Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Angels Tudo, Maria Rambla-Alegre, Cintia Flores, Nuria Sagrista, Paloma Aguayo, Laia Reverte, Monica Campas, Neide Gouveia, Carolina Santos, Karl B. Andree, Antonio Marques, Josep Caixach, Jorge Diogene
Summary: Ciguatera Poisoning (CP) is a public concern in some temperate regions, and this study identified the presence of CTX-like toxicity in fish specimens from Macaronesia. The liver of Muraena augusti had the highest CTX-like toxicity, and CTX analogues were detected in this species as well as Gymnothorax unicolor.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sergio Lousada, Leonardo Goncalves, Alper Atmaca
Summary: This study examines the flood propensity of the main watercourse in the Sao Vicente drainage basin and proposes methodologies to alleviate impacts, including detention basin sizing and riverbed roughness coefficient adjustment. It was found that the river mouth lacks the capacity to drain the entire volume of rainwater in severe flood events, leading to modifications in walls, streambed roughness coefficient, and sizing of detention basins to ensure drainage capacity.
Article
Environmental Sciences
R. Branco, J. Virgilio Cruz, C. Silva, R. Coutinho, C. Andrade, V Zanon
Summary: A study sampling springs on Sao Miguel Island in Portugal revealed variations in major-ion and radon (Rn-222) content influenced by geological units, seasons, and hydrochemical characteristics. Springs from Fogo Volcano showed the highest radon concentrations, while those from Furnas Volcano exhibited the lowest levels. Groundwater temperature plays a crucial role in controlling the radon content and can be influenced by the geology and geochemistry of the area.
ENVIRONMENTAL EARTH SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Cesar Andrade, J. Virgilio Cruz, Fatima Viveiros, Rui Coutinho
Summary: The study measured CO2 fluxes from Sete Cidades Lake and found that the highest CO2 degassing occurred in areas dominated by macrophytes and algal blooms. The measured values suggest that CO2 was predominantly biogenically sourced, and the estimated total CO2 emissions varied significantly.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Ana I. Azevedo Neto, Ignacio Moreu, Edgar F. Rosas Alquicira, Karla Leon-Cisneros, Eva Cacabelos, Andrea Z. Botelho, Joana Micael, Ana C. Costa, Raul M. A. Neto, Jose M. N. Azevedo, Sandra Monteiro, Roberto Resendes, Pedro Afonso, Afonso C. L. Prestes, Rita F. Patarra, Nuno V. Alvaro, David Milla-Figueras, Enric Ballesteros, Robert L. Fletcher, William Farnham, Ian Tittley, Manuela I. Parente
Summary: This paper summarizes the taxonomic records, ecology, and occurrence information of macroalgae around Sao Miguel Island, improving the understanding of Azorean macroalgal flora at local and regional scales.
BIODIVERSITY DATA JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Saskia Ruttor, Oliver Nebel, Helen Williams, Christoph Beier, Marianne Richter, Yona Nebel -Jacobsen, Rene H. W. Romer, Simon P. Turner, Caroline R. Soderman
Summary: This study investigates the heterogeneity and sources of iron isotopes in primitive ocean island basalts (OIB). The results show that the magma source of the eastern Sao Miguel island is more enriched and has unique characteristics compared to the western Sao Miguel island. The study also reveals the spatial distribution of mantle components and the effects of secondary processes on the iron isotope systematics.
GEOCHIMICA ET COSMOCHIMICA ACTA
(2022)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Pedro Reis Costa, Catarina Churro, Susana Margarida Rodrigues, Barbara Frazao, Miguel Barbosa, Lia Godinho, Lucia Solino, Viriato Timoteo, Neide Gouveia
Summary: This study reviews the occurrence of ciguatera cases in the Madeira Archipelago since its first detection in 2008, discusses the implemented risk management strategy, and provides a summary of the available data on the bioaccumulation of ciguatoxins (CTX) in the marine food web.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sergio Lousada, Raul Alves, Mario Fernandes, Leonardo Goncalves
Summary: The primary goal of this study was to analyze the flood susceptibility of the main watercourse in the Sao Joao (Funchal) drainage basin. If necessary, mitigation measures such as sizing a detention basin and adjusting the riverbed's roughness coefficient were suggested. Geomorphological data obtained during watershed characterization were used in the ArcGIS software to estimate the expected peak flow rate for a 100-year return period using the Gumbel distribution. The Manning-Strickler equation was used to determine the river discharge point's drainage capacity and it was found to be insufficient for an extreme flood event, thus necessitating the exploration of the two aforementioned mitigation measures.
