Article
Parasitology
Angela Maria Garcia-Sanchez, Ana Zelia Miller, Ana Teresa Caldeira, Cristina Cutillas
Summary: This study is a preliminary investigation on the bacterial communities associated with parasitic nematodes in humans and animals using high-throughput sequencing. Potential pathogen bacteria were detected in these helminths, which may pose a new threat to humans and contribute to the spread of new diseases. This study also provides insights into the host-microbiota relationship and the role of parasitic nematodes in bacterial pathogen transmission.
Editorial Material
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Maria Filomena Macedo, Ana Zelia Miller, Ana Catarina Pinheiro, Antonio Portugal
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2022)
Letter
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Rodrigo Lopes Ferreira, Enrico Bernard, Francisco William da Cruz Junior, Luis Beethoven Pilo, Allan Calux, Marconi Souza-Silva, Jos Barlow, Paulo S. Pompeu, Pedro Cardoso, Stefano Mammola
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nicasio T. Jimenez-Morillo, Gonzalo Almendros, Ana Z. Miller, Patrick G. Hatcher, Jose A. Gonzalez-Perez
Summary: The study found a close relationship between SWR and the molecular composition of soil organic matter, allowing for the prediction of SWR based on FT-ICR/MS analysis. SWR in burned samples was significantly related to the abundance of aromatic and condensed compounds, while in unburned samples, aromatic hydrocarbons and lignin compounds played a significant role.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Giuseppe Nicolosi, Sandro Galdenzi, Maria Anna Messina, Ana Z. Miller, Salvatore Petralia, Serban M. Sarbu, Marco Isaia
Summary: The diverse invertebrate community thriving in the deepest sections of the gypsum karst system of the Monte Conca sinkhole suggests the existence of a complex food web associated with a sulfidic pool and chemoautotrophic microbial activity. The investigation revealed a structured biological assemblage of specialized and non-specialized species encompassing all trophic levels. The presence of a significant chemoautotrophic support by microbial communities to the local food web was observed, especially during the dry season.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Tamara Martin-Pozas, Alena Novakova, Valme Jurado, Angel Fernandez-Cortes, Soledad Cuezva, Cesareo Saiz-Jimenez, Sergio Sanchez-Moral
Summary: Castanar Cave is an oligotrophic ecosystem with high hygrothermal stability and high environmental radiation levels. It serves as an ideal laboratory to study the responses of the subterranean environment to external changes and the impacts of tourism.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Jose L. Gonzalez-Pimentel, Bernardo Hermosin, Cesareo Saiz-Jimenez, Valme Jurado
Summary: Two new Streptomyces strains, MZ03-37(T) and MZ03-48, were isolated from different samples on La Palma Island. Through phylogenetic analysis and genetic identification, they are proposed as a novel species named Streptomyces benahoarensis sp. nov.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Geochemistry & Geophysics
J. Judson Wynne, Timothy N. Titus, Ali-akbar Agha-Mohammadi, Armando Azua-Bustos, Penelope J. Boston, Pablo de Leon, Cansu Demirel-Floyd, Jo De Waele, Heather Jones, Michael J. Malaska, Ana Z. Miller, Haley M. Sapers, Francesco Sauro, Derek L. Sonderegger, Kyle Uckert, Uland Y. Wong, E. Calvin Alexander, Leroy Chiao, Glen E. Cushing, John DeDecker, Alberto G. Fairen, Amos Frumkin, Gary L. Harris, Michelle L. Kearney, Laura Kerber, Richard J. Leveille, Kavya Manyapu, Matteo Massironi, John E. Mylroie, Bogdan P. Onac, Scott E. Parazynski, Charity M. Phillips-Lander, Thomas H. Prettyman, Dirk Schulze-Makuch, Robert Wagner, William L. Whittaker, Kaj E. Williams
Summary: Nearly 50 years ago, the possibility of lunar lava tube caves was postulated. Today, with advanced satellite technology and survey instruments, we have obtained cave data from various planetary bodies, leading to the study of planetary caves. An interdisciplinary group has identified a strategy to explore caves beyond Earth, focusing on astrobiology, cave environment, geology, robotics, instrumentation, and human exploration. By addressing the top priority questions through research and technological development, a robotic mission to lunar and Martian caves could pave the way for human exploration and potential habitation of these subsurface environments.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-PLANETS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tamara Martin-Pozas, Soledad Cuezva, Angel Fernandez-Cortes, Juan Carlos Canaveras, David Benavente, Valme Jurado, Cesareo Saiz-Jimenez, Ivan Janssens, Naomi Seijas, Sergio Sanchez-Moral
