Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Angela Vidal Pando, Mariana Alves Pires, Vitor Vasconcelos, Aldo Barreiro Felpeto
Summary: This study demonstrates that allelopathic compounds from Phormidium sp. can cause the collapse of large populations of Microcystis aeruginosa. The results also suggest that allelopathy can reverse the outcome predicted by resource competition.
Article
Microbiology
Hwee Sze Tee, Susanna A. Wood, Keith Bouma-Gregson, Gavin Lear, Kim M. Handley
Summary: Comparative analysis revealed significant genetic differences between toxic and nontoxic Microcoleus strains, with toxic strains potentially having reduced metabolic flexibility and dependence on coexisting nontoxic strains. The study sheds light on metabolic and evolutionary discrepancies between toxic and nontoxic Microcoleus, aiding in the prediction and management of aquatic blooms.
Article
Neurosciences
J. S. Metcalf, S. A. Banack, R. A. Wessel, M. Lester, J. G. Pim, J. R. Cassani, P. A. Cox
Summary: Recent algal and cyanobacterial blooms in Florida have raised public concern about the potential risks of exposure to these organisms. The coexistence of multiple potentially toxic blooms highlights the implications for human and animal health.
NEUROTOXICITY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
David C. Kazyak, Shannon L. White, Barbara A. Lubinski, Robin Johnson, Michael Eackles
Summary: Atlantic sturgeon face threats from overexploitation, habitat degradation, and various human activities, despite being protected under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Research shows that their extensive migrations and mixed-stock aggregations make it challenging to assess specific population impacts. Continued genetic monitoring is crucial for tracking their recovery progress due to their vulnerability over vast areas.
CONSERVATION GENETICS
(2021)
Review
Geology
Robin Fentimen, Gerhard Schmiedl, Andres Rueggeberg, Anneleen Foubert
Summary: The study compares for the first time surface benthic foraminiferal assemblages associated with cold-water coral mounds and reefs from the Irish margin and Norwegian shelf quantitatively. The results show that these sites share a common assemblage dominated by certain species in environments with strong bottom-water turbulence and enhanced food availability. The diversity of benthic foraminifera is higher on reefs and mounds, with the highest diversity found within the living coral macrohabitat, possibly due to enhanced food sources and ecological niche separation.
DEPOSITIONAL RECORD
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
M. Carmen Lopez-Rodriguez, Antonia D. Asencio, Rosa M. Meijide, Enrique Torres
Summary: The species composition of cyanobacteria in six thermo-mineral springs in Galicia, Spain, was studied. The results showed that the temperature of the springs had the most significant influence on the composition of cyanobacterial assemblages. There were diverse cyanobacterial species in the springs with different temperatures, and some species were common to multiple springs. However, there were significant differences in cyanobacterial communities between different sites, making it difficult to establish a characteristic cyanobacterial flora for the thermo-mineral waters of the Galician springs.
SYSTEMATICS AND BIODIVERSITY
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Mohammed Haida, Fatima El Khalloufi, Richard Mugani, El Mahdi Redouane, Alexandre Campos, Vitor Vasconcelos, Brahim Oudra
Summary: The use of artificial lakes and ponds for irrigating crops has increased in recent years. This study examines the effects of microcystins (MCs) on the growth, physiology, and antioxidant defense system of strawberry plants grown in hydroponics. The results show that high concentrations of MCs negatively affect the growth and physiology of strawberry plants.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Richard Mugani, Roseline Prisca Aba, Abdessamad Hejjaj, Fatima El Khalloufi, Naaila Ouazzani, C. Marisa R. Almeida, Pedro N. Carvalho, Vitor Vasconcelos, Alexandre Campos, Laila Mandi, Brahim Oudra
Summary: Eutrophication caused by toxic cyanobacteria can be remedied by eco-technologies like multi-soil-layering (MSL) systems. These systems have the advantages of small space requirement, simple maintenance, and high durability. They can effectively remove various contaminants from water, including cyanotoxins, although the mechanisms involved are not fully understood.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Ines Pascoa, Rita Biltes, Joao Sousa, Marco Aurelio Correia Preto, Vitor Vasconcelos, Luis Filipe Castro, Raquel Ruivo, Isabel Cunha
Summary: Cyanobacteria produce secondary metabolites that can act as ligands for PPARs, making them a potential source of bioactive compounds. A cell-based PPAR transactivation activity biosensor was upgraded and used in a screening campaign for drug discovery.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Maria. J. J. Romeu, Luciana. C. C. Gomes, Francisca Sousa-Cardoso, Joao Morais, Vitor Vasconcelos, Kathryn. A. A. Whitehead, Manuel F. R. Pereira, Olivia S. G. P. Soares, Filipe. J. J. Mergulhao
Summary: This study evaluated the influence of graphene nanoplatelet-modified surfaces on cyanobacterial biofilm formation in a simulated marine environment. The results showed that the graphene nanoplatelet composite reduced biofilm formation and coverage, and delayed biofilm development.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Claire Guillet, Ulrik Birgersson, Thomas Engstrand, Jonas aberg, Viviana R. Lopes, Andreas Thor, Hakan Engqvist, Franck Forterre
Summary: This study explores bone neoformation beyond the skeletal envelope using a collagen pouch filled with calcium phosphate granules placed over the frontal bone in sheep. The results show colonization of the implant by newly formed bone and fibrous connective tissue. The use of a collagen sleeve as a container for calcium phosphate granules allows for good neoformation and bridging bone formation between the test article and recipient bone. This method opens new perspectives for bone augmentation and treatment of cranio-maxillofacial defects and malformations.
BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Ines Rosado Vitorino, Alexandre Lobo-da-Cunha, Vitor Vasconcelos, Olga Maria Lage
Summary: In this study, a novel bacterium, strain ICT_H6.2(T), was isolated from the brackish environment of the Tagus River estuary in Portugal. Through genetic analysis, it was classified as a member of the bacterial phylum Planctomycetota and family Lacipirellulaceae, with a 98.0% similarity to its closest relative Aeoliella mucimassa Pan181(T). The strain has a genome size of 7.8 Mbp and a DNA G+C content of 59.6 mol %. It is heterotrophic, aerobic and capable of microaerobic growth, and can tolerate high salt concentrations.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SYSTEMATIC AND EVOLUTIONARY MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Samuel Cavalcante do Amaral, Luciana Pereira Xavier, Vitor Vasconcelos, Agenor Valadares Santos
Summary: Cyanobacteria are a valuable source of secondary metabolites with diverse chemical and biological properties, including antifungal activity. This review examines the key features of these antifungal compounds, their sources, major targets, and the environmental factors involved in their production. A comprehensive analysis of 642 documents dating from 1980 to 2022, including patents, original research, review articles, and theses, was conducted for this study.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Maria G. Hinojosa, Antonio Cascajosa-Lira, Ana I. Prieto, Daniel Gutierrez-Praena, Vitor Vasconcelos, Angeles Jos, Ana M. Camean
Summary: The incidence and interest of cyanobacteria have been increasing due to their ability to produce toxic secondary metabolites known as cyanotoxins. This study assessed the cytotoxicity and oxidative stress generation of different cyanobacterial extracts, and compared the effects of extracts containing and not containing cylindrospermopsin (CYN) in human neuroblastoma cells. The results showed that the CYN-containing extract was more toxic and induced oxidative stress compared to the CYN-free extract. This study highlights the importance of studying toxic effects of cyanobacteria in their natural environment.
Article
Biology
Martha Martinez-Garcia, Gloria Garduno-Solorzano, Graciliana Lopes, Begona Astrain Sanchez, Ralph Urbatzka, Guilherme Scotta Hentschke, Jorge E. Campos, Vitor Manuel Oliveira Vasconcelos
Summary: Using molecular markers, we confirmed the taxonomic status of Bacopa monnieri from Mexico and analyzed its chemical content and potential bioactivity. The results show that B. monnieri has great potential as a natural source of compounds with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-obesity properties. This plant's raw material can be effectively used as a nutritional and medicinal supplement.
Article
Plant Sciences
Ruben Luz, Rita Cordeiro, Jan Kastovsky, Jeffrey R. Johansen, Elisabete Dias, Amelia Fonseca, Ralph Urbatzka, Vitor Vasconcelos, Vitor Goncalves
Summary: This study described new genera and species of filamentous cyanobacteria isolated from aquatic habitats in the Azores archipelago through morphology, genetic data, and other analyses. It emphasizes the importance of taxonomic studies on cyanobacteria from less-studied habitats and geographical regions.
JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ana Margarida Silva, Marco Preto, Clara Grosso, Monica Vieira, Cristina Delerue-Matos, Vitor Vasconcelos, Mariana Reis, Lillian Barros, Rosario Martins
Summary: Alzheimer's disease is a neurodegenerative disease that causes a decline in cognitive functions. It is the most common form of dementia and has no well-defined cause. Current treatments only manage to reduce symptoms, and there are only two drugs that can partially halt its progression. Natural compounds from mushrooms have been studied for their potential use in AD treatment due to their beneficial effects on various AD-related mechanisms such as enzyme inhibition, prevention of protein aggregation and neurotoxicity, and antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential. While there have been studies linking mushrooms to neurodegenerative diseases, there is currently no publication summarizing the data specifically focused on AD. This review aims to fill that gap by compiling the potential anti-AD effects of mushroom extracts or compounds that target known AD-related mechanisms.
Article
Plant Sciences
Ruben Luz, Rita Cordeiro, Jan Kastovsky, Jeffrey R. Johansen, Elisabete Dias, Amelia Fonseca, Ralph Urbatzka, Vitor Vasconcelos, Vitor Goncalves
Summary: The taxonomy of cyanobacteria has been advanced through the use of molecular methods and morphology. In this study, four cyanobacterial strains from the Azores Archipelago were genetically characterized and classified as new species and genera. This research contributes to the understanding of the biogeography of cyanobacteria in remote oceanic islands and new terrestrial habitats.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vitoria Ramos, Mariana Reis, Leonor Ferreira, Ana Margarida Silva, Ricardo Ferraz, Monica Vieira, Vitor Vasconcelos, Rosario Martins
Summary: Neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by progressive and irreversible neuronal loss, and there are currently no available cures. Cyanobacterial compounds have anti-neurodegenerative properties and can be valuable in the field of treatment.
Article
Microbiology
Lamia Benredjem, Joao Morais, Guilherme Scotta Hentschke, Akila Abdi, Hajira Berredjem, Vitor Vasconcelos
Summary: This study isolated and identified cyanobacteria strains from the Cheffia Reservoir, revealing the importance of morphological features and the 16S rRNA gene in species determination. The research also discovered potentially toxic genotypes within this ecosystem, highlighting the need for adapted water treatment methods to prevent toxin release from picocyanobacteria.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Maria Joao Romeu, Joao Morais, Vitor Vasconcelos, Filipe Mergulhao
Summary: This study evaluated the effect of hydrogen peroxide on cyanobacterial biofilms and found that these biofilms were tolerant to hydrogen peroxide treatment, which may even lead to an increase in biomass.