Article
Engineering, Marine
David Castro, Pablo Estevez, Jose Manuel Leao-Martins, Robert W. Dickey, Natalia Garcia-Alvarez, Fernando Real, Pedro Reis Costa, Ana Gago-Martinez
Summary: Ciguatoxins (CTXs) are naturally occurring neurotoxins that can accumulate in fish and cause Ciguatera Poisoning (CP) in seafood consumers. The distribution of ciguatoxic fish is expanding, but the lack of CTX standards and reference materials hinders monitoring efforts. This study presents a protocol for preparing purified C-CTX reference materials to enable continued research and monitoring of the ciguatera hazard.
JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Pedro Reis Costa, Pablo Estevez, Lucia Solino, David Castro, Susana Margarida Rodrigues, Viriato Timoteo, Jose Manuel Leao-Martins, Carolina Santos, Neide Gouveia, Jorge Diogene, Ana Gago-Martinez
Summary: The study found high levels of ciguatoxins in fish from the coastal food webs of the Selvagens Islands, especially in species like zebra seabream and barred hogfish. LC-MS/MS analysis confirmed C-CTX1 as the main toxin, but discrepancies between CBA and LC-MS/MS results in some species suggest the presence of fish metabolic products.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Rita Carvalho, Catarina Senra Moniz, Armando Mendes, Isabel Sousa, Ines Mendes Master
Summary: School-aged children in Sa~o Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal, no longer have iodine deficiency after the implementation of a government program for iodized salt consumption. The adequate iodine status of school-aged children may be attributed to an increase in iodine intake through iodized salt and improved food intake patterns.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Filipe Bernardo, Armindo Rodrigues, Cristina Branquinho, Patricia Garcia
Summary: This study used lichens as bioindicators to compare the impact of agricultural and artificial land uses against forest land use on an oceanic island. The results showed significant elemental enrichment in lichens from agricultural and artificial land uses, with higher levels of bioaccumulation in artificial land use lichens, including toxic heavy metals. By analyzing the elemental concentrations and nitrogen isotopic composition of lichen samples, the study highlights the vulnerability of island ecosystems to anthropogenic impacts, even from relatively small-scale human activities.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
A. Soares, S. Custodio, S. Cesca, R. Silva, A. Vuan, V. B. Mendes
Summary: This study focuses on a seismic swarm that occurred on São Miguel Island in February 2018. An automated procedure was used to process seismic data and generate high-quality earthquake information. The study identified three families of seismic events and observed surface deformations. The results indicate that the Fogo-Congro region is still seismically active and requires multidisciplinary monitoring.
FRONTIERS IN EARTH SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
A. Revil, Y. Qi, S. Barde-Cabusson, M. Gresse
Summary: Induced polarization is utilized to image the feeder dike of a monogenetic dome, revealing pronounced alterations around the magmatic feeding conduit. Through 3D tomography of electrical conductivity and normalized chargeability, the structure of the monogenetic dome is successfully visualized, providing important insights into its formation process.
JOURNAL OF VOLCANOLOGY AND GEOTHERMAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Martin Souto Souto, Vitor Goncalves, Xabier Pontevedra-Pombal, Pedro M. Raposeiro
Summary: A total of 43 species of testate amoebae were recorded in this study, including 26 Arcellinida and 17 Euglyphida. The most frequently occurring species were Euglypha strigosa, Trinema lineare, Euglypha rotunda, Assulina muscorum, and Cyclopyxis eurystoma. 38 species were newly recorded in the Azores Archipelago, providing valuable information on the geographical distribution and diversity of testate amoebae in the region.