Summary: This study reveals the significant role of cave microbiota in the global carbon cycle, including promoting CH4 consumption and CO2 uptake, which has a direct impact on greenhouse gas emissions.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Alexandra Rodrigues, Margarida Alves, Sara Gutierrez-Patricio, Ana Z. Miller, Maria Filomena Macedo
Summary: This study investigates the bioreceptivity and deterioration of contemporary glass used by artists worldwide. The research confirms that Penicillium chrysogenum and Aspergillus niger fungi cause different types of damage to glass, and the presence of a nutritional source affects the extent of damage.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Rosangela Addesso, Daniela Baldantoni, Beatriz Cubero, Jose Maria De La Rosa, Jose Antonio Gonzalez Perez, Igor Tiago, Ana Teresa Caldeira, Jo De Waele, Ana Z. Miller
Summary: Removing lampenflora, phototrophic organisms developing on rock surfaces in tourist cavities due to the artificial lighting, is a challenge for sustainable and appropriate long-term management of caves. The effects of commonly used lampenflora cleaning operations (NaClO, H2O2 and UVC) were investigated in Pertosa-Auletta Cave (Italy). NaClO showed good disinfection capability without causing any rock deterioration, while H2O2 was corrosive and did not remove biomass effectively. UVC treatments had no noticeable effect on the biofilms.
Article
Archaeology
Carolina Marques Sanchis, Pilar Bosch-Roig, Begona Carrascosa Moliner, Ana Z. Miller
Summary: The potential use of essential oils in Cultural Heritage has been increasingly studied in the last decade due to their antimicrobial potential and absence of toxicity. This research assessed the volatile antifungal activity of two essential oils (Origanum vulgare and Syzygium aromaticum) for the first time against fungi isolated from biodeteriorated archaeological mummified skin. The results showed that the tested essential oils exhibited antifungal activity, with oregano oil being the most effective for all three fungal strains.
JOURNAL OF CULTURAL HERITAGE
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Giuseppe Nicolosi, Jose L. Gonzalez-Pimentel, Elena Piano, Marco Isaia, Ana Z. Z. Miller
Summary: Microbial communities in lava tubes have been less studied compared to limestone caves. However, a study on four lava tubes in Mount Etna volcano reveals a diverse range of microbial cells similar to actinobacteria found in other lava tubes globally. The colored microbial mats in these lava tubes consist mainly of bacteria belonging to Actinomycetota, Pseudomonadota, Acidobacteriota, Chloroflexota, and Cyanobacteria. Specific genera, such as Crossiella, Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Chujaibacter, and Sphingomonas dominate the microbial communities and are associated with carbon, nitrogen, and ammonia cycles.
Article
Agronomy
Jose Maria De la Rosa, Sara Maria Perez-Dali, Paloma Campos, Agueda Sanchez-Martin, Jose Antonio Gonzalez-Perez, Ana Zelia Miller
Summary: Today's agriculture faces the challenge of ensuring food supply for a growing population while human activity has deteriorated a significant portion of the world's soils. Valorizing and recycling mineral and agricultural waste can enhance a sustainable economy and promote activities focused on soil nutrient cycling.
Article
Humanities, Multidisciplinary
Catarina Pinheiro, Ana Zelia Miller, Patricia Vaz, Ana Teresa Caldeira, Conceicao Casanova
Summary: The Alcobacenses is an important collection of Monastic codices in Portugal. A heavily deteriorated codex (ALC.338) with purple stains on the margins and fungal and bacterial biofilms was analyzed, revealing the presence of Saccharopolyspora sp. and Malassezia sp. as the predominant bacterial and fungal genera. Further studies and comparisons were discussed.