread of misinformation on spidersPublication . Mammola, Stefano; Malumbres-Olarte, Jagoba; Arabesky, Valeria; Barrales-Alcalá, Diego Alejandro; Barrion-Dupo, Aimee Lynn; Benamú, Marco Antonio; Bird, Tharina L.; Bogomolova, Maria; Cardoso, Pedro; Chatzaki, Maria; Cheng, Ren-Chung; Chu, Tien-Ai; Classen-Rodríguez, Leticia M.; Čupić, Iva; Dhiya’ulhaq, Naufal Urfi; Drapeau Picard, André-Philippe; El-Hennawy, Hisham K.; Elverici, Mert; Fukushima, Caroline S.; Ganem, Zeana; Gavish-Regev, Efrat; Gonnye, Naledi T.; Hacala, Axel; Haddad, Charles R.; Hesselberg, Thomas; Tian Ho, Tammy Ai; Into, Thanakorn; Isaia, Marco; Jayaraman, Dharmaraj; Karuaera, Nanguei; Khalap, Rajashree; Khalap, Kiran; Kim, Dongyoung; Korhonen, Tuuli; Kralj-Fišer, Simona; Land, Heidi; Lin, Shou-Wang; Loboda, Sarah; Lowe, Elizabeth; Lubin, Yael; Martínez, Alejandro; Mbo, Zingisile; Miličić, Marija; Kioko, Grace Mwende; Nanni, Veronica; Norma-Rashid, Yusoff; Nwankwo, Daniel; Painting, Christina J.; Pang, Aleck; Pantini, Paolo; Pavlek, Martina; Pearce, Richard; Petcharad, Booppa; Pétillon, Julien; Raberahona, Onjaherizo Christian; Russo, Philip; Saarinen, Joni A.; Segura-Hernández, Laura; Sentenská, Lenka; Uhl, Gabriele; Walker, Leilani; Warui, Charles M.; Wiśniewski, Konrad; Zamani, Alireza; Chuang, Angela; Scott, CatherineIn the internet era, the digital architecture that keeps us connected and informed may also amplify the spread of misinformation. This problem is gaining global attention, as evidence accumulates that misinformation may interfere with democratic processes and undermine collective responses to environmental and health crises. In an increasingly polluted information ecosystem, understanding the factors underlying the generation and spread of misinformation is becoming a pressing scientific and societal challenge. Here, we studied the global spread of (mis-)information on spiders using a high-resolution global database of online newspaper articles on spider-human interactions, covering stories of spider-human encounters and biting events published from 2010-20204. We found that 47% of articles contained errors and 43% were sensationalist. Moreover, we show that the flow of spider-related news occurs within a highly interconnected global network and provide evidence that sensationalism is a key factor underlying the spread of misinformation.
- Epithelial morphometric alterations and mucosecretory responses in the nasal cavity of mice chronically exposed to hydrothermal emissionsPublication . Camarinho, Ricardo; Pardo, A. Madrero; Garcia, Patrícia; Rodrigues, ArmindoAir pollutants (either of natural or anthropogenic origin) represent a considerable environmental risk to human health by affecting the respiratory system and causing respiratory disorders. In this study, we investigate the effects of chronic exposure to hydrothermal emissions on the nasal cavity of mice since it is the first and the most exposed region of the respiratory system. This study, carried in S. Miguel Island, Azores—Portugal, used Mus musculus as a bioindicator species. Mice were captured in an area with non-eruptive active volcanism (Furnas Village) and another area without volcanism (Rabo de Peixe, reference site). The hydrothermal emissions present at Furnas Village are characterized by the continuous release of several gases (CO₂, H₂S, ²²²Rn) along with metals (e.g. Hg, Cd, Zn, Al) and particulate matter into the environment. We test the hypothesis whether chronic exposure to this specific type of pollution causes epithelial morphometric, mucosecretory and neuronal alterations on the nasal cavity. Thickness measurements were taken in the squamous, respiratory and olfactory epithelia. The relative density of cell types (basal, support and neurons) was also assessed in the olfactory epithelium and the mucosecretory activity was determined in the lateral nasal glands, Bowman’s gland and goblet cells. Mice chronically exposed to hydrothermal emissions presented thinner olfactory epithelia and lesser mucous production, which could result in loss of olfactory capabilities as well as a decrease in the protective function provided by the mucous to the lower respiratory tract. For the first time, it is demonstrated that, in mice, this specific type of non-eruptive active volcanism causes epithelial and mucosecretory alterations, leading to the loss of olfactory capabilities.
- Cosmeceutical Potential of the Green Macroalga Caulerpa ProliferaPublication . Rosa, Gonçalo P.; Seca, Ana M. L.; Barreto, Maria do Carmo; Pinto, Diana C. G. A.The present cosmeceutical industry has been gradually shifting its interest from products based on synthetic compounds to macroalgae-based products due to their interesting antiaging properties but also to their lower cytotoxicity and allergens content. Molecules isolated from macroalgae already showed potential as either active cosmetic ingredients or key elements for the consistency of the cosmetic formulation. In this regard, it is of foremost importance to keep studying the chemical composition of different algal species, aiming to find new compounds with cosmeceutical potential. […].