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- Biodegradation of 17α-Ethinylestradiol by strains of Aeromonas Genus isolated from acid mine drainagePublication . Da Luz Palma, Tânia Cristina; Costa, Maria Clara17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2), a synthetically derived analogue of endogenous estrogen, is widely employed as a hormonal contraceptive and is recognized as a highly hazardous emerging pollutant, causing acute and chronic toxic effects on both aquatic and terrestrial organisms. It has been included in the initial Water Watch List. The aim of this study was to isolate bacteria from consortia recovered from mine sediments and acid mine drainage samples, both considered extreme environments, with the ability to degrade EE2. From the most promising consortia, isolates affiliated with the Aeromonas, Rhizobium, and Paraburkholderia genera were obtained, demonstrating the capability of growing at 50 mg/L EE2. Subsequently, these isolates were tested with 9 mg/L of EE2 as the sole carbon source. Among the isolated strains, Aeromonas salmonicida MLN-TP7 exhibited the best performance, efficiently degrading EE2 (95 ± 8%) and reaching concentrations of this compound below the limits of detection within 7 and 9 days. The final metabolites obtained are in accordance with those of the TCA cycle; this may indicate EE2 mineralization. As far as is known, Aeromonas salmonicida was isolated for the first time and identified in acid mine drainage, demonstrating its capacity to degrade EE2, making it a promising candidate for bioaugmentation and suggesting its possible applicability in low pH environments.
- Jaccoud’s arthropathy in osteogenesis imperfectaPublication . Martins, Frederico Rajão; Rocha, Margarida Lucas; Chícharo, Ana Teodósio; Teixeira, Vítor SilvestreType I osteogenesis imperfecta is a genetic disease associated with mutations in the pro-alpha1 chains of type 1 collagen encoder gene COL1A1. It has an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance, and leads to reduction in the amount of structurally normal collagen and subsequently, disorders of the extracellular membrane of skin, tendons and bone.
- Environmental salinity modulates olfactory sensitivity in the euryhaline European seabass, Dicentrarchus labrax, acclimated to seawater and brackish waterPublication . Velez, Zélia; Hubbard, Peter; Carvalho Alves, Alexandra; Costa, Rita; Guerreiro, PedroThe olfactory epithelium of fish is – of necessity – in intimate contact with the surrounding water. In euryhaline fish, movement from seawater to freshwater (and vice versa) exposes the epithelium to massive changes in salinity and ionic concentrations. How does the olfactory system function in the face of such changes? The current study compared olfactory sensitivity in seawater- (35‰) and brackish water-adapted seabass (5‰) using extracellular multi-unit recording from the olfactory nerve. Seawater-adapted bass had higher olfactory sensitivity to amino acid odorants when delivered in seawater than in freshwater. Conversely, brackish water-adapted bass had largely similar sensitivities to the same odorants when delivered in seawater or freshwater, although sensitivity was still slightly higher in seawater. The olfactory system of seawater-adapted bass was sensitive to decreases in external [Ca2+], whereas brackish water-adapted bass responded to increases in [Ca2+]; both seawater- and brackish water-adapted bass responded to increases in external [Na+] but the sensitivity was markedly higher in brackish water-adapted bass. In seawater-adapted bass, olfactory sensitivity to L-alanine depended on external Ca2+ ions, but not Na+; brackish water-adapted bass did respond to L-alanine in the absence of Ca2+, albeit with lower sensitivity, whereas sensitivity was unaffected by removal of Na+ ions. A possible adaptation of the olfactory epithelium was the higher number of mucous cells in brackish water-adapted bass. The olfactory system of seabass is able to adapt to low salinities, but this is not immediate; further studies are needed to identify the processes involved.
- GC Insights: Fostering transformative change for biodiversity restoration through transdisciplinary researchPublication . Ekberzade, Bikem; Carrasco, Rita; Izdebski, Adam; Sofo, Adriano; Larsen, Annegret; Akinyemi, Felicia O.; Bruckman, Viktor J.; Baker, Noel; Clark, Simon; Hill, ChloeAccording to a 2019 United Nations report, of all the known species, up to 1 million face extinction globally. Despite being considered a pressing global risk with several international efforts to protect and to restore, biodiversity loss and the degradation of ecosystems continue at an alarming rate. In December 2022, the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15) saw the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, where four overarching international goals for biodiversity and 23 targets were set. While this is a positive step towards addressing the drivers of biodiversity loss, we will need not just public and political will but also more effective methods to integrate and use scientific information to reach the goals and targets outlined. To facilitate this, scientists and research institutions need to establish alternative and new approaches to transform the way science is conducted, communicated, and integrated into the policymaking process. This will require the scientific community to become proficient at working in interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary teams, establishing connectivity across scientific disciplines and engaging in the policymaking process to ensure that the best available scientific evidence is not only comprehensible to decision-makers but also timely and relevant. This commentary details how scientists can embrace transformative change within and outside of their own communities to increase the impact of their research and help reach global targets that benefit society.