BIODIVERSITY DATA JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Mafalda Freitas, Pedro Ideia, Manuel Biscoito, Manfred Kaufmann, Ricardo Sousa
Summary: This study reports the length and weight relationships for eight Chondrichthyes species caught off the Madeira archipelago between 2004 and 2019, at depths ranging from 350 to 2500 m. It was observed that the parameter b (relative growth rate) varied between 2.558 for males of Centrophorus squamosus and 3.494 for females of Etmopterus princeps. This study provides the first LWRs for these 8 Chondrichthyes species in Madeira waters.
EGYPTIAN JOURNAL OF AQUATIC RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Joao Neiva, Ricardo Bermejo, Alba Medrano, Pol Capdevila, David Milla-Figueras, Pedro Afonso, Enric Ballesteros, Brahim Sabour, Donatella Serio, Eduardo Nobrega, Joao Soares, Jose Valdazo, Fernando Tuya, Martina Mulas, Alvaro Israel, Sofia S. Sadogurska, Michael D. Guiry, Gareth A. Pearson, Ester A. Serrao
Summary: This study provides new insights into the systematics, species delimitation, and biogeography of Cystoseira s.l. in the North-east Atlantic. By using molecular markers, the researchers identified 27 molecular operational taxonomic units, including previously unknown cryptic diversity, and proposed redefinitions, reinstatements, and recognitions of certain taxa.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY
(2023)
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
Ecology
Laura Figuerola-Ferrando, Aldo Barreiro, Ignasi Montero-Serra, Marta Pages-Escola, Joaquim Garrabou, Cristina Linares, Jean-Baptiste Ledoux
Summary: This study analyzes the patterns and drivers of genetic diversity in marine habitat-forming species and provides a macrogenetic baseline. The results reveal a complex biogeographic pattern influenced by taxonomy and highlight the need to consider genetic diversity in biodiversity assessments and management.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY
(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
Environmental Sciences
Ivana Mendonca, Cesar Cunha, Manfred Kaufmann, Marisa Faria, Nereida Cordeiro
Summary: Microplastics have a negative impact on water quality and biomass production of microalgae. Different microalgae species showed varied responses to microplastic contamination, but all experienced a decrease in biomass production. S. armatus and N. gaditana were the most affected.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
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
Chemistry, Medicinal
Joana Silva, Celso Alves, Francisca Soledade, Alice Martins, Susete Pinteus, Helena Gaspar, Amparo Alfonso, Rui Pedrosa
Summary: The increase in life expectancy has led to a rise in the elderly population, resulting in a higher prevalence of neurodegenerative disorders like Parkinson's disease (PD). This review focuses on compounds derived from marine organisms that have neuroprotective effects on PD. Approximately 60 compounds from marine bacteria, fungi, mollusk, sea cucumber, seaweed, soft coral, sponge, and starfish have been isolated, such as peptides, alkaloids, quinones, terpenes, polysaccharides, polyphenols, lipids, pigments, and mycotoxins. These compounds can target various hallmarks of PD and show potential in reducing oxidative stress, preventing mitochondrial dysfunction, inhibiting α-synuclein aggregation, and blocking inflammatory pathways.
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
Chemistry, Medicinal
Sandra Raposo-Garcia, Alejandro Cao, Celia Costas, M. Carmen Louzao, Natalia Vilarino, Carmen Vale, Luis M. Botana
Summary: The expanding microorganisms producing ciguatoxins have raised significant concerns about ciguatera fish poisoning (CF), necessitating the development of a reliable and rapid ciguatoxin detection method to ensure food safety. This study evaluated various cell lines for CTX detection and revealed the limitations of the N2a cell line due to low availability of sodium channels and significant O/V damage. The HEK293 Nav cell line, expressing the alpha 1.6 subunit of sodium channels, proved to be sensitive to ciguatoxin without sensitization with O/V, providing an alternative for sodium channel-targeting compound detection.
